Family Tree Fun: Connecting with Your Cousins!
Getting Started (10 mins)
Hi Ella! Have you ever wondered exactly how you're related to your cousins? Sometimes family trees can seem complicated, but today we're going to map it out in a fun way! Think of it like being a detective uncovering your family's connections. Your mission: create a family tree that shows how you, your parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are all linked together.
Think about it: Who are your cousins? Do you know which side of the family they are on (your mom's side or your dad's side)?
Activity: Building Your Family Tree (30-40 mins)
Okay, grab your paper and drawing supplies! Let's build this tree step-by-step:
- You! Start by drawing a box or circle near the bottom center of your page and write your name in it.
- Your Siblings (if any): Next to your box, draw boxes for any brothers or sisters. Connect them to you with a horizontal line just above the boxes.
- Your Parents: Draw a horizontal line above you and your siblings. Above the center of that line, draw two boxes – one for your Mom and one for your Dad. Connect them with a horizontal line (like they are married) and then draw a vertical line down from their connection line to the line above you and your siblings. You've just connected yourselves to your parents!
- Your Dad's Side - Grandparents & Cousins:
- Above your Dad's box, draw boxes for his parents (your paternal grandparents). Connect your Dad to them with a vertical line.
- Did your Dad have any brothers or sisters? These are your Aunts and Uncles on your Dad's side! Draw boxes for them next to your Dad's box, connected to the same grandparent line.
- Now, below each of those Aunts and Uncles, draw boxes for their children – these are your cousins! Connect your cousins to their parents (your Aunt/Uncle) with a vertical line. See? Your cousins are the children of your parents' siblings! You all share the same grandparents on that side.
- Your Mom's Side - Grandparents & Cousins:
- Repeat step 4, but starting from your Mom's box. Draw her parents (your maternal grandparents) above her.
- Draw boxes for her brothers and sisters (your Aunts and Uncles on Mom's side) next to her box, connected to the grandparent line.
- Draw boxes for their children (your cousins on Mom's side) below them, connected to their parents (your Aunt/Uncle).
- Decorate! Add colors, drawings, or anything you like to make your family tree unique!
Stuck? Need Names? It's okay if you don't know everyone's names right away! You can leave boxes blank or just write