Immigration - The Ellis Island Experience
A Virtual Field Trip
(Teachers - click here for notes about this field trip)

(This picture is from the National Park Service Ellis Island Website
It was found at http://www.nps.gov/stli/serv02.htm#Ellis )

We are going to take a Virtual Field Trip to see what it was like for immigrants to come to America and go through Ellis Island. Pay attention to all the sites because you will be using the information you gather to write a letter at the end of the trip. Safe travels!!

• Click on this link, http://www.historychannel.com/ellisisland/index2.html and then the Timeline link on the left side of the screen. Read the information and answer these questions.
  • What were the first two names of Ellis Island?
  • During the war of 1812, what was Ellis Island used for?
  • When did Ellis Island become an immigration center?
  • How long was it used for that purpose?
  • Approximately how many people came through Ellis Island?
  • What was so special about the date April 17, 1907?
• Click on the Gateway icon. You have finally made it across the ocean to America. Now you must get through Ellis Island. Answer each question about one of the rooms you will be in.
  • Entrance: Why did the Labor Department take over Ellis Island?
  • Baggage: Most families could only bring one special item. What do you think your family would have brought with them?
  • Stairs of Separation: What was so scary about this staircase? How would you have walked?
  • Medical Examination: How would medical examiners mark someone who might have a medical condition that might not allow them to come right away into America?
  • Cafeteria: What new foods might the immigrants get to try?
  • Great Hall: Describe how you might have felt going through this part of the process?
  • Dormitories: Who had to stay in the dormitories? How long did they usually stay?
  • Kissing Post: What was so special about the kissing post?

Virtual Field Trip Souvenir: Now that you have finished your tour, pretend you are a young man or woman from either: Poland, Germany, Ireland, or Italy. Write a letter to a family in America telling them:

• When you are coming to America and how you will meet them.
• What you do in your native country and why you want to immigrate to America.
• What kinds of things you will bring with you on your trip.
• What skills you have and what kind of job you would like to get.
• How you think your life will change.