Background

In the spring of 2006, the Multicultural History Society of Ontario (MHSO) received a two-year project grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to create a heritage-sharing program for grade 5-8 students. Piloted in the following year at EAST Alternative School of Toronto, Humewood Community School, Hilltop Middle School and Valley Park Middle School, more than 150 students participated in the Family Stories pilot experience.

In collaboration with a group of dedicated Toronto teachers - Francis Da Silva, Elizabeth Hemmerick, Burns Wattie, Rachel Atlas, Nicole Lee, Melanie Kelch, and Aubrey Spring - the MHSO developed a series of lessons/workshops using oral histories and historical photographs to prepare students to create a family research project. The students' hard work culminated in celebratory events and the projects were displayed in public settings, including at school and at the MHSO. And thanks to the teachers' commitment, students' enthusiasm and parental/guardian support the year was a great success!

Family Stories was piloted in six classes in grades 5-8 and was carefully revised as necessary. In this final version, we hope that we have captured the contributions of as many participants as possible. We also hope that you will enjoy crafting your own Family Stories experience!