Ask your Mom and Dad what country their ancestors originally came from before they settled in Canada. Watch a video with a parent or grandparent from the Musical Planet collection that talks about the country their family originally came from.
Ask your parents or grandparents to tell you 1 or 2 stories they remember from when they grew up. Share 1 or 2 stories with your parent or grandparent about special memories you have growing up here in Canada.
This is a fun way to learn about your family heritage. Enjoy your time together!
Ask your Mom and Dad what country their ancestors originally came from before they settled in Canada. Ask them to share a story or two about what it was like to live there. Watch a video from the Musical Planet collection that talks about the country that best fits your Mom's side and the country that best fits your Dad's side. Watch the video about Canada to enrich and extend your understanding of what it's like to live here.
Draw a picture of your family with your Mom on the left side, you and your siblings in the middle, and your Dad on the right side. Beside your Mom, draw 1 or 2 pictures about her cultural heritage. Beside your Dad, draw 1 or 2 pictures about his cultural heritage. Draw a picture over you and under you that represents your cultural heritage and what it means to be Canadian! :)
Have fun!
This is your opportunity to dig a little deeper and to find out a little more about your family, your country (or countries) of origin, and your cultural heritage! I hope it will help you begin to see and appreciate greater connections between your personal history, your family history, and your cultural history (from a global perspective).
The Challenge Family Heritage Activity has 4 ingredients that can be completed and combined for best results!
Interview: Talk to your Mom and Dad and to your grandparents as well, if possible. Ask them where they were born and where their parents were born. Did they grow up in Canada or did they immigrate to Canada from another country? Do they have any special stories or memories of growing up? Do they speak the same language as you? Do they have pictures from when they were a child? What did their clothes look like? What was their home like? What were their chores as a child? What was their job as an adult? What were their likes and dislikes? What 3 words would describe their personality? (dependable, jokester, dreamer, compassionate, artistic, logical, honest, generous, confident, hard-working, polite...).
Watch: Select at least 3 videos from the Musical Planet collection that will help you better understand your family's country of origin and cultural heritage:
The country or countries that best fit your Mom's heritage
The country or countries that best fit your Dad's heritage
The country or countries that best fit YOUR heritage (this may be Canada!)
Create: Create a project from the following options. If you have a different idea that's not listed below, come and see me about it! I'd love to hear what's on your mind... Whatever option you choose, think about including at least one example of something with personal significance, with family significance, and with cultural significance.
A shadow box with at least 5 items
A collage with at least 10 pictures
A short video (about 3 minutes) where you and perhaps a family member share at least 5 things
A time line with events, pictures and short explanations
Make up your own lyrics to a "Family Anthem". You can put the words to the melody line of any song you already know.
Laugh, Tell Stories, and Have Fun: The learning is in the process. The gift you give and receive is a closer connection with your family. I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Remember, this activity is for YOU! It is meant to help you understand and embrace your roots and to enjoy some meaningful conversations with your family. If it's becoming overwhelming or stressful, take a step back and leave it for now. You may need to take breaks or your learning may take you in a different direction completely, but I hope you take away a deeper understanding of who you are and the heritage that is uniquely yours. ❤️