AP US History
Quarter One Project
2013-2014
You will be choosing a topic related to colonization through the birth of the republic (1607-1800) to research using primary and secondary sources found in the library and/or on the Internet. The topic should cover an aspect of American history that impacted the young nation economically, socially and/or politically. Included in this packet is a list of topics to choose from. Once a topic is chosen, no other student may have it. If you want to do a topic that is not listed in the packet, you MUST see your teacher to have it approved.
Your research will be presented in two main components:
1. You will write a short research paper on your topic.
AND
2. You will present your research topic to the class through a visual creation.
A. PowerPoint or Prezi Presentation B. Poster
C. Video/Digital
Your research project will follow a three phase plan in order to complete it. The plan is as follows:
I. Phase One: Planning (Task Definition and Information Seeking) a. What is my task?
b. What are my questions I need to answer in order to complete my task?
c. What information will I need?
d. What possible sources will I need to check in order gather the information necessary to answer the questions tied to my topic?
e. What are the best sources from letter d to go with for my research? Why?
II. Phase Two: Doing (Locate, Access, Use, Synthesize)
a. Where are my resources?
b. Where is the information that I need in those resources? c. What do I expect to find in these resources?
d. What relevant information have I found? e. How will I organize my information? f. How will I present my information?
III. Phase Three: Reviewing (Evaluate) a. Did I do what was required?
b. Did I complete each step efficiently?
To help in organizing yourself, your teacher will give you a pocket folder with two attached envelopes to help you organize your research. One envelope will be for your essential questions that you will be answering in order to
Research Paper Process
One portion of your assignment must be a research paper in which you will gather information from a variety of primary and secondary sources in order to address your topic’s essential questions. Primary and secondary sources should come from the library and the Internet. All sources must be
documented in the paper’s bibliography and/or work cited page. Students must use the MLA style for documentation. See the Purdue Owl website for more information.
You will use at least five sources for your information. Using the correct format included in this packet, write down each source on a separate index card and store them in the second envelope. Number each card at the top and circle that number. (This is the source # that you will refer to on all the other note cards.)
Take notes on note cards, one fact per card. You must have a minimum of 30 note cards. On the front write the fact. On the back of each card write the source # from which you got your information. Rubber band or paper clip each card to its corresponding essential question card in the first envelope.
Students will write a research paper that is at least three pages typed. This paper must include a bibliography page which appears on a separate page from the main body of writing. This page does not count as one of the two to three pages. Students will use Times New Roman font. The font size must be 12. The paper must be double spaced with one inch margins.
Visual Presentation Process
The second portion of your assignment is to create a visual piece that you will present to your class in order to demonstrate your topic’s historical relevance. This presentation may be a PowerPoint, Prezi, poster, or other artistic way of demonstrating your research knowledge. Students are
expected to use self-created as well as cited visuals in order to demonstrate this learning. A bibliography must be created for cited visuals used during the presentation. The student’s oral portion of this presentation must be pre-rehearsed and be performed in a manner appropriate for the classroom.
Student presentations will be self-assessed, assessed by classmates, and the teacher using the attached scoring rubric.
Bibliography
Begin your Bibliography on a separate page called Bibliography (with no quotation marks, underlining, etc.), which should be centered at the top of the page.
Double space all entries, with no skipped spaces between entries.
Alphabetize the list of works cited by the first word in each entry (usually the author's last name).
Put list in alphabetical order by author's last name.
**NOTE: some sites, such as World Book Online have the correct way to cite already written for you, just cut and paste it into your Works Cited
Topics
English Colonization of the Chesapeake Region Pilgrim/Puritan Settlement of New England Colonial and Native Relations in Early America
Significance of Mercantilism on Old and New World Relations The Role of Women in Early Colonial Settlement
The Impact of Indentured Servitude Colonial America The Institution of Slavery in America
The Witchcraft Hysteria
Development of Early American Cities The Rise of Consumerism in the Americas The Great Awakenings Influence over America The Enlightenment and Education in America Democracy and Government in Colonial America The French and Indian War
The Philosophy of Revolution The Declaration of Independence Loyalists: The Other Americans
Role of Women and Minorities during the Revolution Diplomacy of the Revolutionary Era
Articles of Confederation
Federalists versus Anti-Federalists Compromises of the Constitution The Bill of Rights
Ratification of the Revolution The Quasi War
Rubrics
CATEGORY 4 Exemplary 3 Proficient 2 Developing 1 Below Standard
Content Covers topic in-depth with details and examples. Subject knowledge is excellent.
Includes essential knowledge about the topic. Subject
knowledge appears to be good.
Includes essential information about the topic but there are 1-2 factual errors.
Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors.
Organization Content is well organized using headings to group related material.
Content is organized using headings to group related materials.
Content is logically organized for the most part.
There was no clear or logical organizational structure, just lots of facts.
Attractiveness Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.
Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation.
Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content.
Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presentation content.
Oral Presentation Interesting, well-rehearsed with smooth delivery that holds audience attention.
Relatively interesting, rehearsed with a fairly smooth delivery that usually holds audience attention.
Delivery not smooth, but able to hold audience attention most of the time.
Delivery not smooth and audience attention lost.
Sources Source information collected for all graphics, facts and quotes. All documented in desired format.
Source information collected for all graphics, facts and quotes. Most documented in desired format.
Source information collected for graphics, facts and quotes, but not documented in desired format.
