Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "From Ellis Island to Orchard Street"

Coming to America

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:44:17 GMT

Almost all Americans have family histories that trace back to other countries. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring the experiences of immigrants who came to America and the ways that immigration has changed life in America through children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities. Focused around Feivel’s Flying Horses, a historical fiction picture book about an immigrant who comes to America in the 1800’s, the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.

Preparing for the Oath: A Growing Nation

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:42:04 GMT

Explore the history of the peopling of America through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The eight questions included in this segment cover topics such as American Indians, British colonists, slavery, westward expansion, and immigration.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Ocean Crossings 1870-1969

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:53:13 GMT

Ocean liners were ships of transport for immigrants and machines of leisure, status, and national prestige. Students will learn about the roles that these ships played during the massive immigration of people to the United States from both Europe and Asia during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries in this section of On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, an online exhibition. Students will also learn how passenger liners such as the Mauretania, Titanic, and the S.S. United States became a popular, and sometimes dangerous, mode of leisure travel for those who could afford it.