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Ellis Island Immigrants

Ellis Island Immigrants

Ellis Island was once the busiest immigrant station in the United States. Students will learn about this "Gateway to the New World" and create artwork that depicts what they've learned.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper
  • Poster Board

Steps

  • Step 1

    From 1892 to 1954 more than 12 million immigrants arriving at the Port of New York and New Jersey were processed at Ellis Island. Have students research details about its history. What were some reasons for wanting to come to the United States? What was the process once immigrants arrived? Were any denied entry? Why?

  • Step 2

    Have students depict some of what they learned on an informational poster. They might include images of the processing center, the Statue of Liberty which is located there, and other facts pertinent to the site.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to present their work to the class and discuss what they learned.

Standards

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Analyze the causes and consequences of past events and developments, and place these in the context of the institutions, values, and beliefs of the period in which they took place.

SS: to Power, Authority, Civics, and Governance Explore views of citizenship in other times and places through stories and drama.

Adaptations

The Statue of Liberty was a gift of friendship from France to the United States in 1885. It is on Liberty Island, which is next to Ellis Island. Have students investigate its history, including the sonnet called "The New Colossus" written by Emma Lazarus that was inscribed on a plaque and placed on Lady Liberty's pedestal.

Many famous people came through Ellis Island. Have students learn about some of these notable individuals such as artist Frida Kahlo (from Mexico), actor Cary Grant (from England) songwriter Irving Berlin (from Russia) and others