Night of the Notables

During the Night of the Notables Project each student will be responsible for selecting an eminent person
from a designated portion of history. They may choose notable, positive figures from the sciences, arts, politics,
sports, entertainment, etc during the assigned time period.
This project will include in-depth research and will involve accumulating material from a variety of sources
including our class library and Multnomah County Library. We will be learning to use the Readers Guide,
biographies, and periodicals. During our trip to the Multnomah County library we will additionally use the
computer periodical index and the newspaper index for the Oregonian. We will also be writing letters of inquiry
to various sources, which may help in providing information and/or materials for the report and learning center.
Finally, students will be working with oral interviewing techniques and will subsequently arrange an interview
with someone that can shed some light about the person of eminence, the particular time period or specific
ramifications about that persons contribution.
Our research will culminate with a special night to which all the families are invited! Our Night of the Notables
will require all students to dress as their eminent person. Guests are invited to ask our personages yes or no
questions in an effort to determine their identity. We will then proceed to the Museum for viewing of the
learning centers representing our notable people. The children will be guided throughout this process and
information will continue to come home. Support and encouragement are important, as this is a hefty project.
This one project helps your student to work towards mastery on all of the following objectives:
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from the text.
Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence
individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events).
Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key
information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts.
Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and
quantitatively, as well as in words.
Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each
mediums portrayal of the subject
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information
through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by
planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and
audience have been addressed.
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as
well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively;
assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of
others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with
diverse partners on topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Thank you for your support,
Mrs. Adams
Ms. Venture
Mr. Vieira

NIGHT OF THE NOTABLES CONTRACT

March 2nd, 2015
I, ______________________________, agree to follow the guidelines established for the Night of the Notables
project by taking responsibility for the following:
1. Selecting an eminent person that I am willing to "live with" for nearly two months.
2. Attending and utilizing my time to its fullest in class and at Multnomah County Library.
3. Making necessary contacts with museums, government agencies, private businesses, or with individuals
through interviews, letters, or phone calls.
4. Taking responsibility for the collection, organization, and storage of materials for Night of the Notables.
5. Being prepared for Night of the Notables with a costume and the expertise necessary to participate in the
Hall of Fame.
6. Preparing a learning center and souvenirs for the Museum of Eminence on our Celebration Night.
7. Completing written work to include a position paper/report and keeping track of all sources to complete
my Works Cited page.
8. Keeping a financial record of all expenses related to this project and by not going over my $15.00 limit.
9. Behaving in a productive and responsible manner throughout this project.
___________________________________________
Student Signature

_____________
Date

I, _______________________________, agree to provide the support necessary for my childs participation in

the Night of the Notables project to include:
1. Providing transportation to the public libraries for in-depth researching. (It is recommended that the
family set aside a date following our March visit to the Multnomah County Library I would
recommend that weekend.)
2. Assisting in gathering supplies and materials for the Night of the Notables museum learning center
display and (keeping within the $15 maximum budget.)
3. Helping with any dangerous tools (saw, sewing machine, glue gun, etc.) in executing a project my
student has planned and directed.
4. Helping my student with working out the details of the interview.
5. Supporting my student in learning more about time management by checking my students calendar on a
regular basis.
6. Checking with my childs teacher if I feel it is necessary to help in additional ways. (We feel that it is
important that this project remains the students and that adults are there to guide and assist only.)
7. Encouraging my child and by attending the Night of the Notables celebration on May 7th.
_______________________________
Parent Signature

_______________

Date

Description

N.O.N contract due

Notable person brainstorm due
Business letter written
Computer Lab Research Day
Resources gathered
(3 books, 1 article via microfiche, interview)
Research skills taught/Note cards using KWO
format introduced
Note cards worked on
Interview conducted
Timeline First Draft
Key Word Outline using note cards
Rough Draft begins in class, approximately
one section completed each week
Costume Brainstorm
Black and White Sketch

Timeline
Where
Completed
At home
At home
In class
In class
At home and on
library field trip
In class
At home and in
class
At home
In Class
Modeled in
class/Completed
at home
In class
At school
In Art Class

Editing of paper, peer, home and teacher

In class
Timeline Final draft
At home
Final draft of paper
At home
Souvenirs Created
At school
(An optional afterschool workshop will be held
for students to begin working on souvenirs.
they will need to finish at home.)
Presentation board completed
In Class
Costume completed
At home
Participation in N.O.N presentation
At school (6-8pm)

7th and 6th grade

8th grade
Due
Due
Date
Date
3/2/15
3/2/15
3/2/15
3/2/15
3/3/15
3/3/15
3/5/15
3/4/15
3/9/15
3/9/15
Week of
3/9/15
Week of
3/16
3/19/15
3/30/15
4/2/15

Week of
3/9/15
Week of
3/9/15
NA
3/30/15
3/30/15

4/6/15

4/6/15

4/8/14
Week of
4/13/15
4/14/15
4/16/15
4/16/15
4/21/15

4/8/15
Week of
4/6/15
4/14/15
4/16/15
4/16/15
5/6/15

4/27/15
4/30/14
5/7/15

4/27/15
4/30/15
5/7/15

Tch.
Initials