Coming to

America!
Introduction
*America has been built on people and cultures who have immigrated or
been sent here. The most commonly known way people entered America
was through Ellis Island, which is now closed. However, many people were
brought over without a choice, they were brought a slaves.

*In this Webquest, your job is to investigate how and when the majority of
a cultural group came to America. Fill out the worksheet as you go. Then,
you will select a culture that has immigrated to America to research and
give a short role playing act in front of the class.

*For extra credit, bring in some food from the culture you selected!
Task
Ellis Island Team
*Many European and Asian
cultures immigrated to America
by coming through Ellis Island.

*Complete the worksheet
provided by watching a video
and visiting websites. (10pts)

*Select a culture of choice and
research required information
and provide a brief presentation.
(25pts)

Slave Ships Team
*Millions of slaves were brought
over to America by British ships
and they were sold as cheap
labor

*Complete the worksheet
provided by watching a video
and visiting websites. (10pts)

* Select a culture of choice and
research required information
and provide a brief presentation.
(25pts)
Process: Slave Trade group
1. Discovery Video: Background information about the Trans Atlantic
Slave Trade
2. Slave Ship Conditions: Details about life on the ships bringing
slaves to the Americas
2b. Ship Conditions (Cont.)
3. Slave Ship Voyages: Historical records of slave ship voyages that
came to the Americas
4. Slave Trade: Picture slide show about the outcomes of slaves
when they arrived in America
5. Timeline: Dates of important events in the history of Slavery in
America
Process: Ellis Island group
History Video: Watch the video giving information about
Ellis Island

People and Professions: Article and interactive display of
people and common professions

Ellis Island Tour: Interactive tour of Ellis Island and
information on people who have passed through it.
Process: Cultural Role Play
Select a culture that has immigrated to America at some
point
Find information for items listed on guide provided
Dress up in traditional clothing and give presentation
about your selected culture
Visit Ellis Island Guide and Every Culture for more
information about specific cultures
Evaluation
Points 35 points 30 points 25 points 15 points 0 points
Dress
The student
dressed
appropriately
according to the
culture they
chose.

The student
dressed
appropriately
according to the
culture they chose
but only partially.
The student
dressed as an
immigrant but
used several
cultures to provide
influence.
The student
dressed as an
immigrant but
missed connecting
to culture.
The student did
not dress as an
immigrant.
Immigration
Process
Gave correct
information about
immigration
process to ensure
they comprehend
the material.
Gave information
about the
immigration
process with some
comprehension.
Gave information
about the
immigration
process with
pieces missing.
Gave minimal
information about
the immigration
process with
misunderstanding.
The student
gave no
information
about the
immigration
process.
Culture
Gave
background of
the culture they
chose to ensure
they researched
and understood
the material.
Gave a brief
background of the
culture to ensure
they researched
and understood
the material.
Gave minimal
information about
the culture they
chose to ensure
they researched
and understood
material.
Gave information
of culture that did
not ensure they
researched and
understood the
material.
The student
gave no
information on
the culture
they chose.
Worksheet
The student
completed the
worksheet with full
comprehension.
The student
completed the
worksheet but left
out some
information.
Student
completed most of
the worksheet with
comprehension.
Student completed
half of the
worksheet with
comprehension.
The student did
not complete
the worksheet.
Rubric for Web quest Presentation

Extra Credit
Extra Credit 10 points 5 points 5 points
Food Student brings
in a cultural
food and
information
about the
food.
Student brings
in a cultural
food.
Students
brings
information
about a
cultural food.
Conclusion
Congrats! You made it! You now know how and when
many different cultures made it to America.
You have successfully followed the guided worksheet
and presented information about a culture that has
immigrated to America.
These cultures have made America what it is today with
the traditions, food, and many other things they brought
with them.
Keep researching different cultures and ask your parents
about your family history.
Credits
Discovery Video: http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-
shows/videos/assignment-discovery-shorts-atlantic-slave-trade.htm
Life on Slave Ships: http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-
shows/videos/assignment-discovery-shorts-atlantic-slave-trade.htm
Aboard a Slave Ship:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/slaveship.htm
Slave Ship Voyages:
http://www.slavevoyages.org/tast/database/search.faces
Slave Trade: http://www.history.com/photos/slavery-slave-trade
Timeline of TA Slave Trade:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96659


Credits
Ellis Island Video: http://www.history.com/topics/ellis-island
Ellis Island History and Culture: http://www.history.com/topics/ellis-
island
Ellis Island Tour:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/
Every Culture:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/
United States Map (image):
http://www.davidrumsey.com/maps5535.html