In a third‑grade classroom, a teacher gathers a group of students around a small table with a recorder and a stack of printed question cards. The goal is simple: each child will interview a family member, capture a story, and turn it into a short written piece. The activity works best when the interviewee is comfortable, the setting is quiet, and the questions are short enough for a nine‑year‑old to understand without needing to read long paragraphs.
Choosing a Relative and Setting
1. Who in your family knows a story you have never heard before? (Ask for a name and relationship.)
2. Where does this person feel most relaxed to talk? (Consider a kitchen, porch, or garden.)
3. What time of day is usually quiet at home? (Morning, afternoon, or evening?)
4. How long should the interview last for a young recorder? (Aim for 10‑15 minutes.)
5. What simple object can you place nearby to remind you to stay on topic? (A photo, a favorite toy.)
6. Who can help you set up the recorder or phone before you start? (Parent, teacher, or older sibling.)
7. What rule will you set for interruptions? (No phones, no TV, no pets.)
8. How will you let the interviewee know you will write down their words later? (Explain briefly.)
9. What backup plan do you have if the recorder stops working? (Write notes on paper.)
10. How will you thank the interviewee after the conversation ends? (A thank‑you card or a small drawing.)
Interview Basics for Young Interviewers
1. How do you greet the person you are interviewing? (Use a friendly smile and their name.)
2. What simple question can you ask to start the conversation? (“Can you tell me about when you were a child?”)
3. How do you let the interviewee know it is okay to pause? (Say, “Take your time.”)
4. What cue can you use to signal you want to hear more details? (“Can you tell me more about that?”)
5. How do you ask for clarification if you do not understand a word? (“What does ___ mean?”)
6. What short phrase can you use to move to a new topic? (“Now let’s talk about…”
7. How do you keep track of the question you are on? (Mark the number on a sheet.)
8. What should you do if the interviewee forgets an answer? (Give them a moment, then ask a related question.)
9. How can you show you are listening without interrupting? (Nod, smile, keep eye contact.)
10. What final question can you ask to close the interview? (“Is there anything else you’d like to share?”)
Core Question Set (10‑15 questions for beginners)
1. What is your favorite memory from when you were a child? (Ask for a specific event.)
2. Who was your best friend at school, and what did you do together? (Follow up with a funny story.)
3. What game did you play most often after school? (What made it special?)
4. Where did you go on your first family vacation? (What stood out most?)
5. What food reminds you of home, and why? (Describe the taste or smell.)
6. What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? (Ask for a lesson.)
7. Who taught you how to do something important, like cooking or fixing a bike? (What was the first thing you tried?)
8. What holiday tradition did your family keep when you were growing up? (How did you celebrate?)
9. What piece of advice did a parent or grandparent give you that you still remember? (Ask for the exact words if possible.)
