Name: Period: Date:

Civil War Project

As we end the year, we will conduct a research project on the Civil War. A reminder: projects are not simply retelling. Therefore, a poster or diorama will not work for this assignment. Your projects should creatively illustrate and respond to one of these objectives: 1. Compare and contrast the North and South prior to, and during, the Civil War. Should include, but not limited to, geography, economy, culture, and politics. 2. Consider whether or not the presidency of Abraham Lincoln was successful. Should include, but not limited to, the Election of 1860, the Emancipation Proclamation, etc. 3. Describe the life of people involved in the Civil War. Should include, but not limited to, soldiers on either side of the battle, African-American involvement in the war, or leaders of the US and Confederacy. 4. Explain the causes of the Civil War. 5. Decide if the Post-War Reconstruction process was fair to both the Confederate States and the loyal Union States. 6. Evaluate the strategy and tactics of the Union and Confederacy military leaders. Once you have chosen what you will study, you need to decide how youll show what youve learned. Your options are from the following: 1. Create a website (using Google Sites) to display your work. A Prezi would be another effective alternative. 2. Create a podcast or photo story to narrate your work, complete with photos and illustrations. 3. Create a series of maps to illustrate the differences in strategy and tactics employed by the two combatants. 4. Create a journal to describe and bring to life the perspectives of various people, cultures, or political belief. 5. Create a Newspaper to describe and bring to life the perspectives of various people, cultures, or political beliefs. 6. Film and edit a reenactment which compares culture or the tactical and strategic differences of the two sides. 7. Create a story (print and/or illustration) to elaborate on your response to the above goals.

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*I will accept ANY other idea which accomplishes the objectives of this project. If you have an idea not listed, please talk to me. *Rubrics will be shared with students by the week of 5/6. *You may work on this project with a partner, or in a group of 3. No bigger groups. I will provide resources, but encourage you to visit a library on your own time. There is an abundance of material covering the Civil War, but, evaluate them for accuracy. A number of sites are inaccurate or selling products. Find facts from multiple sources to confirm its accuracy. *Before working with a partner, it is strongly advised that students compare extra-curricular and family schedules to ensure that they can arrange outside work time, if necessary. Though the majority of class time will be dedicated to work, guidance, and research, it is advised to prepare in case you cannot finish. My partner is in baseball is not a valid reason for failing to complete the project. *Students will share their project with their classmates in a 4-7 minute presentation. Classmates then get to ask some questions about the work, based on their engagement and interest in the work presented. Students should be prepared to explain what they did and follow up with something which may not have made it into the presentation.
*Students will sign up to present their final product via a shared google doc. Final projects are due at the time students sign up. Students failing to present on their due date may be penalized.

Due Dates for the Civil War Project:

Wednesday, May 1st Complete Google Survey with your Project Info. Decide WHAT you are studying, and HOW you are displaying it. Friday, May 10th Collection of 10 resources to use for research; at least one must be primary, and at least one must be a book. For partners, the total number is 15. Groups of 3 must use 25. Wednesday, May 15th Collection of at least 30 pieces of evidence, or facts must be complete. This is to ensure that students are moving towards production of their final product. Wednesday, May 22nd Rough draft of project due. Share with Mr. Little your project for feedback. Specifics of rough draft vary by project. Tuesday, May 28th Friday, May 31st Presentation of Projects to classmates.