Mount Fifth-Graders ‘Immigrate’ to USA

As an extension of their social studies curriculum, fifth-grade students at W.S. Mount Elementary School in the Three Village Central School District stepped back in time when they recently participated in an immigration simulation. From the moment the students, who were dressed as immigrants from Europe or Asia would have, stepped off the school bus and entered the building, they were transported to the early 1900s’ and challenged to play the role of a family ancestor immigrating to the United States.

Prior to the event, and with the help of their art teacher, Maria Maritato, the students researched a family ancestor who immigrated to this country and created an immigrant journal. Then, using that information, the students created a profile of the immigrant they would embody on Immigration Day.

“We try to recreate the immigration process and experience as best we can,” stated teacher Janet VonBargen. “By acting as immigrants and filing through the process, the students are able to gain a deeper understanding of not only this time in history but also the experience their ancestors had when coming to America.”

Upon arriving at school, the students made their way into the cafeteria or “Ellis Island” and began the process of becoming an immigrant. Parent and staff volunteers were on-hand in the school’s mini-gym monitoring the different immigration stations, which checked the ‘immigrants’ background, vocation, character, health, and ultimately cleared them for citizenship.

“I became the person I was named after, he immigrated in 1903,” stated fifth grader Jacob Klipstein. “I found it really interesting to go through the different stations and learn what the immigrants were asked when they arrived in America.”

At the conclusion of the program, the students gathered in the auditorium to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Loyalty Oath. As a reflection on the event and still pretending to be their alter egos, the students wrote a letter home to their family ‘overseas.’

click on image to view full size