History of Me Project

8^th Grade US History I or 11 Grade US History II

8^th Grade Utah Standards Covered (II: 2: a; IV: 1, 2; VII; X; as well as other parts depending on students Family History) see http://www.uen.org/core/

11^th Grade Utah Standards Covered (I: 1, 3; II: 1, 3, 4; III: 2; IV; V; VI; VII; IIX; IX; X) see http://www.uen.org/core/

 

Objective: Students will come to an understanding of how their family played a role in American History for 8^th graders it is more of about their families immigration story, for 11^th grade it can be more of a contemporary look at where their family was at the time of the events of the last century with interviews were possible.

Rational: Within the first week introduce this project telling the students to pay attention to the class and ask questions and find your connections to the events that we will be covering in class. When we explore the revolution find out where your family was at that time or witch side of the Civil War were your ancestors on.

Unit in Two parts first one is within the first week of school and the second is the last part of the school year

Part One: only take one week or 3 periods with project not due for a week

Where do I fit in history?

Intro to family history Have students fill out a pedigree chart as far as they can ask parents and grandparents. Take a day to go to the computer lab and look up ancestors using family search and/or ancestry.com, to find out where they lived and when they died/born. Other things to find out from search are social status, religion, family size, or anything of interest. If no pacific biographical information is found, research the time period and location that they lived in and attach to pedigree. Ask family members for any family stories or stories from their own childhood.

Possible enrichment: invite an expert there are genealogy experts in almost every community that would be happy to share their knowledge of family search.

Assessment:
For 8th grade: Must turn in simple pedigree with one line back 5 generations, a short one to two page biography of one ancestor with references to pre-US origins, and religion/ social class.
11th grade: Must turn in simple pedigree with one line back 5 generations, a short two to three page biography of one ancestor within the century after civil war reconstruction with references to origins, and religion/ social class, and any other interesting facts, must also include pictures or artifacts.

Rubric:                  Pedigree chart as far as possible at least 5 generations                     10

                                Two Biographies related to two ancestors’ one page each            20

                                Parent Interview 1 page                                                               10

                                Neatness and grammar                                                                  5

                                Reflection                                                                                      5

                                                                                                                      Total      50 pts

 

Part Two: Putting It All Together

Objective: Have students put a comprehensive project and presentation together telling their American Journey

This should take about a few days of lab work to get student ready. Show them how to do the research were to find reliable sources etc in Computer lab one day, research the second, then give a few days to write outlines and rough drafts and then have a period of typing in the lab (may include a day at media center looking up books, after that give 2 days to build presentation and display. Reports 5 presenters a day out of 35 students equals 7 periods (8^th grade) 9 presenters a day out of 35 students equals 4 periods.

If Possible set up a Family history museum in the classroom or Library and invite members of the community to come and see the work that students have done.

Rubric for final project:

Written research paper 5 pages plus sources and other material: 100 pts

                5 pages double spaced typed    

Story of one ancestor’s family tied into one of the events of US History covered in course or if family did not come to USA till after 1876 then immigration story, or other.

                Describes living conditions of family during this time period and historical context

Reflection on why this ancestor was chosen and how it affects you 

3 or more sources (ancestry web site, family interviews, book, lecture, journals etc.)

Presentation: 50pts

Speech 5-8 minutes long: Introduce yore ancestor, tell where and when they lived and part of their story with reasons for choosing them.

                Visuals (Pictures, Artifact, modals, costume, etc.)

Display poster (catchy, photos or drawings, the story of you ancestor, and other facts about life in that time period.

 

Community Project: have students present a museum with visuals from their projects in your room or library, invite the community to come and see the students projects also invite other classes in the school to come and see the work that your students have done.