RESEARCH YOUR ROOTS

1.  This would be an excellent time to do a unit on Genealogy.  Students could research their own roots and draw a family tree or write a family history.  The following are books to help the children do the necessary research.  

• Ancestor Hunting by Lorraine Henriod

• Do People Grow on Trees? by Ira Wolfman

• Me and My Family Tree by Joan Sweeney

2.  Using a Venn diagram, children could compare and contrast two immigrant groups in New York City or in another large city in the state. 

3.  Every city has an ethnic group with which certain sections of town identify.  Research these parts of town and identify ethnic restaurants, grocery stores, churches, etc.  Is it a priority of the city to keep these traditions alive, or are they encouraged to "meld" with other neighborhoods?  Perhaps children can identify different sections of town with their roots.