1. Build background about cultural diversity in the United States.
Tell students that Kenneth Prewitt, former director of the U.S. Census Bureau, has said of the United States that “we’re on our way to becoming the first country in history that is literally made up of every part of the world.” Ask: What do you think he meant? Prompt students to think about how many people they know that were born in the United States and how many were born elsewhere and came to the United States to live. Make sure they understand that Prewitt was referring to how many people have come from other countries to the United States to live.

2. Introduce common metaphors describing cultural diversity in the United States.
Remind students that a metaphor compares two things without using the words like or as. Introduce three metaphors that people commonly use to describe cultural diversity in the United States. As you discuss each one, say: The United States is a ___.

• melting pot: implies that immigrants change to fit the society of their new home
• salad bowl: implies that immigrants retain their cultural identity in their new home
• kaleidoscope: implies that both the immigrants and society adapt and change

Explain that all three metaphors highlight the important role immigration has played in U.S. identity and culture. Tell students that the metaphors change as cultural diversity in the United States changes. Ask: Which metaphor do you think is most accurate right now? Encourage students to share their opinions and the reasons for them.

3. Have students freewrite about cultural diversity.
Have students choose one of the metaphors and freewrite for 5 minutes about what the metaphor means to them. 

4. Brainstorm a new metaphor that best describes cultural diversity in the United States today.
Have students brainstorm new ways to describe cultural diversity in the United States today. Encourage them to choose other nouns that they think are a better fit in our changing world. Discuss students’ ideas.