We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.

~John F. Kennedy

Goal: To construct a hypothetical dialogue after reading statements related to immigration

Objectives:

• Students will practice the art of informed dialogue and relate it to real-life situations
• Students will learn that individuals do not have to agree in order to live and work together

Materials:
Handout 9.1: An Immigration Dialogue

Time Frame: One to two class periods

Age Level: Middle school to adult

Vocabulary: Informed Dialogue

Relevant Subject Areas and Connection to Minnesota State High School Standards: Write and Speak: Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication Inquiry and Research: Issue Analysis

Setting the Stage: To date, the class has learned a great deal about immigration. Students have looked at the issue more carefully than the average voting U.S. citizen. The class, however, has had access to resources not readily available to the average citizen and therefore, students may be better equipped to engage in an informed dialogue about the issue. Today the class will practice engaging in dialogue about the facts, statistics, and history that has been learned.