In case you missed Ann's column yesterday (Sun. Apr. 5), here's a brief summary. An adoptive mother of 2 Korean-born children wrote in to question the family tree assignment her daughter had been given. Even though the daughter was excited about the assignment and eagerly pursuing her family's lineage, the mother was concerned about other adoptees or foster children who might not be so well adjusted and could be embarrassed by such an assignment. This was Ann's reply: "I'm glad you wrote. Your letter gives me an opportunity to speak out about family trees, lineage and other topics that should have no place in our schools. "It is nobody's business whether a child's family came over on a slave ship or the Mayflower. Teachers should not be asking about family background. If I had to draw a picture of my family tree, it would look like a shrub. My parents and grandparents immigrated from Russua and beyond that, I don't have a clue as to my lineage, and I have never given it a moment's thought." If you'd like to reply to this well-respected columnist, you may do so at http://www.creators.com/lifestyle/landers/writelan.asp or write snail mail to Ann Landers, P. O. Box 11562, Chicago, IL 60611-0562. My personal belief is that no child should be forced to undertake an assignment that causes embarrassment, but school-assigned family history projects are an excellent method of teaching children about history from a "real-people" perspective. Such an assignment also provides a real opportunity for a family learning experience. I've written her a snail letter to that effect and thought you might want to do the same. Gail