Purpose: To use critical thinking skills as you explore dual perspectives about the early explorers and settlers in WA State, and their interactions with the Native American groups.

Task: You will create a Hero-Wanted poster for one of the following groups.

● American Explorers ● Lewis and Clark ● Spanish Explorers ● British Explorers

● Canadian Explorers (Voyageurs) ● First Missionaries ● Pioneers

Your challenge will be to both praise and criticize this group!

The Product: Your poster must include the following four elements:

  A well thought out color illustration

  Detailed background information in paragraph form

  Praise: A list of the group’s accomplishments- at least 5 items/ideas

  Criticism: A list of the group’s “crimes” – at least 5 items/ideas

As mentioned above, the challenge will be to both praise and criticize your group. This project will require use of the textbook, additional resources, and your BRAIN. You must go beyond what you read, and include your interpretations and thoughts.

Steps:

1.  Review chapters 4 and 5. Decide which group you would like to study in more depth.

2.  Collect background information. Who were these people? What did they do to get into our history book? What interactions did they have with the Native American groups already living in this region?

3.  Analyze and interpret the notes you collected. What is your initial impression of this group? What kind of relationship did they have with the Native American groups? In what ways did their actions impact these groups?

4.  Evaluation: What do you think are some of the good things, or accomplishments of the group? What do you think are some of the bad things, or crimes of the group? Did they help, or hurt the Native American groups? Why? Be specific!!

5.  Creation: Use the check boxes under “The Product” as you create your poster. You can design your poster however you like, just make sure it is neat, organized, and contains each of the FOUR required elements. A rubric is provided to help ensure you meet, or exceed the standard for this project.

RUBRIC / Above Standard / Standard / Below Standard
Illustration / The poster includes more than one detailed, colorful illustration. The topic of the image is well thought out and enhances the overall appearance of the poster. / The poster includes a detailed, colorful illustration. The topic of the image is well thought out and enhances the overall appearance of the poster. / The poster does not contain an illustration, or the illustration present does not show evidence of effort or thought.
Research and Background Info / A solid, well written background paragraph is present. The paragraph clearly shows research and knowledge of the topic. The paragraph has also been edited and contains no errors in spelling and conventions. / A solid, well written background paragraph is present. The paragraph shows research and knowledge of the topic. The paragraph has also been edited , but still contains several errors in spelling and/or conventions. / A background paragraph is present, but shows little research, knowledge of the topic, and/ or it was not edited.
Praise / More than five thoughtful items/ideas are present. The ideas are insightful, creative, and clearly show evidence of thinking. / Five or more thoughtful items/ideas are present. Most of the ideas are insightful, creative, and show evidence of thinking, but a few of the ideas could be more developed. / There are less than five items/ideas present, and/ or the ideas lack original thinking, insight or creativity.
Criticism / More than five thoughtful items/ideas are present. The ideas are insightful, creative, and clearly show evidence of thinking. / Five or more thoughtful items/ideas are present. Most of the ideas are insightful, creative, and show evidence of thinking, but a few of the ideas could be more developed. / There are less than five items/ideas present, and/ or the ideas lack original thinking, insight or creativity.
Use of Critical Thinking Skills / All elements of the poster show evidence of extra thought and careful consideration during its creation. Ideas go beyond the obvious. / Most elements of the poster show evidence of thought and consideration during its creation. Most ideas go beyond the obvious. / Few, if any, of the elements of the poster show evidence of thought and consideration. Most ideas are superficial and do not move beyond the obvious.