Students learn harsh truth of immigrating

Deirdre Newman

NEWPORT BEACH -- They didn’t have to take a boat ride across the

Atlantic Ocean, but students at Lincoln Elementary School got a full

taste of the immigrant experience Wednesday morning at the school’s

annual Immigration Day.

“What’s your name? Where are you from? How old are you? Do you have

any food in your bag?” barked out inspectors as the students, dressed in

the attire of their ancestors’ countries, tried to enter the United

States through a makeshift Ellis Island.The event is the culmination of a

social studies immigration lesson, and the goal is to make the experience

as realistic as possible.

“The lesson we’re trying to teach is that their ancestors went through

a difficult time and they should be grateful that they have the

opportunity to be in this country,” teacher Michael Reyes said.

Before Immigration Day, the fifth-graders read books about immigrants,

kept journals on their perspective of the immigrant experience and traced

their ancestry through family trees. At the event, after going through

the initial checkpoint, the students got their passports checked,

exchanged their currency and were given brief medical exams.

Sara Gothard, who was dressed in a gingham dress and colored shawl to

represent her German heritage, said the day was educational.

“You really get a feeling of what it’s like when you’re immigrating,”

Sara said. “It’s not exactly easy, and you’re very nervous because you

could be sent back.”

That was almost the fate of Scott Gordinier, who was diagnosed with

tuberculosis and had to spend a good portion of the morning in the sick

center with a napkin over his mouth.

Scott, whose ancestors hail from Ireland, described the immigrant

experience as “harsh.”

“I learned that I don’t like being an immigrant. I’m just glad that I

didn’t have to do the real thing. This is hard enough,” Scott said.

Teachers talked to the students before the simulation to prepare them

for the gruff manner and stern commands of the inspectors, teacher Larry

Berg said.

“I think it really helps them build empathy, and they kind of suffer a

little bit today,” Berg said.

The inspectors and doctors were played by a well-prepared group of

parents who carried out their parts with gusto.

Katie Ogden, who wore a sheriff’s badge and an Inspector Closeau name

tag, said the simulation helps students bridge the gap between the past

and the present.

“It’s important for them to feel what their ancestors actually

experienced and the legacy they have built over generations,” Ogden said.