FAMILY RESEARCH PROJECT

For your major project this semester, you should complete the projects described below. Your grade will be based on the number AND quality of the assignments you complete. Just doing the assignment does not guarantee your grade. Each item has to be completed and done in a quality manner to receive full credit. The scale is as follows:

10 assignments -- A

9 assignments -- B

8 assignments -- C

7 assignments -- D

Fewer than 7 -- F

All written aspects of the project are to be typed. You will not have trouble completing this project if you get started right away and work on it throughout the semester. Do not put this off or you will risk a bad grade and/or a very high stress level. All parts of the project are manageable if you work on them a little at a time.

The first five (5) assignments are mandatory; the remaining projects needed to achieve the grade you want are to be chosen from the optional projects list.

Required:

1. Research and draw your own family tree for the last three generations (or further, if you can). Include a short biographical profile (two or three sentences for each entry).

2. Find five family heirlooms and provide a photo or drawing of each, including a descriptive caption. Next choose one of the heirlooms to write a descriptive essay about explaining is origin, history, and significance.

3. Write an autobiographical essay.

4. Interview a member of your extended family who is at least two generations older than you (or conduct the same interview with an unrelated person). Your goal is to find out how their early life differs from yours. Ask for as much biographical information as possible; full name, date and place of birth, all the places where the individual has lived, occupation, and so on. You are free to explore any other topics that you find interesting, such as family life, transportation, housing, clothing, entertainment, music, books etc. The result of this interview should be an essay of at least 500 words. Submit the transcript of the interview ahead of the essay.

5. Find five family recipes that have significance to your family. Provide each recipe and write a descriptive paragraph for each, explaining the origin of the recipe and its importance to your family.

Optional:

To complete the project, two (2) to five (5) -- depending on the desired grade -- of the following assignments should be completed.

6. Interview a member of your family who immigrated from another country, and write an essay on their immigration experience.

7. Produce a military history of your family, including all of your family members who have served in the military. Include photos or documents when possible (photocopies are acceptable). The history length will vary, depending on your family.

8. Write a poem about your family, using any rhyme scheme or form. The subject of your poem may be your family in general or a significant event in the life of your family.

9. Design a heraldic crest for your family. Use pictures and words to denote important ideas and values held by your family. Illustrate the crest and provide a thorough written explanation.

10. In a cigar or shoe box, create a time capsule of family items and set a certain date to open it, such as a holiday five, ten, or twenty years from now. Include at least 10 items. List each item and write a detailed description of each item and why you have included it. Put this list in your project. The actual box can be brought to class and shared, but will not be turned in with the rest of the project.

11. Draw a map of your life. Include places you have lived, places your relatives live , places you have visited, places you went to school, church, etc. Write an explanation of each item on the map.

12. Interview one of your parents concerning significant social activities during their teenage years. In an essay, compare their teen years with your own.

13. Explain your family's holidays, rituals, or celebrations. Provide photos with descriptive captions, plus an essay of about one page.

14. Write an essay about your family's pets. Provide photos with descriptive captions, plus an essay explaining the history and importance of pets in your family.

15. Make a list of significant toys in your life. Then choose one and write an essay that describes the toy, why it was important to you then and conveys its significance to you now.

You must find a way to bind this project in book form and design a cover for your "book." Your cover should reflect some of the memories and research contained in your project.

The project is due in my room on ________________. Grades will automatically be dropped one letter grade for each day late.

View Family Research Evaulation Form

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