APPROVED BIG PROJECTS LIST
(Have a suggestion? Talk with Dr. Hartnell!)
Yearbook
Description: Create a yearbook that includes multiple people from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: This needs to be 10 pages in length and include a cover with a picture of the school, 15 "students", 3 "clubs", 3 "sports", a "Most Likely to..." page, and an autograph page (with pretend messages left by these 15 students to each other). These students should be famous/important people from that time, and you should use existing illustrations/pictures or photo-shopped versions for everything in your yearbook. It should have the look and feel of an actual yearbook. Be creative! If you construct an actual yearbook, you'll need to take a picture of the cover and pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. In this case, you would need 11 total slides (1 for the "cover" and the rest reserved for the pages in the yearbook).
Description: Create a yearbook that includes multiple people from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: This needs to be 10 pages in length and include a cover with a picture of the school, 15 "students", 3 "clubs", 3 "sports", a "Most Likely to..." page, and an autograph page (with pretend messages left by these 15 students to each other). These students should be famous/important people from that time, and you should use existing illustrations/pictures or photo-shopped versions for everything in your yearbook. It should have the look and feel of an actual yearbook. Be creative! If you construct an actual yearbook, you'll need to take a picture of the cover and pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. In this case, you would need 11 total slides (1 for the "cover" and the rest reserved for the pages in the yearbook).
First person/eyewitness account
Description: Write a fictional story about being present at a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: This should be 4 pages, typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font, and double-spaced. Your account should include an introductory paragraph of who the eyewitness is and what event they're witnessing. You will need to include your sources at the end of your paper.
Description: Write a fictional story about being present at a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: This should be 4 pages, typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font, and double-spaced. Your account should include an introductory paragraph of who the eyewitness is and what event they're witnessing. You will need to include your sources at the end of your paper.
Pen Pals
Description: Write multiple letters back-and-forth between key people involved in a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Select 2 (or more) actual people from the time period covered by the unit. What might they be writing letters to each other about? The letters should reference actual events from the time period. The response or opinions of the pen pals should be in line with what they might have actually been. In other words, don't have an anti-war person spouting off pro-war sentiments. There should be 5 letters written by each person involved in the pen pal arrangement (10 total). Each letter should be formatted and written like an actual letter (1-page in length, typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font, and double-spaced). The letters should contain dates that fit within the parameters of the lives of these pen pals. The letters can be humorous, so long as they aren't offensive.
Description: Write multiple letters back-and-forth between key people involved in a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Select 2 (or more) actual people from the time period covered by the unit. What might they be writing letters to each other about? The letters should reference actual events from the time period. The response or opinions of the pen pals should be in line with what they might have actually been. In other words, don't have an anti-war person spouting off pro-war sentiments. There should be 5 letters written by each person involved in the pen pal arrangement (10 total). Each letter should be formatted and written like an actual letter (1-page in length, typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font, and double-spaced). The letters should contain dates that fit within the parameters of the lives of these pen pals. The letters can be humorous, so long as they aren't offensive.
Diaries/Journals
Description: Pick someone (real or fake) involved in a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and write a series of diary/journal entries.
Requirements: Real or fake, what might this person be writing a journal about? The entries should reference actual events from the time period. The person's response or opinion should be in line with what it might have actually been. In other words, don't have an anti-war person spouting off pro-war sentiments. There should be 10 journal entries written. Each entry should be 1-page in length, typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font, and double-spaced. The entries should contain dates that fit within the parameters of this person's life. The journals can be humorous, so long as they aren't offensive.
Description: Pick someone (real or fake) involved in a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and write a series of diary/journal entries.
Requirements: Real or fake, what might this person be writing a journal about? The entries should reference actual events from the time period. The person's response or opinion should be in line with what it might have actually been. In other words, don't have an anti-war person spouting off pro-war sentiments. There should be 10 journal entries written. Each entry should be 1-page in length, typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font, and double-spaced. The entries should contain dates that fit within the parameters of this person's life. The journals can be humorous, so long as they aren't offensive.
