One of the first activities I like to do at the beginning of each school year is to make a class family tree. This activity is always a family and child favorite. To begin this project I lay draw a large tree and allow all of the children to paint it. I leave the branches bare. I place this tree on the wall and cover the entire thing with contact paper.
       I then send home a letter describing the project to parents. I explain that it is comforting to children to be surrounded by things that remind them of home. In the instructions I ask parents to bring in several (5-6 per child) pictures depicting the child's family. After each child has brought in their photos I assign him/her a branch and help them to place the pictures of their family on our class family tree.
      Now it is time for some fun. As the seasons change throughout the school year we have the children make appropriate things to decorate the tree. For example, in the fall the children make hand print leaves in fall colors to go on the tree, in winter, snow and snowflakes, and in spring green leaves, buds and flowers.