During their trip, they walked through the same stations immigrants once passed through, including the medical and legal exams, and saw the dormitories where people stayed while waiting to enter the country. Students examined primary sources such as ship manifests and even sat on the original benches in the Great Hall where immigrants once waited to be processed. 

As part of their year-long study of migration to the Americas, fourth graders focus on European immigration through Ellis Island, Chinese immigration through Angel Island, and the forced migration and enslavement of Africans. Students explore essential questions such as: What push and pull factors inspired immigration? What was the journey to America like? How were people treated upon arrival? What challenges did they face, and how did the injustices they faced inspire social resistance? 

Students are synthesizing their learnings from this unit and their visit to Ellis Island to write historical fiction stories inspired by the experiences of immigrants. 

Submitted by 4th Grade House Advisors Avani Tandon and Andrew Preston