Ellis Island was the largest immigration station in the United States for over 30 years during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Millions of people came through in search of a better life. Now a museum, the island is rich in history and importance. In this activity, students will create a poster that includes important facts and information about Ellis Island. They can create a strictly factual poster or do a travel-style poster that advertises Ellis Island, it's history, and why it should be visited.
You can find more travel poster templates to add to the assignment if you want students to be able to choose from a variety.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create an informational poster about Ellis Island.
Student Instructions:
Teach students to begin their research by identifying reliable sources such as museum websites, educational databases, or library books. Explain why these sources are trustworthy and how to spot accurate information.
Encourage students to use a simple chart or graphic organizer to sort facts about Ellis Island into categories like 'History,' 'Immigrant Stories,' and 'Fun Facts.' This helps keep their information clear and easy to use for the poster.
Show students how to use short, informative sentences with plenty of pictures, maps, or drawings to make their posters both attractive and easy to read. Remind them not to overcrowd the poster with too much text.
Prompt students to review their posters for correct facts and clear explanations. Suggest they ask a classmate to read their poster and give feedback on what was easy to understand and what could be improved.
Key facts for an Ellis Island poster should highlight its role as the largest U.S. immigration station, the millions who passed through between the late 1800s and early 1900s, and its current status as a museum. Including dates, statistics, and stories of immigrants can make the poster informative and engaging for students.
To make an Ellis Island history poster engaging, students can use colorful illustrations, include personal stories of immigrants, add maps or timelines, and use catchy titles or travel slogans. Creative layouts and fun facts will help capture attention and make learning memorable.
The purpose is to help students research and understand the significance of Ellis Island in U.S. immigration history, practice summarizing key information, and express their learning creatively through visual design.
Teachers can find travel poster templates on educational resource websites, by searching Google Images, or on platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers. Many sites offer free or customizable templates specifically for history or social studies projects.
Students should research Ellis Island's history, key dates, the immigration process, personal stories, and its transformation into a museum. Gathering images and fun facts will also help them create a well-rounded poster.