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High School Grade
- Project
- 8 weeks
Roots to Action: Family Stories, Global Impact
Purpose
This project aims to deepen students' understanding of their personal genealogy by connecting their family's history with broader historical events. Students will explore their role in shaping future histories through research, creative expression, and community engagement. By examining their family's past and its impact on the present, students will craft meaningful contributions to societal and environmental challenges, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to the world around them.
Learning goals
Students will learn to construct detailed genealogy trees and timelines, integrating personal family histories with significant historical events. They will develop skills in research methodologies, utilizing online databases and archives to gather and analyze information. Students will also engage in citizen science projects, applying their research to address current environmental challenges. Additionally, they will explore historical analysis principles, connecting past events to their family's narrative and identifying ways to contribute positively to future societal and environmental outcomes.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- NGSS - HS-ETS1-1: Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
Products
Students will create a digital interactive family history map that overlays personal genealogy with global historical events, allowing users to explore connections through time and geography. They will also develop a 'Future Impact Plan' booklet, outlining personal goals and actions inspired by their family history and historical events, with a focus on environmental and societal contributions. Additionally, students will design a collaborative digital documentary featuring interviews with family members and community elders, integrating historical context and personal narratives to highlight shared heritage and future aspirations.
Launch
Kick off the project with a "Family History Exploration Day," where students bring a family artifact, photo, or story to share with the class. Set up interactive stations with access to genealogy databases and historical timelines, guiding students to start mapping their family trees and identifying key historical events. Invite a local historian or genealogist for a guest session to inspire students with real-world applications of genealogy research and historical analysis.
Exhibition
Students will showcase their genealogical research through a Family Heritage Fair, where they present their genealogy trees and historical timelines using multimedia displays, storytelling, and artifacts. They will create a Timeline Tapestry, contributing sections that represent their family's history and its intersections with historical events, displayed in a public space. Additionally, students will participate in a Living History Museum, embodying significant ancestors or historical figures from their timelines, and engaging visitors with performances and interactive sessions.
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Kick off the project with 'Family History Exploration Day'. Students bring a family artifact, photo, or story to share with the class, sparking initial discussions about family history.
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Activity 2: Set up interactive stations with access to genealogy databases and historical timelines. Guide students to begin mapping their family trees and identifying key historical events connected to their family narratives.
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Activity 3: Conduct a workshop on research methodologies and tools for genealogy, including how to use online databases, archives, and library resources. Students practice these skills by conducting preliminary research on their family history.
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Activity 4: Host a guest session with a local historian or genealogist to provide insight into the real-world applications of genealogy research and historical analysis. Allow time for a Q&A session.
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Activity 5: Facilitate a reflection session where students discuss the connections they have discovered between their family's history and broader historical events, sharing insights with peers.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: A preliminary genealogy map draft that includes at least three generations of family members and identifies at least two significant historical events relevant to their family's timeline.
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Arrange for digital and physical access to genealogy databases, historical timelines, and library resources for students.
2. Prep Task 2: Coordinate with a local historian or genealogist for a guest session, including logistics such as scheduling and necessary technology setup. 3. Prep Task 3: Prepare interactive stations for the 'Family History Exploration Day,' including materials and guidelines for students to share their artifacts and stories. 4. Prep Task 4: Develop a workshop agenda and materials on research methodologies and tools for genealogy, ensuring alignment with the week's activities. 5. Prep Task 5: Create a template for the preliminary genealogy map to guide students in organizing their research findings. |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Conduct a workshop on historical analysis and interpretation. Students learn to identify key historical events and analyze their impact on communities and regions, focusing on those relevant to their family timelines.
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Activity 2: Facilitate a collaborative session where students work in pairs to research specific historical events identified in their family timelines, using online databases and archives to gather detailed information.
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Activity 3: Host a peer review session where students present their researched historical events, receiving feedback on the connections made to their family histories and suggestions for deeper exploration.
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Activity 4: Guide students in creating a detailed historical timeline that integrates their family history with broader historical events, emphasizing the intersections and impacts.
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Activity 5: Organize a reflection circle where students share insights gained from connecting personal genealogy with historical events, discussing potential influences on their future contributions.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: A detailed historical timeline that includes personal family history alongside at least five significant historical events, demonstrating connections and impacts.
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Develop workshop materials on historical analysis and interpretation, including guidelines for connecting historical events to family histories.
2. Prep Task 2: Ensure access to a range of online databases and archives for students to research historical events, providing necessary login credentials and tutorials. 3. Prep Task 3: Create a feedback rubric for the peer review session that helps students provide constructive feedback and suggestions to their peers. 4. Prep Task 4: Prepare templates or digital tools for students to use in creating their detailed historical timelines, ensuring they can visually represent connections and impacts. 5. Prep Task 5: Set up a reflection circle, including prompts and questions that encourage students to think critically about the insights gained and how they might influence their future contributions. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Facilitate a session where students explore digital tools for creating interactive family history maps. Introduce platforms that allow overlaying family timelines with global historical events.
