1. …If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island Links to LOC Resources: Ellis Island Arriving Waiting in line Being examined by the doctor Video Clip of Immigrants ArrivingVideo Clip of Immigrants Arriving Lauren McClintock Author: Ellen Levine …If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island Scholastic Inc.-New York, 1993 Book Summary: Describes the migration of 12 million immigrants to Ellis Island, from the 1880s to 1914. Discusses topics including—why people came to America, what did people bring with them, what happened if you were detained, and how people learned English. Objective: Students will analyze and deepen their understanding of the migration of immigrants to America during the historical period from the 1880’s- 1920’s.

2. How would your life have been if you had migrated to America in the 1800’s? Activity: Each of you will be assigned a famous person who arrived at Ellis Island. You will use the class account at www.ellisisland.org to research the immigrant. You will each write a simulated journal from the immigrants point of view—include your age, the ship you arrived on, a map indicating where you are from, did you come alone, why you came to America, and your claim to fame. www.ellisisland.org

3. What is so great about America? Activity: Imagine that you came to America alone—when you arrived at Ellis Island you knew no one and could not speak English. After being in America for several months you are grateful for the opportunities and freedom that you have. Write a persuasive letter to your family members encouraging them to migrate to America as well. Consider things in America that your family may not have back home—job opportunities, religious freedom, democracy, free education, etc.

4. What hardships did the immigrants face? Did the immigrants make important contributions to this country? Each of you will select a partner to work with. One of you will take on the role of a news reporter and one of you will take on the role of an immigrant. Using the book …If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island and other research you may find, you will create a news interview that will air on 20/20. The news reporter should ask questions focusing on contributions the immigrant has made to the country and the hardships they faced when they arrived. Interview questions to consider: Did you have a job waiting on you? How did you learn English? Did you have any money or a place to live? What opportunities did America provide that your homeland did not?

5. Standards NCSS: The Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900) NSS-USH.5-12-5: Standard 2: Understands massive immigration after 1870 and how new social patterns, conflicts, and ideas of national unity developed amid growing cultural diversity South Carolina: Standard 5-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of major domestic and foreign developments that contributed to the United States’ becoming a world power. 5-3.4 Summarize the significance of large-scale immigration and the contributions of immigrants to America in the early 1900s, including the countries from which they came, the opportunities and resistance they faced when they arrived, and the cultural and economic contributions they made to this nation. (P, G, E, H)

6. References Passenger Record photo retrieved from: http://www.ellisisland.org/search/passRecord.asp?MID=14212657040909663712&p ID=604534030002& Family at Ellis Island photo retrieved from: http://tigger.uic.edu/~pbhales/fasi/italian%20family%20looking%20for%20lost%20 baggage%20ellis%20island%201905%20geh%20small.jpg Present day Ellis Island photo retrieved from: http://www.boscovstravel.com/blog/images/2010/ellis-island-great-hall.jpg Activity One Resources: www.ellisisland.org …If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island by Ellen Levine