In 1883, Emma Lazarus wrote The New Colossus, a poem now affixed to the Statue of Liberty and a vital part of America’s story and identity. Emma’s life and message will inspire your students to participate in the ongoing conversation of what it means to be an American.
Download the Curriculum Overview for information on the lessons involved.
Download The Discovering "The New Colossus" Activity
This activity encourages students to explore Emma’s poem and reflect on her message. Students are then encouraged to generate their own questions about Emma Lazarus which will be revisited throughout the next steps.
We have also created an extension activity which dives deeper into how Emma used langauge and poetic devices to communicate her message. Download The ELA Extension Activity
Possible Pathways Through the Archive
Download Writing The New "New Colossus" Activity
In this lesson students create their own New “New Colossus,” expressing their vision and ideals about America. AJHS has created a national poetry contest that asks students "If you could write a poem for the Statue of Liberty today, what would you say?" Visit our poetry contest page to learn more about how to submit your students original work to the poetry contest.
We encourage you to utilize our model lessons, or mix and match sources to deepen and enrich your own lessons!
We encourage you to utilize our model lessons, or mix and match sources to deepen and enrich your own lessons!
AJHS has developed a series of virtual programs designed to teach about immigration, American ideals, and civic participation. From virtual visits with the famous poetess, to interactive zoom workshops with an acclaimed poet, students will have the chance to read and discuss Emma’s words and immerse themselves in the issues of the time. At this time all virtual sessions are being offered to classrooms for free.
Step back in time and into the sitting room of Emma Lazarus, a fifth-generation American Jew caught in an important turning point in American history. In this live interactive program, children have the opportunity to engage with the famous poetess about her life and the issues of her time. Emma will encourage families to identify a cause that they care about and discover their own creative voice. Recommended for Students age 7 – 12.
Email rmiller@ajhs.org to schedule your free program.
Explore the multi-media resources available to augment your classroom experience. From a 13 minute film that traces Emma Lazarus' life story and explore the context in which she came to write "The New Colossus," to recordings of contemporary poets responding to Emma's words with their own original poems; this collection of media can be used to enhance your lesson.
This interactive digital storybook bring's AJHS' archives and Emma Lazarus' story to life.
Teachers can explore The American Jewish Historical Society’s digitized collections online, including the Emma Lazarus papers.
In July 2017, 92nd Street Y paid tribute to Lazarus’s iconic poem by hosting a week-long online festival using the hashtag #ANewColossus. Nineteen of the nation’s best emerging poets wrote poems that explored both the stories Lazarus’s poem invites, and those to which it may have blinded us.
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This curriculum was made possible (in part) by funds granted by The Covenant Foundation. The statements made and views expressed, however, are solely the responsibility of the author(s). |
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Re-imagining Migration was created to foster understanding and the successful inclusion of migrant youth across the globe. Re-imagining Migration equips teachers to engage the children of migration and their peers to learn from one another in reflective learning environments. |
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Facing History and Ourselves is a nonprofit international educational and professional development organization. FHAO equips teachers with strategies that help young people wrestle with current events and difficult issues through the lens of history. |
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