Ellis Island Drama Experience

Alisha Melwani - Grade 3

As part of our inquiry into the transdisciplinary theme, ‘Where We Are in Place and Time’, Grade 3 experienced a day in the life of a migrant attempting to begin a new life in America from 1892 to 1924. For many, this meant facing immigration officers at Ellis Island in New York in the hope of being approved to enter the country. For this, we prepared a set of documents, a boarding pass and a passport for our new identity to ‘board the ship’. When we reached Ellis Island we had to partake in a medical test and interview while being scrutinized by hawk-eyed immigration officers (our teachers).

The teachers were definitely convincing in their role as officers! Nervousness and excitement stirred up inside me as I took the final test to proceed to an approval or detained stamp. We were asked about our age, how we would support ourselves, our education (if we had any) and what we could contribute to the country. It was such a challenge because they were extremely suspicious of all immigrants, as some were lying to receive a chance at a new life!

This drama activity reflected the hard times many people face both past and present and reminded us the different obstacles life can throw at you. It taught us to face those hardships and keep going no matter what.

By Alisha Melwani