As part of studying the different cultures of America, encourage students to investigate their own heritage. Where did their ancestors come from? To which ethnic groups did their ancestors belong? Set up a "Heritage" corner in your classroom. Have students bring recipes, stories, photographs, etc. that relate to their family's heritage to share with their classmates.
As you know, making learning personal, keeps students interested! Use these resources and interview questions to help students build their family tree and map their family's story. They will be working on geography, history, and research skills, all while learning about themselves.