10. What was a difficult time you faced, and how did you get through it? (Encourage a brief description.)
11. What hobby have you kept for many years, and why do you enjoy it? (Ask for a recent example.)
12. What change in technology surprised you the most? (What did you think at first?)
13. What place in your hometown holds a special story for you? (Describe the setting.)
14. What song or music reminds you of a particular moment? (What memory does it bring back?)
15. What hope do you have for the younger generation in your family? (Ask for a short wish.)
Thematic Questions – Childhood and School
1. What was the name of the school you attended first? (Ask for the street or town.)
2. Who was a teacher that made a big impression on you? (What did they teach you?)
3. What subject did you enjoy most, and why? (Ask for a favorite lesson.)
4. What was a typical lunch you ate at school? (Describe the food.)
5. What school event (play, sports day, fair) do you remember most clearly? (What role did you play?)
6. What book did you love reading as a child? (What was the story about?)
7. What was a rule at school that you thought was strange? (How did you feel about it?)
8. What neighborhood activity did you do after school with friends? (Ask for a specific game.)
9. What was your first bicycle, and how did you learn to ride it? (Describe the first ride.)
10. What was a mistake you made at school that you later laughed about? (What happened?)
11. What school uniform or dress code did you have to follow? (How did you feel about it?)
12. What celebration did your class have at the end of the year? (What did you do?)
Thematic Questions – Work, Hobbies, and Community
1. What was the first place you worked after finishing school? (What was your role?)
2. Who was a coworker you admired, and what did you learn from them? (Ask for a specific skill.)
3. What community event did you help organize? (What was your contribution?)
4. What hobby did you start as a teenager, and what kept you interested? (Ask for a recent project.)
5. What tool or piece of equipment was essential for your hobby? (Describe it.)
6. What neighborhood club or group did you belong to? (What activities did you do?)
7. What was a proud moment in your career? (What made it stand out?)
8. What challenge did you face at work, and how did you solve it? (Briefly describe the solution.)
9. What volunteer work have you done, and why did you choose it? (Ask for a memorable story.)
10. What tradition did your family keep during holidays that involved the whole community? (What was your part?)
11. What piece of equipment or technology changed how you did your job? (How did you adapt?)
12. What advice would you give to someone starting a similar career today? (Ask for one sentence.)
Following Up, Recording, and Handling Surprises
1. When an answer is interesting, how can you ask for one more detail? (“Can you tell me what happened next?”)
2. What simple visual cue can you use to remind you to write down a name? (A colored sticker.)
3. How do you note a word you didn’t understand for later lookup? (Write a question mark beside it.)
4. What should you do if the interviewee becomes emotional? (Pause, offer a tissue, and ask if they want to continue.)
5. How can you keep the conversation on track if it drifts? (Gently steer back with “Earlier you mentioned…”
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6. What backup method can you use if the recorder battery dies? (Use a notebook and a pencil.)
7. How do you handle an answer that seems confusing or contradictory? (Ask, “Can you explain that a little more?”
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8. What short phrase can you use to let the interviewee know you are writing notes? (“I’m writing that down now.”
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9. How can you signal that a topic is finished without cutting off the speaker? (Summarize and say, “That’s a great story.”
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10. What should you do after the interview ends before leaving the room? (Thank them again and turn off the recorder.)
Processing, Reflecting, and Sharing the Results
1. After listening to the recording, what is the first thing you should write down? (The main idea of each answer.)
2. How can you group similar stories together? (Use color‑coded sticky notes.)
3. What question can you ask yourself to see what surprised you? (“What did I not expect to hear?”
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4. How do you turn a spoken answer into a short written paragraph? (Keep the original voice, use simple sentences.)
5. What visual element can you add to a family booklet to make it clearer? (A photo or drawing related to the story.)
6. How can you involve the whole class in sharing the finished book? (Read aloud a favorite excerpt.)
7. What simple archive method works for a school project? (Scan pages and save them in a shared folder.)
8. How do you ask the interviewee to review the written version? (Offer a printed copy for them to read.)
9. What question can you ask the class to reflect on the project’s meaning? (“What did you learn about your own family history?”
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10. How can you preserve the original audio for future reference? (Store the file on a USB drive and label it clearly.)
Worth remembering: Keep the questions short, visual, and focused on concrete memories; let the child lead the conversation, pause for follow‑ups, and record everything in a simple, backup‑ready way. The real value comes from listening, noting surprises, and turning spoken stories into a shared, tangible record.
Common questions
What is the simplest way to start?
Begin by choosing a family member who is comfortable talking and a quiet spot at home. Set up a phone or recorder, explain the purpose in one sentence, and ask a friendly opening question like “Can you tell me about a favorite childhood memory?” This gets the interview moving without needing a long script.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Avoid long, abstract questions that a young child cannot understand, and do not rush the interviewee. Do not rely only on memory; write down names, dates, and unclear words immediately. Skip giving legal or medical advice; if a topic turns to health or finances, note it and suggest a professional later.
How do I know when the project is finished?
The project is complete when each student has recorded an interview, transcribed the main points, created a short written piece or booklet, and shared it with the class or family. A final checklist—recording, notes, written draft, and a shared copy—helps confirm that all steps are done.