Who am I? This is one of the enduring human questions, one we all ask at one time or another. Your answer can be as specific as your first name, or it can include your last name, which represents your family. Or, the answer can be as broad as "I am a Granger," "I am Southern," or "I am an American." To begin exploring who we are in the context of our class, American Literature, we are going to start at the begining: researching the origins and meanings of our names and finding out some family history. To do this, your two major resources are going to be the internet and an interview with a family member. After we've shared what we find with each other, we will broaden our scope to look at what it means to be a citizen of our school, our community and of  America, and why it matters. Let's get started! 

 

The Big Question for this WebQuest is: Who am I? 

 

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The Task 

 

When you are finished with this WebQuest, you should have : 

*a graphic representation of your name;

*a definition and information on the origin of your first name; 

*a timeline of the important events of your life; 

*at least three documents to back up the timeline (such as family photos, letters, or certificates); 

*a family tree;

*and at least one interesting family story to share with us. 

*For extra credit, if you can find out when and why your family came to this area or to America

you can write and share that story as well. 

 

You can do all of this on paper and orally, or you may want to put it all in  a Web page or PowerPoint presentation. 

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The Process 

Begin by finding a partner you will want to work with for this project.

1.You and your partner will assist each other as you gather information. 
 

2.First, go to one or more of these sources and search for the meaning and origin of your name. In your notes, be sure to record where you found the information.

http://www.parenthood.com/parent_cfmfiles/babynames.cfm

http://www.behindthename.com

http://www.baby-names-meanings.com

http://www.babynames.com
 

3. Next, go to the PBS website to get information on how to create a timeline of the important events of your life. First, go to the link below and read the introduction to the Ancestors miniseries.

http://www.pbs.org/kbyu/ancestors/firstseries/viewersguide/

Then, I will give you a handout on how to create a timeline, but you can also find the same information online at:

 

Then, with your partner, brainstorm a list of questions you would like to ask family members. Don't forget to ask about when and why your family came to LaGrange, West Georgia, or even to America. See if you can get in touch with an older relative, like a great-aunt, great-uncle, grandmother or grandfather. Often their memories for events long ago are better than their memories of yesterday! They can be a great resource for family stories and connections.
 

You will want to set up an interview with a family member this week. If possible, ask their permission to audiotape or videotape the interview. This will be a wonderful artifact you can share with your family later on. Once it's complete, bring the tape or your notes on the interview to share with your partner. Together, you will decide how best to present one or more of the stories you hear to the class. For example, you could share a 5-minute video or audio clip, write the story down as a narrative and perform it for us, or some other creative product you think up.
 

5. Now that you've found out more about your family, you can create a family tree. For this product, you'll need to download an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. Go to this website and click on Family Tree. Then print and/or save the file on your home computer or the H:drive at school.

www.pbs.org/kbyu/ancestors/firstseries/teachersguide/charts-records.html

Fill out the chart with your family information, and now you've begun a family tree!

The last step is to put all of your information together in a product that you will share with the class: be sure to include 
 

1) a graphic representation of your name, with its meaning and/or origin as part of the graphic

Exemplary

4

Score

Graphic Representation of Your Name

(1 point) A beginning graphic representation reflects a last-minute effort on the part of the designer. 

(2 points) A developing graphic representation is fairly attractive, but may not be as detailed or reflect as much creativity and hard work of the designer as an accomplished piece.

(3 points) An accomplished graphic representation is attractive, fairly detailed, and reflects the designer's creativity and hard work.

(4 points) An exemplary graphic representation is polished, colorful, attractive, detailed, and durably packaged or is of frame-able quality. It also reflects the designer's creativity and hard work.

Timeline

(1 point) A beginning timeline contains at least five important events, but may lack neatness or detail. 

(2 points) A developing timeline contains at least five important events which are neatly and accurately described in some detail.

(3 points) An accomplished timeline contains at least seven important events, is neat, and accurately describes each event in some detail. It may also include photos or other evidence of the events described.

(4 points) An exemplary timeline contains at least ten important events, is neat, accurately describes each event in some detail, and includes photos or other evidence of at least three of the events describe.

Family Tree

(1 point) A beginning family tree identifies the student and at least one side of the family. It may not be too neat. 

(2 points) A developing family tree identifies the student and two parents/and or guaridans, step-parents, or adopted parents' families up to the grandparents. It is fairly neat.

(3 points) An accomplished family tree identifies the student and all known siblings, parents, guardians, step-parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and first cousins. It is presented neatly.

(4 points) An exemplary family tree has all of the characteristics of an accomplished one, plus it is presented in a creative fashion, for example: drawn as branches on a tree. It may also extend beyond the immediate family or go more than two generations back.

Family Story

(1 point) A beginning family story is a paragraph or less in length, and may not be very interesting, enlightening, or humorous. 

(2 points) A developing family story is at least two paragraphs in length, and may have interesting, enlightening, or humorous elements.

(3 points) An accomplished family story is at least three paragraphs or two double-spaced, typewritten pages. It is typed or handwritten very neatly, and contains interesting, enligtening, or humorous elements.

(4 points) An exemplary family story has all of the characteristics of an accomplished one, plus it may be more detailed and creatively written, or may include video and/or audio clips or pictures or illustrations. 

Extra Credit: Family Immigration Story

(1 point) A beginning immigration story is a paragraph or less in length, and may not be very interesting, enlightening, or humorous.

(2 points) A developing immigration story is at least two paragraphs in length, and may have interesting, enlightening, or humorous elements.

(3 points) An accomplished immigration story is at least three paragraphs or two double-spaced, typewritten pages. It is typed or handwritten very neatly, and contains interesting, enligtening, or humorous elements.

(4 points) An exemplary immigration story has all of the characteristics of an accomplished one, plus it may be more detailed and creatively written, or may include video and/or audio clips or pictures or illustrations. 

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Conclusion 

Congratulations! You've just completed NameQuest. You now know more about yourself and your family history. Next, we will begin to look at where we fit into the immigrant society of America, and how American literature can teach us about ourselves as people and as a society. If you'd like to find out more about your ancestors, here are some good genealogy sites you can visit to get started:

http://www.grl.com/grl/start.shtml