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Collect and display images of the Statue of Liberty, the American
flag, Uncle Sam, the American Bald Eagle, and other American symbols in
editorial or political cartoons, magazines, ads, and newspapers.
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Design a contemporary version of the Statue of Liberty. How could
she be updated?
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Interpret editorial cartoons based on American symbols.
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Create contemporary editorial cartoons featuring an American
symbol.
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Design and make a new monument for the idea of liberty. How can you
make it reflect today?s life in America? Your monument could be
interpreted through a drawing or painting or through a small model made of
clay or cut paper and cardboard.
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Write a poem about the Statue of Liberty.
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Write and sing a new national anthem (such as America
the Beautiful or The Stars and
Stripes Forever)
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Interview and record older relatives or friends (with their
permission) who came to America as children.
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Interview (with their permission) fellow students who have recently
immigrated to America.
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Write a poem (such as a cinquain, acrostic, or a haiku) about an
American symbol. Display the poem next to a picture of the symbol that
inspired it.
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Create a passport and design your own stamps for different
countries. Be sure to include a photograph of yourself.
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Pretend you are just arriving as an immigrant to Ellis Island.
Write a letter to a relative back home describing how you felt when your
ship approached the New York City harbor and you first saw the Statue of
Liberty. Also describe your experiences at Ellis Island.
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Watch The Immigrant, a
silent movie made by Charlie Chaplin. Discuss how much of the movie is
based on fact and how much on fiction.
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Compare the treatment of immigrants at Ellis Island and Angel
Island.
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Compare immigration at the time of Ellis Island with immigration
today.
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Research your family history and create an illustrated family tree.
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Design and create an illustrated Pledge
of Allegiance.
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Investigate the painting The
Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull or The
Spirit of ?76 by A.M. Willard.
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Find the U.S. postage stamp that depicts the Statue
of Liberty. Create a stamp design using another American symbol.
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With other students, dramatize the Ellis Island experience and
present a short play.
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Read and discuss books about immigration such as
New Kids in Town: Oral Histories of Immigrant Teens by Janet Bode
(Scholastic), Many Groups, One People by Henry Trueba, and One Nation, Many People by Globe Fearon, and Coming to America: The Story of Immigration by Betsy Maestro.
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Create a drawing or painting of the inside of a suitcase and
include only three or four objects that you would bring with you if you
were immigrating. You cannot take more than you can fit into the suitcase.