Sunday’s edition included a feature story by reporter Andrea Johnson that is worth another look.

It was the one about Bottineau High School social studies teacher Forrest Carlson, who has found that one of the best ways to teach his students about North Dakota history is to have them explore their own.

Using genealogy websites Carlson had his students do one family tree for their mother’s side of the family and one from their father’s side of the family. They also were required to do a timeline for the life of one ancestor and write a report on the life of one ancestor.

The search for facts impacting or explaining their very lives today and their connection to North Dakota was on. The students’ research quickly took them beyond the state’s borders on adventures they are likely to remember forever.

There were surprises for sure. One girl’s family had a completely different genetic makeup than they had come to believe, just like in the TV ads. What a discovery to make doing in a social studies assignment!

Even parents got in the act, working alongside their students to get the project done together.

That is the power of good teaching.

Johnson reported that while the issue didn’t arise with this class, Carlson is aware that some students might not be able to trace their family trees because of different family circumstances. Had the issue come up or if it does in the future, his plan is to offer alternative assignments, such as having students do a report on someone from history they admire.

Still, it’s an example of making subject matter interesting. Exploration with a little mystery wrapped in, we would think, should capture the attention of students of all ages. Documentation and putting computer skills to work– if you are on a quest such “tasks” are just part of what makes genealogy fun.

Nice work Mr. Carlson.