Coat of Arms and Family Tree: Due Friday June 14th

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As part of the Social Studies curriculum for Grade 5, students will be asked to look into their family background.  Our main objective is to help students realize that many Canadians came to Canada through immigration.  Also, it is our hope that students will gain some insight into their family identity.  The culminating activity will have students design a Coat of Arms.   Creating a coat of arms will help students weigh personal and family values and think how to symbolically and artistically represent them.

Note:   Please complete family tree to the best of your ability.  If a member of the family came from a country other than Canada, please specify.  If you know what region they came from (in a particular country) please specify.  In my experience, students are often extremely keen to learn about their ancestors and where their family came from.  If you know your family members immigrated, please share with your child. 

Based on the family tree, students will be given the opportunity to research what they have learned.  Any support or information that can be provided at home would be greatly appreciated.  For example:  there are numerous websites that give meanings or definitions based on your surname.

Design Your Own Coat of Arms -- Project

Objective: Students will create a personal coat of arms. They will include colours and objects that are symbolic of their heritage and personal identity. Students will write 1-2 paragraphs explaining their coat of arms and will be required to present this information (2-3 minutes) in front of the class.  A lot of time will be given in class and in the computer lab.  Any help that can be provided from home would be greatly appreciated.

Note:  Students can create their shield in any format they choose.  In class, a series of shield template will be provided and students can choose what they like.  That said, several students last year made their shields out of wood or fabric.

Rubric

Coat of Arms                   /6	Coat of Arms is colorful and full of symbols that represent the students heritage and personal identity.  The Coat of Arms is colorful, neat and it is evident that effort and planning was put into its production.
Paragraphs                / 6	Paragraphs are thoughtful and informative. They explain the symbolic significance of the Coat of Arms and follow proper paragraph formatting.
Presentation                / 6	Presentation is informative and student explains their Coat of Arms. The student engages and connects to the audience. The Student monitors their tone, volume, pace and expression when presenting to the audience.

Background and Historical Information:
Coats of Arms date to the early Middle Ages. In the early twelfth century, helmets and other armor began making it difficult to tell armed warriors apart. The solution was for each knight or soldier to paint something personal on their shield. These designs were important in battle, but they also functioned like team uniforms when knights met in tournaments. Over time, shield emblem designs became enduring symbols of their owners, and of their owners' families.

It became quite fashionable to have a "coat of arms", so people hired artists to design them. The designs weren't just used on shields. They were applied on tunics, saddle blankets, banners and tapestries. They were duplicated in sculpture and architectural features. They were used in signs and advertisements. They were carved into coins, jewelry (e.g. signet rings) and the personalized stamps for sealing letters.

Soon, Coats of Arms weren't just for soldiers! From about 1210 A.D., some priests are known to have had them. The first women known to have had their own coat of arms got them around 1220. Around 1230 towns and cities began having coats of arms. Tradesmen and even peasants started using coats of arms around 1250. In an era when few people could read or write, coats of arms made it easier for people to recognize each other's marks.

Before you design your own coat of arms, it'll be useful to look at a few traditional heraldic designs. Observe the traditional design elements. What do you think they symbolized for the people who chose to wear them? Below is a list of some elements you may want to include in your designs.  Also, a booklet with additional symbols and animals has been given to students in hard copy.

 The Language of Heraldry

Heraldic Colors:                                                    
Yellow or Gold - Generosity
White or Silver - Peace & Sincerity
Black - Constancy (& sometimes Grief)
Blue - Loyalty & Truthfulness
Red - Military Fortitude & Magnanimity
Green - Hope, Joy & sometimes Loyalty
Purple - Royal Majesty, Sovereignty & Justice

Heraldic Animals:
Bear - Protectiveness
Bee - Industriousness
Camel - Perseverance
Dog - Loyalty
Double Eagle & Eagle - Leadership & Decisiveness
Dragon - Defender of Treasure
Falcon or Hawk - Eagerness
Fox - Cleverness
Griffin (part eagle, part lion) - Bravery
Horse - Readiness to Serve
Lion - Courage
Pelican - Generosity & Devotion
Raven - Constancy
Snake - Ambition
Stag, Elk or Deer - Peace & HarmonTiger - Fierceness & Valor
Unicorn - Extreme courage
Wolf - Constant Vigilance

Note:  Students may wish to draw or print out a copy of the picture.  I realize that some students will find this part difficult and my overall objective is more concerned with the meaning of their symbol as opposed to their ability to draw.

Note:  Each symbol and colour has a meaning.  Students are to choose colours and symbols based on their meaning to themselves, not because they like the look of them.

Healdic Symbols:
Axe - Dutiful
Bridge - (signifies a governor or magistrate)
Crescent - Enlightenment
Crosses - Christian sentiments
Crown - Authority
Fire - Zeal
Flaming Heart - Passion
Fleur-de-lys (stylized Iris flower) - Purity (associated with France)
Hand - Horns & Antlers - Fortitude
Lightning - Decisiveness
Moon - Serenity
Oyster Shell - Traveler
Ring - Fidelity
Scepter - Justice
Star - Nobility
Sun - Glory
Sword - Warlike
Tower or Castle - Fortitude & Protectiveness
Faith, Sincerity & Justice
Heart - Sincerity