The United States of America: A Diverse Nation
Family Tree Assignment
Date Assigned: September 10th
Due Date: September 18th Value: 50 Points in Project Grade
Objective: In an effort to celebrate The United States’ cultural diversity and in appreciation of past services of
family members, interview family members and research your family’s history as you answer the questions below
and complete the tasks.
Family Tree and Historical Background Assignment (20 Points):
On a separate piece of paper develop a family tree that goes back as far as you can trace it. See the basic
structure of the example below as a guideline. There are many ways to set it up if you look up family trees online.
Place a picture of yourself at the top of the family tree and add any other pictures of family members. Include
information about your family such as the names, birthplace, birth years and year of passing, in some cases, as you
go back in generations. In addition to pictures, at the bottom of the family tree, copy or draw the flags of the nations
from which your relatives have immigrated from.
Example:
Student Name: Mrs. La Vache
Place of Birth: Santa Ana, CA
Born: 1987 - present
Mother’s Information
Grandmother on Mother’s Side
Grandfather on Mother’s Side
Father’s Information
Grandmother of Father’s Side
Grandfather on Father’s Side
Family History Writing Portion of the Family Tree 30 pts.
This portion of the assignment should be typed, Times-New Roman 12 point font, and double spaced.
Part One:
Using some of the questions below as a guideline and adding any other interesting or pertinent family information,
write a couple of paragraphs that explain about you and your family. The goal is to share any interesting aspects of
your family history, explore your culture and traditions, and get a better understanding of who you are. Properly
written, you should have as a minimum 1/2 page of information. It is up to you to organize the information so that it
flows well in your paragraphs.
Questions to guide you:
1. What are your family origins? What countries or regions are your family members from? Your last name is
from what country or region?
2. When did some of your relatives first come to the United States of America?
3. What were some of the reasons why your relatives came to the United States? Make sure to think of
Push/Pull Factors when discussing this.
4. Do you have any relatives who have served in the military or who have been involved in any United States’
involved wars/conflicts? If so, what branch of military and where did they serve?
5. Are there any interesting facts about your family/relatives?
6. Are there any traditions that your family participates in that are unique? Do you practice cultural traditions
that originated in another country? Explain
7. Does your family have a blend of cultural practices from your family history?
8. Add any other information that you feel will best help to explain who you are and the path that your family
has taken to shape your life.
Part Two:
You must choose one of the following eight writing prompts below. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
carefully so that you can receive full credit. When properly written, you should have as a minimum 1/2 page of
information.
A. Anecdote: Write down a story that has been passed down through your family about a person, an object, or an
event. There should be a clear beginning, middle, and end to the story, possibly with an introduction about
when or how you first heard it. Be sure to include all of the features that need to be in a story (characters,
setting, exposition, climax, etc.). B. Family Recipe: Include a copy of a recipe that has been passed down through at least two generations, and
then explain why it is important, and when/why the family usually makes it. This should be a full explanation
of the significance of the recipe, as well as the history behind it. You could even cook the recipe and bring it
in for possible extra credit! C. Holiday Tradition: Describe a holiday or family tradition that is unique to your family. Examples could include a
game played on a holiday, a place that you always go to, a special gift given on a birthday, etc. Include a
description of how it started, how often it occurs, who participates in it, and why it is important to you. D. Portrait: Include a copy of a picture (no originals please) of one or more people from your family. The essay
should be a short biography of this person, who they are in relation to you, and why they have had an
influence on your life. You don’t have to meet someone in order for them to have importance! E. Coat of Arms: It may either be a copy of the official one (searches available online) from one of the main
branches of your family or you can use samples to create your own. Be aware that ever shape, symbol,
and color use has a special significance. The essay should include the meaning of the symbols and how
your family came to get its coat of arms. F. Family Song: Is there a song that is special to the members of your family, maybe sang at special gatherings or
one that recalls a specific memory? Include the lyrics of the song, a brief description of its history/creation,
and an explanation of its significance to you. G. Heirloom: Some families have an object or collection of things that are so important; they have been passed
down through the generations, such as a book, blanket, medal/award, etc. Be sure to a picture of the
heirloom, along with what it is, whom it came from, who it has been passed to, and why it is important. H. Other: Every family is different in the ways in which they interact and what they feel is important. It is more than
possible that you have something to share that is not on this list. If you have another idea, please see me to
see if it would qualify! If it does, I will be more than happy to let you use it as one of your choices! Grading Rubric- Family Tree Projects
Name: ___________________________________________________ Period: _______
Family Tree Information (Pictures, Flags, Information- names, birth locations, dates)
_____/20
Comments:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Written Family Information (Aspects of family history, cultural exploration, family traditions, push/pull
factors, description of family history, military service history)
_____/30
Comments:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Final Grade ________/50
Grading Rubric- Family Tree Projects
Name: ___________________________________________________ Period: _______
Family Tree Information (Pictures, Flags, Information- names, birth locations, dates)
_____/20
Comments:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Written Family Information (Aspects of family history, cultural exploration, family traditions, push/pull
factors, description of family history, military service history)
_____/30
Comments:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Final Grade ________/50