Uncover Your Family Story
Dive into your family's unique story by creating a visual family tree. This activity explores how we're all connected, where we come from, and the special traditions that make our families one-of-a-kind.
The lesson goal is learners will understand how their family is structured and connected through generations. They will be able to identify key family members, understand their lineage, and share unique stories and traditions that define their heritage.
What You Need
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Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Introduction: Whose Story is This?5 Min
- Place the old photo or family drawing/item on the table.
- Ask them: 'What do you notice about this picture/object?'
- Ask them: 'Who do you think this shows, or who might have made it?'
- Ask them: 'Does it feel like there's a story behind it?'
- Move on when Child engages with the item and offers initial observations or questions about it.
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan: Mapping Our Family Connections8 Min
- Lay out large paper, pencils, an eraser, and a ruler.
- Ask them: 'Who are the important people in your family we should include?'
- Ask them: 'How do these people connect to each other? (e.g., parent, child, sibling)'
- Jot down names and connections on scrap paper as a brainstorm.
- Move on when Child has named several family members and articulated some connections between them.
Photo by https://kaboompics.com/ on Pexels - 3
Discussion: What's a 'Family Tree' Anyway?6 Min
- Ask them: 'Based on our brainstorming, what do you think a 'family tree' means?'
- Explain: A **family tree** is a drawing that shows how people in a family are related across different generations.
- Ask them: 'Why do you think people use the idea of a tree for family connections?'
- Ask them: 'Can a family tree include people who are like family, even if not by blood?'
- Move on when Child can explain what a family tree is in their own words, giving a reason why it's called a 'tree', and applies the concept to the idea of including non-blood relatives.
Photo by olia danilevich on Pexels - 4
Activity: Drawing Our Roots and Branches9 Min
- Guide them to draw themselves and siblings at the bottom of the paper.
- Help them draw their parents above and connect them with lines.
- Continue by adding grandparents and connecting them to their parents.
- Encourage adding aunts, uncles, cousins, or other important family members.
- Suggest adding small notes or symbols about each person or their story.
- Move on when The child has constructed a visual family tree, showing at least two generations and their relationships, with names or recognizable symbols for individuals.
Photo by https://kaboompics.com/ on Pexels - 5
Summary: Our Growing Family Story2 Min
- Ask them: 'What was the most surprising thing you learned about your family today?'
- Ask them: 'What's one story or memory about someone on your tree that you want to share?'
- Ask them: 'How might your family tree continue to grow or change in the future?'
- Move on when Child shares one key takeaway or personal reflection about their family tree or family history.
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels
Personalize The Spark
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