Valeta and Bryna's Best Back-to-School Ideas!
Unit Plan: We Are History: Family Stories

Title: We Are History: Family Stories

Grade Level: 3–5

Duration: First month of school

Overview: Each school year starts with a "getting to know you" activity. Besides doing activities geared for learning about the individuals in our classrooms, we also begin "getting to know" one another through our family histories and stories. This is a great way to introduce history for the year, and also a meaningful way for the children to enjoy and appreciate one another's heritage. We do his through a unit on oral history, with all students telling one of their family stories.

Lessons for Teaching this Unit:
Lesson One: The Mystery of History—Original Sources

Lesson Two: What is Your Story?
Materials for Lesson Two: Letter to Parents, Student Assignment Sheet, Interview Sheet from Teaching Memoir Writing, page 32 (a Scholastic Professional Book in the Teacher Store)

Lesson Three: Listen to Me!
Materials for Lesson Three: Oral Report Instructions, Oral Report Rubric (PDF)

Best Books for Teaching Family Stories

 

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