Grandparent Interview
Suggested Questions
Early Life:
Where were you born?
How many brothers and sisters did you have?
Did you like your position in the family--oldest, youngest, middle, only child?
What did you and your family enjoy doing together?
What chores did you have?
What hardships?
How did your childhood differ from childhood today?
Tell an early experience with your family that stands out in your memory.
What do you remember best about your mother? Your father?
Schooling:
What was your first school like?
What subject did you like best?
What subject was the hardest for you?
Describe a teacher that you especially remember.
What were you proudest of accomplishing?
What sports did you enjoy?
What, if anything, do you regret about school days?
What did you like to do with school friends?
Tell about a school prank or an adventure that you recall.
Tell about your best friend.
Describe a friend of the opposite sex.
Career:
What career did you chose? Why?
What preparation did you make?
What have your duties and responsibilities been?
Have you had to adjust to many changes in your work?
Tell about a particular problem, challenge, or hardship of your work.
What career achievements have made you happy or satisfied?
What more would you like to accomplish?
Would you advise young people to consider your occupation?
Day-to-Day Living:
What is your daily schedule now?
What time of day do you like best? Why?
What season is your favorite? Why?
What do you enjoy most about nature?
What has been your worst experience with storms or other disasters? Tell about it.
How do you take care of your health?
What foods do you like and dislike?
What modern conveniences do you appreciate most?
What are your favorite clubs, sports, and hobbies?
What do you read?
Where have you traveled?
What do you most enjoy doing with family and friends?
Tell the most interesting experience you have had recently.
Tell something funny that has happened to you lately.
Personal Philosophy:
What is your advice for getting along with people?
Who do you think is the greatest person of this century? Of past centuries?
Of all the inventions and discoveries of the twentieth century, which one would you say
is most significant?
What do you think of schools today?
In what ways are they better or worse than schools you attended?
What is your philosophy of education?
What do you think are our biggest problems--international conflicts, energy shortage,
crime, inflation, unemployment, health needs, or something else?
What can each person do to help solve these problems?
Introduction and Conclusion
Introductory paragraph--early memories of times spent with grandparent
Concluding paragraph--What advice/values/lasting impressions of your grandparent will you carry with you and try to pass along to your own children?
Grandparent Interview
