Genealogy Lesson Plan (6th/7th Grade)

“When the grandmothers speak, the earth will be healed.” – Hopi Proverb

Standards – National Standards for United States History

Standard 1E – Interpret data presented in time line

Standard 4B – Obtain historical data

Standard 4C – Interrogate historical data

Have students interview a family member such as a grandparent, or great-grandparent about their lives, families, and their ancestors.  Students will bring notes from their interviews to class. Example interview questions are listed below.

In class students will use the free FamilySearch website to find at least three genealogical records using the information that they received from conducting their interviews. These records may include census records as well as birth, marriage, and death records. Newspaper articles such as obituaries, or city directories may also work.

Students will use these records and the answers to their interview questions to write a short 1 or 2-page biography/family history of the relative that they interviewed. The information in the biography should be chronological and students will cite the records that they used to obtain information about their families. Students who do not have a grandparent or great-grandparent to interview may interview a parent if they have some knowledge of the family history, such a grandparents and great-grandparents names.

·      When were you born?

·      Where are you from?

·      What was the house like?

·      What kind of conveniences did the house have? Indoor plumbing, electricity, phone, TV, etc.

·      Did your family practice a religion? If so, where did your family go to church?

·      Where did you go to school? What was your favorite subject?

·      What are the names of your parents?

·      Where were your parents born? Where did they grow up?

·      What was your father’s job? Your mother’s job?

·      What are the names of your father’s parents?

·      What are the names of your mother’s parents?

·      What are the names of your grandparents? Where were they from?

·      Where did your family live before coming to America?

·      Did your family belong to any clubs or organizations?

·      Are there any physical traits that have been passed down in the family?

·      What are the personality traits of your family members like?