La Ciudad: The City
THE CITY (LA CIUDAD) tells stories of loss, love, frustration, and hope as four people recently arrived in a large city struggle to build their lives, their communities and their dreams.

Filmmaker David Riker's sensitive portrayals urge us to take a closer look at today's immigrants, who are not so different from many of our ancestors when they first arrived from a foreign land.

To order a copy contact: Zeitgeist Films, phone: 212-274-1989, fax: 212-274-1644, email: mail@zeitgeistfilms.com

www.zeitgeistfilms.com

SITE CREDITS





MY AMERICAN GIRLS
This film captures the joys and struggles in a year of the life of the Ortiz family, first-generation immigrants from the Dominican Republic. The film encompasses the contradictions of contemporary immigrant life.

To order a copy of the film call Filmmakers Library at 212.808.4980.

SITE CREDITS

Latino Studies
LA CIUDAD: THE CITY

ACTIVITIES

Flash Activity: The Changing Faces of the United States
Why do people immigrate? In this activity, you will learn more about world immigration patterns, documented immigrants in the United States, and Naturalization in the United States.


LESSON PLANS
The Immigration Experience Download: PDF
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject Areas: U.S. History, World History, U.S. Government
This lesson plan includes activities inspired by the film including writing poetry, reading related texts and creating videos and performances.

LESSON PLANS
Using Literature and Poetry Download: PDF
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject Areas: U.S. History, World History, U.S. Government, English/Language Arts, Media Studies
This lesson plan includes activities inspired by the film including internet research, writing, and poetry analysis.



MY AMERICAN GIRLS

ACTIVITIES
Flash Activity: Latino Contributions
In this interactive activity, students will learn about the contributions Latinos have made in a wide variety of areas in the U.S.

Flash Activity: Crossword: A Word About History
A crossword about well-known Latino people and events.

This activity is also available in PDF printable format.
Download Crossword: PDF
Download Answers: PDF

LESSON PLANS
Multiple Perspectives on the Immigrant Experience
Download: HTMLPDF
Grade Level: 7-12
Subject Areas: Social Studies, Language Arts
In this lesson, students will reflect on the individual Dominican-American experiences of the Ortiz sisters in the film My American Girls, create a talk show that addresses the themes and issues of the film, and conduct research on how Latinos are portrayed in the media.

Immigration: A Vision & A Dream
Download: HTMLPDF
Grade Level: 7-12
Subject Areas: Social Studies, Language Arts
In this lesson, students will explore issues surrounding immigration, assimilation and maintenance of cultural identity.

Living Between Two Worlds
Download: HTMLPDF
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject Areas: Social Studies, Language Arts
In this lesson, students will explore issues common to all families. They will examine school, work and conflict in their lives and the lives of the family profiled in the film. They will have an opportunity to role-play solutions to school conflicts based on a series of vignettes.

RESOURCES
Web sites, local resources, suggested reading and films.
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LOCAL HEROES
Find out more about KQED Local Heroes, outstanding Latinos honored annually by KQED for commitment and contributions to the community.
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