Clague School
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6th Grade
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Mr. Gaynor
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WC&G
Family Geography Project - Introduction for Parents
This project is designed to introduce the student to the many topics we will be covering
about world cultures and geography this year: Physical features, History, Culture,
Politics, Economics, etc. Before we talk about countries or regions, ones that are
distant and foreign to us, this assignment will substitute the student’s family for the
country, and then talk about the topics as they apply: where the family lives, who’s in
the family, what is the family background, who makes what decisions, who earns and
spends money, what the family thinks is important, what does the family do - as a family
and individually, etc. The topics can be pretty abstract. Working with what is within the
student’s experience makes them more understandable and meaningful.
This project has the potential to be personal and invasive of family privacy. This
is not the intention of the project however, and I want to make sure that both
student and parents are comfortable with what information is being asked and
shared. The purpose is to have students understand, and be able to express in some
form, what Information belongs in each category. It is not to pry or share personal
information. These assignments will not be shared officially with the class, but it is likely
that in class some examples will be discussed, and questions answered. I will work with
students on matters of appropriateness and propriety - but I want parents to be informed
and monitor the assignment. An obvious example of my concern is economics. I don’t
want to know how much income the family has, for example, but I would like to know if a
student has an allowance and any other ways of earning money. The student might
want to say want to talk about the family’s standard of living compared to other families,
if not in absolute terms. Accuracy of information is not an issue for this project, in fact.
This project will involve both class time, in which I’ll be guiding students, and homework time, in
which your support is appreciated. Parents should monitor this project and may excuse their
child from any aspect of this project that they may feel uncomfortable with.
Work may be hand written or typed. Expect to do a rough and final draft on all work.
Only the final draft will be turned in. After the 6 parts are done, students will have the
option of doing ‘final copy’ quality rewrites of any or all parts before binding the book.
Parents, please sign:
Start date: ________________________________________ date: _________
A signature will also be required at the time of the final assembly / evaluation.
Comments:
Family Geography Project - Directions
Parents: Please read the introductory letter on the reverse side.
Due Dates: The final due date will be ____________, eight weeks from today. Each of
the six sections will be due on Friday each week, for six weeks (with an extra week after
Part 3. There will then be two weeks to finalize the project. Each section should be 1-3
pages long. Please note a parent signature is due now, and at the end of the project.
Grading: The project will be worth 85 points: 10 points for each section X 6 = 60,
plus 25 - and bonus - points for final pages, overall quality and meeting due dates.
Content: The project will be made up of the following six sections. These will be
introduced in class, and specific directions will be given for each section each week.
I. Where we live (Geography)
A map showing the home on your street & neighborhood;
A description of your home;
Directions to go from home to Clague School.
II. Family Members (People)
A description of each person in the family;
How everyone gets along with each other.
III. Family History (History)
How the family came to live in Ann Arbor; going back 2-3 generations
One or two family stories of interest.
IV. Decision making (Politics)
Decisions each family member gets to make, and how this is decided;
Important family rules.
V. Money matters (Economics)
How each person gets and spends money;
How the family’s standard of living compares to others.
VI. How we live (Culture)
How family members spend their time;
Activities the family does together; Some family routines;
Important family values and beliefs.
All work should be done on standard size paper so that it may be assembled at the end,
with a title and contents page (to be provided), ready to be bound as a book.