📖

Through the Golden Door: Ellis Island

Immigration and the American Dream

Day 67of 180
Week 14of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the immigration process at Ellis Island

2

Learn about the challenges immigrants faced

3

Develop empathy for immigrant experiences

📖 Scripture Connection

Leviticus 19:34

“The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt: I am Yahweh your God.”

— Leviticus 19:34 (WEB)

Demonstrates God's heart for treating immigrants with compassion and respect

📦 Materials Needed

  • Ellis Island worksheet
  • Colored pencils
  • Large map of United States
  • Immigration story cards
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Show images of Ellis Island and discuss what students know about immigration

💭 Review Question: What does it mean to leave your home and start a new life in a different country?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain the immigration process at Ellis Island, including medical inspections, documentation, and challenges faced by immigrants

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Ellis Island processed over 12 million immigrants between 1892-1954
  • Immigrants came from many different countries
  • Medical and legal inspections were strict
  • Many families were separated during the process
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How would you feel if you had to leave your home?
  • What challenges might immigrants face in a new country?
3Activity: Immigrant Journey Simulation (10 min)
worksheet

Students complete a worksheet following an imaginary immigrant's journey through Ellis Island

📝 Instructions:
  1. Read the immigrant story card
  2. Complete the Ellis Island processing worksheet
  3. Make decisions about the immigrant's potential entry
  4. Draw or write about the immigrant's feelings
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Provide more guided questions on worksheet

Challenge: Research actual immigrant stories to add more detail

4Closing (5 min)

Discuss what students learned about immigrant experiences

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was the most challenging part of an immigrant's journey?
  • How can we show love to people from different cultures?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be kind and welcoming to people from all backgrounds, just as You love all people.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about the challenges immigrants faced in building new lives

💎 Memory Verse

Leviticus 19:34

“The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself”

— Leviticus 19:34 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Create hand motions to represent welcoming and loving

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Ellis Island was the primary immigration processing center from 1892-1954

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Discuss family immigration stories if possible
  • Emphasize empathy and respect for different cultures
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it difficult to understand the emotional challenges of immigration

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Compassionate responses and curiosity about different cultures

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Interview a family member about their family's immigration story
  • Create a poster about immigrant contributions to America
  • Learn a few words in an immigrant language

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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