Introduction
-
Did you know that Ellis Island was used as
a federal immigration
station from 1892 until 1954 and that more than 12 million immigrants
were
processed here? 40 percent of all citizens can trace their ancestry to
those who came through Ellis Island. Do you know of any of your own
relatives
that have ties to Ellis Island?
-
The actual experience of going through
inspection or detainment
on Ellis Island was often nerve wracking. Screening and processing
involved
inspectors determining each newcomer's eligibility to land according to
United States law. Most immigrants waited three to five hours for
medical
and legal examination.
-
Even though only two percent of those
coming to America
were turned away at Ellis Island, that translated to over 250,000
people
whose hopes and dreams turned to tears.
After reading researching the history provided
ahead,
imagine yourself experiencing coming to this country through Ellis
Island
as opposed to being born here. Then ask yourself, Do you think we take
being American for granted?
Task
Research Ellis Island and other historical
sites covering
and including all required information prescribed below.
Prepare a family tree using Inspiration
Software.
Prepare answers to discussion questions for
inclusion
in the presentation and class discussion
Prepare a PowerPoint presentation that
includes all
tasks and personal discussion elements.
Process
Step 1
- Research Ellis Island and the
immigration
process. Click on the following sites to assist in finding information:
Ellis Island http://www.ellisisland.org/
History Channel http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/
United Streaming http://www.unitedstreaming.com/
Coming to America Video - 16:28 minute video
(See instructor for login routines)
Step 2
- Examine the websites and prepare
a brief
overview of the experience of passing through Ellis Island.
Step 3
- If possible, search the
immigration records
for a relative or friend you know passed through Ellis Island. If you
do
not have a name, see the teacher for a list of names to research. http://www.ellisisland.org/
Step 4
- Fill out an online questionnaire
to determine,
if you, based on your answers would be allowed into this country. Be
sure
to include information from your results in your report. http://www.historychannel.com/ellisisland/whoare/index.html
Step 5
- Choose one of the following:
Choice #1 - Interview someone
you know-a relative
or friend who immigrated to the United States. Ask this person about
their
experiences. How did they travel here? How was the trip traveling here
and how long did it take? How long were they detained? Did they have
any
special problems? Where their experiences similar to other experiences
that have been documented. Where there language barriers? How much
money
did they have with them? Did they have people in this country meeting
them?
Choice #2 - Choose one of the many
immigrants listed
on the sites and highlight/relate their "story".
Choice #3 - Research and prepare a
recipe of that time
period for sampling by the class. Go to the following website to
checkout
the featured receipe and for suggestions and names of other recipes. http://www.ellisislandcookbook.com/
Step 6
- Prepare a family tree in
Inspiration to
be included in your PowerPoint presentation. You may use the follow
link
to help get you started. http://www.historychannel.com/ellisisland/heritage/tree.html
Step 7
- Include in your presentation the
views of
one or more of the following in-depth discussion questions. Be prepared
to have a viewpoint on all questions for the class discussion.
1. What did it mean to
immigrants to come
to America?
2. Explain how these people could possibly
be taking
a risk by coming here.
3. How are the feelings the immigrants had
for this
country different than the feeling people who have been born here have?
4. Do you believe "we" take being born in
this country
for granted?
5. How can people today be reminded of the
impact
and good fortune of being an American"
6. How does this all relate to the
feelings of patriotism
that were ignited with the event of September 11?
Important Tips
Follow the steps listed above. Research the
topic and
choose which portions of the assignment you wish to complete. Collect
all
the research information and then tackle the critical thinking
discussion
questions.
Be sure to prepare your family tree in
Inspiration
for inclusion in your PowerPoint Presentation. Before beginning
PowerPoint,
storyboard your ideas to determine how to set up your slides.
Refer to the Evaluation portion for
information regarding
how this project will be assessed.
