Family Genealogy Quest--- TEACHER NOTES

Title: Family Genealogy

Grade(s): 6-8

Subject: Social Studies

Technology: Discovering the Internet

Estimated time for Completion: 6 weeks (estimate based on one class per week)

OVERVIEW Students will research important genealogy terms, family history and design a family tree. PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: This Learning Resource assumes the student has a basic knowledge of the Internet and a word processing or draw program.

TEACHER PREP TIME: 1 hour approx.If you have not worked with a word processor/ draw program before you may want to become comfortable. Review Discovering the Internet training videos from Nortel LearniT (www.NortelLearniT.org).

DELIVERABLES: Students will submit their completed family tree.EVALUATION / GRADING: Student's family trees will be evaluated using a rubric provided in Evaluation.

Variations on a Theme Running short on time? Partner students for the Explore section.

Teacher Tips: You can determine the extent to which your students pursue this project, from a basic family tree to some in-depth research. Be aware that this could be a sensitive issue for some students (immigrants separated from their families, adopted students, foster kids and those with broken or unstable home situations. Use this opportunity to discuss different types of "families". If students are living with a guardian and are unaware of family history, have them create a family tree for a comic or family TV show they may be interested (i.e. the Simpsons). If a child is adopted let them choose to create a family tree for their adopted family or biological family.

Imagine how your life would change if you were the descendant of royalty...or an important political figure...or a great scientist...or a Nobel Peace Prize winner! Our family roots are important because they tell a history of where we come from and who we are today.
This activity will allow you to play the part of a genealogist. The resources will help you find your lineage and create a pictorial depiction of your family tree. Time to explore your history!
Family tree: a diagram that demonstrates a person's entire family, including grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, and so on.
Genealogy: is the history of you and your family. It is your mother and father, grandparents, great grandparents, and so on. It is often called "The Family Tree". You take the family and place them in order, called generations.

Sometimes you have to track down information: ask relatives, use the Internet, go to libraries, and even to the City Records building.

You will need a computer with access to the Internet and a draw application or word processor.


These websites will help you conduct your research.


This list is a starting point. Feel free to search the Internet for other related information.
Review Discovering the Internet training videos from Nortel LearniT (www.NortelLearniT.org).
http://www.a1webdesign.com/rebick/26tips.htm

26 Tips for Getting Started in Genealogy


http://genealogy.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Get_Started_Family0962933261.htm

How to Get Started with Genealogy


http://www.islandnet.com/~jveinot/cghl/cghl.html

Canadian Genealogy and History


http://www-personal.umich.edu/~cgaunt/gen_web.html

International Genealogy Sites on the Web


http://www.genealogy.com/genealogy/links/index.html?Welcome=1028818368

Genealogy Database


Ancestry Search

http://www.ancestry.com/mainv.htm


Be sure to document the source of your Internet research.

Last Name, First Name of Author (if known). “Title of work/article/page.” Title of Complete Document (if applicable). Date last modified. URL (date visited).

1.  You will begin with learning the basics of genealogy, and then create your own family tree.

Vocabulary Exercise. Define the following words. Feel free to use a dictionary if you get stuck (i.e. Dictionary.com).
1. Ancestor
2. Genealogy
3. Generation
4. Given Name
5. Maiden Name
6. Maternal Line
7. Nickname
8. Paternal Line
9. Pedigree
10. Surname
11. Ancestral
12. Heritage
13. Pioneer
14. Family tree
15. Roots

2. Explore the “26 Tips for Getting Started in Genealogy” website (see Explore for link).

3. Begin recording your family tree information. Collect data by speaking to relatives and searching the Internet. There is some basic information that you will want to record throughout your research:

a) Full name (including maiden name)

b) Date of Birth, county and state

c)Marriage date, county and state

d) Death date, county and state or province (if applies to individual)

e) Place of burial, county and state or province.
TIP: Record information in a word processing document or spreadsheet.


All family background information should now be collected. You are now ready to create a pictorial representation of your family tree. This is the time to be creative and original, put a lot of thought into the design of your family tree, and make it as appealing to the eye as possible.
Creating your family tree:

·  Track down pictures or photos of your family (if this is not available try drawing a picture to represent that person).

·  Scan your photos by using a scanner.

·  Use a draw program and begin designing the layout of your family tree.

·  Select, copy and paste each picture from the scan into the blank document.

·  Arrange the pictures in a family tree layout.

·  Use the draw tools to join up the different branches of the family so the collection of pictures makes sense.

·  Include appropriate clip art where necessary (i.e. where you are missing family photos).

·  Use the text tool; name each of the people shown fill in their date of birth/death.

Suggestion: Record information in a word processing document or spreadsheet.Print out a copy of your family tree.

Be sure to save your work at regular intervals!

Share your creation and talk about your family heritage with the class. Print off copies of your family tree to share with family members.


The following rubric will be used to evaluate your work.

Level 1 (D) / Level 2 (C) / Level 3 (B) / Level 4 (A)
Content detail / Content lacks detail / Content is somewhat detailed / Content is detailed / Content is thorough and detailed
Applied understanding / Applied understanding is not evident / Applied understanding somewhat evident / Applied understanding evident / Applied understanding clearly evident
Online Research Skills / Limited efficiency and provides no evidence of critical thinking to evaluate content / Somewhat efficient and uses some critical thinking to evaluate content what / Efficient and uses critical thinking to evaluate content / Efficient, thorough and uses critical thinking to evaluate content
Error Free / Major errors / Several errors / Few errors / Final product is error free
References arecited / Information sources are not properly cited / Information sources are cited but incomplete or do not use proper format / Information sources are cited / Information sources are complete and cited in proper format


Want to take this another step? Have students include short stories from family members.