Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What does it mean to be an immigrant? Why might a person want to immigrate to the United States? Why might they not want to? What are some common tropes or themes relating to immigration narratives in United States’ media?

Teaching Suggestion: These questions can be used to activate prior knowledge and prepare for the activity to follow.

• This Britannica article on immigration may supplement discussion or aid in defining key terms.

Short Activity

Read the attached resources, then locate a news or other media story related to the topic of immigration. Create a visual that analyzes and evaluates this story based on how much it adheres to current immigration narrative trends and/or represents a nuanced depiction of immigrant experiences. Share with your classmates.  

Teaching Suggestion: Because The Leavers relates to the topic of immigrant experiences but subverts many dominant narratives related to immigration, students may benefit from identifying and revisiting this activity throughout the unit. Visuals may include posters, slideshows, or annotations.

• This article from Vox examines the prevalence of media tropes that reduce the complexity of immigrant experiences in the United States to a handful of one-dimensional narratives.
• This report from the Norman Lear Center showcases results of a study of immigrant depictions in United States television media.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Read the Pew Research report for context, then reflect on your thoughts and attitudes toward the topic of immigration and how it relates to your life. For some, immigration will touch on everyday experiences and for others, it may be distant. Use the report as reference or a guide or simply let your ideas flow.  

Teaching Suggestion: Consider acknowledging that topics of immigration may be sensitive for students and remind students that they do not have to share beyond their comfort level. Consider opening the reflection to optional sharing or discussion afterward. Remind students of sensitive topic discussion protocols and preestablished SEL strategies.

• This Pew Research report examines trends in how people in the United States view immigration.