October 9, 2003
 
 

Dear 4th grade parents,

    This letter is intended to give parents of 4th grade students some background information about an upcoming social studies assignment that will take place in the computer lab. The Immigration Quest assignment is a supplemental activity to the 4th grade social studies curriculum. The goal for the assignment is for students to learn that we all have different backgrounds, to take pride in our family past, to share who we are, and most importantly, respect our differences.

 

    Before the assignments begins, students will use their computer class to read and summarize a webpage on citizenship published by the US Government entitled Ben’s Guide to Government for Kids (http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/citizenship/index.html), and another webpage from Scholastic Network, where students read five young immigrants stories and reflect on their experience (http://teacher.scholastic.com/immigrat/bio/index.htm).
 
 

    As part of the assignment, students will interview parents and relatives to discover their state or country of origin. After conducting family interviews, students will use their computer lab time word processing, drawing pictures of flags, adding scanned photos, and re-telling great family stories. I have purposely not set a deadline for the work to be completed so students may explore their heritage and add as much as they like to their work. Students will have an opportunity to share their research with their classmates, and I plan to have a display of student work ready outside of the computer lab before Thanksgiving.
 
 
 

Please feel free to contact me (610-642-3020 x1333; jbrown@haverford.org) should you have any thoughts or concerns about the assignment.
 
 

Respectfully yours,
 

Jay Brown

Computer Specialist
Lower School Dean
The Haverford School

 
 
1