The Process

1.  As a team, the first thing you will want to do is study the evaluation rubric.  Notice the point values in each section.  As you plan, review the rubric and make sure you are completing all parts of the rubric.

2.  Next, you will name your Committee.  The name should be related to an American Revolution and/or American Independence subject.  For ideas go to: 

http://www.ushistory.org/march/phila/background.htm

http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/H/1994/chap3.htm

http://www.marvelcreations.com/independence.html

or do a search through yahooligans.com or kidsclick.org using keywords "American Revolution".  Your group’s committee name will be used on the presentation and other products that are produced.

3.     Each member of the group will take on a role.  One will be the caterer, another will be the party planner, and the third will be the speech-writer.  Be sure to mark and record your URLs as you do your individual work.  URLs must be cited and credited for all sites and graphics you use.  Use this web site to help generate proper citations: http://www.noodletools.com/noodlebib/starter.php 

4.  Each role has specific instructions: click the icons below to read them.

Caterer:  Food – research typical American picnic and/or bar-b-que party foods and create two menus.  The menus should include two choices of non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, main courses and desserts.  These may be served for both lunch and dinner or you can have two different menus.

An icon that represents the United States with a famous quote from an American speech or document will serve as the design for the foodware (plates, tables clothes, etc.).  This design will be on the menu for demonstration purposes.

Party Planner:  Location – research a park or some other public place in your area for the party and find out where fireworks are displayed in the evening.  These may be two different places.   An invitation has to be created that includes a descriptive paragraph providing an historical explanation of the holiday.  Remember to include dress suggestions and a map with directions.

Two lists need to be prepared. 

a. One is an agenda of activities, such as, three-legged race, softball, jump rope, etc.  There should be a patriotic kick-off activity.  Remember to make a time for lunch and dinner, and the special guest speaker.

 b. The second list (called a set list) is of the songs that will be played and/or sung during the day.

Speech Writer:  An assigned historical character of the period needs to be researched.   You will represent that person at the class independence day celebration so you need to find something that will identify him or her.  For example, Teddy Roosevelt is identified by a big stick.  A brief speech (two minutes) needs to be written to explain who the person was and what part s/he played in the American Revolution.  That speech will be delivered at the class party. 

5.  After each team member has done his/her part:

Caterer has researched and created a menu, and chosen a foodware design and motto;

The party planner has created an invitation and an agenda for the activities including music;

And the speech writer has written a speech for the historical character and has created a prop to identify the person –

You will work together to make your presentation. You may use software such as PowerPoint to go through all the parts with slides, or you may make word documents and print them up onto transparencies. You will have access to a computer connected to a projector to display your work to the class during your presentation.

- Be sure each part is balanced so that the amount of time and visuals are evenly distributed between the three parts

6. Practice your presentation so that it is smooth and the technical parts work.  Rehearse your oral part so that you won’t need to rely on notes.