The WDS fourth and fifth graders participated in an Immigration Simulation. Students took on personas of European immigrants as they experienced what it was like to arrive at Ellis Island in 1910.

With the help of parent volunteers, students were welcomed to Ellis Island, questioned at special inquiry, had medical and legal exams, exchanged their money into U.S. dollars of the time and bought train tickets. Then students “sent” postcards home sharing their experience.

This simulation occurred after the students read “Letters from Rifka” by Karen Hesse and “The Orphan of Ellis Island” by Elvira Woodruff. During these units, the students studied a variety of reasons for why people immigrated to the United States, and understood the trials that people had to overcome in order to reach America. The students had a great time applying what they learned in the novels to their own immigration experience!