California History Project

OBJECTIVE:

At home, students construct a project and prepare an oral living history presentation on a topic related to California history.

SOME TOPIC CHOICES: (Choose one)

·  Westward movement (pioneers in covered wagons on the California trail)

·  The Transcontinental Railroad

·  The Pony Express

·  California Missions

·  The Gold Rush

·  California Government

·  Sea routes to California in the 1800s (i.e. around Cape Horn, South America, or through Panama )

·  California Indians

·  Other*

1. MAKE A PROJECT:

You may choose one of the following projects or come up with your

own idea.

·  Diorama {make a scene in a shoebox to depict a scene about your topic}

·  Make a model of a clipper ship, a gold mining cradle or long tom, covered wagon, the Jupiter train engine, a mission, or something important to CA history.

·  Make a display board depicting your topic {like those used for science fair}.

·  On a piece of plywood (no larger than 12” x 12”) construct a scene about your topic.

·  Sew or hand stitch an item that a child/woman in California might have made during the time period you are researching

·  PowerPoint presentation with graphics

·  Sculpture, a painting, or other artwork depicting something special about CA

*THESE ARE SIMPLY SUGGESTIONS. IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT IDEA, PLEASE LET ME KNOW BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE WORK.

2. SHARE ABOUT IT:

Instead of writing a research paper, you will orally give a research report. You will dress up and become “living history” to present your topic to the class. (You will present as if you are from that time period.) Your presentation will explain what the time period was like, & the importance of it. As you present, you will discuss how your project relates to the time period you chose. (Use of note cards are ok)

3. WRITE ABOUT IT ON A 3X5 INDEX CARD:

·  Each model, diorama, or scene should include a 3 X 5 card telling what the item is and should give a few sentences written neatly in cursive that explain why the item was important in California history. **Be sure to attach the index card to the project**

·  Display boards should include a title, captions {or pictures, artifacts, maps, etc} and a brief explanation of the importance to California or its history.

·  BE SURE TO WRITE YOUR NAME ON YOUR PROJECT

You will be graded on creativity, knowledge of the social studies content and effort. These projects will be shared at Open House. Have fun!