North Carolina Social Studies Final Project

Lacy Elementary School, 4th grade

North Carolina Social Studies Final Project

All fourth graders will do a Social Studies final project. Deadlines are listed below. The purpose of this project is to integrate and apply the skills the students have learned in language arts and Social Studies, specifically researching, note taking, informational writing and North Carolina, in a creative and educational way. The primary goal is student learning and exploration.

The project is a three-part assignment. It is mainly a work-at-home project; all research and developing of the visual project will be done at home. Writing will be done in class and home, so student should bring research to class on a daily basis.

Students will earn three grades for the assignment: written report, oral presentation and visual aid. Students should use the attached rubric for guidance as they work on the project.

There will be five deadlines for the project:

April 7 Assignment selected and parent letter signed and turned in

April 28 Rough draft for written report due (If completed earlier, please turn in earlier)

May 5 Final written report due (If completed earlier, please turn in earlier)

May 12 Visual aid due (Please bring in that day only)

May 15-June 2 Oral presentations

Project Guidelines

1.  The written report is an informational writing piece using an information writing tone. The written report must be typed and one to two pages long, a minimum of five paragraphs with an introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion.

2.  Students should use an Arial font in 12 point. All type should be flush left with paragraph indentations and black ink.

3.  All work should be written in student's own words, paraphrased from the reference. No copying from the Internet, book or parents.

4.  A list of references, including books, magazines, Internet, etc., should be listed on an attached sheet behind the written report.

5.  Paragraphs should be a minimum of three- five sentences. A clear topic sentence begins each paragraph with details to support the topic sentence.

6.  The visual report should be neat, easy to follow and relevant to the topic. Students should not use poster board, but can use the three-panel presentation boards. Other examples could be used.

7.  If possible, students can bring in flash drives to work on their projects when time is available.

8.  An oral report will be given in class. We will also have a class project tour for all fourth graders to view the various projects.

9.  Deadlines are essential; one point will be taken off each day a deadline is not met.

Questions about the project can be directed to your child’s social studies teacher: Mrs. Black at , Mrs. Jones at , or Ms. Dodge at .

Attached: Topic suggestions, Parent letter, Assignment sheet, Project rubric

Topic Suggestions (You can chose your own)
Adopt a N.C. County: Contact the chamber of commerce for the county you chose. Ask them to send you some information about the county. Research your county and present historical information about the county as well as any special landmarks, resources, etc. in that county.
My Law: Is there something important for North Carolina that you feel should become law? Create a bill to present to the General Assembly. Research the format the bill should be in for presentation, create your bill and describe the process for approval.
American Indians in North Carolina: Pick a tribe of North Carolina, and research its history, cultures and impact on the state. Example of the visual aid could be a model of the type of structures they lived in.
Map of North Carolina: Research a certain topic that relates to the geography of North Carolina and write about the state's geography in reference to the topic. Visual aids could include 3D maps, like salt maps, or detailed map drawings. Topics can include natural resources, landmarks, three regions, etc.
Wars of North Carolina: Research the impact and/or involvement of North Carolina in the Revolutionary or Civil Wars. You can focus on the overview of the war you pick, or a particular battle within that war and its impact on North Carolina.
North Carolina's Government: Research the three branches of North Carolina government and create a project from your research. Be detailed.
North Carolina's Symbols: Research the various symbols of North Carolina, i.e. the state bird or flower. Must pick a minimum of five and research the history of each.
North Carolina Landmarks: Pick a N.C. landmark and research its history and other facts. Examples include Biltmore House, lighthouses, Great Dismal Swamp, Chimney Rock, etc.
North Carolina Legends and Ghost Stories: North Carolina has many legends and ghost stories. Research one of them and present your findings.
North Carolina and Pirates: What was the effect of pirates on North Carolina? Who are our famous pirates? Research the history of piracy in N.C.
North Carolina Festivals: From the Azalea Festival to the Highland Games, North Carolina knows how to celebrate. Pick a state wide festival and research its history and purpose.
Running for Governor: You decide to run for governor. Come up with a political campaign to reflect your views or platform. Give us a general timeline of the process of running for office (deadlines, official papers to file, etc.)
North Carolina's Natural Resources and Industries: We know about sweet potatoes in the coast and the technological prowess of Research Triangle Park. Pick an industry or natural resource and research its effect on the N.C. economy.
Life during Colonial Times in N.C. Research how families lived during colonial times and describe it.
Other: Must be approved by teacher

Assignment (Keep this form)

Below is a list of suggestions for your North Carolina Social Studies Final Project. You are not limited to the list, but can come up with your own suggestion and present it to your teacher for approval. Select a topic and a type of visual aid to reflect your topic. Once your topic is approved, you may start researching and writing your paper. For proper grading time, the paper is due first, followed by the visual aid a week later.

Visual Aid (pick one)
(No poster board; three-panel presentation
boards are fine)
Diorama
Model
Project board
Journal or scrapbook
Time line
Cookbook
Power point (on flash drive)
Map (drawn or 3D)
Comic or Graphic "Novelette"
Game Board
Magazine type article with pictures
Other
Your selection (Write below)
TOPIC:
VISUAL AID:

Keep for reference. Writing assignment can be turned in before due date.

Name: ______Period: ______HR Code: ______

Below are the rubrics to assist in the grade of the North Carolina Social Studies Final Project. Make sure you revert back to them as you work on your assignment.

