Ellis Island Webquest
Introduction
It is 1910 and people are flowing to the "Golden Door" of the United States, Ellis Island. It is their dream to begin a new life in this young, vibrant, and increasingly industrial society. Those who arrive from Europe are processed at Ellis Island - one part welcome mat, one part hospital, one part health inspection, and entirely the gateway to the dreams of thousands.
By completing this quest, you'll understand the trials, tribulations, and emotional high and lows that were experienced by 12 million newcomers to the United States between the years of 1882 and 1954.
Task
The primary goal of this webquest is for you to explain why Ellis Island is important to what it means to be American. In order to accomplish this task, you will visit a number of websites and focus on the struggles, joys, fears, and stresses that surrounded new immgrants being processed as this remarkable facility located in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty.
Process
• First, think about what it means to be an American. Specifically, keep in mind Horatio Alger's "Rags to Riches" idea, the beliefs of democracy and freedom, hope, renewal, and immigration.
• Second, be sure to check out each of the websites looking for solutions to why Ellis Island is an important part what what it means to be an American
• Finally, create a writing piece of any format (creative story, essay, oral history, etc.) explaining why Ellis Island is an important piece of what it means to be "American."
Resources
To explain why Ellis Island is important to what it means to be an American, visit the following sites by simply clicking on them:
It is said that pictures tell a thousand words.. See if that is true by looking at these images.
Page down to see ten brief stories of what went on at Ellis Island.
Be sure to click on each step of the way. Listen to the audio, watch the video, and marvels at the stories here.
Click on the audio and video clips to hear stories from people who actually lived through the Ellis Island experience.
Evaluation
Your writing will be graded on the following:
• Explanation of what it means to be American and how Ellis Island fits into that description
• Proper spelling and grammar
• Writing technique which shall include organization, vocabulary, and use of literary techniques such as personification, metaphor, or irony
Ellis Island Images
