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American Revolution SS project topic

Choose one of the four terms from the Declaration of Independence: equality, life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness.

Your task will be to define and show modern examples of one of these ideas in the United States today. Choose one project from the list to accomplish this task.

Social Studies Unit Projects

Big Idea: How does the present reflect the past?

At the end of each unit, students will complete one project for their history notebook. This will be the majority of their assessment at the end of each unit. They will be given a question to answer that connects topics they are learning about to present day events.

For each project, they will choose from 6 different options of assignments to complete. They must complete all of the options throughout the year at least once before repeating any. Each student may not use a project option more than twice.

After turning in their project, they will file it in their class portfolio. At the end of the year, the projects will be put together and students will reflect on what they have learned and answer the big idea through a short written reflection.

Project Options:

Timeline/Chart or Graph: Timeline must show change across time. It should include at least 10 items. For each item, list the specific date, the event, and a small symbol or picture to represent the event.
Venn Diagram: In your Venn diagram, you must compare and contrast two different subjects. You should have a minimum of 6 differences on each side, and at least 4 similarities in the middle. Your diagram must effectively answer the assessment question.
Headlines: Choose at least 5 headlines, with a one paragraph (~5 sentences) summary of the article and how it explains and answers the assessment question (in your own words).
Picture collage: The minimum size of your picture collage is 8 ½ x 11, and may have no white space included. You may use photos, clipart, magazine clippings, etc on your collage. Your photos must clearly connect with your topic and you should include one paragraph on the back describing how your photos answer your assessment question.
Mini-Essay: The essay must be five paragraphs and a minimum of one full page. It should include an introduction with a thesis (argument), arguments supported with facts, and a conclusion.
Annotated Bibliography: Find at least 5 good sources to include. Bibliography must be MLA formatted. Don’t forget to alphabetize. For each site, create an annotation that is at least 3 complete sentences. Use those sentences to describe the main ideas of the source, how helpful it was in finding the information that you were looking for, and how reliable the source was. In your annotation, describe how the source answers the assessment question.

Project Expectations

All pieces must be in ink or typed (no pencil!).
All pieces should be neat, and have few errors (spelling, capitalization, punctuation).
All pieces should have a title that includes: Your name, project name, date.
Project must complete all requirements listed in project description to receive full points.
All projects must include a bibliography with sources cited in MLA format.
The more detail, thought, and work put into the project, the better the grade will be. If the project is sloppy, incomplete, or simplistic, the grade will reflect that effort.
Each project is worth a total of 60 points. Projects will be scored using a common rubric they will receive at the beginning of the year.

Social Studies Project Rubric
CATEGORY	Exceeds (10)	Meets (9-8)	Almost Meets (7-6)	Not Meeting
Use of Class Time	Used time well during each class period. Focused on getting the project done. Never distracted others.	Used time well during each class period. Usually focused on getting the project done and never distracted others.	Used some of the time well during each class period. There was some focus on getting the project done but occasionally distracted others.	Did not use class time to focus on the project OR often distracted others.
Required Elements	The project includes all required elements as well as additional information.	All required elements are included in the project.	All but 1 of the required elements are included in the project.	Several required elements were missing.
Content – Accuracy & Support	All information included in project is accurate and supported with strong, specific details.	All information included in project is accurate and supported with general details.	Most of information in project is accurate. A few minor inaccuracies may be included. Information is general and not supported with many facts.	Information is inaccurate.
Mechanics	Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the project.	There are a few errors in capitalization or punctuation but they do not distract.	There are many errors in capitalization or punctuation.	There are so many errors in capitalization or punctuation that they distract from the piece.
Attractiveness	The project is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.	The project is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.	The project is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.	The project is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Sources cited	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in correct MLA format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired MLA format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired MLA format.	Sources are not accurately documented in MLA format.