The Decades Project
Gifted Ga. Studies 8th Grade Project
Mrs. Rogers
Have you ever heard an older person comment how different things are now from when they were your age? What is it that defines our times? If you were to meet someone from the distant future, what would you share to help that person understand who we are, how we live, and what makes us what we are? If you had the chance to go back in time, what clues or evidence would you look for to discover what it was like to live at that time?
In small, cooperative groups, you will research the ins and outs of a particular decade. The decades that you will be asked to research are the 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s and the
1990’s. Your group members will be given class time to research the decade that you have been given. You may need to communicate with each other to do some of your work at home as well. Your group will have an entire class period to teach the class about your decade. The group project must include the following:
Powerpoint Presentation – not to exceed more than 8 slides including your title slide.
Demonstration of dance/song that represent the times to teach to the class
Group members should be dressed in the style of clothing popular during their decade.
Skit of event that occurred during the decade.
Share and explain a song, including a presentation of the lyrics to explain a cultural, political, or social event of the decade.
Your presentations must cover the following topics:
1. General Facts:
Population of the U.S., Life Expectancy, Average Annual Earnings, and other demographic information – COMPARE COUNTRY DATA TO GEORGIA DATA!
2. Books & Literature:
Books that defined the times, influential authors, magazines, etc. - FOCUS ON GEORGIA AUTHORS!
3. Fads, Fashion, & Sports:
Slang terms, styles of clothing worn, sports figures & teams, etc.
4. Historic Events, politics, people
The presidents, landmark court cases, wars, treaties, etc. – INCLUDE GEORGIA EVENTS!
5. Music:
Popular artists and music of the time period – INCLUDE GEORGIA MUSICIANS!
6. Theatre, Film, Television, & Radio:
Popular movies, actors, radio & television programs
7. Inventions & Medical Discoveries:
Inventions and discoveries that changes our world!
Decades Project Grading Criteria
Group Members: ______
Decade: ______Period ______Due Date______
Activity / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5Powerpoint / Less than 8 slides / 8 slides – all text / 8 slides – mostly text / 8 slide – balance of text and images / 8 slides – uses animation, color, images, interesting text
Demonstration
Of dance or song / Does not have this portion of project / Song or dance is at least 1 minute long and most participate / Song or dance is at least 1 minute long and all
participate / Song or dance include background info of its origin and all participate / Song or dance include background, all participate, and group instruction is clearly provided
Lyrics, Music, and Explanation of a cultural or political song / Does not have this portion of project / Has song and lyrics but it is not political or cultural / Has song and lyrics but no explanation / Has song and lyrics but cannot connect explanation to decade / Has song and lyrics and can clearly explain cultural or political connection
Decade Clothing / No effort to dress in style of decade / Some dress in style of decade / All dress in style of decade / All dress in style of decade and do fashion show / All dress in style, do fashion show, and share common slang of time
Skit of Event
Of the decade / No skit provided / Skit provided but unclear, all do not participate, or not rehearsed / Skit provided and is clear, all participated, but unrehearsed / Skit provided, is clear, all participated, and is rehearsed / Skit meets all criteria AND is exceptional due to subject matter and effort of the “actors”
Total Points = ______
25 points =10024 points =9823 points = 9623 points = 9422 points =9221 points = 90
20 points = 8818 points = 8617 points = 8416 points = 8215 points = 8014 points = 78
13 points = 7612 points = 7410 points = 72Below 10 points = 65
It is possible for group members to not receive the same points, depending on his or her actual research participation and presentation participation. The group itself and I will evaluate this at the end of the project. Be aware that I am looking at your work effort throughout the research and work effort.