Introduction
During the years between 1820 and 1924, thirty-five million people came to America from countries around the world. For most of them, the trip to America was difficult and dangerous. When they arrived in America, most immigrants had to go to a place called Ellis Island. At Ellis Island, immigrants were inspected before they were allowed into the United States. By completing these activities, you will learn about some of these experiences and why the United States is called "Nations of all Nations". No single place is more responsible for making the United States the most diverse multicultural mosaic in the world than Ellis Island, which is right here in the New York Bay.
Today almost 50% of all American citizens can trace their ancestry to those who came through Ellis Island. Most came to America from countries all over the world, as passengers booked in steerage class, on the many steamships that were ferried to Ellis Island for inspection. The vast majority had very little money and brought only the baggage they could carry. They endured a difficult and dangerous journey because of dreams of a new life filled with economic opportunity, religious freedom, and political liberty.
What would it be like to be on one of those ships? Did an ancestor immigrate in your family come through Ellis Island?
Task
- Students will use the internet in order to view original pictures taken during the immigration period at Ellis and Angel Island.
- Students will build their their vocabulary and understanding of the impact of immigratnts made to the American Culture.
- Students will create poetry that embodies the immigrants experiences at Angel Island.
- Students will write from the perspective of immigrants at Ellis Island during the Turn of the Century.
- Students will investigate Ellis Island and Angel Island websites to learn about how the migration of people impacted the people involved.
Process
You will either be studying Angel Island or Ellis Island. Please follow the following directions for whichever applies.
Ellis Island
Ellis Island
Activity: Please answer these questions in a createive way on the paper provided
1) Take the complete Ellis Island Tour. Take notes in your Social Studies notebook.
You must answer these questions and put them on your presentation paper provided!
2) When did the Ellis Island Immigration Station open?
3) Why was it built?
4) List the steps in the arrival process. What would a future immigrant want to know about the process before coming? After exploring the site, write a letter to a future immigrant telling him/her what to expect when they came through Ellis Island.
5) Illustrate your letter.
STEP THREE:
Angel Island Home Page
Activity: Please answer these questions in a create way on the paper provided.
1) Read the entire website taking notes in your Social Studies notebook. You must answer these questions and put them on your presentation paper.
2) When did the Angel Island Immigration Station Open? Why was it built?
3) What was the difference in processing time between Ellis Island and Angel Island? Write at least two sentences explaining why there might be a difference in the experiences of the immigrants at Ellis and and those at Angel?
4) What were 'paper sons' and 'paper daughters' ?
1) Visit and read this website. Take notes and answer the
1. How did many detained immigrants express their feelings?
2. Pretend you are an immigrant detained for several weeks on Angel Island. Write a poem that you might have brushed or carved on the wall. Express your feelings about leaving your homeland, being detained on the island or your dreams for a new life.
3. Did you learn anything new or surprising through visiting this site? Explain.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed the immigration webquest. Please take a moment to read over your work and your spelling and punctuation. Your groups will now present your answers to the questions and either read your letter (letter) or your poem (Angel Island) to the class.