Immigration Unit

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Immigration Unit
By Julie

Kay -

I do an immigration unit with my fourth graders and it's always a big hit w/ lots of learning! Here's the basics - if you want more info, just let me know!
We start with reasons for immigration, move to their
family history, find out where roots are from, they become an immigrant from that country. Students receive "passports" that act as journals for their voyage. They discuss why they are leaving their country, what they are taking, do a little research on their country, too. Then they board the "ship" and have either first, second, or steerage tickets. We have situations arise on the

ship that they respond to in the journals. We then hit Ellis Island (I have some videos, books that tell about the experience.) Then we create a "Mock Ellis Island" and they go through the health checks,etc. Students create immigration costumes to wear, etc.
Like I said, before this is just the basics, let me know if you want more detail!