I was so excited to see all the comments from my classroom visits! It looks like my classroom visits encouraged many of you to speak to your families about what you learned when I was at your school! Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and questions with me. I loved how every comment shared something special about diversity. Students noted the importance of remembering that America is a SALAD BOWL.
All of you have valuable experiences to share! Some of our students noted that it would be difficult to be an immigrant to a new country. We have some students who are immigrants themselves. Now might be the time to ask them some questions about their experiences. I know they would love to share their stories with you!
Which cities were formed by the first settlers?
What a great question! The first European settlers formed the settlement of Saint Augustine, Florida in 1565. This was the first European settlement in what is now the United States of America. In 1585, Europeans settled Roanoke Island in Virginia. This was closely followed by Jamestown in 1607 which was also in Virginia. As more Europeans came to North America, they settled all along the east coast.
Why does everyone learn that Christopher Columbus was the person to ‘discover’ America?
What an interesting question! I'm not sure I quite know how to answer this one, but I love the way you're thinking! As you learned about during my classroom visit, Native Americans were on American soil well before any European settlers crossed the ocean. And even after Europeans started to travel to America, many landed here well before Christopher Columbus. For many many years, historians believed that Christopher Columbus did discover America but with great research have since disproved this theory. It's up to you to be a historian and do some research yourself! Ask your questions and look for historical proof! Keep up the great work!
How did people communicate to strangers without knowing their language?
It was very difficult for immigrants to communicate with others from different countries which is why people tried to stay in ethnic neighborhoods where they could more easily communicate. As immigrants had kids, they would often use their children to translate for them. This is what my great grandparents had my grandparents do. Imagine being an immigrant to another country. How would you speak to someone from that country?
Was it difficult for people to get here?
Early on it was very difficult to get to the land that is now the United States. Now, it's much easier to travel from most other countries because the conditions are much better and the trip takes less time.
What a great question! The first European settlers formed the settlement of Saint Augustine, Florida in 1565. This was the first European settlement in what is now the United States of America. In 1585, Europeans settled Roanoke Island in Virginia. This was closely followed by Jamestown in 1607 which was also in Virginia. As more Europeans came to North America, they settled all along the east coast.
Why does everyone learn that Christopher Columbus was the person to ‘discover’ America?
What an interesting question! I'm not sure I quite know how to answer this one, but I love the way you're thinking! As you learned about during my classroom visit, Native Americans were on American soil well before any European settlers crossed the ocean. And even after Europeans started to travel to America, many landed here well before Christopher Columbus. For many many years, historians believed that Christopher Columbus did discover America but with great research have since disproved this theory. It's up to you to be a historian and do some research yourself! Ask your questions and look for historical proof! Keep up the great work!
How did people communicate to strangers without knowing their language?
It was very difficult for immigrants to communicate with others from different countries which is why people tried to stay in ethnic neighborhoods where they could more easily communicate. As immigrants had kids, they would often use their children to translate for them. This is what my great grandparents had my grandparents do. Imagine being an immigrant to another country. How would you speak to someone from that country?
Was it difficult for people to get here?
Early on it was very difficult to get to the land that is now the United States. Now, it's much easier to travel from most other countries because the conditions are much better and the trip takes less time.
Was Ellis Island the only place where immigrants came?
No. Before Ellis Island was opened in 1892 many immigrants came here to build their new lives. People settled in Boston, New York, Baltimore, Charleston, and New Orleans because those where the cities that had ports for the boats to dock. After Ellis Island opened, most of the immigrants came through this port of entry into the United States until it closed in the 1950s.
What went on in Ellis Island when everyone came there?
Because the government wanted a way to document who was coming into the country, Ellis Island was opened. When people came to Ellis Island, they had to have a physical to make sure that they were healthy enough to stay in the United States. After that, they were asked many questions. Some of these questions were: 1) what is your name?; 2) what jobs/skills do you have; 3) who are you bringing with you?; 4) how much money do you have?; 5) where do you come from? After they were questioned, they were given their papers and allowed to enter their new country.
When people immigrate nowadays do they come here on boat or on an airplane?
Most immigrants are able to come on an airplane. Even if someone came to America on a boat today, the conditions are much better than they were back in the 1700, 1800, and early 1900s.
No. Before Ellis Island was opened in 1892 many immigrants came here to build their new lives. People settled in Boston, New York, Baltimore, Charleston, and New Orleans because those where the cities that had ports for the boats to dock. After Ellis Island opened, most of the immigrants came through this port of entry into the United States until it closed in the 1950s.
What went on in Ellis Island when everyone came there?
Because the government wanted a way to document who was coming into the country, Ellis Island was opened. When people came to Ellis Island, they had to have a physical to make sure that they were healthy enough to stay in the United States. After that, they were asked many questions. Some of these questions were: 1) what is your name?; 2) what jobs/skills do you have; 3) who are you bringing with you?; 4) how much money do you have?; 5) where do you come from? After they were questioned, they were given their papers and allowed to enter their new country.
When people immigrate nowadays do they come here on boat or on an airplane?
Most immigrants are able to come on an airplane. Even if someone came to America on a boat today, the conditions are much better than they were back in the 1700, 1800, and early 1900s.
Did you or your parents immigrate from another country?
My parents and I were all born in New York; my sister was born in Connecticut. My grandparents were all also born in America.
My great grandparents were immigrants in the late 1800s. My family comes from Germany, Ireland, Hungary, and Italy. We use many of the traditions from these cultures in our family traditions. The picture to the left is my mother's side of the family. This picture includes my mother, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins. We had a family reunion a few summers ago.
My parents and I were all born in New York; my sister was born in Connecticut. My grandparents were all also born in America.
My great grandparents were immigrants in the late 1800s. My family comes from Germany, Ireland, Hungary, and Italy. We use many of the traditions from these cultures in our family traditions. The picture to the left is my mother's side of the family. This picture includes my mother, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins. We had a family reunion a few summers ago.