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American History II - Ellis Island – Scholastic - Interactive Tour of Ellis Island Activity
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/
 1st Stop – The Passage
1. Many of the immigrants who passed through Ellis Island were primarily from
where?
Eastern and Southern Europe

2. What was steerage?

It was a large open space at the bottom of the boat.

 2nd Stop – The Arrival

3. As the ships approached New York Harbor, what was one of the first things that they
saw? Statue of liberty

 3rd Stop - Ellis Island Bagging Room

4. Did You Know Section - Why did passengers have to be selective in what they could
bring with them to America? The officers had to inspect there belongings

5. What items would you make sure you brought with you if you were starting a new life
in a foreign country? Food, clothes, and water

 4th Stop – Steps to the Registry Room

6. Why would the doctors stand and watch the people as they made their way into the
Registry Room? They looked for people who had trouble breathing and walking. Or
health problems.

 5th Stop – Registry Room

7. What was trachoma & how did the doctors check for it?
It’s a contagis eye disease, and they checked it by checking under there eye lid with a
buttonhook.

 6th Stop – The Medical Exam

 8. Using the Did You Know Section, what would happen to individuals who were found
to have a disease? They took them out of line and marked them for further
examination.
 7 Stop – Legal Inspection
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9. What could happen to an individual if they gave a different answer during their
interview with the inspection officer than what was recorded on the ship’s manifest?

They could be detained.

 8th Stop - Detainees

10. Why do you believe Ellis Island was known as the “Island of Hope and Tears?”
It was the biggest immigration station and that’s were most of families got separated.

 9th Stop – Stairs of Separation

11. What was the next step in the process for an individual who passed the legal and
medical inspections at Ellis Island? Those who passed the test could take a hall to go
to either New York and West and south.

 10th Stop – The Kissing Post

12. Using the Did You Know Section - During this time, how would friends and family
members know when a passenger was going to arrive? They went to the kissing spot.