New Beginnings

This passage explains the challenges immigrants faced after entering the U.S. through Ellis Island. Many settled in ethnic neighborhoods, found work in low-paying jobs, and lived in crowded housing. Learning English was a major obstacle, and children often helped their families earn money while attending school. Immigrants also experienced discrimination but worked hard to establish better lives, businesses, and opportunities for their families. Their determination helped shape modern America and inspired future generations.

This passage helps students practice identifying problems and solutions as immigrants worked to overcome hardships. Vocabulary like “discrimination,” “determination,” and “ethnic” builds cultural and academic language. Students improve comprehension by seeing how immigrants adapted socially, economically, and linguistically. Reading about real struggles encourages empathy and cultural awareness. Altogether, passages like this support fluency, critical thinking, and the ability to interpret historical nonfiction.