Family+Crests

Submitted by Courtney Forbes, First Grade, Baxter Elementary Standards: 1B/1C

Materials: · Crest/shield outline divided into 4 · Teacher model of shield/crest · Glue · Pencils/markers · Old magazines · Family photos **(advance prep needed!)** Time: 60-90 minutes When to teach: Anytime throughout the year. Goals: To help the children identify personal/family attributes. **Note: Be sure to act with sensitivity around family issues, for example, talking with foster children about this in advance so they feel comfortable proceeding with the activity. In addition, watch that students treat each other with respect when family examples don’t match their idea of a traditional family.** Gathering: Read aloud one these two books or one of your own choosing that centers on family relationships. __The Patchwork Quilt__ This picture book is about the relationship between Tanya and her grandmother. Tanya's grandmother begins making a special quilt from pieces of worn out clothes that have belonged to various family members. Tanya's mother and grandmother spend many evenings working on the quilt. Tanya's grandmother becomes ill, too ill for even Tanya to see her. Tanya worked on the quilt with her mother while her grandmother lay in bed ill. After a couple of months Tanya's grandmother got better and was able to help complete the quilt that she then gave to Tanya as a gift. __Something From Nothing__ This is a Jewish folk tale about a boy named Joseph and his grandfather. Joseph's grandfather made him a blanket when he was a little boy. As Joseph grows the blanket becomes worn. Joseph's mother tells him to throw it out. The grandfather transforms the blanket into a jacket, a vest, a Sabbath tie, a handkerchief, and finally a button. Joseph loses the button and becomes sad because his grandfather can't make something from nothing. Joseph writes a story at the end to remember his grandfather and the blanket.

Lesson: Read and discuss the standard. Display teacher model of crest. Explain what a crest is and its origins segue into family crests. Then brainstorm with children to get ideas that could represent their family histories or lives. Here are just a few of the many possibilities: Students pick four things to illustrate in the 4 sections of the crest. As the students finish their crests have them cut out the crest and mount them on their favorite color construction paper. At the bottom of each crest have the students write “ //’Their name’s’// Family” in the banner.
 * Flags that represent the countries their families came from
 * Pictures of foods that are family favorites
 * Pictures/drawings of family pets
 * Drawings that depict favorite family events
 * Photos that show family celebrations
 * Picture/drawing of whole family
 * Family motto
 * Use your creativity!

Students share their work with the class, teacher then displays the crests in the hallway.

Assessment: Score crests to show understanding of the standard. Include their oral presentation in their score.