Project Based Unit: The Development and Structure of the United States Government
Course: American Government
Essential Question:
What is the story of the United States Constitution? When framing the government under the United States Constitution, what choices did the delegates at the Constitutional Convention make and why is the government structured the way that it is?
What is the story of the United States Constitution? When framing the government under the United States Constitution, what choices did the delegates at the Constitutional Convention make and why is the government structured the way that it is?
Project Description:
In groups of 2-3, students will create a children’s book that tells the story of the creation of the United States Constitution and includes information that provides the answers to all parts of the essential question. Books will be published as e-books on the class website and will be presented to an appropriate age level audience. The books should be geared for children between 2nd and 8th grades and groups have the choice regarding the grade level for their audience.
Students have the choice regarding the medium that they use in regard to the way that their stories are presented, but all projects must be in book form at the end, therefore, all pages of the book, must be saved as individual pictures that can be included in the e-book. Student will use Microsoft Publisher and/or PowerPoint to create these projects. All work should be digitized so that it can be organized and put together on the computer (i.e. scanned, photographed, created on the computer, etc.)
In groups of 2-3, students will create a children’s book that tells the story of the creation of the United States Constitution and includes information that provides the answers to all parts of the essential question. Books will be published as e-books on the class website and will be presented to an appropriate age level audience. The books should be geared for children between 2nd and 8th grades and groups have the choice regarding the grade level for their audience.
Students have the choice regarding the medium that they use in regard to the way that their stories are presented, but all projects must be in book form at the end, therefore, all pages of the book, must be saved as individual pictures that can be included in the e-book. Student will use Microsoft Publisher and/or PowerPoint to create these projects. All work should be digitized so that it can be organized and put together on the computer (i.e. scanned, photographed, created on the computer, etc.)
Process and Procedures:
Student Resources:
Expectations and Requirements:
- The book must outline the process and tell the story of the United States Constitution and answer all parts of the essential question.
- The book must answer the questions and provide evidence that the time provided in class was used properly.
- The book must provide research based information and must have a works cited page at the end that lists all sources used in research.
- The book must have a specific grade-level audience and must use proper terminology and be written with that audience in mind.
- The book should be created in a way that promotes interest in the book for the designated audience—is your audience going to be drawn to and WANT to read this book?
- Your group, and yourself as an individual, are required to complete daily tasks and assignments in order to stay on pace and complete the project successfully. Be sure to stay on top of deadlines and daily tasks. Getting behind will have a negative effect on the quality of the project and grade.
- Individually, you are a part of a group. You are expected to cooperate and collaborate with them in order to create the best project possible.
Grading:
- Evaluation of your final project presentation by members of the community, experts in the field, and by Mr. Anton (50%)
- Individual contribution and use of class time as observed by teacher (15%)
- Individual contribution and use of class time from feedback of group members (15%)
- Evaluations of the group project by classmates—Practice Presentation (10%)
- Average of all group members’ scores on the unit test that accompanies the project (10%)