Coming to America!
pamelamyers | January 31, 2019
Today at school the 3rd graders had an Ellis Island Simulation Day so that they could learn about what it was like for immigrants to arrive at Ellis Island. Prior to the day, each student had to decide what country they would be from, what their occupation is, and what they are bringing with them. They also had to dress in clothing appropriate for the 1900s. Sam decided she would be from Ireland and her job was a spinner. She brought her daughter with her, and also carried some food, some family photos and some yarn. I had printed out some old pictures of family when we were babies or very young (in black and white) that looked pretty 1900s if you ask me. Here is what Sam looked like that morning and the photos she brought.
When the kids started the simulation, they gathered in the lobby where they pretended to depart from the boat and enter Ellis Island.
Sam was not in this group, but rather over in the chairs in the lobby because she (along with only one other student in her class) were first-class passengers so they got seats! Sam was so excited when she came home with the passenger manifest the day before and saw that.
After getting off the boat, they cycled through stations: Registry Room, Legal Inspection Room, Manifest Check Room, Detainees Room, and the Medical Room. Sam’s name was changed to Samantha Myer and she was detained because they said she wasn’t walking right. 🙂
All the kids looked great and I hope they learned a lot about what it was like to arrive here a long time ago. It’s certainly a different situation today for immigrants, but at least they learned a little bit of history in a really fun way.