Newsletter/Yahoo News
Description: Create the front page of a fictitious newspaper or provide (fake) on-line Yahoo News coverage about major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical events from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: This needs to be organized like the front page of an actual newspaper (print media) or organized in a fashion similar to Yahoo News (on-line media). It should include 5 articles (with headlines, stories, and pictures). These articles need to be about actual famous/important people/events from that time. It should have the look and feel of a real newspaper or Yahoo News. Be creative! If you construct an actual newspaper, you'll need to take a picture of the cover and pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Description: Create the front page of a fictitious newspaper or provide (fake) on-line Yahoo News coverage about major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical events from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: This needs to be organized like the front page of an actual newspaper (print media) or organized in a fashion similar to Yahoo News (on-line media). It should include 5 articles (with headlines, stories, and pictures). These articles need to be about actual famous/important people/events from that time. It should have the look and feel of a real newspaper or Yahoo News. Be creative! If you construct an actual newspaper, you'll need to take a picture of the cover and pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Twitter/X
Description: Create fake Twitter/X accounts (and not functioning ones) for actual people involved in major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical events from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Select 1 or more real people and have them report or "live tweet/post" as an event of historical significance unfolds. These tweets/posts should look and sound as real as possible (meaning you need to adhere to the 280 characters limit per tweet/post). A total of 20 tweets/posts need to be submitted. All 20 can come from 1 person or they can be a "collection" of tweets/posts from multiple people. Be creative with the handles, hashtags, and tweets/posts. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Description: Create fake Twitter/X accounts (and not functioning ones) for actual people involved in major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical events from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Select 1 or more real people and have them report or "live tweet/post" as an event of historical significance unfolds. These tweets/posts should look and sound as real as possible (meaning you need to adhere to the 280 characters limit per tweet/post). A total of 20 tweets/posts need to be submitted. All 20 can come from 1 person or they can be a "collection" of tweets/posts from multiple people. Be creative with the handles, hashtags, and tweets/posts. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Facebook/Meta
Description: Create fake Facebook/Meta accounts (and not functioning ones) for actual people involved in major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical events from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Have these real people post things to their fake Facebook/Meta "wall" from or about a historic event. These Facebook/Meta pages should look as real as possible. If it's just one Facebook/Meta page, a total of 20 Facebook "posts" needs to be submitted. If you choose to create multiple Facebook/Meta pages, a total of 20 posts is needed combined across all pages. You may use picture posts only if they include text or an explanation of what's happening in the picture. Be creative with page names, hashtags, and posts. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Description: Create fake Facebook/Meta accounts (and not functioning ones) for actual people involved in major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical events from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Have these real people post things to their fake Facebook/Meta "wall" from or about a historic event. These Facebook/Meta pages should look as real as possible. If it's just one Facebook/Meta page, a total of 20 Facebook "posts" needs to be submitted. If you choose to create multiple Facebook/Meta pages, a total of 20 posts is needed combined across all pages. You may use picture posts only if they include text or an explanation of what's happening in the picture. Be creative with page names, hashtags, and posts. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Social Media
Description: Create fake Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or other social media accounts (and not functioning ones) for actual people involved in major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical events from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Have these real people post things about (or from) historic events. These pages should look as real as possible (either because they are pictures of them actually at these events or because you photo-shopped them into the events). A total of 20 "posts" needs to be submitted. If you choose to create multiple social media accounts, a total of 20 posts is needed combined across all accounts. Be creative with page names, hashtags, and posts. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Description: Create fake Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or other social media accounts (and not functioning ones) for actual people involved in major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical events from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Have these real people post things about (or from) historic events. These pages should look as real as possible (either because they are pictures of them actually at these events or because you photo-shopped them into the events). A total of 20 "posts" needs to be submitted. If you choose to create multiple social media accounts, a total of 20 posts is needed combined across all accounts. Be creative with page names, hashtags, and posts. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Social Justice
Description: Write a report on social justice during Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Pick a Supreme Court ruling or social justice event from the material covered by the unit and write a 5-page summary (including your opinion). How might this case or event have been covered differently today? How might the outcome have been rendered differently? The summary must be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. This is NOT to be copied and pasted from a Google Search. You will need to include your sources at the end of your paper.
