Letters from America

After reading the story Escaping to America by Rosalyn Schanzer, the students pretended to be immigrants coming to America and each student created a timeline of key events of their journey to America. They used the timeline to write a letter to someone from their homeland, telling them about their journey. Enjoy the letters!

Dear Summer,
It's very scary traveling on my own. Today I finally got to the train station; five days later I get to the boat and go to first class and that night I went to a remarkable dance and dinner. I really felt bad for the people in Steerage so that night I gave food to a family that looked like they needed it and did it again and again until the trip was over. When it was, the first thing I saw was Statue of Liberty it was amazing although I still had a lot to go with the testing but I was 100 percent healthy.
Your Friend, Sabine


Dear Yolanda,
Guess what? I went to America! Okay, let me tell you about it. So first we decide to go to America of course. And then we go find a wagon. It dropped us off where we would pay to get on the boat. There were lots of people on the boat. And then I found a spot on the boat. I got sea sick at first, but then I snuck out where I could get fresh air. After all of that sickness I felt much better.
Love Josie


Dear Classmates,
I am finally in America! It took so long. First, we decided to go in our wagon but the problem was some of the creatures could breath fire or ice. We found out that they were cats! But they were no cats we had ever seen! The children tried to see the kittens but they were too dangerous. We distracted them by giving them food. Well, now that were in America we will never see them again!
Love, Julia


Dear Billy Bob Joe Bob Peris,
A while ago I decided to go to America. It was a very long trip. First, I had to get on a train for 7 days. Second, I got on a huge boat. Luckily I was first class. After that, I went to Ellis Island to get checked to make sure I was healthy. Finally I got on a train to go to Illinois.
Your Friend, Ian


Dear School Friends,
I got to America! I started to go with my family in disguise, but they had to leave, so I had to travel alone. Life is hard from now on. Is it okay if you tell my family to come too? I have been sneaking around and I got on a boat and it was so unbearable. I got sick, but I got better. Then I got on a train that brought me to Ellis Island! I got a big test to see if I was sick and stuff. Then lastly, I got on one more train and I rode for 5 days and I went on and on until I finally got there! America is beautiful! It has lots of welcoming people and someone let me stay at their house! You should come too. It is a great place.
Sincerely, Emma


Dear Family,
When I was deciding to come to America it was a hard decision to leave all my family and my house. I needed a better education, money to pay for everything and you all helped me thank you.  Then I traveled a mere 8 days on a very loud train. I got on the biggest ship I had ever seen and the inside was very nice. I had a very nice cabin it was first class! I was invited to dinner and then a party! I traveled for three months. I was the first one off and the tests were scary. Then I was tested and I got them right and I was an American!
Love, Madi


Dear Rebecca,
I have decided to go to America. On the way I rode a covered wagon. I am taking a train. After we were on the boat for a few days my brother got the flu. We had to stay on the bottom of the boat because my brother was sick. After we took the boat we took a ferry. It was a long ride! We were on the ferry for about four weeks. When we got off the ferry we were at Ellis Island.
Sincerely, Ava


Dear Big Mama,
Our place Australia had a war. We were hiding in a hole. Then we decided to go to America. My family and I snuck to our house and packed fast. I ordered the tickets for the wagon, and gave them to the wagon driver. Then went to the ticket booster to get tickets so that we could get on the ship. On the way my daughter got the measles. We just went to the ship. When we got to the ship I found out that my ticket was not in my pocket. I told the guards my daughter had the measles but they still did not let me on the ship. So I pushed them down to the ground and went on the ship. Then we finally arrived.
Sincerely,
JaShon


Dear Ava,
I have decided to come to America. I am taking my train to go to another train station to go  to the place where the boat I'm taking is. Did I tell you that my luggage weighs 100,000 pounds. Grrr, this is harder than I thought, but it is worth it. Yes! I forgot you helped me pack. I found out why it is so heavy; it has all of my money in it. It will hopefully be enough to get me into First Class. I was correct. The captain just told me I will have to wait four weeks. Woohoo! The four weeks are done. I can get off! Uh-oh, I forgot that I had questions to answer. Yes, I passed all of the questions. I take a ferry and arrive in America.
Love,
Rebecca


Dear family,
America is very fun! It was hard, but I managed. First I took a boat. When I was on it I got sick for a week, but I got better. When I got to the island, I was perfectly healthy. Then  I took one mroe boat and I arrived.
From,
Collin


Dear Ian,
I arrived in America! I first bought tickets. But I only had one cent. Then I tried to go on a train. I failed. But i got on a boat! Then I got the measles. When I got to Ellis Island I still had the measles! But, I got through anyway!
Love,
Sam


Dear Alexa,
I made it to America! I had to go through a lot to get here. First I tried to pretend I was going for a walk, but they took me to jail. I got bailed out by Megan. Finally I found a way to sneak out. I walked all of the way to the ship. I boarded the ship. I was in third class. I got very ill, but luckily I got better very quickly. Then I saw the Statue of Liberty, but I had to go through Ellis Island. Then I took a train to Iowa. And now I'm free! I really hope you can come sometime too, it's amazing!
Love,
Abby