Vincent High School’s eleventh grade Advanced Placement United States History, taught by Dawn Howard, stepped back in time to help teach an important lesson to sixth grade students at their school.  The junior AP students role-played immigration officials at Ellis Island in the year 1900, dressing in costumes indicative of the time period and creating a mock set similar to that of Ellis Island.  The sixth grade social studies students role-played immigrants arriving at Ellis Island. 

The program began with a video from The History Channel about Ellis Island and then students, working in groups of 10, began their journey through the immigration process.  The program was in different sets, each telling a story using images, primary documents, and of course, the immigration officials.  Sixth graders were given an immigration card with an immigrant’s name and short biography, which they submitted to the immigration officials to have inspected by the ship’s manifest.  Students then entered Ellis Island and traveled through the dining hall, sleeping quarters, and medical and mental inspection rooms. 

Next, the students walked through several stations where immigration officials taught students about the different ethnicities who arrived at Ellis Island and the experiences they faced.  Students examined letters, photographs, and personal memorabilia, as well as identifying immigrants who passed through Ellis Island.  The conclusion of the program set the stage historically for life in the city after Ellis Island. 

 “The sixth grade students were so well behaved and did an outstanding job in the program.  Our sixth grade teachers, Brigitte Vick, JoLeigh Harlow, Pam Riffe, and Cory Williams are so supportive,” said Howard. “My AP history students were exceptional. They remained in character, were knowledgeable of the content, and did a great job teaching the information to the sixth grade students.  Bringing history to life and helping students become the characters they learn about is so important to the learning process and in helping to develop an understanding and hopefully a love for history. I am truly excited to be their teacher and be part of such a wonderful school and community.”