Trail of Tears Artifacts

Date Due: Beginning of class Wednesday Nov. 11th

For this assignment you will create an artifact representing the removal of the Native Americans and their displacement to reservations in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Create one of the following:

  • Journal entry: Write a series of 5 journal entries from the point of view of a Native American traveling on the Trail of Tears or of an army soldier who is rounding up the Native Americans for the journey. Describe what is happening, including many historical facts. Tell how it feels to be involved in these events. (The journal should be at least 2 ½ pages in length, or about ½ page per entry).
  • Artwork: Create a piece of artwork depicting the event. This could be a scene such as Native Americans packing up their belongings, preparing for their journey, or traveling along the trail. Drawings of the soldiers “rounding up” the Native Americans or the scavengers waiting to take the belongings that were left behind would also be a good subject. Include a written description (1+ paragraphs) of the events that are represented in your artwork.
  • Poetry: Create a poem/song/rap about the displacement of the Native Americans or their journey on the Trail of Tears.Include many facts, and also convey the emotions associated with this event. Your creation should be a minimum of 40 lines of poetry.

Your artifact must be based on research that you have done on the topic. If you choose to create a piece of artwork, make sure to refer to visual representations of the event so that it will be authentic. If you write a journal or a work of poetry your facts must be specific and historically accurate.

JOURNAL/POEM RUBRIC

A (90-100) / B (80-89) / C (70-79) / F (0-69)
Content / Writing demonstrates exceptional knowledge of The Trail of Tears / Writing demonstrates above average knowledge of the Trail of Tears. / Writing demonstrates average knowledge of the Trail of Tears. / Writing demonstrates below average knowledge of the Trail of Tears.
Support / Information is related to and supportive of the topic. / Information has minor weaknesses in relatedness to the topic. / Information has major weaknesses in relatedness to topic. / Information is not related to topic.
Style / Exhibits skillful use of vocabulary that is precise and purposeful / Exhibits reasonable use of vocabulary that is precise and purposeful. / Exhibits minimal use of vocabulary that is precise and purposeful. / Lacks vocabulary that is precise and purposeful.
Message / Writing conveys strong message and emotions about the Trail of Tears. / Writing conveys strong message or emotions about the Trail of Tears. / Writing conveys some emotion and message about the Trail of Tears. / Writing conveys little or no message or emotion about the
Trail of Tears.

ARTWORK RUBRIC

A (90-100) / B (80-89) / C (70-79) / F (0-69)
Content / Demonstrates exceptional knowledge of The Trail of Tears / Demonstrates above average knowledge of the Trail of Tears. / Demonstrates average knowledge of the Trail of Tears. / Demonstrates below average knowledge of the Trail of Tears.
Style, Neatness, Design / Exhibits exceptional effort and creativity in design and execution / Exhibits above average effort, neatness, and creativity in design and execution / Exhibits average effort, neatness, and creativity in design and execution / Exhibits below average effort, neatness, and creativity in design and execution
Paragraph / Writing is detailed, accurate, and explains the artwork thoroughly. / Writing is detailed, accurate, and explains the artwork generally. / Writing is somewhat detailed, accurate, and explains the artwork minimally. / Writing is not detailed, accurate, and/or does not explain the artwork.