1. Adventure to Ellis Island
Immigration
Adventure to Ellis Island

2. Where in the World?

3. Why are people immigrating to America?
Asian: Search for gold, better life
-Faced more prejudice than other immigrants– unfair, negative opinion that can lead to unjust treatment
-Where did they end up? Asians came to the US via Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, many made their living as miners and working on railroads in the West.
-Life was hard, Chinese workers were paid less than others, 25% of immigrants were turned away.

4. Angel Island

5. Why are people immigrating to America?
European: Religious and political freedom
-Many immigrants wanted to avoid persecution – unfair treatment because of your beliefs
-Many Europeans arrived on Ellis Island, right off the coast of New York. Almost all were allowed to come into the country and moved into NYC neighborhoods.
-Immigrants worked long hours in factories for low pay and lived in tenements, poorly built apartments that were unsafe. (no windows, water)

6. On the ship to NYC

7. Ellis Ellis Island

9. Why are people immigrating to America?
Mexican: Came for a better life and to earn more wages for their families.
-Most immigrants simply walked across the border near Texas.
-Worked on farms for little pay under harsh, dangerous conditions.
-Lived in poor conditions with very little
-Faced discrimination – a synonym for prejudice

10. Mexican Immigrants

11. Life in America
After entering, most immigrants settled near family and friends
Immigrant communities began forming in which everyone who lived there shared the same culture
Immigrants maintained their same customs

13. Discrimination at its worst
Immigrants faced prejudice from people who were frightened of their unfamiliar language and customs
Employers liked to hire immigrants b/c they worked hard for little pay
Americans were worried about losing their jobs to immigrants
They wanted immigration stopped!

14. Laws Against Immigration
In 1882, Congress limited immigration by passing the Chinese Exclusion Act
The law kept out almost all new immigrants
Later, laws started limiting the amount of immigrants allowed into the country

15. Asian Immigrants-came from China
You and your assigned group are in charge of writing and performing a play depicting the process of immigration and its hardships. You will be assigned a specific immigrant group. Each immigrant group will have a set of “key words” or topics that you are required to have in your play. The words/topics are listed below:
 Asian Immigrants-came from China
Reason for Immigrating
Where you are from
Angel Island
Discrimination or Prejudice
Mining or Miners
European Immigrants- came from European countries like Italy, Russia, Poland, Hungary, and Greece
Ellis Island
Tenements
Factory Workers
Mexican Immigrants-came from Mexico
Farmers or Farming

16. Rubric for Immigration Play
-Accuracy /20 -Key Words/Topics /20 -Script Writing /20 -Focus on Topic /10 -Teamwork /10 -Performance /10 -Evidence of Practice /10 Total: /100

17. And now…..a sneak peek!
Please welcome our Rottweiler Players here to perform a sample play for your viewing pleasure.
Any questions? Good luck on your play!

18. Ticket out of the door
Please wrap up your activity with your group. You will perform the plays tomorrow.
On a sticky note:
Write down the three parts of the world immigrants came to America from in the early 1900’s.
Give this post-it to Mrs. Wall in order to begin pack-up and dismissal.