CONCEPT WORKSHEET: GRADE 8

Concept Description: ​Students will research a country from which there was a large influx of
immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This research will consist of multiple
secondary sources and at least one​ ​primary source​. ​From this research they will compile
enough information to create a mock profile of an immigrant who is passing through Ellis
Island. They will then be put through a “vetting process” where they must be able to answer
the questions: Where are you from?, What languages do you speak? What is your religion?
What are your skills? Why have you left your country? Why have you chosen to come to the
United States?, and some that they will not be allowed to prepare for. If they cannot answer a
question correctly they will be denied entry. The process may be repeated until entry is
granted if time allows.

Applicable Learning Standards (p. 3) :

Standard 1
Standard 2
Standard 3
Standard 5

Reading Standards (p. 4 ):

Standard 1
Standard 2
Standard 3
Standard 4
Standard 5
Standard 6
Standard 7
Standard 9
Standard 10

Writing Standards (p. 5):

Standard 1
Standard 2
Standard 3
Standard 4
Standard 5
Standard 6
Standard 7
Standard 8
Standard 9
Standard 10
 Speaking & Listening Standards (p. 5):

Standard 1
Standard 2
Standard 3
Standard 4
Standard 5
Standard 6

Connections to the Inquiry Arc (p. 7):

1. Developing questions and planning inquiries

2. Applying disciplinary concepts and tools
3. Evaluating sources and using evidence
4. Communicating conclusions and taking informed action

Social Studies Practices Utilized (p. 14-27):

Gathering Interpreting and using evidence

Chronological reasoning and causation

Comparison and contextualization

Geographic reasoning

Civic participation

Themes this experience is aligned with (p. 11-12):

1. Individual development and cultural identity

2. Development, movement and interaction cultures
3. Time, continuity and change
4. Geography, humans and the environment
5. Development and transformation of social structures
6. Power, authority and governance
7. Civic ideals and practices
10. Global connections and exchange
*Standards written in bold are most used in this project while standards written in regular print are touched on, but not
utilized as heavily.