Description: Write a report on social justice during Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Pick a Supreme Court ruling or social justice event from the material covered by the unit and write a 5-page summary (including your opinion). How might this case or event have been covered differently today? How might the outcome have been rendered differently? The summary must be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. This is NOT to be copied and pasted from a Google Search. You will need to include your sources at the end of your paper.
Card Game
Description: Create a card game about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: The card game should be more than just a version of "War". If created using traditional poster board or actual cards, you'll need to take a picture and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. Don't forget to include a 1-page/slide explanation of how to play your card game. The explanation should be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. (It does not need to be double-spaced on Google Slides.)
Description: Create a card game about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: The card game should be more than just a version of "War". If created using traditional poster board or actual cards, you'll need to take a picture and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. Don't forget to include a 1-page/slide explanation of how to play your card game. The explanation should be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. (It does not need to be double-spaced on Google Slides.)
Board Game
Description: Create a board game about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: The board game should be more than just a version of "Monopoly". You will need to design a board, playing pieces, cards, etc. If created using traditional poster board, you'll need to take a picture and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. Don't forget to include a 1-page/slide explanation of how to play your board game. The explanation should be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. (It does not need to be double-spaced on Google Slides.)
Description: Create a board game about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: The board game should be more than just a version of "Monopoly". You will need to design a board, playing pieces, cards, etc. If created using traditional poster board, you'll need to take a picture and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. Don't forget to include a 1-page/slide explanation of how to play your board game. The explanation should be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. (It does not need to be double-spaced on Google Slides.)
Alternate History
Description: Write a "What if?" story about an alternate version of something that happened during a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Pick an actual event from the material covered by the unit and brainstorm what would've happened if that event turned out differently, if a country won a battle it lost, if something wasn't invented, or if someone wasn't assassinated. This paper needs to include an introductory paragraph explaining how the actual events unfolded. From there you have to show the ramifications of what would've happened if it played out differently - what might have changed throughout history? These new scenarios need to be plausible and not too far-fetched. This paper needs to be 5 pages long, typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font, and double-spaced.
Description: Write a "What if?" story about an alternate version of something that happened during a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Pick an actual event from the material covered by the unit and brainstorm what would've happened if that event turned out differently, if a country won a battle it lost, if something wasn't invented, or if someone wasn't assassinated. This paper needs to include an introductory paragraph explaining how the actual events unfolded. From there you have to show the ramifications of what would've happened if it played out differently - what might have changed throughout history? These new scenarios need to be plausible and not too far-fetched. This paper needs to be 5 pages long, typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font, and double-spaced.
Children's Book
Description: Write and illustrate a children's book about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Children's books rely heavily on illustrations. You don't need to draw these yourself - you can find images and clip art to aid your story. The book needs a cover and 20 total pages. There should be 3 sentences on each page and a picture (in color). Take a complex topic and deliver it in a fashion so creative that a child could understand! If you construct an actual children's book, you'll need to take a picture of the cover and pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. In this case, you would need 21 total slides (1 for the "cover" and 20 for the rest of the pages in the book).
Description: Write and illustrate a children's book about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Children's books rely heavily on illustrations. You don't need to draw these yourself - you can find images and clip art to aid your story. The book needs a cover and 20 total pages. There should be 3 sentences on each page and a picture (in color). Take a complex topic and deliver it in a fashion so creative that a child could understand! If you construct an actual children's book, you'll need to take a picture of the cover and pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. In this case, you would need 21 total slides (1 for the "cover" and 20 for the rest of the pages in the book).
Reality TV Show
Description: Using real political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical people from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877), create a Reality TV Show in which they must interact.
