This is more than a writing assignment. It is a project. It will take the entire semester. We will work on some of it in class, but much of it will be done outside of class. There are 10 chapters to construct. Each chapter will be evaluated separately, and each has its specific due date and criteria (see list below.) As each chapter is returned to you, you will keep it in an attractive way in a large binder/photo album, which you will need to acquire. This entire album will be turned in at the close of the semester for an over-all grade.

Each chapter will include an Annotated Resource Page, which lists all the sources you used for that particular chapter and a one-two sentence description of the results of each bit of research. The major grade, however will be a piece of writing, which will be graded for content, organization, development, and accuracy in mechanics. This means that you need to proofread and edit before turning the piece in for a grade. Note: I expect final drafts, not rough drafts; they should be typed. You may also include pictures, items you have collected over the years, examples of your schoolwork, etc.
 
 

Chapter 1 "My Heritage"                                                     2-3 pages due date_____________________

Write a description of your ethnic background, being sure to include both parent's genealogy. Do some research. Turn in a list of at least three sources: individuals in your family, family history pamphlets from family reunions, library or internet research on your name or the country from which your ancestors came, etc.

Chapter 2. "Before I Was, There Were" --                     2-3 pages. due date:____________________

Write a brief description of your family tree. Include a family tree chart. Tell about folks who were around before you were born: grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, older siblings. Interview at least three people in your family who were living before you were born. Include quotes from them within your chapter. Extra Credit: Have one or more relatives write a brief reflection about your family before you were born: your parents; marriage, births or older siblings, etc.

Chapter 3. "The People in My Life" --                              2 bios. minimum due date: ______________

This chapter will be a collective biography. Write a biography of at least two family members. Each biography should be at least 4 typed double-spaced pages. Interview family members about their growing up and how things are different now than they were back then. You may include as many additional biographies as you want; in fact this is a section you may want to keep coming back to throughout the semester to add more information.  See me for strategies about making it an interesting read; NOT - birthdates and lists of statistics.

Chapter 4 "Family Lore" --                                                 5 stories minimum due date:______________

Collect at least five family stories from a variety of family members. These can be about you or about someone else in the family. You may want to try to find one story about each member of your family. You may collect these in person by actually sitting down and talking to the family member, or you may want to write, either via e-mail or regular mail, to that person. Encourage the person to be as detailed as possible and even to provide pictures if possible (photocopies are fine). Put the five stories together in whatever logical order you feel is best; write an introduction and a conclusion. Within the first paragraph of each story, or as a separate introduction if you write the story in that person's voice, identify the teller and his/her relationship to you. Extra Credit: Have one or more family members write out their own stories, in addition to the five required. It would be nice to have a variety here and in that person's own handwriting, with his/her signature. This would be especially meaningful from older relatives.

Chapter 5 "Suddenly, I Became Me" --                                     4-5 pages due date:_________________

When and where were you born? Were there any unusual or humorous circumstances surrounding your birth? How was your name chosen; what does it mean?  What was going on in the world on that day; with whom do you share a birthday?  What were the first couple of years like? What memories do you have of your first five years? What are some of those stories your mom ells that you wish she wouldn't? What was your first word? Resources: baby book, family members. Extra credit: Have your mom or dad (or both) write a reflection about the time leading up to your birth, their fears, excitement, etc.

Chapter 6 "School Bells" --                                                     2 stories due date:____________________

In the first story, write about kindergarten through grade 3 -- first day jitters, fears, anticipation; learning to read and write; special friends, teachers; school programs (Did you play a tree in a school production? Include favorite childhood activities you enjoyed during this period of your life. How had your family changed from Chapter 5? Is any of your artwork still around?

In the second story, cover grades 4-6. Discuss how you have changed since early school years. Are you still at the same school or did you have to move and start all over again with new friends and teachers/ How had you changed physically? Remember those Bugs Bunny teeth we all had in fourth grade? Have you joined any clubs? What hobbies and activities were you getting interested in? Extra credit: If you are still in touch with any of your teachers, get them to write a memory about you.

Chapter 7. "Friends and Growing Up" --                            2 pages due date:_____________________

Write about your home and neighborhood. You may have moved around a bit; if so, include information about all the homes you've lived in. Describe your bedroom over the years. How did your space change as you grew up? Describe the colors, decorations, etc. of your various rooms. Was there one special hangout or secret place you liked to go? Make the reader see the various places you lived. Tell about a childhood friend, neighbor, or teacher that you have no contact with any more but would like to see again. What was your relationship with this person like back then? What happened to change that? Why would you like to see this person now? What would you tell that person?

Resources: parents, your own memories, old pictures of various places you've lived.

Chapter 8. "Middle School - Growing Pains, Crushes, and Being a Good Sport"

                                                                                                             -- 2-3 pages due date:______________

Okay, you are not a little kid anymore. Write about the first crush you had. Who was it? What happened? Did you become active in sports during this time? Which ones? What were some of the "growing pains" you went through during this pre-adolescent time in your life? Your body was beginning to change; girls outgrew boys. This was a clumsy period. How ever did you survive? How was school during this time? Did you still like it? How did the work change? How did your relationship with friends change and with the opposite sex? Tell about your successes, accomplishments, heartbreaks, etc. Extra credit: Have one of your middle school teachers write a favorite memory of you.

Chapter 9. "Besides My Parents, There Was . . ."                         2 pages due date: _____________

Write about the one most influential person, other than your parents, in your life. I know this is difficult to do, but don't waffle here and try to select more than one. Do some soul searching and choose the ONE person who has been MOST influential. Tell why you chose this person. Extra credit: send a copy of this chapter to the person and have them write a response. If that person is no longer living, perhaps there is a close relative.

Chapter 10. "High School! At Last!" --                            3-1page stories due date:_______________

Write one story for each year: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior. Write about your first days as a Freshman. Write about your class members and activities. What were some of your anxieties? How did you adjust to having several teachers instead of just one? What were your best and worst subjects? Remember learning to drive? How did you deal with cliques? Did you get your first job during this time? Did you have a first date? Did you go to the Prom? Were you in a play?

Chapter 11. "At Last, I'm a Senior" --                                             2 pages due date:______________

Write about your senior year. Sitting for your senior portrait, choosing graduation invitations, going through all those "lasts" -- last basketball game, last class comp, senior will. What about Senior Project? Was high school everything you expected? More? Less? What are you telling people when they ask what you want to do after high school?

Epilogue. "If I Could Live My Life Over Again, I Would . . ." OR "Why I Would Not Change Anything About My Life.

                                                                                                        - 1 page due date:____________________