Final Projects

The final project for this unit of study will be divided into two sections. You will be required to do the following parts of your final project alone:

· Choose a character

· Research that character, using books, magazines, websites, and other resources. Make sure you are using both primary and secondary sources.

· Put together a timeline of that character’s life, including important dates throughout with descriptions (Due May 1st)

· Acrostic Poem of this person (full name) OR BioPoem (Due May 3rd)

· Sketch of person, complete with clothing they would have worn at the time

(Due May 3rd)

1. Video Project: You will work with three other students (chosen by me) to create a roundtable debate show on the American Revolution. All four of you will be in character the entire time, including dress and mannerism. You will introduce yourselves and give a brief biography of yourself. Then, with the help of the moderator (chosen by me), you will engage in a debate about the war. As a class we will come up with some framework questions to start the debate with, but it is your group’s responsibility to generate a lively discussion. After you have practiced your “show” you will then videotape it, and using iMovie you will edit: add transitions, music, and titles. Your final project will then be shown to the class and compiled onto a DVD with the other groups’ work.

Characters of American Revolution

Paul Revere- rider for the Continental Army. Along with others, rode into Massachusetts to warn of an impending British attack.
Molly Pitcher- wife of a soldier. Helped out on the battlefield, bringing water to the soldiers, and eventually taking over the firing of a cannon.
King George- leader of England at the time of the Revolutionary War. Attempted to impose many taxes on the colonies to help pay for the French and Indian war that had just ended.
Thomas Jefferson- drafted the Declaration of Independence. Third president of the United States.
Peggy Arnold- wife of Benedict Arnold, stealthy spy and excellent actress. Played off that she was innocent when they were found out. The highest paid spy of the American Revolution.
Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman- former slave who sued her master for her freedom and won. This case helped to abolish slavery in her state. Worked as a paid midwife and nurse.
Marquis de Lafayette- Frenchman who was sympathetic to the American cause. Volunteered himself to work with the Continental Army. Good friend of George Washington.
John Adams- one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. First vice president and second president of the United States.
Martha Washington- wife of George Washington. Ran a large plantation alone for eight years while her husband was off to war. Helped care for the sick and hungry during the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge. The original First Lady of the United States.
Phillis Wheatley- former slave who was bought by a family that educated her. By age 12 she could read and write English, Greek, and Latin. By age 13 she had written her first poem. Had a book of her poetry published, which was a best seller in London. Advocate for freedom of all.
John Hancock- first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Crispus Attucks- freed slave who was the first person to be killed during the Boston Massacre, one of the most important moments in the years leading up the Revolutionary War.
George Washington- head of the Continental Army, first president of the United States.
Sam Adams- cousin of John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Stronger supporter of the American desire for freedom than his cousin initially.
Israel Bissell- a little known post rider who also rode for the Continental Army. Once rode over 300 miles delivering news to the soldiers along the way.
Benjamin Franklin- well known inventor (the lightning rod, among other things), diplomat, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Deborah Sampson (Samson)- Joined the Continental Army at the age of 22, and served on a special unit of rangers due to her good marksmanship. Was found out while recovering from an illness, and spent the rest of her days giving speeches about her experiences. The first woman to join an American Army.
Abigail Adams- wife of John Adams, ran the family business while he was in Philadelphia with the Continental Congress. Pressed her husband to “remember the ladies” and to outlaw slavery while writing the Declaration of Independence.
Sybil (Sibyl) Ludington- rider for the Continental Army. At the age of 16 rode through Connecticut, bringing news of an impending British attack.
Benedict Arnold- general in the Continental Army who, along with his wife, passed on secrets to the British Army.