Requirements: You can write the script or actually film a version of this show. The script should be organized like an actual script with lines and the names of the actors saying them. The script should be 5 pages in length and typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font. It should not be double-spaced. If filmed, the show should be 5 minutes in length. No profanity, sexual innuendos, or offensive slang/jargon will be tolerated in the script or during the show; using such may result in disciplinary steps being taken.
Description: Using real political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical people from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877), create a Reality TV Show in which they must interact.
Requirements: You can write the script or actually film a version of this show. The script should be organized like an actual script with lines and the names of the actors saying them. The script should be 5 pages in length and typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font. It should not be double-spaced. If filmed, the show should be 5 minutes in length. No profanity, sexual innuendos, or offensive slang/jargon will be tolerated in the script or during the show; using such may result in disciplinary steps being taken.
Political Cartoon Analysis
Description: Select 10 existing political cartoons already drawn about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and analyze them.
Requirements: Copy and paste the original political cartoons into your Word/Google Doc or Google Slides. After that, provide a 1-page analysis/opinion for each cartoon. This analysis needs to be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. It does not need to be double-spaced on Google Slides. (NOTE: If you selected Political Cartoons as your Mini-Project for this unit, you are not permitted to use the same 2 cartoons from that assignment toward the 10 you need for this one.)
Description: Select 10 existing political cartoons already drawn about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and analyze them.
Requirements: Copy and paste the original political cartoons into your Word/Google Doc or Google Slides. After that, provide a 1-page analysis/opinion for each cartoon. This analysis needs to be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. It does not need to be double-spaced on Google Slides. (NOTE: If you selected Political Cartoons as your Mini-Project for this unit, you are not permitted to use the same 2 cartoons from that assignment toward the 10 you need for this one.)
Comic Book
Description: Pick a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and draw your own comic book about it.
Requirements: Comic books rely heavily on illustrations. You don't need to draw these yourself - you can find images and clip art to aid your story. The book needs a cover and 10 total pages. It should be organized like an actual comic book and contain panels of illustrations that tell the story (in color). If you construct an actual comic book, you'll need to take a picture of the cover and pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. In this case, you would need 21 total slides (1 for the "cover" and 20 for the rest of the pages in the book).
Description: Pick a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and draw your own comic book about it.
Requirements: Comic books rely heavily on illustrations. You don't need to draw these yourself - you can find images and clip art to aid your story. The book needs a cover and 10 total pages. It should be organized like an actual comic book and contain panels of illustrations that tell the story (in color). If you construct an actual comic book, you'll need to take a picture of the cover and pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. In this case, you would need 21 total slides (1 for the "cover" and 20 for the rest of the pages in the book).
Documentary
Description: Make your own documentary about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Select a topic from the unit and create a documentary explaining what happened, etc. Use pictures, music, clips, and voiceovers to create a watchable documentary. This show should be 5 minutes in length. No script needs to be submitted with this project, but you do need to provide something at the end that shows your sources. No profanity, sexual innuendos, or offensive slang/jargon will be tolerated in the documentary (even for historical context); using such may result in disciplinary steps being taken.
Description: Make your own documentary about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Select a topic from the unit and create a documentary explaining what happened, etc. Use pictures, music, clips, and voiceovers to create a watchable documentary. This show should be 5 minutes in length. No script needs to be submitted with this project, but you do need to provide something at the end that shows your sources. No profanity, sexual innuendos, or offensive slang/jargon will be tolerated in the documentary (even for historical context); using such may result in disciplinary steps being taken.
Time Travel Brochure
Description: Pick a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and create a brochure to convince people to travel "back in time" to witness or be a part of/attend it.
Requirements: Pick an event and provide 10 reasons (with pictures) as to why someone would want to go back in time to revisit it. The brochure can be humorous (and satirical), so long as it isn't offensive. If you construct an actual brochure, you'll need to take a picture of the various pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. In this case, you would need 11 total slides (1 for the "cover" and 10 for the rest of the pages in the brochure).
