📖

Why People Left Their Homelands

Coming to America: Immigration

Day 102of 180
Week 21of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand why people immigrate to new countries

2

Learn about different reasons for leaving one's homeland

3

Develop empathy for immigrant experiences

📖 Scripture Connection

Exodus 2:22

“And she bore him a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, 'I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.'”

— Exodus 2:22 (WEB)

Shows how even biblical figures experienced being strangers in a new place

📦 Materials Needed

  • World map
  • Picture cards showing different countries
  • Small paper suitcases
  • Colored markers
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students around the world map and ask them to point to where their family originally came from

💭 Review Question: What do you know about where your family came from?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain different reasons people might leave their home country: seeking safety, looking for jobs, wanting freedom, escaping hunger or danger

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Some people leave because they don't feel safe
  • Some want better jobs or schools
  • Some are looking for new opportunities
  • God cares about people who are traveling and seeking a new home
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How would you feel if you had to leave your home?
  • What would you pack in your suitcase?
  • How can we help people who are new to our country?
3Activity: My Immigration Suitcase (7 min)
hands-on

Students create a paper suitcase showing what they would bring if they moved to a new country

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a paper suitcase
  2. Draw or write 3-4 things you would bring
  3. Share with a partner why you chose those items
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-draw suitcase template

Challenge: Write a short story about why you're moving

4Closing (3 min)

Remind students that God loves all people, no matter where they come from

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about why people move?
  • How can we be kind to people from different places?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us love and welcome people from all around the world, just as You love everyone.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about Ellis Island and how immigrants came to America

💎 Memory Verse

Leviticus 19:34

“The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.”

— Leviticus 19:34 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Create a welcome poster with the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Immigration is a complex topic that shows human resilience and hope

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Be sensitive to students who might have immigrant family histories
  • Emphasize empathy and kindness
  • Use age-appropriate language
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it hard to understand why people leave their homes

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Compassionate responses, curiosity about different cultures

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Interview a family member about your family's history
  • Learn a word in another language
  • Try a food from a different culture

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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