Erica Aikin
Grade Level: 8
Subject: Social Studies
Time Required: 5 classes and 5 Computer classes (400 minutes total)
Objectives and Goals:
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Report the immigrant experience in the United States and New York State.
Describe the responsibilities of citizenship and basis for citizenship.
Role play life as an immigrant coming over to the United States through Ellis Island
(beginning with filling a suitcase and explaining items, or a virtual suitcase through
video, power point, etc).
Common Core Standards:
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Cite textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source.
Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies.
Integrate visual information with other information in print and digital texts.
Instructional Preparation:
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Computer lab, i-pads, and printers
Project sheet for students
Reading materials (stories for read aloud)
Photos and documents from Library of Congress printed out and laminated
Anticipatory Set (approximate time): 40 Minutes
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Watch video clip on Arrival of Immigrants, Ellis Island (Library of Congress website).
Read a biography about Mario Cuomo, our past governor, who came through Ellis Island.
Discuss the immigrant project they will be researching and role playing.
Direct Instruction (approximate time): 80 Minutes
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We will be discussing Ellis Island with photos and documents from Library of Congress
Activities at Ellis Island website
Virtual field trip of the Museum of Ellis Island
Learn about the steps in becoming a citizen of the United States and the procedures of
coming over through Ellis Island.
Guided Practice (approximate time): 40 Minute class, all 5 computer classes
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To guide the students through various sites to research their ancestors’ countries.
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To collect Ellis Island information
To guide them through the Library of Congress website for pertinent information and
finding primary sources to share in their role play (suitcase/presentations)
Closure (approximate time): 40 Minutes
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Tie in the story of Andrew Cuomo (present governor) and relate it to his father coming
over, make it today’s timeline.
Question and answer session on facts learned about Ellis Island and the process of
coming over
Independent Practice:
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To research his/her country in computer class
To fill the “suitcase” with items of relevance (actual case or virtual)
To prepare oral presentations to go along with “suitcases”
Required Materials and Equipment:
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Computer lab, pictures, documents, primary sources
History of Ellis Island video clip
Reference materials, websites, project directions
Stories on Mario and Andrew Cuomo
Assessment and Follow-Up:
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Oral presentations
Information on Custom/Traditions
Food/recipe
Items in suitcase and explanation of such items
Ellis Island Project
Overview: You will be role playing a trip to the USA through Ellis Island. There are choices you must
make when working on this assignment that correspond with a rubric at the end of this paper.
Directions: As an immigrant, you will assume a name & a country of origin. You may choose a name & a
country or you may choose a name and/or country which ties into your own family heritage
(RECOMMENDED).
Task: In an oral presentation, you will explain the reasons for leaving your country and immigrating to
the United States. Find out the who, what, when and why about your move to America. Be able to
explain immigration and how it affected people in your country of origin, as well as the people in
America.
Your presentation may begin: Hello, my name is __________________ and I have immigrated to
America from ____________________. The date is ______________. The reason(s) I have come to
America is/are …... (these reasons should be tied to your countries history and should be somewhat
accurate).
In this presentation, you must include the following:
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What was it like to leave your own country – your feelings, hopes, fears, dreams;
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Why did you leave – should be somewhat historically accurate and based on resources:
textbook, outside reading/videos, internet sites etc.
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Include interesting details of your journey – trip over, ships name, who you traveled with, and
your processing and inspection at Ellis Island;
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Provide information on a custom or tradition (cultural dances, music, countries anthem,
official national dress, a celebration native to your heritage);
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Introduce a food recipe from your country;
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Suitcase (1) for your journey to America – you are only allowed one suitcase traveling to
America. Discuss what items you would have packed in your bag. You probably would have
selected items that are most important to you because you will never be returning to your
native country again. Which items are necessities that would help make life in America
easier? Which items are mementos that you just could not part with? Why did you choose
these items?
“I was allowed only one piece of luggage. This suitcase/backpack includes many meaningful items
which include: ______________________________. I chose these items to start my new life in
America because _____________________________________.
This suitcase may be a real piece of luggage filled or you may design a suitcase
using Power Point, Movie Maker, or an item of technology that will WOW us.
Grading
1.
Make sure you personalize this assignment by giving a brief oral presentation on your
heritage. Indicate the nation from which your ancestors arrived, date of arrival, means of
transportation, relationship to you, occupations after arriving, etc.
2.
Luggage or computer type luggage: You can use a piece of luggage, backpack, draw string bag,
duffel bag, etc. to show samples/examples of some of the items you would bring with you...photos,
mementos, pictures, necessities, etc. (Please do not bring in valuable or sentimental items.)
3.
Demonstrate, Illustrate, or provide examples or samples of a custom and/or tradition (cultural
dances, music, the official national dress, anthem, a celebration native to your country, anything
traditional, etc.).
4.
Learn a few words from your heritage to present to your classmates. You can find words by
asking your foreign language teachers, parents, grandparents and through the internet.
5.
Find out information on what it is like to live in the country you have presented.
6.
Provide a copy of a food recipe associated with your country.
7.
Anything “extra” which you think might enhance your presentation.
Rubric: “C” Grade – 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79
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Oral Presentation: Who, What, When, Why
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Information on a custom/tradition
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Provide ethnic recipe
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Discuss items packed in your luggage
“B” Grade – 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89
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All of the above, plus
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Demonstrate, Illustrate, or provide examples &/or samples of a custom/tradition
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Discuss your family’s heritage
“A” Grade – 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100
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All of the above, plus
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Learn a few words in your language (heritage)
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Research information about your country today
*** I was given parts of this project idea from Mr. Ziobro***
Credit goes to his help.