Trace Your Ancestors' Routes Around the Globe

In second grade, your child will need to differentiate between things that happened long ago and things that happened yesterday. This family history activity will also help her develop map skills and practice describing locations of people, places, and environments!

What You Need:

• World Map or globe
• Pencil
• Lined paper

What to Do:

1. Discuss with your child how long ago her ancestors arrived in America. Some may have arrived later or earlier than others. 
2. Next, discuss where each one came from, whether it's the same place or several different places around the world.
3. Have your child locate each place on a world map or globe.
4. Next, have your child trace the place that each ancestor came from to the United  States with her finger.
5. Does her finger cross land, water, or both? Ask your child how she thinks each ancestor made the trip and why they came to America.
6. Help her answer the question by sharing photographs, artifacts, or books from your ancestors with your child. If you do not have any treasures from the past, simply tell her how and why they came to America.

You can follow up this activity by interviewing a living ancestor about her journey to America and/or cook a special dish from your ancestors' heritage with your child. Your child will enjoy using a hands on approach to discovering her family's history!