A Living History Scrapbook Project



A Living History Scrapbook Project

How many of us have a Thomas Jefferson, a Queen Elizabeth, or a Sacajawea in our family's past that we were never aware of? Imagine the deep emotion of finding your great- grandfather's baptismal record in an old rural church, after months of searching and much frustration. Or consider the feelings experienced when you see your great-great-grandmother's name on a passenger log of ships bringing immigrants to America in the 1830's. Watching your mother’s face beam and reflect the past as she tells you her fondest memory. Each of these experiences binds us to our history and to the history of our nation. Sometimes the more personal the moment the more meaningful it becomes when inserted into the larger history of an area, a state, or a country. Answers to the historical why's, who's and when's can be seen in the personal histories of families. As students of history share their family stories there is an awareness created of how interconnected many of us are, and of how the history of a nation and of its people is reflected in their stories.

Description:

This assignment is designed to get students involved in an activity in which they can work closely with their family or significant figures in their life, identify their ancestors, appreciate their ethnic backgrounds, understand the concept of immigration, connect events in history with the movement of their ancestors, and develop a better understanding of the United States as a melting pot. There are specific minimal requirements that must be met, but the students may expand to fit their creative needs.

Objectives: The student will be able to:

➢ Interview family or significant people in his or her life.

➢ Gather documents and records about their ancestors.

➢ Learn how to make a family tree.

➢ Retell biographical stories in written form.

➢ Make a connection of personal history with the history of the United States.

Materials:

The main resource will be family documents, records, pictures, and interviews. Stickers or scrapbooking materials may be used to add color, but they are optional.

Living History Scrapbook Procedure:

I. Family Tree(s):

A. Family Tree title

B. Students are to trace their family tree at least as far back as their Great Grandparents. See how far back you can trace your lineage. If the family already has a copy of a family tree, the student may make a copy of it, but discuss it with family members or see if you can add to it.

C. Creativity- There are sample templates provided or the student may make his or her own.

II. Autobiographical Page(s):

1. Autobiographical Incident of yourself-Written and typed in class

2. Timeline of important events in life- No longer than 10”

3. Name Block Information- Template provided

4. Five Questions and Answers- The question templates may be used or self created.

5. Signature

6. Pictures, newspaper clippings, artwork, etc. that represent interests

III. Five Individualized Biography Pages on Significant People in your Life

A. Name Block Information- Template provided

B. Five Questions and Answers – The question templates may be used or self created. Try to vary your questions and be thoughtful. You may choose to give each person a set of selected questions and have them fill them out as “homework” at a convenient time. This gives them time for thought. * Please do not give them the questions the day or two before they are due. It may take time for them to think of which memorable memory they want to capture and share in your Living History.

C. Memorable Moment Page- Template provided

D. Signature- It tells a story in itself about a person. People love to personalize their names.

E. Pictures, newspaper clippings, birth certificates, stickers of interests, etc

IV. Interview a Significant Person about an Ancestor

A. Name Block Information- Template provided

Five Questions and Answers – Similar to III B.

B. Memorable Moment Page- Template provided. Ask the significant person to tell a

story about their ancestor.

D. Pictures, newspaper clippings, death certificate, diary entries, stickers of

interests, etc.

*This component of the Living History project involves listening and note taking skills. Like an interviewer, the student will need to write down notes as they ask pre-selected questions. More questions may arise throughout the process. The student may choose to tape record the interview so that they may replay the interview later to neatly write down information. Pay close attention to detail so that the memories can be captured accurately in writing.

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|Title Page and Binding |

|Title |

|Student’s First and Last Name |

|Illustration |

|Bound together in booklet form- Folders are provided or student may use their own style. Plastic sleeves will be provided for inner pages. |

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