Immigration WebQuest – via Ellis Island, Angel Island, and Immigrants Today

Item description

What Is It About?

Students go on a Web quest to explore immigration in America via the lens of Ellis Island, Angel Island, and today’s immigrants.

Students learn:

• Why do people immigrate?
• What challenges might people face when moving to another country?
• How have immigration policies and procedures changed today?
• How has immigration affected America?

Students learn about immigration practices and policies of the past and today by comparing and contrasting real immigrant stories. First, students gather primary sources (journals, photographs, interviews, diaries, letters, artwork) using actual immigrant experiences and perspectives. Then, students use this data to understand essential concepts of immigration policies and practices of today.

Project Resources Provided

Teachers find all of the necessary resources to accommodate this project’s successful implementation.

Resources include:

1. Key Concept Discussion Topics (for group presentations)
2. Student Presentation Rubric (to evaluate student group performance)
3. Student Venn Diagrams (to assess individual student research performance)
4. Web Quest Website for Students: A comprehensive, student-friendly website offers resources to assist students with Internet searches and finding primary source information. This website eliminates wasted time spent on online student interactions. Students may also use selected books if they wish.
5. Guided Instructional Recommendations for Teacher Implementation

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Use primary sources (journals, photographs, interviews, diaries, letters, and artwork) to help them relate personally to past events and promote a deeper understanding of history as a series of human affairs.
• Develop critical thinking skills by analyzing essential concepts of immigration.
• Develop oral history and writing skills, including taking notes and presenting information orally.
• Compare and contrast immigration of the past with the present.
• Use graphs and facts (Venn diagram) to answer several research-based questions.

Suggested Grade Levels: 4 – 8 (Activities are adaptable)

Suggested duration: 2 – 3 weeks

Suggested Grade Levels: 4 – 8

Project Duration: 2 -3 weeks