Historical Landmark Project
Social Studies Project for the Third Trimester
All over the United States there are places set aside to remember people and events that have helped to shape our country. Those places are known as National Historic Landmarks. You are going to (1) choose one of those landmarks, (2) research it, (3) write a report about it, (4) construct an exhibit of it, and (5) present your exhibit and research findings to the class. This project will be counted heavily in your Social Studies grade for the 3rd trimester.
Step 1: Choose a Landmark
There is a list of 50 National Historic Landmarks attached to these instructions. With the help of your parents, use the list to help you decide which landmark you would like to research. Remember that some of the sites have great deal of information to research, while it may be difficult to find information on others. Since no two people in the class will research the same project, you must select alternatives and prioritize them. Select your top 5 choices and put them in priority order at the bottom of the page. Bring the page with you tomorrow. A random list of students will be created, and those who are selected first will get their first choice.
Step 2: Research the Landmark
Find information on the landmark on the Internet, at the library, on videos, or from people who have visited the site. You must have at least 3 sources of information. Take notes on the information you find. Don’t forget to write down any information you will need for your bibliography. You will want to find out about:
¶ The history behind the landmark
o What event(s) does it commemorate?
o Details and dates
¶ The people involved
o Who does the landmark honor?
o Who were the people involved in building it?
¶ The building of the landmark
o Cost of the landmark
o Length of time it took to build
o When it was built
¶ Any interesting stories connected with the landmark and its history
o Stories about the building of it
o Stories about the event(s) or people it commemorates
¶ The connection of this landmark to American history
o Why was this place or person so important that a landmark was dedicated?
¶ A description of the landmark
o Where is it?
o What is it made of?
o How big is it?
Step 3: Write a Report About the Landmark
Once you have done the research and taken notes, compile those notes into a report. Your report must:
¶ Be typed on a computer:
o Font: Times
o Font Size: 14
o Double-spaced
o Margins set at 1 inch on all four sides
¶ Have a cover page which includes
o The name of the landmark
o Your name
o “Third Trimester Social Studies Project”
¶ Be a minimum of 2 full pages and no more than 5 full pages (not including the cover page or bibliography)
¶ Be written in paragraphs
¶ Be in your own words. Plagiarism is against the law!
o Do not copy from a web site and paste it into a document.
o Write from your notes, not from your source.
¶ Have correct grammar and spelling
o Use the Spelling and Grammar checker
o Also have someone proof read and edit
¶ Have a page containing a hand-drawn map of the state the landmark is in
o Map must be in color
o Map must show the location of the landmark and the state’s capital
¶ Include a bibliography with at least 3 entries
o For samples and information on how to do a bibliography go to: http://www.ri.net/RIEMA/bibliog.html
¶ Include pictures of the landmark
o Pictures do not count as part of the 2 to 5 pages.
o Original artwork will be worth more points than printed or copied pictures.
¶ Be in a report folder
o It is best to have a cover with a clear front
o A plastic sleeve (sheet protector) is not acceptable
Step 4: Construct an Exhibit of the Landmark
Be creative! Use your imagination to build an exhibit that is a replica of your landmark. You may use any kind of materials you wish. Just remember to follow these guidelines:
¶ The base of the exhibit must be no larger than 12” x 18”. (It can cover no more than half of your desktop.)
¶ There must be some kind of sign on the exhibit.
o The sign should be done on a computer (Try using WordArt).
o The sign can be no larger than 3” x 5”.
o The sign must have the name of the landmark.
o The sign must have the city and state where the landmark is located.
¶ Try to make your exhibit look as much like the original as possible.
Step 5: Present the Exhibit and Research to the Class.
On Open House day, Wednesday, May 23, you will present your work to the class. In your presentation you will:
¶ Show the class your exhibit and explain how you created it.
¶ Share what you found out about the landmark.
o Give the history including dates and people involved.
o Share any interesting information about the landmark.
Due Dates
Tuesday, March 27: Return the slip stating your landmark preferences.
