Today the "norm" is the blended family. Membership in a blended family can be an enriching experience. I would not avoid assigning a family tree project for fourth graders because of possible problems, but would instead approach it with awareness. One specific suggestion: avoid using printed family tree charts or "fan" charts which don't easily make allowance for divorces and second marriages, and instead do a free form chart with lines and boxes. David W. Palmquist NYS Museum 3096 Cultural Education Center Albany NY 12230 518-473-3131 [log in to unmask]