If I Were an Immigrant...

The Navigators have read several accounts and heard from several people of what it was like to be an immigrant in America. Often times people came with only the clothes on their back and one suitcase. We put ourselves into their shoes and imagined what it would be like. We each wrote the three top things we would pack. Here's a compilation of our lists. 

I'm moving to America and I'm going to take...

• toy Legos because they are my favorite toy.
• a jacket in case it gets cool.
• a pair of clothes and a book because it's obvious.
• bandages because I can get hurt.
• books because you can be bored. 
• video games because I play every day.
• water to be hydrated.
• my really huge peacock feather because it reminds me of good times.
• medicine in case I am getting sick.
• food and clothes in case I get hungry or cold.
• my American Girl doll because I like her.
• my toothbrush so I can stay healthy.
• money to buy stuff.
• a gun to hunt and protect.
• Enoch-man to remind me of Minecraft.
• sunscreen to put on. 
• Bandaids to cover owies.
• clothes because your other clothes might get dirty.
• food so you don't die.
• a stuffy and video games and sprite so I don't get bored. 
• a special thing from home so I won't forget my home.
• clothes so I won't be running around with no shirt or pants on.
• food so I don't starve to death.
• pomegranate because I love it!!!
• first aid kit in case I get hurt, of course. 
• food and water because those are two of the basics you need to live.
• shelter because it is the third basic you need to live.
• a stuffed animal to cuddle with.

We also wrote poetry that describes what an immigrant might be thinking, feeling and hoping. As six and seven year olds, the Navigators were quite able to grasp what it would be like. A great way to end our year of "transitions!"

I am A___.

I wonder what it will be like?

I hear it is full of freedom.

I see it already.

I want a nice school.

I pretend I'm at home.

I hear my tree shaking.

I worry it will be scary.

I hope it will be fun.

I try to act like a grownup.

I wish I was at home.

I understand some English.

I say mostly Chinese.

I dream of peacocks.

I imagine freedom.

I believe it is home.

I am A____. 

I am V____.

I wonder what it will be like.

I hear it's fun in Ellis Island.

I see how much fun they're having.

I want to have fun there.

I pretend I am not nervous. 

I hear that the country is beautiful.

I worry that I can be lost.

I hope I make new friends.

I try to be brave, too.

I wish I could understand the words.

I understand some words but not all.

I say, "Wow, I want to go there."

I dream I am having fun there.

I imagine I will be happy visiting there.

I believe my mom and dad.

I am seven years old.

I am Z____.

I wonder if there are phones.

I hear America is a very good place.

I see tall buildings. 

I want to bring my best friend.

I pretend I'm in the Statue of Liberty.

I worry I might get stolen.

I hope I have a beautiful house.

I try to keep my little brother entertained. 

I wish we have a really good house.

I understand quite a bit of American language.

I say, "I'm already having a good time."

I imagine I have a good house.

I believe we will have a good time. 

I am Z____.

I am a gold hunter.

I wonder if there's gold here.

I hear a storm.

I see gold.

I want gold.

I pretend I'm a normal person. 

I hear a hurricane.

I worry I'll die.

I hope I don't.

I wish it was easier.

I understand nothing.

I say nothing.

I dream I am rich.

I imagine being rich.

I believe I'll be rich.

I am going to be rich. 

I am I____.

I wonder if America is a good place.

I hear it is a very good country!

I see strange things.

I want new friends fast.

I pretend to be a grown-up.

I hear strange sounds.

I worry if we will make it.

I hope we will.

I try not to worry about it.

I wish we were home.

I understand that it is a good country

I say, "I am happy in America!!"

I dream that my family was here.

I imagine we are there.

I believe it is good.

I am I____.

I am G____.

I wonder if it will be easier.

I hear that its awesome.

I see the Statue of Liberty.

I want LIBERTY!

I pretend I've been here.

I hear it is more safe.

I hope I fit in.

I try to fit in.

I wish I will get friends.

I understand that I have to be good.

I say, "I am AWESOME!"

I dream that I'm not new.

I imagine people will be nice.

I believe that I will make friends.

I am G____.

I am E____.

I wonder if it smells.

I hear America is a good place.

I see Ellis Island.

I want new clothes.

I pretend I can be anything I want.

I hear you get rich in America.

I worry I can't go there.

I hope I get to go.

I try to to more food.

I wish I could sleep.

I understand it will take a long time to go to sleep.

I say "I'm thirsty."

I dream I have a big bed.

I imagine I can stretch.

I believe I'm thirsty.

I am E___.