Friday, April 27: Written portion of the report due
Wednesday, May 23: Exhibit due
Late work will not be accepted and will receive a grade of 0 (F).
Grading
¶ The written report will be worth 50 points toward your Social Studies grade.
¶ The exhibit will be worth 50 points toward your Social Studies grade.
Getting a Good Grade
The following guidelines will help you to get a good grade on this project.
¶ This project is to be done primarily by you as a 5th grader. Your parents may help, but it is to be your work, not theirs.
¶ Get started as soon as you have confirmed which landmark you will be researching.
¶ Make a trip to the Public Library to find and check out sources for your report. Don’t rely only on the Internet.
¶ Don’t forget that people are a great resource. Is there someone you can call and interview who has a connection to the landmark?
¶ Have your parents proofread your work, then you fix the mistakes.
¶ When you think you have finished your report, go back and read the instructions for the written report again. Use it as a checklist to make sure you have covered everything you need to cover.
¶ Make sure you save bibliography information as you do your research.
¶ Start planning your exhibit early. It is very obvious when an exhibit has been thrown together the night before it is due.
Select a Landmark to Research
Since only one student can research a landmark, pick your top 5 favorites. Using the numbers 1-5, number the 5 landmarks you would like to research. The number 1 should be next to the landmark you would most like to research. Then, sign your name and have a parent sign his/her name at the bottom as well.
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Arlington National Cemetery (Arlington, VA)
Cape Hatteras Light Station (Buxton, NC)
Colonial Jamestown (Jamestown, VA)
Colonial Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA)
Edison Home (Glenmont, NJ)
Ellis Island (New York Harbor, Jersey City, NJ)
Empire State Building (New York, NY)
Federal Hall (New York, NY)
Ford’s Theater (Washington D.C. – Where Lincoln was shot)
Fort Clatsop (Winter quarters of the Lewis & Clark Expedition in Astoria, OR)
Fort Sumter (Beginning of the Civil War - SC)
Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA)
Harvard University (Boston, MA)
Henry Ford Birthplace (Greenfield, MI)
Hoover Dam (Mojave Co., Arizona)
Independence Hall (Philadelphia, PA)
Jefferson Memorial (Washington D.C.)
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial & Gateway Arch (St. Louis, MO)
Kennedy Space Center (FL)
Lincoln Home (Springfield, IL)
Lincoln Memorial (Washington D.C.)
Mark Twain House & Museum (Hartford, CT)
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site & The King Center (Atlanta, GA)
Mesa Verde (Mesa Verde National Park, CO)
Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s Home in Charlottesville, VA)
Montpelier (James Madison’s Home in Orange, VA)
Mt. Rushmore (Keystone, SD)
Mt. Vernon (George Washington’s Home in Mt. Vernon, VA)
National Archives (Home of the founding documents – Washington D.C.)
Naval Tour Center (Norfolk, VA)
Nottoway Plantation (White Castle, LA)
Oklahoma City Bombing Site (Oklahoma City, OK)
Plymouth Plantation (Plymouth, MA)
Pony Express Station (North Platte, NB)
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (J. F. Kennedy Assassination site in Dallas, TX)
Statue of Liberty (New York Harbor, Jersey City, NJ)
Supreme Court Building (Washington D.C.)
The Alamo (San Antonio, TX)
The Eisenhower Tunnel (Idaho Springs, CO)
The Liberty Bell (Philadelphia, PA)
The Mayflower II (Plymouth, MA)
The White House (Washington D.C.)
U.S. Capitol (Washington D.C.)
United States Air Force Academy (El Paso Co., CO)
USS Arizona Memorial (Pearl Harbor, HI)
USS Constitution, Boston Harbor (Boston, MA)
Valley Forge National Historic Park (Valley Forge, PA)
Washington Monument (Washington D.C.)
Wright Brothers National Memorial (Manteo, NC)
WWII Memorial (Washington D.C.)
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We have read the Landmark Project instructions with our child and we will help him/her work to the best of his/her ability on it.
Parent Signature Student Signature
Date
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