Family Tree Research Requirements

A. All students must identify and then research 10 historical events that impacted their family tree.

B. All students must find five historical primary sources (in addition to the interview transcripts).

C. All students must find five historical secondary sources.

D. All sources must be approved by Mrs. Fisher.

E. A minimum of two primary sources (in addition to the interview transcripts) and a minimum of two secondary sources must be cited in the final project.

F. A copy of all cited sources must be submitted with the final project—a fifteen minute documentary on their

family tree (see documentary film rubric).

G. Create a documentary “script” (see documentary “script” rubric).

H. Create MLA works cited page.

I. In addition, the students must complete additional research tasks. Below, Mrs. Fisher has listed 14 different options. You must select 6 to complete. NO DOUBLE DIPPING! Student Name: ______Hour: _____ Date: ______

Family Tree Research Options

As you complete the research tasks listed below, Mrs. Fisher will initial this handout. If you lose this handout, you will lose points!

_____ 1. Create a virtual tour of the house where you currently live. Walk through your house with a video camera. As you record, explain items in each room, activities that typically occur, favorite memories in each room, etc.

_____ 2. Go on a tour of a minimum of five important places in your family history in the area. These may include past family homes, neighborhoods, churches, schools, places of employment, cemeteries, etc. Be sure to take a video camera and explain how each of those places is important to your family history.

_____ 3. Find a minimum of 10 family movies that are ten years or older that could potentially be included in your documentary.

_____ 4. Compile five family recipes that are handwritten—not typed—by someone special in your family. Take a photograph of your loved one with the prepared dish. Select one recipe to make independently or with a relative, video record the experience, and then bring in bite-sized samples for the day of your presentations.

_____ 5. Select a song that captures the essence of your family and create a montage of 30-40 favorite family photos to play at the end of your documentary during the credits (MLA works cited page).

_____ 6. Find a minimum of 10 documents from the Ancestry.com databases. Utilize them in you final documentary—or—you may print the documents, and submit them to Mrs. Fisher with your project.

_____ 7. Photograph 10 family heirlooms and explain who originally possessed the item, what the item is, when it was originally purchased or received, why is it special, where is it kept, and how it should be cared for (if applicable).

_____ 8. Find 10 handwritten letters and transcribe them.

_____ 9. Find 10 significant family documents. For example, newspaper articles, marriage licenses, birth certificates, death certificates, religious documents, military papers, etc.

_____ 10. Research a branch or branches of your family tree back to 1861.

_____ 11. Research a branch or branches of your family tree back to 1776.

_____ 12. Find your family’s coat of arms and analyze its symbolic significance. If your family does not have a coat of arms, research heraldry and design one. Be prepared to explain your design choices.

_____ 13. Find, scan, and caption 10 family photos from the following periods (20 photos total): a. Prior to your great-grandparents’ births. b. Prior to your grandparents’ births, but after your great-grandparents’ births.

_____ 14. Find, scan, and caption 10 family photos from the following periods (30 photos total): a. Prior to your parents’ births, but after your grandparents’ births. b. Prior to your birth, but after your parents’ births. c. After your birth. Elements of a Documentary Film By Thomas James Narration Narration is the verbal description of what is happening in a documentary film and is performed by a narrator. In historical documentaries, the narrator tells the story of the historical event or period that forms the subject of the documentary. In nature documentaries, the narrator describes the animals on the screen and provides context and background information on their behavior. The narration can be delivered through a voice over, by a narrator visible on-screen or some combination of both. Good documentary film narration has a clear, logical structure that helps the viewer better understand the subject of the documentary. Interviews Interviews are used to provide context, eyewitness statements and expert knowledge to the documentary. In documentary films, they usually consist of the interviewee visible on-screen answering questions delivered by an off-screen interviewer, who may also be the narrator of the documentary. Interviewees are often depicted sitting in their offices or homes, looking into negative space and not directly at the camera. Interviews are edited so that the statements made by the interviewees fit into the logical structure of the narration of the documentary. Location Shots Location shots are used in documentary films when discussing a particular place. In historical documentaries, location shots may show the place where particular events took place. These might be overlaid by computer generated reconstructions of what the location looked like in the past. Location shots are often used at the beginning of a documentary film to provide a context for the start of the narrative. Music and Sound Music can be used to add drama and emotional tone to documentary films. In historical documentaries music from the relevant period is often used. Music can also be used to generate a sense of irony. Sound is an integral part of many sections of a documentary film. It is important that the narrator's and interviewee's voice levels are at an appropriate level and quality. Graphics Graphics consist of anything that appears on the screen that was not actually filmed. They are widely used in documentary films. The opening titles and credits will make use of graphics, as will subtitles and translated text. Graphics are also used to explain complex ideas in a visual diagrammatic form. Computer-generated graphics are often used in documentaries to create images that would otherwise not be available to film, such as ancient buildings that have since been demolished and extinct animals. Archive Footage Archive or stock footage is film shot for purposes other than the particular documentary film in which it is shown. It is often used to portray famous historical events or to give a sense of context of a particular historical period. Archive footage is often cheaper for the documentary maker to procure than original film and interviews.

