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The Memory
Box
Grade: 8th
Subject: Home Ec.
Curricular Goal: Ethnic Food and Culture
Introduction:
Home Economics is more than cooking and sewing. It is the study
of people and their personal relationship with their environment and the people around
them. The purpose of this research is to help you discover the influences that your
families ethnic background has had on life in our country and on you as an individual
member of a family.
Task:
The United States has been called "The Giant Melting
Pot" due to its varied ethnic makeup. In your own family you can trace
back your roots to your ancestors that made the decision to come to America...ultimately
effecting your own nationality. Do you ever wonder what it felt like to be an
immigrant coming to a new home? Did you ever wonder what your life would be like
today had your ancestors not made the move?
You have the exciting opportunity to find out more about the land of
your heritage! In this assignment you will be a parent relaying the story of your
heritage..... to your own child! You will be creating a Memory Box.
Process:
Parts of the Memory Box:
1. A handwritten letter to your
child explaining the makeup of your family. Be sure to include the following:
a.) Your family tree.
b.) Your ancestor's
country of origin....if there are many, mention all of them.
2. An interview with a
relative that was born in another country, traveled to your country of origin or knew a
family member that immigrated from another country. This can be either a written
transcript or an audio cassette.
Your questions should include:
1. Paint us a picture (verbally)
of what family life was like in the other country?
2. What kinds of foods are most
plentiful and eaten most often? What is one of your favorite
traditional recipes?
3. What holidays are celebrated
and what is most memorable about your favorite?
4. What family traditions are held
most dear?
5. How has this culture influenced
your life today? What values, behaviors, or traditions exist in your home that have
their roots in your ethnic background?
3. An Informative Research
Paper of at least 3 pages in length explaining the culture today. Some questions
to consider in the research process:
a.) In what part of
the world is your culture found? Describe its geographic location and climate.
b.) How do people in
this country or region usually make a living? What kind of jobs do they have?
What is the socioeconomic status of the country or region?
c.) What kind of
housing can be found in this culture? What are houses made of and what are the
neighborhoods like? What might account for this situation? Do
people tend to own a lot of land? Where do people in this culture tend to live (cities, suburbs, countryside?)
d.) What do people do
in their leisure time in this culture? What are the main tourist attractions in the
region or country you are studying?
e.) How are
children taken care of? What are the schools like? What do children do when
they are not in school?
f.) What
is dating like? How are marriages performed?
g.) What
national holidays and celebrations occur in this culture? What is their purpose and
meaning?
h.) What are the
primary ingredients used to cook foods in this culture? Why are those particular
ingredients used so frequently?
i.)
How has this culture influenced family life, in general, in America? For example,
what foods do Americans commonly eat that come from this cuisine? Which of their
traditions do we celebrate here?
j.) How has this
culture influenced your family life? What values, behaviors, traditions, etc. exist
in your home that have their roots in your ethnic background?
4.
A Recipe from your family or culture. You will be preparing this for the class when
you do your oral presentation. Your preparation and presentation will be evaluated
and a photo will be taken in class to be ultimately included in your Memory Box as a
keepsake.
5. The Container
itself will become a treasured heirloom by your child. Create a box
, pouch, bag......... receptacle of any type! Utilize your
sewing and problem solving skills to devise a container for this important gift to your
child. Make it as intricate or as simple as you wish. Inside this container
place something from your own childhood that is representative of your culture. This
does not have to be something of great monetary value.....but should instead have great
sentimental value. Do your most careful and creative work on this masterpiece!
Resources:
Check out these links to websites:
Ethnic foods,
Multicultural
Heritage,
Recipe Archives
Check out your public library for ethnic cookbooks.
Evaluation:
You will be assessed in the following way:
Component
points possible
1. Letter
25
2. Interview
25
3. Research Paper
100
Introduction, good pertinent
information,
conclusion, and bibliography
4. Recipe
25
5. Container
25
TOTAL
200
Conclusion:
The gift that you have created for your child will be
a cherished possession in years to come. The information that you have researched
and accumulated to be saved is irreplaceable. Knowledge and relevance takes many
forms in a lifetime.....it is yours to treasure now and in the future. 
Authors: Blaine Gorelik and Pam Grimm
Webdesign: Ron Polomchak and Blaine Gorelik
Created: October, 1999