Description: Pick a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and create a brochure to convince people to travel "back in time" to witness or be a part of/attend it.
Requirements: Pick an event and provide 10 reasons (with pictures) as to why someone would want to go back in time to revisit it. The brochure can be humorous (and satirical), so long as it isn't offensive. If you construct an actual brochure, you'll need to take a picture of the various pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project. In this case, you would need 11 total slides (1 for the "cover" and 10 for the rest of the pages in the brochure).
Attend and Perform at a Poetry Reading
Description: Write your own poem/song/rap about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and record yourself presenting it at a local poetry reading.
Requirements: For starters, you WILL need to perform this poem/song/rap at a local poetry reading AND someone will need to film you.
A. Song/rap requirements: It should be 4-8 lines per verse and should be organized in the following manner:
1. Intro (4 lines)
2. Verse #1 (4-8 lines)
3. Chorus (4 lines)
4. Verse #2 (4-8 lines)
5. Repeat Chorus (same 4 lines)
6. Verse #3 (4-8 lines)
7. Repeat Chorus (same 4 lines)
8. Outro (4 lines).
This song/rap should be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font. It does not need to be double-spaced.
B. Poem requirements: It should be between 6-10 stanzas (in which one stanza is 4 lines) and typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font. It does not need to be double-spaced. The poem should be meaningful and more than "Roses Are Red...".
Remember! When performing in public, you represent yourself, your school, and this classroom. No profanity, sexual innuendos, or offensive slang/jargon will be tolerated; using such may result in disciplinary steps being taken.
Description: Write your own poem/song/rap about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877) and record yourself presenting it at a local poetry reading.
Requirements: For starters, you WILL need to perform this poem/song/rap at a local poetry reading AND someone will need to film you.
A. Song/rap requirements: It should be 4-8 lines per verse and should be organized in the following manner:
1. Intro (4 lines)
2. Verse #1 (4-8 lines)
3. Chorus (4 lines)
4. Verse #2 (4-8 lines)
5. Repeat Chorus (same 4 lines)
6. Verse #3 (4-8 lines)
7. Repeat Chorus (same 4 lines)
8. Outro (4 lines).
This song/rap should be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font. It does not need to be double-spaced.
B. Poem requirements: It should be between 6-10 stanzas (in which one stanza is 4 lines) and typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font. It does not need to be double-spaced. The poem should be meaningful and more than "Roses Are Red...".
Remember! When performing in public, you represent yourself, your school, and this classroom. No profanity, sexual innuendos, or offensive slang/jargon will be tolerated; using such may result in disciplinary steps being taken.
Interview
Description: Pretend to interview a famous/important person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: You may type this up as a transcript or film this mock interview (which can be you playing both parts). There should be 10 topical questions asked (not counting "What's your name?" or "How are you doing?"). You should ask them what they recall - or where they were - when a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from that time happened. Write down their (pretend) responses or record yourself interviewing the (pretend) individual. Whether you film this or not, you need to provide a transcript of what was asked (and the answers). It should be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. If done properly, a transcript for a 10-minute interview should exceed 10 typed pages.
Description: Pretend to interview a famous/important person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: You may type this up as a transcript or film this mock interview (which can be you playing both parts). There should be 10 topical questions asked (not counting "What's your name?" or "How are you doing?"). You should ask them what they recall - or where they were - when a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event from that time happened. Write down their (pretend) responses or record yourself interviewing the (pretend) individual. Whether you film this or not, you need to provide a transcript of what was asked (and the answers). It should be typed with 12-point/Times New Roman font and double-spaced. If done properly, a transcript for a 10-minute interview should exceed 10 typed pages.
Storyboard
Description: Create your own storyboard about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877). Storyboards are generally used to map out how a script or story will look once it is animated or acted out. If you were to create a storyboard for the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", the first panel would show Goldilocks in front of the bears' house. The next few panels ("scenes") would portray her eating the different porridges with certain looks on her face to show disapproval/approval. Basically, the panels break down the story into bite-sized scenes and help the viewer picture how it will all come to life.
