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Intergenerational Interviews

Intergenerational Interviews

When older generations impart knowledge and memories it has benefits for both the storyteller and the listener. Students will interview a relative or acquaintance and create artifacts associated with the person.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Craft Materials
  • Recycled Canister

Steps

  • Step 1

    Passing down stories through generations is a time-honored tradition. And research shows that this process is beneficial to both the teller and the listener. Recounting stories can improve the storyteller's mindset and provide deeper insight into one's past events. Hearing the information as a story can create a more lasting impression and can build meaningful connections between people of different ages.

  • Step 2

    Have students choose a person to interview and schedule a time to meet. It might be a grandparent, neighbor, family friend, or someone else. Ask them to prepare a list of open-ended questions about the person's life, history, and interesting facts about the time period and note their responses. If possible, see if the interviewee has objects they might lend or give the student, such as a photograph, map, memento from another country, or something else.

  • Step 3

    When the interview is complete, have students create a container for their notes, illustrations, and artifacts. They might sketch the person they interviewed and decorate a recycled container with images that describe the person. They could also store any artifacts that were given to them inside.

  • Step 4

    Have students tell the class about the person they interviewed and include details about the time period and interesting events they discussed.

Standards

SEL: Relationship Skills: Establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups.

SEL: Social Awareness: Develop compassion for others, understand broader historical and social norms for behavior in different settings.

Adaptations

Schedule a video conference with someone for the class to interview. It might be a local person with an interesting story to tell or a student's out of town relative. It could tie to other areas of study to interview a professional with expertise in a unit the class is currently working on. Have students prepare questions ahead of time.

Encourage students to visit a local nursing home or care facility and spend time listening to a resident's story.