Teacher Resources

African American History Project

Research Process
 The Big 6™
RADCAB

Student Directions

Scenario

 You have been selected to produce a segment for Black History Month that will feature a famous African-American figure.  You will need to do the background research using a variety of resources and then compile your information into an interesting and informative Power Point presentation that will be broadcast on Cougar Cable News or the Kemp Elementary Electronic Bulletin Board during the month of February.

#1 Task Definition



What needs to be done?

 The Task
You will choose one famous African American from the approved list.  Planned research activities will help you locate information about your selection from a variety of resources - books, videos, primary sources, and websites  You will use the information to complete a biography organizer.  Using this organizer, you will then create a storyboard for your Power Point project.

The Product
You will create and produce a segment for Black History Month honoring a famous African-American.  The final project will be in the form of an electronic slide show using Power Point software.

#2 Information Seeking Strategies


What resources can I use?

 Your first activity is to select the famous African-American that will be your subject for your Black History Month electronic segment.  Before making that selection, complete at least three of the following activities - make sure you make a list of people that interest you!
  • Explore the interactive Timeline of important events and Trailblazers in African American History at the Scholastic website.  You will find 32 men and women who helped change history!
  • Throughout the years the United States Postal Service has issued African American History-related stamps to commemorate African Americans who have made a difference to America's history.  Look at the list of subjects featured on a postage stamp and explore at least 5 to find out their role in American History.
  • African-Americans have made significant contributions in many areas, including the arts, athletics, politics, and science.  Explore at least one icon from each of the seven areas in this History Channel website.
  • Explore Black History from A to Z at the Kulture Kidz website!  Look at the entries for your three initials or explore all 26!
  • You can discover 101 fun and interesting facts about African-American history at the biography.com website!  Uncover at least 3 facts in each section - Inventions & Discoveries; Little Known; Records Breaking; and Firsts.
  • Complete the Black History Internet Scavenger Hunt!  Select either Black History 101 or Black History 102 - or you can complete both!  Use the links at the bottom of the page to find the answers!
  • Print and complete one of the following puzzles:
    Famous Firsts Word Search                                 Famous Firsts Crossword 

Now consult with your teacher to select your famous African-American.  Choose carefully....you will be spending a lot of time with them during the school year!

#3 Location and Access
 

 


Where can I find these resources?

Your next step is to locate information about your famous African-American!  Before you start taking notes, use the Available Resources organizer to identify what resources are available for your subject.  Rotate through the centers in the media center to locate resources.

  1. Cobb Virtual Library
         World Book Online
         Grolier Online
         Gale Jr. Reference
  2. Websites:
         Biography.com - 200 Notables
         Gale Group Biographies
         Library of Congress - Meet Amazing Americans
         Two Centuries of Black Leadership: Biographical Sketches
             exploredc.org
         NetTrekker
  3. Destiny
         Look for books, videos, magazines, and websites
  4. Reference area of the media center
         Use the books listed on the organizer
  5. Streaming Video
         Meet with Ms. Mullen to locate videos

#4 Use of Information

 

What can I use from these resources?

Now that you have identified and located your available resources, it's time to find the information you need to complete your project!  You will use an Inspiration organizer to take notes from your resources and a Working Bibliography sheet to collect the data needed for your final bibliography.  You will find the forms and complete instructions below:

  1. Note Organizer - Before beginning your research, carefully read the organizer text boxes so you are familiar with the information that is required to complete your project!  The larger the text box, the more important the information is for your presentation!  Try to limit your notes to key words and phrases instead of copying the text.  Remember to add the citation information from each source you actually use to your Working Bibliography.  Place the corresponding bibliography number next to the notes on your organizer.  For example, if you find information about the schooling of your subject in a book, you will add the info to your Note Organizer and add the bibliography info to your Working Bibliography.  If you place the bibliography info on #1 in your Working Bibliography, you will place a #1 next to the schooling note.
  2. Working Bibliography - The bibliography worksheet has a sample of the citation information needed and the correct order for the variety of resources you will be using.  As you are adding a resource to your worksheet, check the samples at the top of the sheet to make sure you include ALL of the info needed to produce a final bibliography for your project.
        

#5 Synthesis

What can I make to finish the job?

 Now you are going to put all of your research to work to create your final project!  Review the Scenario and Task #1 above to refresh your memory about why you have been working on all of the research!
  1. Use the Storyboard worksheet (page 1 and page 2) to create the slides needed for your final project.

  2. Slides must include:

    • Title page - must include your famous person's name
    • Author page - include your name and your teacher's name
    • Bibliography page - follow the format on your Working Bibliography - only include the resources that you actually use in your project.
    • Primary source - quotation, product (poem, song, etc.), or artifact
    • Why person is famous
    • At least 1 “wow” fact
    • Minimum of 7 slides

  3. Content & Design rules

    • Spelling & grammar count!  Take advantage of peer editing!
    • Use a color scheme that is easily viewable
    • Use a font large enough to view from across the classroom.
    • Limit text per page to readable amount
    • Limit bells & whistles!
    • Use only one transition style for entire show
    • Set the slide timing so lower grades can read the info
  4. When your storyboard has been completed and approved by your teacher, you are ready to being your PowerPoint presentation.  Review the Rubric below for reminders about what needs to be included!

#6 Evaluation

How will I know I did my job well?

  
Click here to see the rubric by which your research process and project will be assessed.

Reflection: Complete the self-assessment portion of the rubric before posting your project.  Did you complete by the due date?  After scoring the rubric, is there anything you can change to improve your project?  Is your project ready to be shared with the school community?

When you are satisfied with your project, use Save as to save to the shared drive in the 5th Grade Black History Projects folder.  Save in your homeroom teacher's folder using your person's last name and your last name as the file name.  (EX: Tubman Mullen)