Final Project Scoring Guides

Video Project

Goals / 5 / 3 / 1
Timeline of character / Timeline is well designed, and includes both dates and descriptions. Includes birth, death, and other important times in the life of the character. / Timeline includes dates and some descriptions. Includes
birth, death, and other important times in the life of the character. / Timeline includes dates, but no descriptions. Is missing important dates such as birth or death.
Poem / Poem is well written and thoughtful, and accurately describes character. / Poem is somewhat well written, but may be lacking in grammar, punctuation, or accurate description of character. / Poem is not well written and does not describe character.
Presentation- Dress / Dress shows careful thought in regard to time period and social status of character. / Dress shows some thought in regard to time period and social status of character. / Dress does not show thought in regard to time period and social status of character.
Presentation- Demeanor / Character is clearly presented not only in voice, but also in mannerism. / Character is presented well, but is lacking in voice and/or mannerism. / Character not presented well and is lacking in both voice and mannerism.
Presentation- Voice / Presentation is done in a loud, clear voice and eye contact is made with others in the group and the audience. / Presentation is lacking in the use of a loud, clear voice or eye contact. / Presentation is lacking in both the use of a loud, clear voice and eye contact.
Debate Skills / Students demonstrate strong debate skills, relying on facts and information about their character’s beliefs. / Students demonstrate strong debate skills, but are lacking in the use of facts or information about their character’s beliefs. / Students do not demonstrate strong debate skills, and do not rely on facts or information about their character’s beliefs.
iMovie / Movie is well rehearsed, filmed and edited. It incorporates transitions, titles, and music. / Movie is well rehearsed and filmed, but may be lacking in editing, transitions, titles, and/or music. / Movie is not well rehearsed or filmed, and is lacking in editing, transitions, titles, and music.

Resources- Books

John Hancock, by Stuart A. Kallen

The Remarkable Benjamin Franklin, by Cheryl Harness

George Washington, by Cheryl Harness

The Revolutionary John Adams, by Cheryl Harness

Meet Thomas Jefferson, by Marvin Barrett

They Called Her Molly Pitcher, by Anne Rockwell

And then what happened, Paul Revere?, by Jean Fritz

Why don’t you get a horse, Sam Adams?, by Jean Fritz

And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?, by Jean Fritz

What’s The Big Idea, Ben Franklin?, by Jean Fritz

Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?, by Jean Fritz

Why Not Lafayette?, by Jean Fritz

The Secret Soldier, by Ann McGovern

Cobblestone Magazine, September 1983

American Revolution, by Stuart Murray

If you lived at the time of the American Revolution, by Kay Moore

In 1776, by Jean Marzollo

Molly Pitcher, by Larry Dane Brimmer

Abigail Adams, Famous First Lady, by Maya Glass

Abigail Adams, Courageous Patriot and First Lady, by Barbara A. Somervill

Paul Revere’s Ride, by Lucia Raatma

Abigail Adams, by Alexandra Wallner

Remember The Ladies, by Jeri Chase Ferris

Crispus Attucks, by Don McLeese

Outrageous Women of Colonial America, by Mary Rodd Furbee

George Washington's Breakfast, by Jean Fritz

Can't You Make Them Behave, King George? By Jean Fritz

Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold, by Jean Fritz

The American Revolution, 1763-1783, by Christopher and James Lincoln Collier

George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and

Won the Revolutionary War, by Thomas B. Allen

American Revolution, by Sharon Harley and Steven Middleton

Black Heroes of the American Revolution, by Burke Davis

Heroines of the American Revolution, by Diane Silcox-Garrett

A Young Patriot, by Jim Murphy

Herstory, by Ruth Ashby and Deborah Gore Ohrn

Phoebe the Spy, by Judith Berry Griffin

The Signers of the Declaration, by Robert Ferris, Richard Morris

Websites

Colonial Williamsburg: 18th Century—History Explorer http://www.history.org/Almanack/almanack.cfm

The Road to Revolution: A Revolutionary Game http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/game/index.html

The American Revolution http://www.mce.k12tn.net/revolutionary_war/american_revolution.htm

Biographies of the Founding Fathers

http://www.colonialhall.com

The ABCs of the American Revolution http://www.empire.k12.ca.us/empire/Projects/lwilloug/abcmenu.htm

The History Place: The American Revolution

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/index.html

Miss Brous’ WebQuest

http://fg.ed.pacificu.edu/sweb/brous/Webqueststudent.html

Website on the History of America

www.ushistory.org

American Revolution Website

http://www.americanrevolution.org/home.html

The American Revolution

http://www.americanrevolution.com/

American Revolution ThinkQuest

http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/home.htm

Women of the Revolutionary War

http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/femvets.html