Ellis Island Simulation

Learning by doing, or reenacting something has historically been a positive way to learn about the past. Second grade students at Echo Hill Elementary participated in an Ellis Island simulation on Friday, March 27, 2015.  It was the culmination of an immigration unit that the second grade team (Allison Adams, Diane Irvine, Jaime Kuenzi, Kristal Lensing, and Stephanie Sears) created with the help of their instructional strategist, Laura Robertson.  The team wanted to enhance the learning from the social studies textbook by utilizing a real world, hands-on experience for the students. 

Students began the simulation by sailing to America on the USS Victory.  Upon arrival, they were greeted by the Statue of Liberty (Teresa Garcia, Echo Hill SAM) welcoming them to America.  The students were split into five groups and rotated through the different rooms in Ellis Island (baggage, information, medical, interview, and passport).  Several parent volunteers helped out by acting as immigration officers and asking the students typical questions that would have been asked while being processed for entry into the United States back in the early 1900’s.  

After the students rotated through each of the stations, a few were “deported” and met by Officer Ludwig.  All students—even the deportees—were treated to red, white, and blue popsicles at the end of the simulation.  We held a discussion about the real life struggles of immigrants who came to America long ago. 

It is our hope that through this simulation, the students understand just how important immigration was to the history of the United States.

~Post written by:  Laura Robertson