Coming to America

The scrapbook you are creating will be about 7 pages. Below is a list of what needs to be on each page. You will research information on the websites listed below and may also use Google images. You will use a program such as PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, or some other type of publishing program to create the scrapbook. You will need to copy and paste images and type your own ideas and experiences based on the information you research into your scrapbook.

PAGE 1: THE COVER

• Where is your family from? Are they part of the "Old Immmigration" before 1885, which mostly involved immigrants from Ireland, and Germany, or are they part of the "New Immigration," after 1885, which consisted of immigrants from Italy, Poland, Russia, and China?

1. The cover of your scrapbook will have a title that includes your family's last name. Your last name needs to reflect your ethnicity. If you are German then googles "German last names." If you are Italian then google "Italian last names" The one I created for a German family was, "The Abendorth's Family Scrapbook."

2. Under the title you will need a family photograph. You may either draw a picture of your family or print one from Google images. For example, if your family is from China then google "Chinese immigrant families" and copy and past the photo into Powerpoint or Word.

PAGE 2: WHO AM I?

3. Write a personal narrative explaining who you are. Look at the family photo on the cover and decide which person is you. Explain whether you are from the Old or New Immigration period. You also need to include your age, the year you migrated to America, and the name of the country you left.

4. Put two flags on this page. One from America and one from your country of origin. These need to be colored. You may print black and white copies from google images and color them or draw your own.

5. Lastly, you will need to put a map of the world on this page. You can search for one on Google images. Put a "X" on your country of origin and draw a line to either Ellis Island or Angel Island, depending on where you entered the country.

PAGE3: WHY WE CAME TO AMERICA?

6. Put an entry in your scrapbook that explains the reasons why you came to America. Explain any unfavorable conditions in your homeland. Click on the link below to see why different groups of people migrated to the United States. This link provides a good history of different immigrant groups in America. You may find useful information to add to other pages of your scrapbook as well.

http://international.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/introduction.html

7. Don't forge to add clip art, images, pictures throughout your scrapbook to make it fun and creative!!

PAGE 3 continued : THE JOURNEY OVER

8. Describe the boat ride. How long did it take for you to reach America? Did you stay in first class, second class, or steerage? What was your experience on the boat? Include sights, smells, and sounds to make it more realistic. Think about the interview we read in class about Lawrence the Polish immigrant.

PAGE 4: THE ARRIVAL

9. During the late 1800's many immigrants entered the United States through either Ellis Island in New York or Angel Island in California (mostly Chinese immigrants). What was your experience like? Was your stay long or short? Did you meet any friends? What did you think about the interviews and medical exams? What were your first impressions of the United States. Make sure to make your entry is personal and thoughtful.

• If you arrived at Ellis Island click on the line below to take a virtual tour

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/index.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Eivirt.html

• If you arrived at Angel Island click on the links below to read first hand accounts of Chinese immigrants

http://www.angel-island.com/history.htm

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/asian-american/angel_island/

PAGE 5: LIVING IN URBAN AMERICA

 

10. Write an entry describing the city you live in? What kind of sights, sounds, and smells do you experience?

What kind of housing do you rent? Describe living conditions. Include information regarding plumbing, lighting, heat, ventilation, fire safety, and any other relevant information regarding health and safety. The first link below shows examples of housing in New York City and the second gives an overview of city life in America. You may have to cut and paste the first link into a new window/tab.

http://www.thirteen.org/tenement/logcabin.html

http://www.uni.edu/schneidj/webquests/adayinthelife/citylife.html

PAGE6 : WORKING IN URBAN AMERICA

 

11. Write an entry in our scrapbook that explains how you and your family make a living. Who in your family works? If you work, write about your job. If you do not work then write about the kind of work your parents do. Be sure to write about working conditions. Do you or your parents have long hours, unsafe conditions, and low pay? Maybe you and your parents experience better working conditions because of unions working to change labor laws. Use details and examples to describe your situation. Use the websites below to get ideas about working conditions and typical jobs.

You may want to reread the information from the link below, looking for information about jobs and employment of different immigrant groups.

http://international.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/introduction.html

LISTS DOZENS OF COMMON JOBS IN 1900

(note: you may choose a job from the list and research it on your own to get more information)

http://www.jaha.org/edu/discovery_center/work/job_glossary.html

Immigrant reaction to jobs

http://www.jaha.org/edu/discovery_center/work/workers.html

Coal Mine Link

http://www.jaha.org/edu/discovery_center/work/img/mining/

Steel Mill Work Links

http://www.jaha.org/edu/discovery_center/work/img/mill_interior/

http://www.jaha.org/edu/discovery_center/work/img/conditions/

Photos of Child Labor Link

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/childlabor

 

PAGE 7: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE IN AMERICA, THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY?

12. Your final journal entry should be a reflections of your experiences. What are your thoughts about living in America? Are you satisfied with your life in urban America or would you prefer to move back to your country of origin? Do you think your children or grandchildren will benefit from your family's decision to move to the United States?

 

REMEMBER TO ADD IMAGES AND PICTURES THROUGHOUT YOUR SCRAPBOOK TO MAKE IT COLORFUL AND CREATIVE!!