Ellis Island Writing Project
You are about to embark on a journey that will change your life forever! It may be for better...or worse! As you take this journey, you will share your experience through writing about your journey. This writing is a FICTION PIECE, but will be based actual historical events that you will learn about in class and some that you will need to research on your own. You will tell this story from first person point of view. This means the reader will know what you are thinking and feeling at all times. Although this story will have a setting that takes place in the past, you tell it to your audience as it is happening to you. Each paragraph will need to be written with PRESENT TENSE verbs as you tell the readers about each step of your journey! Happy writing and hopefully....happy endings!!
- Prewriting questions—notes DO NOT need complete sentences
Place Language Reason Time frame
Ireland English Potato Famine 1845-1852
Germany German Poor, no jobs 1892-1954
Italy Italian Poverty 1900-1910
Russia (Russian Jews) Russian Religious Persecution 1880-1900
Europe: Italian, Greek War 1900-1920
Now that you know where you are from, begin rough drafting paragraph ONE.
MAKE SURE YOU SKIP LINES!!
PARAGRAPH ONE: PREPARING FOR YOU JOURNEY AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Include the following information:
1—Why are you leaving your country? (see above chart)
Tell what is going on in your country.. You will need to do a little research about your country during that time period.
Include what you are packing--(remember your suitcase and restrictions)
Who is coming with you?
Describe it with vivid language…use adjectives. Tell your reader what you are thinking and feeling..
Sample paper:
I thought it was the worst day of my life when my father told us that we had to leave Ireland and go to America. My father could not take care of our family anymore because he lost his job as a potato farmer because of the potato famine. The potato crops were bad because of a disease that killed the crops for the last four years. We are leaving for a better life. My dad told us to pack only what we needed, and not what we wanted! We could only bring a hundred pounds with us. We packed water, food, clothes, blankets, pillows, and salt. My parents, April age36 and George age 37, my siblings Allie 9, Tanner 3, and Isabella 3 are all coming with me. I feel very scared about our future and sad about leaving our home.
PARAGRAPH TWO:
2. --On the ship--
Tell your readers how you feel as you leave your home, family, & friends.
Describe what you saw as you got near the harbor and saw the ship..sights, smells, sounds.. Use sensory language!
Tell about journey..How long did it take? What class passenger were you? What did your bunk look like?
Was it a rough or gentle voyage? What did you do to pass time? What did you eat & drink? How do you feel?
When you are finished with your 1st and 2nd paragraph you must then….
- Proofread your paper yourself
- Have someone else proofread your paper and sign their name saying they proofread it
- Have a teacher proofread it & sign off that you may start publishing..
- Type your first two paragraphs
- Have someone compare your paper copy and your computer copy
History Channel: Video clip, Arrival @ Ellis Island
The Medical Exam
Going to the hospital
Being Detained on Ellis Island
PART 2: What is your fate in America?
- Come to the teacher to go through Ellis Island Interview. Roll the Die to find out what will happen to you!
2. This paragraph must be proofread by you & a peer, then a teacher. Once it is typed I will speak with each one of you individually about your fate in America.
Each person will have a different ending to their story.
History Channel video clip: Leaving on the ferry
Paragraph 4 ...tell your audience you “fate”. Tell your feelings..use details and vivid adjectives to discuss your feelings about your fate. Make sure your audience knows what’s in your mind…...describe the process that may have led to your fate. You may need to do a little research to find out some facts about your fate. End with your feelings.
Paragraph 5 ENDING this is up to YOU. How did you overcome your obstacles? Explain what you will do next using VIVID language and details.. Use SENSORY WORDS and TRANSITION words as you summarize your entire journey , what you have been through, and your hopes for your future.