Fourth grade students at Chelsea Intermediate School recently participated in an Ellis Island experience.  Students read the novel “If Your Name was Changed at Ellis Island” and the activity was the culmination of their studies.  Students role-played immigrants who came through Ellis Island from other countries while several staff members acted as the government officials. 

Students were encouraged to dress up as the immigrants did and some carried suitcases or bags. They went through inspections and saw the doctor before getting their passports stamped and/or going for further examinations or intelligence tests. 

The activity was intended to help students experience what the immigrants at Ellis Island actually went through in coming to America.