GENEALOGY PROJECT

Genealogy Project – 8^th Grade  Language Arts                                        (crw2014)

Your History in America…..where did it begin?

“The best growth happens when we bring into the present the

best of what we have experienced in the past.”

Each of us has a personal history which includes the people and their experiences which make us who we are.

Your project is to trace your roots – where does your family fit into the History of this World.   Remember in today’s world we experience a rich variety of family configurations.  Families are not always comprised of blood relatives.  A family can consist of friends, foster, and adoptive relatives.  A family consists of both the people you may be linked to by blood and the people you care about and who care about you.

The emphasis is on quality not quantity.  It is not important to list every second and third cousin you are related to; rather try to trace your ancestry back to another country or continent and provide an interesting look into the history of a few relatives.  (To how many generations can you trace your ancestry?)

1. Research your family roots (begin by sitting down with mom or dad and finding out who is related to who and how;  speak to grandma, grandpa, an aunt or uncle about your ancestors) Draw a sketch.
2. Find one primary document (a birth certificate, marriage certificate, naturalization paper from a member of your family, report card, letter, etc.)   Attach a copy (not the original) to your paper and explain the relationship of the person to you and label the document.

3.  Find a creative way to illustrate your family history on a poster board.   (for example, a family who traces its roots to a member of the plumbing union, displayed each member as a pipe joined by tools)  (another example,  a family with artistic qualities featured each relative as colors on a color wheel)    Be sure whatever your design, that the relationships between the names are clearly displayed. (grandma, grandpa, aunt, etc.)  Include name, relationship, place of birth & dates, if you have, of birth/death.

4.  Choose one of your ancestors (you cannot be one).  (You can do an additional relative for extra credit).   Create a one typed page paper describing the specific history of that person.  Attempt to choose a person who will help show how your family got its roots in the United States and in your community where you live today.  Be sure to list your source of information (interview with person or another relative and the date).  It could be about a relative who has died, but someone else tells you the story.  Be sure to list that person as the source and the date you interviewed them.

Three Part Project

                          (visual display on poster board)

                          (typed paper – research on one key person – mini biography)

                                ( copy of a primary document)

DATES:  Research over the holidays _12/18/14 to 1/4/15

                 Rough drafts for individual histories and idea for display  1/9/15

                 Final project due 1/21/15

CRITERIA:

1.     Effort evident in attempt to trace ancestry

2.     Creativity of design, well executed, neatly drawn, colorful

3.     Clarity of display and biographies(one can see relationships)

4.     Well-written, grammatically correct biography

5.     one copy of a primary document included and labeled

Genealogy                                                                                                                                         (crw2014)

BIOGRAPHY	Novice	Apprentice	Expert
Presentation	Missing both key elements	Missing one element	10- Double-spaced Typed
Grammar/Structure	Variety of errors that required additional editing before submitting	Miscellaneous errors needed some editing	30 - Grammatically correct Few if any mistakes
Research	Not enough information to provide an adequate overview	Overview provided	100 - Thorough overview of one relative
Creativity	Writing could use some creative touches	Writing that shows history of ancestry	20 - Writing includes anecdotes and other forms of figurative language that helps us see your ancestor clearly and makes your writing entertaining
PRIMARY DOCUMENT
	0 = missing		30 - Included
	0 = missing	5 = one element missing	10 - Identified with relationship to student
	BIOGRAPHY & DOCUMENT                        / 200 points READING GRADE
POSTER
Presentation			50 - Ink or marker Neatly completed without errors
Creativity	Lacking theme	Theme is present but lacks follow through	50 - Theme is obvious and well-displayed
Clarity	Missing two or more elements	Missing one element	50 - Relationship between ancestors clearly marked Name, relationship, birth/death dates when available & country of origin listed
Research	Limited research	Some research evident	50 - Ancestors traced showing time and effort
	POSTER                                                              /200 points
PRESENTATION
Clarity			Order of info presented evidence
Summarization			Effective summary of information and reason for design; knowledge of ancestry shown
Mechanics			Audience able to hear presentation, clear pronunciation
	PRESENTATION SPEAKING GRADE                                     /100 points