Personal and Family History

View
- Arthur
- "Background Blues"
Wouldn't it be way cool to find out that your ancestors were famous frontier explorers? Or royalty? Or owned a cheese shop? But what if, as Francine and Muffy are about to find out, they were just...plain folks? - Mister Rogers
- "#1275"
Mister Rogers arranges toy animals and matches baby animals to their mothers. He sings the song, "Everybody Has a History," and talks about growing up.
Do in Class
- Arthur: Memory Book - Have students document events from the prior year.
- Between the Lions: Family Tales - Encourage a child to tell a story from his life or about a favorite family member.
- Clifford: Keepsake Scrapbook - Start a scrapbook to chronicle a child's life.
- Maya & Miguel: A Cultural Collection - Create a personal collection of cultural memorabilia by spending time with family members to become more aware of what older generations have to offer about family history and culture.
- Maya & Miguel: This Is Me Book - Build self-esteem by making a very personal book filled with childhood memories.
- Teletubbies: Peek-A-Boo Family Book - Make hide 'n' seek peek-a-boo books with family photographs.
Play Online
- American Experience: Wayback- Grow a Tree - Create a family tree online or offline. (Advanced Activity)
- American Experience: Wayback- Hello Cousin - Learn more about planning a family reunion. (Advanced Activity)
Read
- Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later)
By Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard
Published February 1995 by Clarion Books
The olden days come alive for two African American girls when they visit their Great-great-aunt Flossie and her large collection of hats, each with its own story. This warm story is based on the author's recollections of her elderly aunt. - Aunt Claire's Yellow Beehive Hair
By Deborah Blumenthal and Mary Grandpre
Published May 2001 by Dial
After Annie's family eats dessert, they push back their chairs and talk about people she only knows from photographs. She wants to know more so one rainy day she and Grandma Marilyn collect family photos and other things to help remember the past. They assemble a scrapbook, and Annie labels each item. This book would make an ideal introduction for a unit on family history in language arts or social studies.
*As most PBS children's programs offer one year extended taping rights for teachers, please feel free to tape them now and save them for use in your classroom during the school year.