Introduction & Task | Project Requirements | Project Calendar | Project Resources

Introduction

If America is a nation of immigrants then California is the state that defines the standard. When California became a state in 1850 there were only 92,000 non-native people living in the entire state. Today California is the most populated state in the country with a population of 35 million. In fact, California’s population has doubled just since 1970. Today there are more than 50 different languages spoken in California public schools - an indication that the trend towards migration continues.

However, in addition to the countless stories of people coming to California to begin anew, there exists an amazing tapestry of stories of triumph, tragedy, joy, and sorrow. It is these stories that form our collective history.

One of the potential tragedies of continued migration by families, combined with the increasing pace of our daily lives, is the loss of history. Each move across another boundary increases the distance between the migrants and their past. Each lost, untold story of our journey through life diminishes us. Because our ties to our past and our traditions are part of what makes each of us unique, it is perhaps more important than ever to recapture and hold on to our history.

In this project you will use the modern technique of digital storytelling to begin the process of writing your family's history. Your story might include the crossing of oceans or borders, or it might tell of other kinds of journeys, other kinds of struggles from which your family, and hence your own personal path, emerged transformed. It is important to honor the fact that our own histories are as vital and integral as any others and deserve to be voiced. While statesmen, presidents and generals fill the pages of your history textbooks, it is us, our families and communities that form the true fabric of the world. Tell the story well and honor the journey of your family.

After our movies are created we will celebrate by sharing them with our friends and families in the MDHS Library on the evenings of December 9th & 10th. Past experiences show this to be an amazing night and, as your first public presentation, represents your complete initiation into the DSA. 

Histories of Our Families:

Honoring the Journeys

developed by Natasha Paul, Randy Depew,

Melissa Leonard, & Erica Pratt, Teachers

The Digital Safari Multimedia Academy, www.digitalsafari.org

Mt. Diablo High School, Concord, CA 94520