National Archives Activities

A group of Polish immigrants on their way to the U.S.

We will use the follow activities to learn more about immigration to the U.S. using primary source documents.

Activity 1: Child Workers (10 points)

• Access the activity by clicking on this link.
• Examine the image closely. Be sure to click on the picture, then click on the "details" button to gain additional information.
• When you are done viewing the image, click the "I'm Done" tab at the top of the image. Type an e-mail to me (nramin@nlcphs.org) answering the following questions:
1. Look at the child's expression.  What is he thinking?  How does he feel about his job, his life, his work?  Create a journal entry describing what life was like for him. (5 points)
2. Does the image show push or pull factors? Explain, using examples from the photo. (5 points)

Activity 2: Immigration to the U.S.: Stories and Travels (35 points)

• Access the activity by clicking on this link.
• Examine each document. Match each document to the reason the immigrant came to the U.S.
• Open this map up in a new tab. Examine the information it contains.
• Use the information to complete the handout distributed in class.