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Activity 2: Conduct a hands-on workshop on data visualization techniques. Students learn to present genealogical data and historical events in an engaging and informative way using digital tools.
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Activity 3: Guide students in starting their digital interactive family history maps, integrating their genealogical research with historical events identified in previous weeks.
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Activity 4: Organize a peer collaboration session where students share their initial digital map drafts and gather feedback on design, clarity, and content integration.
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Activity 5: Host a reflective discussion on the process of visualizing family history and its historical context, encouraging students to consider how these visual stories might inform their future contributions.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: An initial draft of a digital interactive family history map that overlays personal genealogy with at least five global historical events, demonstrating clear connections and visual storytelling.
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Research and select appropriate digital tools and platforms for creating interactive family history maps, ensuring they are accessible and suitable for high school students.
2. Prep Task 2: Develop materials for the data visualization workshop, including examples of effective visual storytelling and instructions for using selected digital tools. 3. Prep Task 3: Set up accounts or provide access to the digital platforms chosen for creating the interactive maps, ensuring all students have the necessary resources. 4. Prep Task 4: Create guidelines for the peer collaboration session, including criteria for giving constructive feedback on digital map drafts. 5. Prep Task 5: Prepare discussion prompts for the reflective session, focusing on the insights gained from visualizing family history and historical events. |
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| Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Host a workshop on interviewing techniques and skills. Students learn how to conduct interviews with family members and community elders, focusing on gathering personal narratives and historical insights.
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Activity 2: Facilitate a session where students plan their interview questions, ensuring they connect personal narratives with broader historical contexts. Guide them in drafting questions that elicit stories related to both family history and significant historical events.
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Activity 3: Conduct a peer feedback session where students share their interview plans and questions with classmates, receiving constructive input to enhance their approach and ensure comprehensive coverage of their topics.
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Activity 4: Organize a mock interview practice session. Students pair up and role-play interviews, refining their questioning techniques and active listening skills.
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Activity 5: Set up a reflective journaling exercise where students document their anticipation, goals, and potential challenges related to the interviews they will conduct. Encourage them to consider how these interviews can deepen their understanding of their family's role in historical contexts.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: A detailed interview plan, including a list of questions and a description of the intended interviewee(s), outlining the connection between the personal narratives and historical events.
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Develop materials for the interviewing workshop, including guidelines on effective questioning techniques and active listening strategies.
2. Prep Task 2: Prepare examples of interview plans and questions that illustrate the integration of personal narratives with historical contexts. 3. Prep Task 3: Create a feedback rubric for the peer feedback session to guide students in providing and receiving constructive criticism on their interview preparation. 4. Prep Task 4: Organize resources and materials for the mock interview practice session, ensuring students have access to recording devices or note-taking tools if needed. 5. Prep Task 5: Design prompts for the reflective journaling exercise, focusing on students' expectations and the potential insights they hope to gain from their interviews. |
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| Week 5 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Facilitate a workshop on multimedia storytelling techniques. Students learn to use audio, video, and visual elements to enhance the presentation of their family interviews and historical research.
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Activity 2: Guide students in creating a storyboard for their digital documentary segment. Students plan the sequence of their multimedia elements, ensuring a coherent narrative that connects personal stories to historical contexts.
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Activity 3: Conduct a hands-on session where students begin assembling their multimedia elements using digital editing software. Encourage experimentation with different formats to best convey their narrative.
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Activity 4: Organize a peer review session where students share their storyboards and initial multimedia drafts. Provide structured feedback on narrative coherence, technical execution, and engagement.
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Activity 5: Host a reflective discussion on the power of multimedia storytelling in preserving and sharing family histories. Encourage students to consider the impact of their work on their audience and themselves.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: A complete storyboard for the student's segment of the digital documentary, detailing the sequence and types of multimedia elements to be used.
2. Deliverable 2: An initial draft of the multimedia segment, integrating personal interviews, historical research, and visual storytelling techniques. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Develop materials for the multimedia storytelling workshop, including examples of effective multimedia narratives and tutorials on using digital editing software.
2. Prep Task 2: Prepare resources and templates for storyboarding, ensuring students can clearly outline their narrative structure and multimedia elements. 3. Prep Task 3: Arrange access to digital editing software and necessary equipment, providing students with tutorials or guides to navigate the tools effectively. 4. Prep Task 4: Create a feedback rubric for the peer review session, focusing on narrative coherence, technical execution, and engagement. 5. Prep Task 5: Design discussion prompts for the reflective session, encouraging students to think about the impact of their multimedia storytelling on both their audience and themselves. |
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| Week 6 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Conduct a session on citizen science, focusing on environmental challenges. Introduce various citizen science projects and their impact on communities.
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Activity 2: Guide students in selecting a current environmental challenge that resonates with their family history or community. Encourage them to think about how their family narratives relate to the environment.