This information was accessed March 30, 2015 and provided courtesy of http://www.ehow.com/info_10039496_elements- documentary-film.html

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______Family Tree Documentary Film Rubric

CRITERIA POINTS

1. The documentary is minimum of 15 minutes in length and a maximum of 20 minutes in length. (Opening and closing credits do not count toward the fulfillment of this requirement.) 15

2. The documentary clearly and thoughtfully answers the following essential questions: a. How did history impact or shape your ancestors’ lives? b. How did your ancestors’ impact or shape your life? c. Why does the study of history matter? 20 d. Why is it important to understand where you come from? NARRATION

3. The documentary features a verbal description of what is happening in the film and is narrated by the student. The narration can be delivered through a voice over, by the narrator visible on-screen, or some combination of both. The narrator speaks in a clear, professional voice and provides information that helps the viewed better understand the subject of the documentary and responds to the essential questions. 15 INTERVIEWS

4. The documentary features a minimum of two interview segments. Interview segments are edited so that the statements made by the interviewees fit into the logical structure of the narration of the documentary and help to answer the essential questions. In addition, interview segments should be poignant and integrated very selectively. Each interview segment should be no longer than 90 seconds in length. If interviews were conducted in a language other than English, a translation must be provided. 10 LOCATION SHOTS

5. The documentary features a minimum of three location shots. (Sterling Heights High School may be featured in the film, but it will not count toward the fulfillment of this requirement.) The location shots must be narrated and relevant to the documentary. 15 MUSIC

6. There are a minimum of three appropriate musical selections featured in the film. The music used should add drama and establish the emotional tone of the documentary. The musical selections must enhance the film segments that they accompany. In other words, there must be a clear connection between the music and each film segment. In addition, one selection must be from a relevant historical period featured in the film; one selection should reflect your family’s cultural background; one selection must be instrumental (without lyrics). 15 GRAPHICS

7. The opening titles, credits, subtitles, etc. are an appropriate size, color, and font that are easily read by the viewer. A shot of the family tree diagram should be featured toward the beginning of the film. Photos and other images should be narrated and clearly, easily viewed by the viewer. Images should be properly scanned and integrated into the film; do not simply take a picture of a picture! It will compromise the quality of the image. All graphics must help answer the essential questions. 10 ARCHIVE FOOTAGE

8. The documentary features a minimum of two segments of archival film. This may be segments from family movies or historical footage. Archival footage should be integrated selectively. Each archival segment should be no longer from 90 seconds in length and must be narrated. All footage must help answer the essential questions. 10 PERSONAL REFLECTION

9. The final minute of the film should feature the student discussing his or her experience research experience. Students should discuss what he or she knew before and after the project. 10

10. Overall, the sound levels of the film are appropriate. No segment of the film is too loud or too soft. Sounds are clear and undistorted. The narrator’s voice should be clearly heard over musical selections. 10

11. Overall, the documentary reflects creativity, originality, and effort. 10

12. The documentary has burned onto a DVD and/or downloaded for viewing by ______. 10

TOTAL POINTS: 150

OPTIONAL: You may want to add additional materials or “bonus features” to your DVD. For example, additional photos, family movies, interview footage, etc. that you could not include into you documentary. 10 Documentary “Script” Rubric

CRITERIA POINTS

1. The narrated portions of the documentary must be submitted and typed in MLA format. This includes 1” margins, size 12 Times New Roman font or equivalent, and double-spacing. A header with the student’s last name and page number in the top right hand corner should appear on every page (including the works cited page.) ONLY the first page of the “script” should feature the student’s full name, instructor name, course name, non-abbreviated date, and centered title. No font should be bolded or appear larger or smaller anywhere in the “script.” No additional spaces should appear anywhere on the script. 5

2. The narration style should be formal, although first-person voice is permitted. The narration of the documentary must answer the following essential questions. a. How did history impact or shape your ancestors’ lives? b. How did your ancestors’ impact or shape your life? c. Why does the study of history matter? 25 d. Why is it important to understand where you come from? 3. The narrated portions of the documentary should utilize a minimum of two primary sources (in addition to the interview transcripts), which must be properly cited with MLA parenthetical references. 10

4. The narrated portions of the documentary should utilize a minimum of two secondary sources, which must be properly cited using MLA parenthetical references. 10

5. Any additional documentary material (e.g. interviews, archival footage, musical selections) should also be appropriately cited using MLA parenthetical references. 10

6. A copy of all cited sources must be submitted with the final project. 5

7. A properly formatted MLA works cited page is featured as the final page of the script. Remember sources should be in alphabetical order. The title “Works Cited Page” should appear centered and at the top of the page (without quotation marks). No font should be bolded or appear larger or smaller anywhere on the works cited page. No additional spaces should appear anywhere on the works cited page. 10

8. Overall, the “script” demonstrates an effective organization of ideas. Information should be presented in chronological order whenever possible. 10

9. Overall, the “script” features content that is both relevant and insightful. 10

10. The “script” is carefully edited for proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. 10

11. The “script” is submitted prior to the presentation of the documentary in a 3-tab folder with a copy of the rubric and the handout entitled “Family Tree Research Requirements/Family Tree Research Options.” 5

12. Student has satisfactorily completed all six family tree research options by each of the assigned due dates. 90

TOTAL POINTS: 200