APUSH Reform in America (1820-1860)
In the forty years prior to the Civil War, a number of reform movements developed in the US. Fueled by the spirit of the Second Great Awakening, these reformers desired to improve American society. This project is designed to provide an overview of this period. Each student will play two roles: a member of a specific reform movement and a US Senator.
Part I
Congratulations! You and your fellow reformers have been invited to testify before the Select Senate Committee on Improving American Society. The Committee is responsible to determine which reform group will get funding from the federal government. Your job is to develop a presentation that will convince the Senators to fund your specific group. Each group’s presentation should include:
· 3-4 page report that includes a description of the problem(s) your group wishes to fix, your proposal to solve the problem and why you believe this issue deserves funding. Reports should have the appropriate documentation.
· a short PowerPoint presentation (5-8 slides) which describes your proposal and attempts to convince the Committee to fund your proposal. Lots of pretty pictures are good.
The Committee will meet to hear presentations starting December 2. We will spend two days in the computer lab to work on these presentations. The rest of the preparation time is up to you.
Part II
Congratulations! You have just been elected to the US Senate and have been assigned to sit on the Select Senate Committee on Improving American Society. Starting on December 2, you will hear a number of presentations by reform groups requesting money to fund their various reforms. Your job is to determine which groups deserve money. Since funds are limited, only two groups can receive funding. To help you make your decision, you will be permitted to ask questions of the witnesses and witness reports will be made available for your use. One week after the hearings, you will submit a paper which:
· Lists your two choices
· Explains why you made those choices
· Explains why you rejected the other groups
Temperance / Women / Abolition / Education / Prisons and Mentally IllAlphy / Nicole / Andreas / Eileen / Kayla
Ludendorf / Matthew / Carlo / Alexandra / Natalia
Ben / Emma / Cassandra / Lauren / Jennifer
Paul / Melissa / Tyana / Angelina / Sofia
Ashley / Kimberly / Christiane / Jordan / Jonah
Jenna / Uri
PowerPoint Rubric
4 / 3 / 2 / 1Content
/ · Covered topic in depth· Clear evidence of research
· Answered all questions / · Covered topic
· Some evidence of research
· Answered most questions / · Covered topic somewhat
· Average evidence of research
· Answered some questions / · Didn’t really cover the topic
· Below average evidence of research
· Answered few questions
Mechanics
/ · Excellent use of proper grammar· Very well planned
· Very logical flow of information / · Good use of proper grammar
· Somewhat well planned
· Somewhat logical flow of information / · Average use of proper grammar
· Well planned
· Logical flow of information / · Poor use of grammar
· Not well planned
· Poor flow of information
Technical Requirements / · Proper number of slides
· Included many appropriate graphics
· Legible font, background / · Good number of slides
· Included some appropriate graphics
· Legible font, background / · Average number of slides
· Included a few appropriate graphics
· Legible font, background / · Poor number of slides
· Included no appropriate graphics
· Illegible font, background
Oral Presentation Skills / · Spoke very loudly, clearly, slowly, no gum
· Expanded on a lot of information in slides
· No verbal tics / · Spoke somewhat loudly, clearly, slowly, no gum
· Expanded on some information in slides
· No verbal tics / · Spoke loudly, clearly, slowly, no gum
· Expanded on a little information in slides
· A few verbal tics / · Spoke softly unclearly, quickly, gum
· Didn’t expand on information in slides
· Many verbal tics
APUSH
Reform in America Project Grade Sheet
Actual Text (50%) ______(out of 10 points x 5) = ______
PowerPoint (40%) ______(out of 4 points x 10) = ______
Peer Evaluation of Group Work (10%) =______
TOTAL