Blog
Dianne Moran-Historic Voices
Voices of the American Dream: The Ellis Island Story
All programs approach the topics of people’s education, language, diversity, economies, religions, settlement patterns and ethnic background from the immigrant perspective. Students see the impact of the change in environment on Rosa’s life. Dianne introduces students to the tools of social science inquiry such as journals, letters, clothing, artifacts and timelines.
- Performance – Social Studies GLEs 5, 6 & 7
Dianne Moran brings her own personal immigration story to life by transforming into her own Polish grandmother. She shares her heritage with students to help them authentically understand the foundation of our rich diversity. Why did Rosa left her homeland? Were her reasons due to religion, economics or persecution? What was her voyage to America like and how did she feel about leaving her homeland? Did she find our streets here "paved with gold" as she had been told? All will be revealed through cultural dress, a table of memorabilia and perhaps… an ancient, ethnic tale.
3rd-12th/Character Education, History/Social Studies, Multiculturalism, Theatre
- Workshop - Social Studies GLEs 5, 6 & 7
- Students experience the story of immigration as they relive history and view authentic artifacts. Through documented immigrant stories historian/folklorist, Dianne Moran, inspires students to think about their own family story. Two students are chosen to dress in early 1900s attire and the class investigates these character’s personal stories as the content of their baggage is revealed.
3rd-12th/Character Education/Team Building, History/Social Studies, Theatre - Residency - Social Studies GLEs 5, 6 & 7
- During this three day program students explore the amazing stories of those who came before us to add to the rich diversity of our nation. They explore the reasons that so many people to gave up a way of life, leaving their homeland and, sometimes, their family members behind. Students experience the immigrants' stories as they dress in turn of the century clothing, show their personal documents to the bureaucrats and wait as the commissioners decide their fates. Will they be allowed to stay in America or suffer great hardship only to be deported? Where will they settle? Students keep a journal of their immigration experience and complete their personal family history on a parchment family tree.
3rd-12th/Character Education/Team Building, History/Social Studies, TheaterRepresenting only the highest quality teaching artists and performers!
- During this three day program students explore the amazing stories of those who came before us to add to the rich diversity of our nation. They explore the reasons that so many people to gave up a way of life, leaving their homeland and, sometimes, their family members behind. Students experience the immigrants' stories as they dress in turn of the century clothing, show their personal documents to the bureaucrats and wait as the commissioners decide their fates. Will they be allowed to stay in America or suffer great hardship only to be deported? Where will they settle? Students keep a journal of their immigration experience and complete their personal family history on a parchment family tree.