Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Zuladawn Hall from Chadron, NE. I love learning especially when it involves researching for answers. I love a good mystery and research into my ancestry has provided me with so many conflicting and challenging stories. This passion has blessed me. It has given me a different way to learn about culture, geography and history that I love and more than that it has given back a stronger sense of family unity. I am a retired music teacher. Before retiring, I had incorporated family research and developed lesson plans and even programs focused upon folk music from the countries represented by the children. I watched as the children began talking with their parents and grandparents and even noticed the generational gaps were disappearing. As a result, we chose songs and dances from their various "home" countries. Parents made finger foods and artifacts typical of their ancestral homes. Samples of art were displayed representing their countries. Social studies teachers began created projects that could be either displayed or performed. They created their own passports and went from country to country using all five of their senses: singing, dancing, speakers sharing what they'd learned, smelling, tasting, and eating relevant foods. The years I was able to do this were my happiest years teaching. I am so very happy I chanced upon this site. It is wonderful having "back-up" with others who know and understand that we do need each other to help maintain our work's integrity in tact. I. don't know who's brain child this was, but I'm in awe of the work that had to be involved in organizing and realizing this program into an efficient, accountable, clean method of finding out the truths. amongst the nooks and crannies of life. Thank you all so very much for allowing us to share in the benefits..
