Case 02 · Ask, listen, preserve

Interview a Relative

I can plan a respectful interview, listen for details, and summarize without pretending certainty.

◷ 45–75 minutes plus the interview⌁ 15–25 active minutes⌂ Work stays offline
Begin the case

Your assignment

Practice consent and open questions before sitting down with someone whose memories matter.

Warm up the detective brain

  • What makes someone feel listened to?
  • What can you do if a person does not want to answer?

No answer box by design. Say it, jot it in the workbook, or keep it in your head. This site does not collect the answer.

Granny opens the door to a story

Compare “Did you like school?” with a question that invites a memory.

  1. Closed: “Did you like school?” may end with yes or no.
  2. Open: “What do you remember most about a school day?” invites detail.
  3. Follow-up: “Tell me more about that” lets the speaker choose what to share.

Case note: Ask permission, prefer open questions, listen without correcting, and respect every “no.”

Practice on fictional evidence

Choose the best-supported answer. Feedback explains the evidence; nothing is scored or sent anywhere.

1. Which question is most likely to invite a story?
2. Your interview partner says, “I would rather not talk about that.” What should you do?
3. Two relatives remember an event differently. What belongs in your summary?

Take the case off-screen

Complete all workbook activities over time, or choose one doorway for today. The authentic evidence belongs in your family-controlled archive.

Question scout

Choose and order 10–12 interview questions.

Listening mission

Hold an adult-supervised, consent-based conversation and take notes.

Archive keeper

Write a short summary and decide together where it will be stored.

Workbook activity trail

  • Interview Plan
  • 20 Questions
  • What I Learned
  • Transcript (optional)
  • Family Interview Archive

Is the case ready to file?

Use this as a learner self-check or a short family conversation. Support, dictation, drawing, and the fictional path all count when they preserve the same skill.

  • My interview partner agreed to participate.
  • I prepared open questions and listened for details.
  • I wrote a careful summary with one open question.
  • We chose a private place for the record.

Reflection: Which follow-up question helped you learn something you did not expect?

Open portfolio sheet

File this skill, not the curiosity.

For more background, read Operation Tea & Tattle. The mission is optional context; your workbook remains the activity guide.