ALBUMS: Purchase an inexpensive 3-ring binder type of plastic notebook (three inches deep) with a slide-in cover from an office supply store. You will personalize the cover with decorative paper on all three sides or cover the book with a cloth cover.
LENGTH: Maximum of one volume and 105 points possible. It is not possible to make over 100 unless the student completes more than the minimum number of sections. If the student wishes to include items that are not listed, that is permissible, but points will not be awarded for these items. The essay portion of each option must be completed for any credit to be awarded. All components must be included in the album IN THE ORDER LISTED on the grading rubric. Meaningful captions should be included with every picture.
FORMAT: All TEXT sections of the scrapbook ( including captions under pictures ) must be typed, and the pages must be numbered. Include topical divider pages at the beginning of each new section. The divider pages and text pages should always start on the right-hand side of the book. ALL PAGES IN THE ALBUM SHOULD BE FILLED IN ON THE FRONT AND BACK. DO NOT LEAVE ANY BLANK PAGES . Stick-on address labels work well for captions under pictures. The 8 ½ x 11 sheets of 30 stick-on labels per page seem to be an ideal size. Try to achieve an even balance of photo and essay sections. All parts of the scrapbook should be displayed in a neat, colorful, eye-catching way.
Note about essays: 1) one page equals 250 words; 2) DO NOT START ANY ESSAY WITH “In Webster's Dictionary ….
1) Title page (name, date, The Family History of....)
2) Table of contents --titles of sections and page numbers. Use dot leaders between titles and page numbers.
3) Where I'm From poem (24 lines)–see pp. 7-8 (with a recent photograph of you)
4) Dedication/Acknowledgment page --An open letter to parents or grandparents in which you express their importance in your life thus far and what you have learned from these individuals. Also, express your thanks to those who assisted you in your search for pictures or information about your family history. ( minimum of 350+ words—1 ½ pages).
1) Family tree or pedigree chart (see p. 11) with Pictorial History of your ancestors (both sides of the family at least 4 or more generations back). Include as many names, dates, and places as possible for every individual; if you can't provide this information, go farther back than 4 generations to make up for the gaps. Unless you have a genealogy computer program at home, use one of the computer software programs available in the library or in the English and U.S. History classrooms In this section you will include a pictorial history of your ancestors (as far back as you are able) in chronological order, starting with the earliest ancestors first.
For example, you might take your maternal side from the earliest dates through your mother; then do some spotlight pages of your mother from birth to present. Next, take your paternal side from the earliest dates through your father; then do some spotlight pages of your father from birth to present.
2) Family heirlooms -- One essay—include description, history, importance to you-- required with photo required–(minimum of 350 words—1 ½ pages)-- If you have a sibling who has done this project, you should select a different heirloom for your essay. Include at least 4 OTHER photos of heirlooms with descriptive captions telling the background and importance in your family. Heirlooms might include jewelry, dishes, clocks, weapons, letters, utensils, portraits, furniture, clothing, etc. *Must have been handed down at least one generation.
3) Autobiography–(see p. 10) --essay of 4 double-spaced pages1000 words—mimimum and maximum. Be creative, detailed, and specific. Cover all topics described in the instructions. Also include a Pictorial History of you from birth to the present. All pictures must have descriptive captions and should be arranged chronologically . You are allowed 15 pages front and back for photos in this section. Be selective. Note: You may choose to use school, sports, vacation, holiday, and dance pictures in other sections.
4) Interview of one grandparent–(see pp. 12-13)-- (or oldest living relative other than parents available to be interviewed ). If you have a sibling who has done this project, you should select a different family member to interview. Essay of at least 3 double-spaced pages-- with 8 or more direct quotations . The quotations can be both from the grandparent as well as from family members who have memories about the grandparents. Cover all the required topics. Include at least 3 pictures of the family member that you interview. If you do not have a family member available for live interview, try faxing or e-mailing the questions to be answered.
5) Teen-to-Teen: In the News–(see p. 14)—Start by finding out the year that your grandparent was 16 or 17. Compare your world with that of the grandparent/relative that you interviewed for your family history project by creating a PowerPoint of events, people, and facts from the past and present. Requirements: 13 pictures with captions from 2005 and 13 pictures with captions from year that your grandparent/relative was the same age you are now. Total of 27 slides including title slide.
6) Family homes —The essay (2+ pages) should include a description of one home about which you have vivid childhood memories—describe the physical layout, memories of events held there, importance in your life. In additon, include 6+ photos or sketches of houses of grandparents and parents (inside or outside) with descriptive captions that tell the location, who lived there and when, and any special memories of times that you or your family members spent in these locations. If you cannot locate pictures of houses that your grandparents and parents lived in, then you can include 3 short anecdotes (75 words each) about your family.