The Todds in America

About the Book

According to Benjamin Franklin, in his autobiography, "The next thing most like living one's life over again seems to be a recollection of that life and to make that recollection as durable as possible by putting it down in writing." Curt B. Witcher of the Historical Genealogy Department at the Allen County Library in Indiana believes that, "Genealogy/Family History in the classroom provides young people with a sense if identity and self, (...) makes history come alive and meaningful, (...) enhances research skills, and critical thinking skills."

The curriculum takes the student through America as it becomes a nation, the Revolution, Native Americans, surveying of the new land, farming and storekeeping, slaves and the Civil War, diplomacy, World War II and the Korean Conflict, Hawaii becoming a state, the Senate, and teaching both in America and abroad. This is done by following the members of one immigrant family from Scotland up to today and makes the history of this country personal in a new way!

There is a map activity, a board game, a sealing wax activity, a word puzzle, a research report, document reading of a will, Bible pages, land deed, and census record, a census activity, a describing of he dress of the 1890's, a writing activity making the student's own family tree. Students find information in a letter, a book, on grave markers, a revolutionary war record, a pedigree chart, and make a tombstone rubbing and an ancestor photo journal. There is even an ancestor appreciation show and tell! In the process, the student will practice problem solving and research skills.

I enjoyed writing this curriculum and I hope you enjoy using it! It is a way of sparking fresh interest in your student's study of American history!

About the Author

Francine Todd has wanted to be a teacher since she was six years old. She taught elementary school in Indiana, Pennsylvania, California and Kentucky. The summer of 2001 she taught English Teaching Methods to Chinese English teachers and the summer of 2002 she team-taught in South Africa. In 2002 she wrote Science and Music curriculum for the 24,000 students in the Archdiocese of Louisville school district.

She earned her Bachelors degree in Education from Westminster College in Pennsylvania and her Masters Degree from Indiana University. She is a member of Phi Mu Epsilon and Pi Lambda Theta Professional Educational Organizations, NEA and Kentucky Orff-Schulwerk Association.

Ms. Todd has also been a Minister of Music and a missionary. Recently retired, she lives with her daughter in Jeffersonville, Indiana.