Forrest Gump
 For the next few days, we will watch the movie, Forrest
Gump.
 This movie follows a fictional character who seems to
end up interacting with, and sometimes even
influencing, minor and major historical events
 In this assignment, you will use Forrest Gump to
explore the question of whether art, entertainment,
and fiction can teach us about history, and if so, how.
The Presentation
 As we watch the video, please use the worksheet, or
your own personal notes, to keep track of some of the
parts of the video that you recognize as historical
events from our study of the United States after World
War II.
 When we are finished, you will:
 Choose one or more of the historical events, people, or
phenomena with which Forrest interacts
 Research the event
 Create an oral presentation on the event
Oral Presentation
 Your oral presentation should do the following things:
 Give a short summary of the event, person, or phenomenon in
the film
 Determine the accuracy of the film’s portrayal of the event
(besides Forrest’s role in it), and provide historical evidence
to support what you’re saying

Is this event/person/phenomenon accurately portrayed? Yes/No/Inbetween
 Evaluate this movie as a teaching tool for history
 Is this movie worthwhile in teaching history?
 If so, how could you use it? If not, why not?
 Evaluate if, and how, we can use all art, entertainment, and
fiction to teach people about history
Oral Presentation
 The length of your oral presentation is entirely up to
your discretion. What I will look for :
 Your presentation fully develops all of the ideas and
parts that are necessary (it’s “long” enough)
 Your presentation uses all time efficiently and shows
evidence of planning and practice (it’s not too “long”)
 As with any time we present things, base your oral
presentation around:
 An introduction
 A body (the main part)
 A conclusion
Argument Logic – 12 Points
Excellent – 6-5 points
Good – 4-3 points
Poor – 2-0 points
Logic argues major points and avoids
logical gaps
Evidence used is appropriate, strong,
and supports the main thesis strongly
Virtually no gaps exist in the
presentation’s logic
All information used strongly supports
the main thesis
Some minor gaps and questions may
exist in the presentation’s logic
Most information used strongly
supports the main thesis
The presentation’s arguments make
little or no logical sense
Most of the information in the paper is
weak and does not support the main
thesis
Poor – 2-0 points
Presentation Technique and Structure Excellent – 6-5 points
– 18 Points
Presentation materials support the
Materials are excellently presented,
main ideas of the speakers
and strongly support the arguments
made
Good – 4-3 points
Almost all materials are well
presented, although there may be
some small errors that do not support
the main presentation
Few or no useful materials are
presented to support the arguments
made, or the materials presented do
not work to support the main
argument
Speakers use oral presentation
Speakers use excellent speaking
Speakers may have some small errors Speakers have numerous errors in
techniques (good use of voice, eyetechniques to engage the audience and in speaking, or may not fully use
speaking, and use few, if any, speaking
contact, body language) to engage the support their argument
techniques to engage the audience and techniques to engage their audience
audience and support their argument.
support their argument
and support their argument
Speakers use good presentation
Speakers use excellent presentation
Speakers use mostly good presentation Speakers show poor presentation
mechanics (evidence of preparation,
mechanics with no noticeable errors
mechanics, but may show lack of
techniques – there is little evidence of
smooth transitions, good use of time,
preparation, may struggle with
preparation, transitions are rough, or
introduction and conclusion)
transitions, or may have weak
the introduction and conclusion may
introductions or conclusions
not further the argument
Powerpoint Technique (if applicable) – Excellent – 6-5 points
Good – 4-3 points
Poor – 2-0 points
18 Points
Presenters elaborate or give more
Presenters are able to give much
Presenters elaborate on the points of Presenters only provide information
information from the points on the
information outside of the main points their slides occasionally
clearly listed on the slide
slides
of the slides
Powerpoint “points” are succinct and Points are succinct and powerful
Some points are too long to be
Points are long – “Powerparagraph”
powerful
practical, but overall they are quickly instead of “Powerpoint”
and easily read
Powerpoint fonts, backgrounds,
All slides are very neat, easy to read,
Most slides are neat, easy to read, and Because of font, color, background,
pictures, etc., are easily readable, and and support the presentation
support the presentation
and picture choice, the Powerpoint
do not detract from the presentation
presentation is difficult to read easily
Use of Planning and Work Time
Working Effectively With a Partner
Students are expected to use all time allotted for the project efficiently. Failure If two people choose to work as partners, their work should reflect the efforts
to do so will result in points deducted at the teacher’s discretion.
and hard work of two people, and should also show excellent cooperation.