Ethnic Heritage and Immigration
There are two parts of this district project. Unless we are full native American, students agree that our families immigrated to the United States from another country. Students learn the meaning of immigration and begin the research process by interviewing family members about their ethnic heritage and home country.
Part one focuses on studying the country from which the student's family originally emigrated. Students use non-fiction books, encyclopedias and learn how to access and use the Culturegrams database to learn key information about the country. Students use good note-taking skills to record information and learn about:
With this information, students are able to create a poster or presentation within their drive account to share with fellow students. Students must cite sources used and create a bibliography within drive account and share this document with teachers.
Usually coinciding with a field trip to Ellis Island, part two of the project focuses on immigration in the United States during the late 1860's to early 1900's. Students research a country from which a major population emigrated during this time period. These countries include Poland, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, Russia
Armed with this information, students will create an Immigration Journal. The journal must include these components:
Cover - The cover must include:
Journal - Write the journal from your family member's perspective. Pretend to be the immigrant. The journal must include these three sections:
Here are some good resources for general immigration.
Ellis Island Website
PBS Website
Immigration in the early 1900's
Online sources for specific countries may be found on country pages.
Part one focuses on studying the country from which the student's family originally emigrated. Students use non-fiction books, encyclopedias and learn how to access and use the Culturegrams database to learn key information about the country. Students use good note-taking skills to record information and learn about:
- food
- holidays and customs
- important symbols
- important landmarks
- land and climate
- other interesting facts
With this information, students are able to create a poster or presentation within their drive account to share with fellow students. Students must cite sources used and create a bibliography within drive account and share this document with teachers.
Usually coinciding with a field trip to Ellis Island, part two of the project focuses on immigration in the United States during the late 1860's to early 1900's. Students research a country from which a major population emigrated during this time period. These countries include Poland, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, Russia
- the reasons their family members and other people from that country may have left their home country to journey to US.
- about the journey to America and the conditions of travel.
- life in America when they arrived.
Armed with this information, students will create an Immigration Journal. The journal must include these components:
Cover - The cover must include:
- an illustration
- an introduction of who you are and where you are from (country)
Journal - Write the journal from your family member's perspective. Pretend to be the immigrant. The journal must include these three sections:
- Reasons for Leaving: Describe what life was like in the old country and why your family left.
- Journey: Describe the journey to America.
- Arrival: Describe life in America and the experiences encountered.
Here are some good resources for general immigration.
Ellis Island Website
PBS Website
Immigration in the early 1900's
Online sources for specific countries may be found on country pages.