Our fifth grade class spent a month in deep exploration of their personal family history and immigration story. Through research, interviews and writing assignments, our students learned how their ancestors came to the United States. "Our students and their families explored so much through this assignment," said teacher Aliza Walker. "Two students discovered that their great-gradnparents were neighbors when they first came to this country - others realized that their family name changed at Ellis Island," she added. "This project really illustrates how each student is connected to the collective story of immigration to the United States," she said. As a final milestone, our students presented their findings - including a written report, scrapbook, family ritual objects and more - through a "museum" exhibit and individual presentations.