GRIS GROUP
Gabrielle Tino
Heather Vorona
Juliana Zimmerman
Title: When Jessie Came Across the Sea
Author: Amy Hest
Illustrator: P.J. Lynch
Recommended
Grade Level:
Reading: Ages 4-8
Interest
Level: Grades 3-5
Genre: Historical Fiction
Teacher Resources:
Lesson on what it means to be an
immigrant.
*Discuss with the class how Jessie brought her form of art to America when she immigrated here. Discuss how this is a part of her culture. Ask: What country do you think Jessie is from? How do you think she feels sewing lace in America? Why is sewing lace important to Jessie?
*Discuss with the class how Jessie brought her form of art to America when she immigrated here. Discuss how this is a part of her culture. Ask: What country do you think Jessie is from? How do you think she feels sewing lace in America? Why is sewing lace important to Jessie?
Interactive descriptions on the way
immigrants journey to America.
* Discuss with the class how this is how our country became a “melting pot” of different cultures and that each person brought their individual talents and beliefs from different countries. That is how America is made up of so many different cultures today.
* Discuss with the class how this is how our country became a “melting pot” of different cultures and that each person brought their individual talents and beliefs from different countries. That is how America is made up of so many different cultures today.
Varying ways to use writing, dance, music and
art to portray lessons of history and culture.
*Ask the class to either bring in, demonstrate, or illustrate a piece of artwork or form of art from the country of their heritage. Ask them to prepare and bring to class. They can either make a poster showing it or bring in a piece of artwork either they made or someone else made.
*Ask the class to either bring in, demonstrate, or illustrate a piece of artwork or form of art from the country of their heritage. Ask them to prepare and bring to class. They can either make a poster showing it or bring in a piece of artwork either they made or someone else made.
Creative ways to use drama and writing in the classroom.
*Have a mock ellis island and have children go around in a circle and describe what country they are coming from and the art they are contributing to “America”. Have the children describe how it's made, why it's important to their culture, and how they are going to practice this art in America today.
*Have a mock ellis island and have children go around in a circle and describe what country they are coming from and the art they are contributing to “America”. Have the children describe how it's made, why it's important to their culture, and how they are going to practice this art in America today.
Descriptions of important characters in
the text:
Jessie
Jessie,
the main character in the book, is a young girl who lives with her grandmother
in a poor European village.
Growing up, Jessie’s grandmother taught her the fine art of sewing
intricate lace. Jessie did not
understand why it was so important to her grandmother that she learn but she
would soon understand the valuable lessons her grandmother passed on to her
once she traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to America. The town’s Rabbi had a ticket to come
to America but he was unable to go.
Jesse was the one he chose to give his ticket to. At first, she was hesitant to go but
her grandmother convinced her it was the right thing to do.
Grandmother
Jessie’s
grandmother took care of Jesse after her parents passed away when she was
little. The grandmother passed
down the family tradition of lace sewing.
She encouraged Jesse to take the ticket and go to America to live a
better life.
Cousin Kay
Kay
is the cousin of the Rabbi’s brother’s widow who took Jesse in when she came to
America. Jesse lived with
Kay and worked as a seamstress.
Kay had a shop in New York City.
Summary of the historical context:
The
historical context of When Jesssie Came Across the Sea is about immigration and
the journey of one young girl from Eastern Europe to America. Jessie was given a gift to begin a new
life in the Promised Land. Part of
her journey was the difficult trip across the Atlantic Ocean and the lack of amenities
that the immigrants faced. Once on
Ellis Island they are asked many questions before they are released. There are many papers and forms to fill
out and inspections to go through.
It is a lengthy process that immigrants need to adhere to. There will be new challenges with
culture and language and social ideologies.
Element of Social Justice:
Element
of Social Justice # 1 - Self Love and Knowledge
Learn who you are and be aware of and proud of
your heritage, culture, ethnicity/race, religion, skin tone and gender. Historical background linked to their
identity.
This element of social justice links perfectly
with When Jessie Came Across the Sea.
The young girl finally realizes the importance of life lessons and her
heritage taught to her from her grandmother when she others take notice of her
pride in her work of sewing intricate lace.
NJCCCS:
· 6.1 U.S. History: America in the World - All students will acquire the knowledge and skills to think
analytically about how past and present interactions of people, cultures, and
the environment shape the American heritage. Such knowledge and skills enable
students to make informed decisions that reflect fundamental rights and core
democratic values as productive citizens in local, national, and global
communities.
· 6.3 Active Citizenship in the 21st Century All students will acquire the skills needed to be active,
informed citizens who value diversity and promote cultural understanding by
working collaboratively to address the challenges that are inherent in living
in an interconnected world.
· 1.2 History of the Arts and Culture. All
students will understand the role, development, and influence of the arts
throughout history and across cultures.
As in the Jesse’s story, her gift of learning the art of sewing passed
on through generations is a learned cultural pastime.
Dear Jessie,
I am sitting
watching your grandmother sew some lace and I am thinking about you and how you
are doing in America. I cannot
imagine what it is like being a teenager living so far away from your
grandmother. She keeps herself
busy and sews her beautiful lace to sell at Temple on Saturdays. She thinks about you everyday and hopes
that you are happy living in America and enjoying your new life.
What is it like
living in New York? How is it
working with your cousin Kay? I
have heard that she has a very nice shop in New York City in the Lower East
Side. She must be so proud that
you have the skills like your grandmother to sew beautiful lace. I also heard that many women are so
eager to buy your new wedding dresses.
How talented are you! Maybe
one day I will see you again and you will make my wedding dress.
Have you met any
friends? Are you learning
English? That must be so
hard. Have you seen that boy you
met on the boat to America? Wasn’t
his name Lou? Maybe someday you’ll
meet again.
Please write
back to me soon. I cannot wait to
hear from you and all that is going on in your life in America.
Love your
friend,
Rosie
Critique or endorsement of the historical
event:
Children
will be introduced to the term immigration in reading " When Jessie Came
to Sea". This book will allow children to read about a situation that has
happened and continues to happen today. They are able to facilitate what they
know already about immigration, read new material and than compare it to the
new material they have read about. The children will be able to see
some of the ways immigration entered the United States of America. They can
also examine what area Jessie came from. This discussion and critical analysis
can lead into different examples of exploration in the United States.
Citations:
The
Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey. (n.d.). The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey. Retrieved
November 10, 2012, from http://www.state.nj.us
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