GREAT AMERICAN HERO PROJECT - FAQs
What is it?
This is a research and writing project that will be graded under Social Studies and Writing. It is the main grade for the term in these subjects. Students need to pick an influential American to research. The historical person must have been born before 1950 and have had a positive impact on the American way of life. Even though sports figures have an an impact on Americans (not necessarily positive), they are disqualified from being picked for this project. The teacher must approve of the student's choice for this project.
How does a student get an A?
Students need to satisfactorially complete all of the following components:
Written Biographical Report - two-pages typed, double spaced, 1" margins, font either Times Roman, Times New Roman, or Ariel, font size 12, and no graphics. The report should have an Introduction, Body, and Persuasive Conclusion. The Introduction should "hook" the reader in an interesting way, introduce the topics of the research, then put the hero in context (where and when the person was part of American history). The Body piece should be 3-5 paragraphs, each listing separate topics about the person that are interesting, unusual, and/or noteworthy. The Conclusion is the summary paragraph where the student persuades the reader why his/her person is a Great American Hero. Evidence should be used to support this claim.
Poster - The poster needs to be the regular poster size. No three-section posters (like the ones used in the Science Fair) or 1/2 size posters should be used. Each poster should have a thematic border (having something to do with the chosen hero). For example, if the student was reporting on Florence Nightingale, the border could have red crosses or something to do with nursing. The following components need to be on the posters: 1) ten facts in large font (20-24) and trimmed with 1/4" of white space around the edges and matted with other colorful paper - construction, stock, etc., 2) pictures with captions and/or appropriate graphics positioned on some kind of matting, 3) timeline, map, graph, or chart with labels and/or captions, and 4) fake "on" button that museum visitors will press to hear the student recite something about his/her hero. Use your creativity to make the poster items 3-D if you want. Think of turning wheels, glued on objects that are appropriate, etc. Have fun! Optional: interactive features may be added to involve the reader, for example glue-on cards that pose a question on the front and have the answer inside, sliding tab quizzes, matching games using string, ribbon, or string for readers to connect terms with definitions, etc. Your imagination is your guide!
Hand Drawn Portrait
Students will print out a simple picture of their heroes, then use the grid system to create a pencil drawing of their hero. This will be taught in class and time given to work on it.
Oral Presentation
Students should memorize the 10 interesting facts on their poster as well as other interesting stories about their hero. Though dates are important, they many not be very interesting. Students need to say them in 1st person when reciting them. For example, if the hero were George Washington, the student would recite, "I was the 1st president of the United States" instead of saying "He was the first..."
Wax Museum
This is the culminating project where students dress up as their hero and stand motionless in the wax museum (gym and side hall) waiting for a visitor to push the button on their poster. They then come alive and recite one thing about their hero. Students may bring props that are appropriate for their hero. (No live animals allowed!)
When is everything due?
Written Biographical Report - due Thursday, May 6, 2010
Hand-drawn Portrait - due Friday, May 7, 2010
Poster and Oral Presentation - both due Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wax Museum - will be held on Friday, May 14, 2010 so costumes and props must be brought to school on that day.