Ellis+Island+Video+Conference

A Distant Shore - Ellis Island Videoconference Program

NETS addressed with this activity: NETS 2, 4, 5

If you have video conferencing equipment such as a Tandberg or Polycom video conferencing unit, this free of charge 40 minute program for 4th and 5th graders is available. Students will learn about America's immigration past during its busiest era in history. The interactive distance learning program has students explore reasons people chose to leave their homeland for a new land, the conditions the immigrants faced as they traveled to America, and the role of Ellis Island in enforcing United States immigration laws by explaining the procedure of immigration processing.

After the video conference, students will be asked to debate whether or not America should have an "Open Door Policy" or should we restrict who should be allowed to enter our country. Students will be asked to look for examples of current events, articles, personal experiences or photos to justify arguments.