SEED awarded $720 to a third grade team of teachers for their proposal to conduct an Ellis Island simulation. As a culminating activity to the study of immigration and students’ countries of origin, all Dover third graders participated in a replicated Ellis Island experience. The journey began in their home classrooms through filling out the ship’s manifest, passports, birth certificates, and immunization records. The experience continued on the “ship” (bus), where students were assigned to first class, second class or steerage. Once students arrived at Ellis Island (Woodman Park School) they went through a series of stations simulating what Ellis Island immigrants might have experienced. The stations included medical, logical, language, reading, math skills, and physical testing, along with an inspector interview. This was an all day experience that included all three elementary schools, as well as parents and community members and volunteers.
