GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Overview:
During the school year the 8th grade Social Students will participate in a project based upon their own family history, or if they choose, the history of a Nunda area family. They will use their research, organizational, and analytical skills as well as their Social Studies knowledge to create a history presentation of their family.
Links to the standards:
This project will reinforce and extend the following New York State Learning Standards
Social Studies Standard 1: Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments and turning points in the history of the United States and New York
Social Studies Standard 2: Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments and turning points in world history.
Language Arts Standard 3: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.
Mathematics, Science and Technology Standard 1: Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.
Procedure:
1.
Students will be given a project packet which will include
a.
This general introduction
b.
A basic guide to doing family research
c.
Family survey form
d.
Genealogy forms needed to begin the project
2.
Students will be introduced to and complete Part I - Basic Research (50 pts)
This will include basic work on three generations.
3.
Students will be introduced and complete Part II – Family History Projects and Presentations (50 pts)
This work will include a selection of advanced research and presentation projects. Students will be able to select from a menu to earn at least 50 pts. This school year the menu will include participation in the WXXI contest.
Grading:
Each student will receive a grade based upon the number of points they earned in each section. Students will not be penalized for missing information, but will be required to make the research effort. Alternate work may also be assigned.This grade will be included in the term in which it was assigned. It will be weighted to count as two assignments.
Important Notes:
Researching your history is both a fun and rewarding activity. Some families, however, would prefer that the genealogy not be done. This may be due to a variety of circumstances and reasons.
This project is a required grade. Families may, however, ask that their student research a “volunteer” family. Although this is not as interesting as their own, it will allow participation in the project and meet the Standards outlined above.
I would ask, however, before a family makes such a decision, that the following points be reviewed.
Students can successfully complete the project doing only one family line. This means they could just do their maternal grandmother’s (mother’s mother) line.
The lines do not have to be “blood” lines. They are welcome to use foster or adoptive parents.
Students can make use of family research that has already been done. We will look for ways of adding to it of course!
Students will not be penalized for “dead ends” – lines that cannot be traced back. There are many ways they can earn points!
Parents and other family members are welcome (and encouraged) to take part in the project and assist their student in the work.
The material will not be copied and kept by the school district or me. Only the student and myself will view the information, unless the student and their family decide to share the information with other.
There will be no cost to your student, unless the student does one of the elective activities such as letter writing.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please contact me. I can be reached at school at 468-2541 ext 2065 (between 1-1:30 PM is best). I can also be reached through my email
tcook@keshequa.org
or my home phone 468-5991.
I look forward to working with you on this project.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. Thomas S. Cook
8th Social Studies Instructor
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