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Activity 3: Facilitate a workshop where students develop a 'Future Impact Plan' outlining how they and their families can contribute to addressing the chosen environmental challenge. Include goals, strategies, and potential actions.
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Activity 4: Organize a collaborative session where students present their 'Future Impact Plans' to peers, receiving feedback and suggestions for improvement.
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Activity 5: Host a reflective discussion on how family histories and historical events have informed their understanding of environmental challenges and their role in contributing to solutions.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: A 'Future Impact Plan' booklet that outlines personal and family goals and actions inspired by their family history and environmental challenges, demonstrating an understanding of societal and environmental contributions.
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Compile resources and materials on citizen science projects related to environmental challenges, ensuring relevance to students' family narratives and communities.
2. Prep Task 2: Develop guidelines and templates for creating the 'Future Impact Plan,' including examples of effective strategies and actions. 3. Prep Task 3: Set up a platform or space for students to present their plans and receive peer feedback, ensuring a supportive and constructive environment. 4. Prep Task 4: Prepare prompts and questions for the reflective discussion, focusing on the connections between family history, historical events, and environmental challenges. 5. Prep Task 5: Arrange for any necessary technology or materials needed for students to research and create their 'Future Impact Plans,' ensuring accessibility for all students. |
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| Week 7 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Organize a session where students finalize their digital interactive family history maps, ensuring all historical events and family narratives are accurately represented. Provide guidance on refining visual elements and interactivity.
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Activity 2: Facilitate a workshop on public speaking and presentation skills. Students learn techniques to effectively communicate their family history projects to diverse audiences.
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Activity 3: Conduct a rehearsal for the Family Heritage Fair. Students practice presenting their genealogy trees, historical timelines, and digital maps, focusing on storytelling and audience engagement.
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Activity 4: Host a peer feedback session where students present their complete projects to classmates, receiving constructive criticism on content, presentation style, and audience interaction.
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Activity 5: Organize a reflective dialogue where students share their experiences of the project. Encourage them to discuss how their understanding of family history and historical events has evolved and what future actions they plan to take.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: A completed digital interactive family history map that overlays personal genealogy with global historical events, ready for presentation.
2. Deliverable 2: A polished presentation script for the Family Heritage Fair, detailing the narrative of their genealogy tree, historical timeline, and digital map. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Arrange access to digital tools and resources for finalizing the interactive maps, ensuring students have the necessary support for technical adjustments.
2. Prep Task 2: Develop materials for the public speaking workshop, including techniques for engaging diverse audiences and structuring effective presentations. 3. Prep Task 3: Set up a schedule and format for the rehearsal session, providing students with clear guidelines and time slots for practice presentations. 4. Prep Task 4: Create a feedback form for the peer review session, focusing on clarity, engagement, and the integration of historical and personal narratives. 5. Prep Task 5: Design reflection prompts that encourage students to consider the personal and educational growth experienced throughout the project and their future contributions. |
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| Week 8 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Host the Family Heritage Fair where students present their genealogy trees, historical timelines, and digital maps to peers, family members, and community guests. Encourage students to engage visitors with storytelling and interactive elements from their projects.
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Activity 2: Facilitate the Timeline Tapestry installation. Students contribute their sections representing their family's history and its intersection with historical events. Arrange the tapestry in a public space for the school and community to explore.
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Activity 3: Conduct the Living History Museum, where students become 'living exhibits' by dressing as significant ancestors or historical figures from their family timelines. They share stories and insights through performances and interactive sessions with visitors.
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Activity 4: Organize a reflective wrap-up session where students share their experiences from the exhibition. Discuss the impact of their projects on their understanding of family history and historical events, and their future ambitions for societal contributions.
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Activity 5: Guide students in creating a portfolio that includes all their project elements such as their genealogy tree, timeline, digital map, Future Impact Plan, and multimedia segment. Ensure portfolios are well-organized and reflective of their learning journey.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: A complete portfolio showcasing all project components, including genealogy tree, historical timeline, digital interactive map, Future Impact Plan, and multimedia segment.
2. Deliverable 2: Participation in the Family Heritage Fair, Timeline Tapestry, and Living History Museum, demonstrating their full engagement with the exhibition components. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Arrange the logistics for the Family Heritage Fair, including venue setup, invitations to community guests, and coordination of student presentation schedules.
2. Prep Task 2: Prepare materials and space for the Timeline Tapestry installation, ensuring students have the resources needed to contribute their sections effectively. 3. Prep Task 3: Organize the Living History Museum, including costumes, props, and any necessary technology for student performances and interactive sessions. 4. Prep Task 4: Develop reflection prompts for the wrap-up session, encouraging students to articulate their learning and future aspirations. 5. Prep Task 5: Provide guidelines and templates for students to assemble their portfolios, ensuring they can effectively showcase and reflect on their entire project journey. |
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