Family Genealogy | Create WebQuest

Introduction

You are a detective going back to the early decades of your familial ancestry. During this journey as the new Sherlock Holmes you will discover family history and a way of life in which they lived. "It seemed to me that a careful examination of the room and the lawn might possibly reveal some traces of this mysterious individual. You know my methods, Watson." Your mission as individual detectives is to discover family genealogy and about the countries from which they came.

Task

You will have to conduct family interviews on one side of your family (maternal or paternal) in order to learn about your family genealogy. You should interview your parent, grandparent and great-grandparent if possible. You should also interview aunts and uncles to learn stories of family genealogy.

First you will need your list of standard interview questions that should include 30 questions.

After the completion of your interviews, you will diagram your family tree on a poster board or computer based. Your diagram should include the following: parent, aunt and uncle, cousins, and grandparents including their siblings.

Based on your family tree you will have to research a country of your family origin. You will be responsible for composing an eight-page paper of what you learned. Four pages should be dedicated to what you learned during your interviews and stories about your ancestral heritage. The last four pages should be of research on a country of your ancestral heritage.

Finally, each detective will be responsible for presenting an eight-minute presentation on their ancestral findings.

Process

At the end of this detective quest you will have developed interview skills, family genealogy, technological skills of graphing a family tree, writing composition skills, research skills, as well as develope oral presentation skills. To help faciliate you in this investigative quest are the following websites.

Family Tree Questions:

https://www.familytreemagazine.com/premium/20-questions/

http://www.birley.org/a_family_history_questionnaire.htm

http://www.bobcatsworld.com/genclass/life%20story%20questions.pdf

Family Tree Resource:

https://www.smartdraw.com/family-tree/family-tree-template.htm

https://creately.com/

https://www.myheritage.com/?utm_source=ppc_google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mh_search_us_en_des_mul_exact_myheritage-all-guests&utm_content=2

https://www.familytreedeveloper.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6_XKmrS01gIV0luGCh1R1QSLEAAYASAAEgKv7PD_BwE

Written Reports:

https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/college-academics/tips-writing-effective-research-paper/

http://student-tutor.com/blog/how-to-write-a-research-paper-in-11-steps/

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/677/01/

https://blog.cengage.com/writing-a-research-paper-nine-tips-for-student-success/

Oral Presentation:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1857815/

https://essentialsofbusiness.ufexec.ufl.edu/resources/general/five-tips-to-improve-your-presentation-skills/#.WcK9vMiGM2w

http://study.com/academy/lesson/teaching-presentation-skills-to-middle-schoolers.html

Evaluation

Web Quest Rubric
	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Capable 3	Exemplary 4	Teacher Score
Researching Information	Gathers very little information. Information does not relate to the topic/role	Gathers limited iinformation	Gathers information is somewhat detailed	Gathers relevant and detailed information
Organizing Information	Information listed in not particular order. Notes are disorganized and/or parts are missing.	Some information listed and partically organized.	Most information and notes are complete and some organization is apparent.	Notes complete and well organized. Submitted with final assignment
Family Tree	Diagrammed with very little infomation and not properally.	Diagrammed limited information. Some information related to the topic role.	Diagrammed information and some organization is apparent.	Diagrammed is comple and well organized.
Final Writing Assignment	The document is somewhat neat and attractive. Several errors in grammer are present. The languageadn organization are unclear and may not satisfy the description of the assisgnment.	The document is a somewhat neat and attractive format. The topic is somewhat relatd to the story. Some errors are shown in basic rules of usage, grammar and mechanics. The language and organization are unclear barely satisfies the description of the assignment.	The document is reasonaly attractive and neat. Rules of grammar, mechanics and usage are effectively applied and language reflects some appropriateness to the role undertaken. The work satisfies the description of the assignment	The document is an attractive and appropriate format. Rules of ussage, grammar, and writing, mechanics are correctly and effectiely applied. The organizationof language is effective and appropriate to the role taken. Work surpasses the basic description of the assighment.
Understanding/presentation	Shows little understanding of the role chosen. The topic is linked back to the story in a limited way.	Demonstrates a limited understanding of the role undertaken. A few links to the story are made.	Demonstrates a reasonable understanding of the role undertaken. Links to the story are made.	Demonstrates and excellent understanding of the role undertaken, and how it woudl apply to the story.

Conclusion

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were always able to solve the crime. No situation remained a mystery to them for very long. But they are characters in fiction. You in contrast investigated a true real life mystery, a mystery that involves you! You have unconvered the important history of your family and in their country of origin. In the process you have developed important detective research skills, and skills to convey your findings. Congratulations! Even Holmes and Watson would be proud.

Credits