What was it like to leave your home, cross an ocean, and arrive in a completely new country? Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island on their way to a new life in America. Today, we can learn about their experiences by listening to real interviews from people who made that journey. Become a history detective and explore these personal stories in this Social Studies Mini Spark!

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #74: Ellis Island Interviews
2. Watch the background video about Ellis Island

As you watch, record:

• 5 facts about Ellis Island.
• 3 reasons people immigrated to America.
• 2 challenges immigrants faced when they arrived.
• 1 question you have about immigration.

3. Visit the Ellis Island Oral Histories website and choose three immigrant interviews to listen to. For each one make a list and include the following information:

the title of the interview

any dates that are given (date arrived in america, date of interview, birthdate)

the country the person came from

a brief summary of the interview. 

4. Answer TWO of the following questions in complete sentences.

1. What character traits do you think immigrants needed in order to leave their homes and start over in a new country? Use examples from the interview.
2. Was immigrating to America more of a risk or an opportunity for the person you listened to? Explain your reasoning.
3. How might America be different today if millions of immigrants had never come through Ellis Island?
4. What sacrifices did immigrants make in order to create better opportunities for themselves and their families?
5. Why do you think oral history interviews are important for understanding history? What can we learn from personal stories that we cannot learn from textbooks?

OR 

Create a “Suitcase of Memories” for an immigrant from step 3. Draw a suitcase and place 5 items inside that represent important parts of their journey. Label each item and explain why it would be meaningful.

5. Share your Social Studies mini spark page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

To learn more about this topic, find the Ellis Island Inquiry Badge to complete.