Interest badges
Genealogy
Know myself
Chase your own tale
Have you ever wondered why you are the way you are? Isn’t it amazing to think it could be partly down to your genes and the influence of ancestors you’ve never even met?
1. Reflect on what makes you you
Make a selfie. Except this selfie reveals not just what you look like, but your personality, views, opinions and how you react in certain situations.
For example, you may be average height, very chatty and confident, and find horror films exciting.
Take a selfie to show some facts about you – and not just your appearance. Think carefully about what to include in the shot!
Highlight where you think the influences for your traits have come from and whether you think they’re down to your genes (nature), or influences around you like school, the media and friends (nurture).
2. Track evolution in the animal kingdom
Now you’re going to get zoological and track how your favourite animal has evolved over time.
Think about the animal’s biological traits and why these may have occurred. For example, why does your animal have feathers, a long neck, claws or big eyes? Use the internet and books to investigate.
If possible, visit places that’ll help you track your animal’s evolution, like the zoo, library or museums.
Present your findings in whichever way you think is most effective and think about any similarities with human evolution.
3. Create a family tree
Family trees can give a fascinating glimpse into the past and help you track people’s traits and influences.
Make a family tree and see how far back you can go. You can track your own family, or another real or fictitious family.
If you already have a family tree with lots of information, make one for another family. Why not do a tree for a friend’s family, and give them it as a present? Or you could trace a famous family you like to follow.
Internet safety
To keep safe online, I will…
- Not share any personal information on the internet (my full name, my home or school address, my phone number or my email address).
- Only download files on to my devices with permission from my parent/carer.
- Always ask permission before uploading photos or videos online. If I send pictures, I am aware that these can be forwarded onto others.
- Tell my parent/carer, teacher or leader if something online worries or upsets me.
- Only add people online that I know in the real world.
- Be wary of emails that contain unknown links. I know clicking links can download viruses or other harmful files onto my devices.
- Treat people online with the same respect as I would in the real world. I will never write anything that might hurt or upset someone.
- Not meet up with someone that I have met online and if someone asks me to do so, I will tell a parent/carer.
- Think carefully about what I read, hear and see online, and not trust information unless I have checked it on other websites or in books, or have asked an adult about it.
