Coming to America

This week we kicked off an immigration unit in Social Studies.  The kick off included an assembly in the cafeteria where the 4th grade teachers dressed up as immigrants on their way to Ellis Island.  Our principal was the "captain" and he interviewed each of us about our treacherous journey to the United States.  The kids hung on our every word, anxious to learn why their teacher was wearing suspenders, dirty shoes, and corduroys three sizes too big.  They were told that the teachers were portraying their actual ancestors which made the stories authentic and mesmerizing.  I played by great great grandfather Louis Fulop, who came to the U.S. in the 1910s from Budapest, Hungary.  He was a poor shoemaker and like thousands came to the country for a chance at a better life.  His cousin had a job waiting for him in Manhattan as a hot dog salesmen.  Not the luxury he was imagining I'm sure but it was honest, hard work.  The kids have a homework assignment tonight.  They need to go home and speak with their family about their own ancestry.  A few of my students already knew extensively what their heritage is but for others this is going to be an eye opening journey.  I think it is so important for them to understand that the people we are going to be reading and learning about were real and could even be traced to their own bloodline!  The students bombarded me after the assembly with questions about the character assignments they are going to receive later this week.  They wanted to know if they will be traveling first class or in steerage.  They wanted to know if they will get to dress up and act as their characters, just as I did today.  It was so great to see the excitement in their eyes for this upcoming unit.  I can't wait to get started!