...if Your Name was Changed at Ellis Island
Created By: Marilyn Cimino, Dr.Howard Elementary School (Champaign, IL)
Grade Level: 4th
Content Area: Literature
Introducing the Literature
An immigrant is a person who
moves from one country to another. For many immigrants their first stop
was Ellis Island. Immigrants had to stop at Ellis Island to receive approval
to enter the United States. Ask students to share experiences and changes
that occurred from a move they made.
Lesson Plan Objectives
- Identify the different reasons
why people immigrated to the United States.
- Describe the contributions
made by various immigrants to the United States.
Response Activities
- Name three reasons why immigrants
came to the United States. Why do you think land was an important issue?
- Give a report on an immigrant
group that moved to Illinois since 1700. Tell about places and things
that show the group's influence.
- Have students tell why they
think people would leave their homes, possessions, and families to come
to a new country. Have them name two contributions made by immigrants
and explain why these contributions are important to all people living
in America.
Background Information: Ellis Island Arrivals
If you came to Ellis Island, you would have
- brought only what
you could carry in a basket or suitcase, including valued items
and food.
- traveled 6 to 32 days
on a crowded boat.
- heard many languages
all around you.
- had a physical exam.
- answered many questions,
including whether you could read and and whether you had a job.
- stayed 3 to 5 hours
if all went well; stayed days if you had problems, such as a rash.
- gone down the stairway
of separation to start your new life in America.
Read article, "...If Your
Name Was Changed at Ellis Island" by Ellen Levine (Instructor to
provide)
University Library