Requirements: Storyboards obviously rely heavily on illustrations. You don't need to draw these yourself - you can find images and clip art to aid your story. The storyboard needs a total of 24 panels. It should be organized like an actual storyboard with 6 panels on each page (4 pages total). These panels should be in color. If you construct an actual storyboard, you'll need to take a picture of the pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Description: Create your own storyboard about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877). Storyboards are generally used to map out how a script or story will look once it is animated or acted out. If you were to create a storyboard for the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", the first panel would show Goldilocks in front of the bears' house. The next few panels ("scenes") would portray her eating the different porridges with certain looks on her face to show disapproval/approval. Basically, the panels break down the story into bite-sized scenes and help the viewer picture how it will all come to life.
Requirements: Storyboards obviously rely heavily on illustrations. You don't need to draw these yourself - you can find images and clip art to aid your story. The storyboard needs a total of 24 panels. It should be organized like an actual storyboard with 6 panels on each page (4 pages total). These panels should be in color. If you construct an actual storyboard, you'll need to take a picture of the pages and submit. Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms are strongly recommended for this particular project.
Movie Trailer & Poster
Description: Create a fictitious movie trailer AND poster about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Select a topic from the unit and create a trailer AND poster for a pretend movie about the event/person. Use pictures, music, clips, and voiceovers to create a watchable trailer. This trailer should be 2-3 minutes in length. No script needs to be submitted with this project, but you do need to provide something at the end that shows your sources. You also need to include a movie poster to accompany your trailer. Look at movie posters used today to mimic one for the event/person you select. Come up with a clever name for the movie, a tagline, and list out the important "actors" (which will be the actual names of those involved) in a manner like a real poster. Taglines are the enticing sentence that draws the viewer in. For instance, the tagline for the movie "Jaws 2" was "Just when you though it was safe to go back in the water..." You could use a famous quote from the event/person you're turning into a poster/trailer as the tagline. If done on traditional paper or poster board, you'll need to take a picture and submit. This can also be done with Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms. (NOTE: If you submitted a Movie Poster for your Mini-Project for the same unit as this Big Project, you MAY resubmit it so long as the poster and trailer are for the SAME movie.) No profanity, sexual innuendos, or offensive slang/jargon will be tolerated in the trailer (even for historical context); using such may result in disciplinary steps being taken.
Description: Create a fictitious movie trailer AND poster about a major political, cultural, athletic, educational, societal, religious, entertainment, or historical event/person from Colonial America (1607-1775), the American Revolution (1775-1783), Antebellum America (1783-1861), the Civil War (1861-1865), or Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Requirements: Select a topic from the unit and create a trailer AND poster for a pretend movie about the event/person. Use pictures, music, clips, and voiceovers to create a watchable trailer. This trailer should be 2-3 minutes in length. No script needs to be submitted with this project, but you do need to provide something at the end that shows your sources. You also need to include a movie poster to accompany your trailer. Look at movie posters used today to mimic one for the event/person you select. Come up with a clever name for the movie, a tagline, and list out the important "actors" (which will be the actual names of those involved) in a manner like a real poster. Taglines are the enticing sentence that draws the viewer in. For instance, the tagline for the movie "Jaws 2" was "Just when you though it was safe to go back in the water..." You could use a famous quote from the event/person you're turning into a poster/trailer as the tagline. If done on traditional paper or poster board, you'll need to take a picture and submit. This can also be done with Google Slides, Power Point, or other presentation platforms. (NOTE: If you submitted a Movie Poster for your Mini-Project for the same unit as this Big Project, you MAY resubmit it so long as the poster and trailer are for the SAME movie.) No profanity, sexual innuendos, or offensive slang/jargon will be tolerated in the trailer (even for historical context); using such may result in disciplinary steps being taken.
