Differentiated Instruction Activity 13 Immigration printable pdf download

Name

Date

Class

Differentiated Instruction Activity 13

Immigration: Entering the United States at Ellis Island

For immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe who entered the country between 1892

and 1924, Ellis Island was the first experience of the United States. Read about their arrival at

Ellis Island in the flowchart below.

THE INSPECTION PROCESS AT ELLIS ISLAND

1) Aboard the ship, immigrants

2) Poorer immigrants got off the

3) When immigrants arrived

were separated by class. Poor

ships at Hudson River piers and

on the island, tags were pinned

passengers traveled in steerage.

were placed on ferries to Ellis

to their clothes. These tags

When ships sailed into the Upper

Island. These open-air boats

included their names and the

Bay, first- and second-class

were freezing in the winter, hot

ship line number.

passengers were inspected and

in the summer and had no

cleared for arrival. They did not

bathrooms or lifesaving

have to go to Ellis Island.

equipment.

5) Doctors inspected immigrants for 60 symptoms, such as

4) Immigrants formed a long

wheezing and coughing, and for a variety of diseases and

line into the main building and

disabilities. The most painful inspection was for trachoma, a

baggage room, where their

disease that could cause blindness and death. This involved

items were left during the

pulling back the immigrant’s eyelid, sometimes with a

inspection process.

buttonhook.

5a) Some were marked with blue chalk and code letters like

Pg for pregnant or X for mental problems. About 9 out of every

100 immigrants were detained for medical reasons.

6) At the end of the registry hall,

7) Immigrants went down “the stairs of separation,” where they

inspectors verified 29 facts about

reclaimed baggage and went on to their destinations.

each passenger, including, name,

occupation, and destination in the

United States. One goal of this

process was to exclude those

7a) Those who did not pass “inspection” were detained. Many

who were “liable to become a

appealed and entered the country later; some were sent back

public charge.”

home. All unaccompanied women and children were detained

until a relative sent a telegram, a letter, or a ticket.

Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, use the information from the flowchart to answer

the following questions:

1. Analyzing Information What were three ways in which immigrants were grouped or

classified on board ship and during the inspection process?

2. Analyzing Information Make a chart listing some of the challenges, tragedies, and tri-

umphs of the Ellis Island experience.

(continued)

Differentiated Instruction Activity 13 Immigration

Related Articles

Related forms

Related Categories