Writing Rubric

Writing assignment is due May 5, 2017

Your writing assignment is to write a one to two page typed informational report on your topic; please double space and use 12 pt. in Arial font. Black type only, flushed left with paragraph indentations. Please be concise and detailed. An additional page of your resources must be included.

Component / Level 4: Above Expectations / Level 3: Meets Expectations / Level 2: Approaching Expectations / Level 1: Expectations not met / Score
Ideas / The main idea or topic sentence is clearly defined. Extensive facts and details to elaborate on the topic are included. Writer draws from 4 or more sources of information. / The main idea or topic sentence is evident. Includes appropriate facts and details about the topic. Excludes irrelevant details and inappropriate information. Draws from 2-3 sources of information. / The main idea can be identified. There are some appropriate facts and details about the topic, but information may be limited. Draws from only one source of information. / The main idea is not identifiable. The writer did not add enough relevant information about the topic. Some information is inappropriate. There is not source of information.
Organization
1 1/2 to 2 pages ONLY / The paper is well organized, with each paragraph building in a logical and effective sequence. The writing includes an engaging introduction, a body of relevant information with good flow, and a conclusion that reinforces the main idea. Transitions are used effectively. / The paper is organized in a logical sequence.
The writing is developed with a functional introduction, body and conclusion. Transitions are appropriate and connect the ideas within the paragraph. / The structure is loosely organized, and may not flow in a logical sequence.
The writing is beginning to develop with functional introduction, body and conclusion. Transitions are sometime used to connect the ideas within the paragraphs. / The structure is not evident. The writing does not include a clear introduction, body and conclusion. Transitions are not used effectively.
Style / Writer engages the reader by using tone or voice appropriate to the topic, purpose and audience. Writer uses a range of strategies, such as strong and varied vocabulary and descriptive language, to convey the writer's personality and purpose.
Informational writing voice used. / Writer engages the reader by using tone or voice appropriate to the topic, purpose and audience. Writer uses some strategies, such as varied vocabulary and descriptive language, effectively to convey the writer's personality. Informational writing voice used. / Writer begins to engage the reader by using tone or voice appropriate to the topic, purpose and audience but the voice is not well developed. Inconsistently uses varied vocabulary and descriptive language. / Writer does not use appropriate tone, purpose or audience. Writer does not use varied vocabulary or descriptive language.
Conventions / Contains correct sentence usage, grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation to make the writer's ideas understandable. / Some sentence usage, grammar, spelling, capitalization, and/or punctuation are present, but they do not interfere with the meaning. / Some sentence usage, grammar, spelling, capitalization, and/or punctuation interrupt the flow of communication and interfere with the meaning. / Some sentence usage, grammar, spelling, capitalization, and/or punctuation prevent the reader from understanding the writer's message.
Guidelines met / Only 1 to 2 pages typed, double spaced, flush left, paragraph indented, black type, Arial font. / Missed one or two of guidelines listed to the left. / Missed two to three of guidelines listed to the left. / Missed more than three of the guidelines listed to the left.
Deadlines met / Rough draft and final copy met deadline. / Did not meet at least one deadline. / Did not meet both deadlines / Paper was more than two days late
Comments/grade/
total

Visual aid and oral presentation rubrics on back.

Keep for reference Please do not turn in visual aid until due date.

Visual Aid/Oral Presentation Rubric

Due dates: Visual aid is due May 12, 2017. Oral presentations will be conducted in class the weeks of May 15-June 2, 2017.

Component / Level 4: Above Expectations / Level 3: Meets Expectations / Level 2: Approaching Expectations / Level 1: Expectations not met / Score
Organization / Visual aid and oral presentation are sequential and logical. It is easy for the audience to understand the main topic and purpose. / Visual aid and oral presentation are sequential. The audience understands the main topic. / Visual aid and oral presentations are not sequential but audience understands the main topic. / Visual aid and oral presentations are confusing and audience did not follow the information.
Content/Knowledge / Visual aid is all related to the topic. The visual aid is creative and is presented in a clear and concise manner with full understanding of subject manner. All written material was in student’s own words. / Visual aid mostly relates to the topic. It is clear and logical, and contains facts with very few mistakes. Most written material in student’s own words. / Some of the visual aid relates to topic. It reads more like a list of facts, and lacks creativity. Some written material in student’s own words. / Visual aid does not relate to the topic. Lack of creativity. Written material is not in own words.
Visual Product / The visual aid is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. It is easy to follow and not overwhelming. There are no errors to make the project distracting. It is evident that the student created the project. / The visual aid is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. There are a 1-3 errors that are distracting to the overall project. It is evident that the student created the project. / The visual aid is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. There are 4-6 errors that are distracting to the overall project. / The visual aid is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive. There are more than 6 errors.
Necessary items / Name, class block, teacher’s name, and title of project on display / 4 out of 5 items listed to the left on display / 3 out of 5 items listed to the left on display / 1-2 out of 5 items listed to the left on display
Speaking Skills/
Knowledge content / Presenter engages the audience, speaks clearly, makes frequent eye contact and does not refer to his/her notes and/or slides. He/she has good understanding of the content. / Presenter engages the audience, makes good eye contact, speaks clearly, but does refer to notes/slides. He/she knows the topic well, but could not answer relevant questions. / Presenter does not engage the audience and has very little eye contact. He/she relies on notes/slides too much. He/she hesitated in answer questions and had problem answering relevant questions. / The presenter does not look at the audience and totally relies on notes/slides. He/she could not answer questions.
Score
Visual Aid/ Oral Presentation

Final Scores: Written Presentation: ______