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Classroom Practice/Program

Developing Respect Through

Genealogy

By Susan J. Grosse

Guiding children and youth in developing respect can be a difficult task. Respect
is personal, emotionally loaded, and many times difficult to actualize. Using
engagement with personal genealogy can provide a vehicle for children to gain
additional respect for themselves as well as for family and friends. In this article, I
provide practical information on implementation of a series of lessons in genealogy,
with emphasis on a respect-centered focus for all age groups and grade levels.
A complete unit or individual lessons in basic genealogy can be integrated
into a variety of curricular subjects. As students explore where they came from,
they can gain greater insight into not only their own characteristics but also those
of their family members. That insight can change opinions as well as govern
behavior. Furthermore, sharing the study process with peers can broaden and
strengthen relationships as common hurdles are encountered and overcome.
Some individual students may feel they have little in common
with their peers. Delving into the historical time periods of parents,
grandparents, and additional relatives may show more commonalities
than previously known. Common ground aids in developing respect.
What is Genealogy?

“Genealogy” has many interpretations. Here, I define genealogy broadly
as the study of the past and present members of a family or families—a
study of lineage and of heritage, as well as a study of circumstances,
cultures, and events. While genealogy is rooted in people who are related
in some way, it is also about where these individuals resided, schools they
attended, and the lives they lived. “Family history” is an associated term.
Genealogy is all around us. School records of age and grade, for
example, are part of each student’s genealogy. A student’s caregiver is part
of his or her genealogy, and that person also has a genealogy of his or her
own. All of these details are included in the concept of family history.

Unit Versus Lesson Implementation

A unit approach to genealogy will readily fit into an age-appropriate,
broader concept of doing research. Elementary-level students can be
introduced to the terms and develop grade-appropriate projects, answering
questions such as those proposed later in this article (see pages 33-35) as
Sets 1 and 2. Middle and high school students can be encouraged to explore
more deeply and use library materials to further their investigations, doing a
quick run through Sets 1 and 2 and then going further with the activities in
Sets 3 through 6. In any case, approaching genealogy through the concept
of research should be tailored to the age and grade level of students.

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