WDS Students Immigrate Through Ellis Island

Each year, our fourth grade explores immigration to America through Ellis Island through a variety of novels and nonfiction texts. This learning comes alive at the WDS fourth and fifth grade biennial Immigration Simulation. Our fourth and fifth graders became immigrants for a morning this month, receiving identities, passports, ailments, destinations, money, and occupations.

Upon arriving at WDS’s “Ellis Island,” these immigrants waited in lengthy lines, hoping to pass their legal and medical inquiries. Although no one got deported, some immigrants were pulled for further investigation by the Board of Special Inquiry.

Before departing Ellis Island for their final destinations, our WDS immigrants engaged their math and writing skills to exchange foreign currency for US dollars and write postcards to their families about their journey.

WDS’s simulated Annie Moore was, of course, first in line!