St. Michael Elementary Students Take 'Trip' to Ellis Island

St. Michael Elementary School fourth-graders last month experienced what it was like for immigrants who entered Ellis Island more than 100 years ago.

The students from six classes carried pillowcases full of their belongings, obtained "passports," and took a mock U.S. citizenship test at the school's cafeteria, which was set up as a pretend entry port for Ellis Island.

They played roles as immigrants from European countries. Ellis Island, in Upper New York Bay was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States between 1892 and 1954. It was the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station at that time.

Students in classes taught by Mike Hinzmann, Allen Smith, Kari Tauber, Renee Krupke, Alyssa Zastrow, and John Ingebritson flooded the cafeteria during the activity.

Four fourth-graders wrote an article about their experience and recently submitted it to St. Michael Patch:

Ellis Island Immigration Island

By: Adam B., Adam K., Emily W., and Grace O.

On October 17, 2012, the fourth graders at STME had an experience of going to Ellis Island. The fourth graders learned about immigration in social studies and reading classes. We asked a couple fourth graders some questions. Our first question was, "What are you feeling about this?" Some answers were nervous, happy and good. Another question was, "How much does your bag weigh?" Some bags were 5, 5.5, 2, and 4 pounds. Then we asked them, "What is your nationality?" They were Irish, Swedish, Finnish, German, Iceland, and Australian.

Each student brought a pillowcase filled with items they would bring to America and got a passport for all the stations. When they entered Ellis Island (STME cafeteria), they saw the "Statue of Liberty." Then they went to the activities. The activities were their height, hearing, vision, hair, baggage, physical, language, and citizen test. Then at the end of the whole fourth grade said the Pledge and sang the national anthem. This was one of the best experiences this 4^th grade has ever had.

STME students plan on submitting articles about their experiences at school every month. Check back for more of their work.