Resources
PowerPoint software to develop the slide
show
Inspiration software to develop the family tree
All URL links listed in this webquest
http://www.ellisisland.org/
http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/
http://www.historychannel.com/ellisisland/whoare/index.html
http://www.historychannel.com/ellisisland/heritage/tree.html
http://www.ellisislandcookbook.com/
http://www.i-channel.com/education/ellis/
http://www.wallofhonor.com/search_f.asp
http://www.unitedstreaming.com/
Laptop/Projector
Book sources from the Media Center
History Channel Ellis Island movie
United Video Streaming Movie
Evaluation
The research and content portion of the
presentation
will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Rubric for: Coming to America WebQuest
| |
Levels of
Mastery
|
| Criteria |
Level 1 -
Novice
|
Level 2 -
Practitioner
|
Level 3 -
Expert
|
| Content Understanding (Terminology and
Research of Subject
matter) |
Information provided lacks specific
details in research
of the topic. Some of the terms are not clearly defined. |
Information provided exhibits an
understanding of most
of the terminology. Research provided gives a general overview of the
subject
matter. |
Information provided presents an
accurate understanding
of the terminology and exhibits in-depth research of the subject matter |
| Reflection, and Explanation, Of Content |
There is little or no reflection and
explanations to
indicate a thorough understanding of the material |
Uses effective reflection and
explanations in discussing
the content |
Exhibit a clear and accurate reflection
and explanation
of the content. Shows complex reflective reasoning |
| Creative Production of Inspiration Map |
There is little, no, or an inaccurate
visual display
for the creative production portion of this assignment. |
Visual production is an appropriate and
effective tool
for displaying information covered in the presentation. |
Creates a very visually pleasing and
refined product
that accurately displays content presented and shows a clear
understanding
of the topic and the project itself. |
The PowerPoint Presentation will be
evaluated based
on the standard classroom rubric for PowerPoint Presentations. See
below:
|
Criteria
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
| Content/Topic Information |
Information provided includes 5 main requirements,
well thought
out, reflective and researched |
Information provided includes 4 main requirements,
topic ideas are
complete and researched |
Information provided includes 3 main requirements,
short information |
Information provided includes 1-2 main ideas or
supports, lacking
specific details, vague descriptions |
| Presentation/ Delivery |
Presentation includes bullets of information on
slides, speech is
not read from slide--a verbal expansion of bulleted info, speaker
displays
definite knowledge of topic |
Presentation includes bullets of information on
slides, speech is
not read from slide-a limited verbal expansion of bulled info, speaker
displays some knowledge of topic. |
Presentation is keyed completely on slides and read
by the speaker.
Information is complete. Speaker displays limited knowledge of topic |
Presentation is keyed completely on slides and read
by the speaker.
Information is very vague and somewhat incomplete |
| Mechanic: Transitions and Animations |
Presentation includes transitions and animations on
every slide
that do not detract from the presentation itself |
Presentation includes transitions and animations on
the most of
the slides. |
Presentation includes transitions and animations
that are not consistent
and some slides are missing transitions and animations |
Presentation includes no transitions and limited
animations on some
slides. Some sounds and/or animations are distracting |
| Colors and Fonts |
The background slide color is consistent and
appropriate with the
topic. Use of fonts are good, easy to read and appropriate with the
topic |
The background slide color is consistent and
appropriate with the
topic. Some fonts were not easy to read on slides |
The background slide color is varied and not in
keeping with the
theme. Most of the fonts were not easy to read |
The background slide color is not visually pleasing
with the font
color and size. Al fonts made viewing difficult |
| Spelling/Grammar |
Presentation has no spelling and/or grammar errors |
Presentation has 1-2 spelling and/or grammar errors |
Presentation has a few spelling and/or grammar errors |
Presentation has many spelling and/or grammar errors |
Conclusion
After all presentations have been made, the
class will
be divided into groups of four. The following questions will be
discussed
on a small groups basis. The class will then be opened up to an all
class
discussion, whereby, input on these questions will be offered up for
participation
from each group. In conclusion, the class will vote on whether
Americans
do or do not take this country for granted and a group consensus will
be
reached.
-
After learning about Ellis Island, what
conclusions have
you drawn about the people who came here?
-
Do you feel that Americans take this
country and the freedoms
it has for granted?
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