Lesson 3.04: The Underside of the City

Tenement Tour

The travels and travails of an immigrant are, for most of us, beyond our imagination. Can you imagine leaving the home you've always known to sail across the globe to a land where few speak your language or share your customs? It was surely a frightening experience for many.

Your task for the next assignment is to assume the role of an actual immigrant. You will take a virtual Tenement Tour, provided by the Tenement Museum, of an actual tenement from the early 1900s. As you do so, assume the role of an immigrant and explore all the various facets of life offered during the tour. Be sure to also listen to the commentary provided by the "immigrant friend."

After finishing the tour, write a 6-8 sentence journal in a Word document about your experience. Include information about your journey over to America, the inspection process at Ellis Island, your settlement in a local tenement, and other details about the neighborhood and choices you made along the way (school, job, etc.). Once finished, submit the journal entry to the 3.04 Journal Entry Dropbox.

Note: You will not use the postcard provided at the end of the tour. Use a Word document instead.