Activity Overview
There are many books related to immigration that can help students better visualize and understand the history of immigrants and their experiences. Some short picture books can be used as a whole class read-alouds, where other longer books can be used as longer novel studies. In this activity, students will create a plot summary of a book using visuals and descriptions.
The book used for this activity’s example is Fiona’s Lace by Patricia Polacco.
The following are suggestions for literature related to immigration:
- Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story by Eve Bunting
- How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story by Eve Bunting
- When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest
- I Hate English! by Ellen Levine
- Watch the Stars Come Out by Riki Levinson
- The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco
- Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
- The Memory Coat by Elvira Woodruff
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Summarize the story in a 6-8 cell storyboard. Be sure to describe the main events in the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Student Instructions:
- Read the story.
- Using the provided template, create a 6-8 cell storyboard with descriptions and illustrations showing the sequence of major events in the story.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plot | Each of the cells represents a different part of the summary. The cells are in order from beginning to end. Sentences accurately summarize each part. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or three cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that help summarize and do not get in the way of understanding. | Some of the images help summarize. Descriptions do not always match the images. | Images do not make sense with the summary. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
There are many books related to immigration that can help students better visualize and understand the history of immigrants and their experiences. Some short picture books can be used as a whole class read-alouds, where other longer books can be used as longer novel studies. In this activity, students will create a plot summary of a book using visuals and descriptions.
The book used for this activity’s example is Fiona’s Lace by Patricia Polacco.
The following are suggestions for literature related to immigration:
- Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story by Eve Bunting
- How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story by Eve Bunting
- When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest
- I Hate English! by Ellen Levine
- Watch the Stars Come Out by Riki Levinson
- The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco
- Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
- The Memory Coat by Elvira Woodruff
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Summarize the story in a 6-8 cell storyboard. Be sure to describe the main events in the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Student Instructions:
- Read the story.
- Using the provided template, create a 6-8 cell storyboard with descriptions and illustrations showing the sequence of major events in the story.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plot | Each of the cells represents a different part of the summary. The cells are in order from beginning to end. Sentences accurately summarize each part. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or three cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that help summarize and do not get in the way of understanding. | Some of the images help summarize. Descriptions do not always match the images. | Images do not make sense with the summary. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Immigration & Ellis Island Literature Connection Activity
How to Facilitate Meaningful Discussions About Immigration Stories
Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings about the immigrant experiences depicted in the stories. Open-ended questions and respectful listening create a safe space for students to express perspectives and connect personally to the material.
Select thought-provoking discussion questions
Choose questions that invite personal reflection, empathy, and critical thinking. Ask about characters' feelings, challenges, and cultural changes to deepen understanding of immigration experiences.
Set clear expectations for respectful dialogue
Review guidelines for active listening and respectful speaking. Model how to respond thoughtfully to classmates so everyone feels valued and heard.
Invite students to connect stories to their own lives or families
Encourage students to share family histories or traditions related to moving, starting over, or preserving culture. This builds empathy and helps students see common threads in diverse backgrounds.
Wrap up by reflecting on new insights about immigration
Ask students to summarize what they learned or how their thinking changed after the discussion. Reflection helps cement understanding and connects literature to real-world perspectives.
Frequently Asked Questions about Immigration & Ellis Island Literature Connection Activity
What is a literature connection activity for teaching immigration to students?
A literature connection activity for immigration uses books and stories to help students understand immigrant experiences by reading and creating projects, such as storyboards, that summarize the plot and key events.
How do I create a storyboard summarizing an immigration-themed book?
To create a storyboard, read the book carefully, then use a template to divide the story into 6-8 cells. In each cell, write a brief description and draw an illustration for the main events from the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Which picture books are best for teaching about Ellis Island and immigration?
Some recommended picture books for teaching immigration and Ellis Island include Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story by Eve Bunting, When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest, and The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco.
What grade levels is the Immigration & Ellis Island Literature Connection Activity suitable for?
This activity is designed for grades 4–6, making it ideal for students in upper elementary who are learning about immigration history through literature.
Why use storyboards for summarizing immigrant stories in the classroom?
Storyboards help students visually organize and summarize the main events of immigrant stories, enhancing comprehension, sequencing skills, and empathy by allowing them to see and retell the journey in their own words and images.
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