Settlers: Creating Family Trees & Historical Plays

By Joan Andersen, 1996 Governor-General’s Award Finalist

INTENDED GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT AREA

Grade 5 and 6, History, Language Arts, Drama, Arts

CONCEPTS

This activity works well in a small community where some of the students will have descended from that community’s founding family. The teacher should offer a variety of teaching/learning contexts in which students can research and record their impressions of both personal and community history.

INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES

Students will:

learn how to research a family tree
understand how local culture and history relates to the culture and history of people in other parts of the world
demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which their own cultural traditions have shaped them
share ideas, experiences, and information with others through story telling and drama

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

On a classroom wall, display the family tree of the founding family. Use paper of a different colour to represent each generation. Also display a large map of the world. Briefly discuss with students:

1.WHO the founders of your community were;
2.WHERE the founding family came from (have students locate and discuss these places);
3.WHAT business or trade prevailed at the time;
4.HOW and WHY the settlers came to your area;
5.WHEN the founding families arrived.

About the Educator

Joan Andersen teaches Inuit and settler ancestry to students at JC Erhardt Memorial School in Makkovik, Labrador. Joan uses a wide range of teaching methodologies to generate excitement and facilitate learning. Her fresh and innovative approach is exemplified by the play A Trip Through Time that her students created. Through the process of researching, writing and performing the play at the 20th Labrador Creative Arts Festival, her students experienced their community history.