Our Family History

Before beginning this scenario, do a Global Level Check and then a Level Check!

Your school has organized a community celebration on Canadian history over the past 60 years. Each class will work on a different aspect (economic development, social trends, lifestyle, etc.) and submit a maximum of three student productions to a final jury. Your class has been assigned the social and historical development of Canada, a major part of which is families and immigration. The goal of the celebration is to inform others of the diversity of Canadian experience.

For this task, you will create your family tree and describe your family’s life.

With the help of your family, you will create a portrait of your family today (language[s] spoken, traditions, your immigration story). This can be in any form you prefer, mixing visuals and words and using a variety of media tools.
You will have five minutes to present this work to the class, explaining your family tree and how it represents Canada and Canadians.
The class will choose three posters to give the school principal to be posted in the gym.
As a class, you will prepare a final letter to the principal explaining why you have chosen these three posters.

Lessons

Step 1: Where Do We Come From?

As a whole class, discuss Canadian history and the importance of families and immigration to the country. Then, watch videos/sample interviews with immigrants and/or explore sample family trees in the […]

Step 2: Finding Out More

Think about what you would like to know about your family history. In groups, write down the different topics on chart paper (e.g. history, tradition, travel, grandparents, hometown). For each…

Step 3: Tell Me About Your Family

At home, interview one or more of your family members using the interview guide you created in the previous step. Note: the interview can be done in English or any…

Step 4: What Did You Learn About Yourself?

In the target language, share the information orally with your peers in small groups. Each one should also get suggestions for what they find interesting and what they should include…

Step 5: This is My Family

In this step, you will first present your family tree to your peers in small groups for peer-feedback and practice. Each one will then take turns presenting the tree to…

Culminating Task: Our Family History

As a class, vote on three posters you think should be sent to the principal. Which stories do you find the most interesting? Which posters reflect Canadian values? Which posters…