In a celebration of heritage and culture, second-graders participated in a simulation of the journey immigrants from the 1900s made to America. The annual event took place today in Building 16 at 9:30 a.m. and lasted for one hour.
The event began three years ago, when former elementary teacher Stephanie White came up with the idea as a way to teach students about their ancestry and how the “great American melting pot” came to be. It includes all second-grade classes, who simulated the experiences immigrants in the past went through when coming to the America through Ellis Island.
The simulation began with the students “boarding the boat” in their classroom. Students brought a suitcase they designed with them as well as five items to bring, not including a passport. The students then went from classroom to classroom to engage in different activities. In each room, they were interviewed, questioned and examined by parents who helped conduct the simulation.
Second-grade teacher Kelly Cookerly said, “My favorite part is watching the students demonstrate their learning as they experience what many of their ancestors experienced.”
Photos by RILEY BOARD