The project “Searching for My Roots” integrates
itself perfectly with the other school subjects given regularly.
We will now mention the activities that are carried out in conjunction
with those subjects and the desired objectives.
Language: By the periodic reading of newspapers
we wish to put the child into contact with what is happening
in the world, analyzing it, and relating it to his past, while
setting the ground for critical reading, an analysis of the
text, the extraction of the main ideas and the capability of
summarizing them. They also work on interrogatory sentences
in preparing their questioners for use in interviewing family
members and we also promote the use of writing skills while
writing biographies with the information obtained during interviews.
Social Studies: It is a subject in which the
student is permitted to compare today’s established society
with the societies in which his ancestors lived, the causes
and consequences of both and the different historical periods
through which his relatives past in not so long ago by formulating
a Time Line which takes into account personal, family, geographical,
community and Jewish aspects.
Math: By means of gathering information and
the development of a comparative chart with the countries of
origin of relatives we develop a statistical study about the
families of the students using real demographic values for its
Computer Science: This subject is a fundamental
technical base for the entire program: By tabulating and calculating
graphic designs in MsExcel with the data from the statistical
study. By the realization of the Time Line using specialized
software to build the family tree (Family Tree Maker). In the
use of the Internet as a means of investigation in web pages
of genealogy and general information, achieving communication
through chat rooms, video conferences, e-mail and www.jewish-world.org.il
with other children. By using MsWord for the transcription of
the collected anecdotes and biographies as well as that of the
historical events which boost the information of the Time Line.
English: As the basic language for investigating
families on the Internet: It’s a great help since the
vast majority of available information is in English; as well
as helping with basic terminology in the handing of family relationships
and the basic personal information which is achieved with Family
Tree Maker, which is only available in English.
Hebrew: As the mother tongue of Judaic culture,
the written and oral communication with Israel is in Hebrew,
obliging the student to reinforce his culture.
Music – Dances: Being two
forms of expression of cultural representation of each lineage,
the children learn, practice and work with songs and dances of
bygone times which bring with them instructive messages and promote
their identity with there origins.