Cleft chin

Others traits that we may find interesting!

The family members required are the members of the immediate family (parents, siblings, and the student). Grandparents are strongly encouraged (i.e. top scores) as well as Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. In fact, the more, the merrier, and the more interesting! I had the opportunity to attend a family reunion a few years ago, and had everyone perform these tests. It was actually a lot of fun, and the results were fascinating!

The information gathered will then be displayed in a manner of the students choosing. Pictures are a big help! But not necessary. The only format students are required to follow is they must use proper pedigree format, which we will discuss in class. Students will be graded on effort as well as compliance with instructions.

Special cases. There are always special cases. For example, how can a student get information on a relative who has passed away? Or what can a student do if he or she is adopted? No problem. Use pictures to get some of the information (eye color is most interesting) and ask other family members about some of the others. Remember, projects will be graded on effort. If a student tries to get information on a grandparent who has passed away, I fully understand that this can be difficult, if not impossible. Do the best you can.  Adopted children are members of a family. They will get the information from their immediate family. If there is any knowledge of the birth parents, great! If there is not, just as great! The students are learning about the process, the results are only fun and interesting.

Potential Problems: I have learned over the years that there can be instances of potential problems. For example, my father and my uncle are identical twins. I was getting pretty curious when they reported exhibiting different traits from one another. As it turned out, my uncle was having some fun. He was giving me false information, because he thought it was "funny." Ha-ha. He was no help, and skewed my conclusions. Brothers and sisters can also be little "instigators" of this as well. Rest assured, I understand, and will not hold their shortcomings against a student's project!