Heritage Project

In this project you will examine your own family heritage to discover what is left of the customs, beliefs, and articles of your ancestors. What we are studying is the American Melting Pot experience. We, or our ancestors, came here from different places; only Native Americans were not immigrants. What is your heritage?

Heritage: Something passed down from previous generations.

Melting Pot: a metaphor for America. The U.S. is described as being like a melting pot into which metal or perhaps wax is placed and then melted into one color or substance. People come to this country as British, French, Italians, Russians, Africans, Greeks, Cambodians, etc. and melt together to become Americans.

The Project

( Follow these steps)

1. Do the "scavenger hunt" to at least try to find out what is left of your heritage.

2. Participate in a class discussion about your heritage, perhaps sharing an item with us. Date:______

3. Make an outline or other plan for a paper about your heritage. The paper will answer these questions plus others: What is left of your heritage? What is your ethnic, national, religious, or racial background? How important is your heritage to you? Do you wish you knew more? Explain clearly.

4. Write a rough draft of your paper of at least 300 words. Date due: __________

5. Revise and polish/edit your rough draft with the helpl of a partner and teachers.

6. Turn in a final draft, including cover, outline, at least one illustration, and your 300 word essay. Date due: ________________