I was a little worried about this activity at first, because I thought the girls would be uninterested or even bored with the subject as a whole, but I was definitely proven wrong. This activity was the most spiritual activity we have ever had. The girls had a great time trying to pronounce the names of their grandparents and great grandparents, discovering who they were named after and realizing how long ago their some of their great grandparents were born! I was so impressed that some of the girls even knew stories about some of their family members.
Prior to the activity, I emailed this worksheet to the girls’ parents, encouraging them to fill in as much as they could, and to send the worksheet to the activity with their daughter.
Family History Worksheet
We started our activity with a brief devotional from this 2005 article from the Friend:
Come Listen to a Prophet’s Voice: Your Fascinating History By President James E. Faust
We discussed how family history and temple work go hand in hand, and how we can be families forever.
Family History Booklet *
* This booklet is best printed on two 11x17 pages, double sided, folded and saddle-stitched (stapled) at the center. It will look jumbled and a bit confusing when you download it, but it will look perfect when printed double-sided and folded.
- First, have the girls write their name on name plate on the front page
- Second, have them fill out their family tree with full names only. The numbers on the family tree correspond with the numbers on the worksheet, so the girls will know exactly where to put each name.
- Third, have the girls fill out the more detailed information on the following pages (birthdates and ordinances completed). There is also room for them to write down their testimony, what they love about their parents, and what they love about their grandparents.
- Challenge the girls to learn more about their great grandparents, write down a few stories on paper, and add it to their booklets.
Blank Nameplates
I hope that you will love this activity as much as we did!
Hey Wendy, wanna do a collab? Let me know what I can help with. I'm new to Activity Days, so I'm not sure what I can help with - but I'd love to try working on something together. maybe in January? Or February? let me know. Email me at: hotpinkpansy (at)gmail (dot)com. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat activity Wendy. The girls loved it. But I was afraid at first when the directions said "best printed on two 11" x 17" pages" Aahh, I don't have paper that big or a printer that will do that. Luckily it was just a typo and 8.5" x 11" paper works just fine. Thanks for making Family history fun!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Hi Susan: Glad you were able to make it work! It was designed for 11x17 paper, but PDFs will reduce to the size of paper you have. My girls loved this activity... I think it was probably the most spiritual activity we have had.
ReplyDeleteWendy, Thanks for all the great ideas. Just one comment. On a pedigree chart, the father should be #2 and the mother #3 and so on. (The chart follows the father's line) Is there any way you can change this on your downloads? I am excited to do this activity with my girls. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! I can't wait to use this with my girls as they are the 10-11 yr olds and are a couple years closer to being able to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead, than the younger group of girls.
ReplyDelete