Wilson Creek Kids Experience 'Ellis Island'

fifth graders participated in an “immigration simulation” to experience what it was like to enter Ellis Island as an immigrant in the late 1800s. Students were assigned roles as immigrants and encouraged to wear authentic clothing. Parents served as processors and were assigned to stations such as “Health,” “Character,” “Background,” “Loyalty Oath” and “Vocation.”

Immigrants were assigned a name, country of origin and personal information. At the end of the journey, a decision was made if the immigrant should be allowed to enter the United States or go back to their country of origin (no students were actually “deported”). Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker visited during the immigration simulation to talk to fifth graders about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Fifth graders study immigration and ancestry in social studies classes. Teachers designed this project to allow students to truly understand what this experience was like for immigrants searching for a new life and beginning in the land of opportunity. The students enjoyed experiencing what it was like to come to the United States via Ellis Island.

Pictured are fifth grade students Jomari Rivera, Adam Mazlout, Sanjeev Kumar, Katie Phillips, and Dennis Ottlik, along with teacher Patrice Szabo and Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker, participated in Wilson Creek Elementary’s “Immigration Simulation” activity.

Photo by Wilson Creek Elementary.