Founding Fathers Project
Timeline
Due Date: Wednesday, Jan. 14th
Hand in:
Final copy of Obituary printed on template (get from website)
Works Consulted
Notes/evidence of research
Schedule:
Thursday, Jan. 8:
Library – look through books, use computers
Begin research on Founding Father
Begin Works Consulted
HW – Continue research/take notes
Friday, Jan. 9th:
Library – look through books, use computer
Continue research on Founding Father
Continue Works Consulted
HW – research, finish research on computer over
weekend/take notes. Begin Obituary if possible
Monday, Jan. 12th:
Library – using computers, finish research/take notes
Finish Works Consulted
Write Obituary
HW – Work on Obituary, bring rough draft to class
Tuesday, Jan. 13th
Meet in Regular Class
Share rough drafts of Obituary, get feedback
HW – Type up finished draft of Obituary
Wednesday, Jan. 14th
Hand in final copy of Obituary
Works Consulted
Evidence of Research
Research Guidelines

NAME / ANNOUNCEMENT
o
o
o
o
o
o

LIFE
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Full name of the deceased, including nickname, if any
Age at death
Residence (for example, the name of the city) at death
Day and date of death
Place of death
Cause of death
Date of birth
Place of birth
Names of parents
Childhood: siblings, stories, schools, friends
Marriage(s): date of, place, name of spouse
Education: school, college, university and other
Designations, awards, and other recognition
Employment: jobs, activities, stories, colleagues, satisfactions,
promotions, union activities, frustrations,
Places of residence
Hobbies, sports, interests, activities, and other enjoyment
Charitable, religious, fraternal, political, and other affiliations;
positions held
Achievements
Disappointments
Unusual attributes, humour, other stories
FAMILY
o Survived by (and place of residence):
 Spouse
 Children (in order of date of birth, and their spouses)
 Grandchildren
 Great-grandchildren
 Great-great-grandchildren
 Parents
 Grandparents
 Siblings (in order of date of birth)
 Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
 Friends
 Pets (if appropriate)
o


Predeceased by (and date of death):
 Spouse
 Children (in order of date of birth)
 Grandchildren
 Siblings (in order of date of birth)
 Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
 Pets (if appropriate)
SERVICE
o Day, date, time, place
o Name of officiant, pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, other
information
o Visitation information if applicable: day, date, time, place
o Reception information if applicable: day, date, time, place
o Other memorial, vigil, or graveside services if applicable: day, date,
time, place
o Place of interment
o Name of funeral home in charge of arrangements
o Where to call for more information (even if no service planned)
END
o
o
o
o
o
Memorial funds established
Memorial donation suggestions, including addresses
Thank you to people, groups, or institutions
Quotation or poem
Three words that sum up the life
FOUNDING FATHERS-RESEARCH/WRITING PROJECT
Student Name: _____________________
Category
Voice
20
The individual’s
PERSONALITY
comes through
loud and clear.
The obituary is
supported with
exceptional
details.
Writer makes no
errors in
grammar or
spelling that
distracts the
reader from the
content.
17
The individual’s
PERSONALITY
is very
recognizable.
The obituary is
supported with
effective ideas.
14
The individual’s
PERSONALITY
is somewhat
recognizable.
The obituary is
supported with
adequate ideas.
12
The individual’s
PERSONALITY
is barely
recognizable.
The obituary is
supported with
limited details.
Writer makes 1-2
errors in
grammar or
spelling that
distract the
reader from the
content.
Writer makes 3-4
errors in
grammar or
spelling that
distract the
reader from the
content.
Involvement:
(Focus in
library/class,
Prompt follow
through, Notes,
Works Consulted
sheets filled out,
Drafts, Evidence
of Revisions,
Final product set
up properly)
Involvement:
Writing folder
Exceptional
evidence of
involvement is
apparent.
Very good
evidence of
involvement is
apparent.
Adequate
evidence of
involvement is
apparent.
Writer makes
more than 4
errors in
grammar or
spelling that
distract the
reader from the
content.
Limited evidence
of involvement is
apparent.
All necessary
paperwork is
provided and
organized
properly.
Some necessary
paperwork
and/or proper
organization may
be missing.
Most necessary
paperwork is
missing and/or
not organized
properly.
Word Choice
Word choice is
exceptional. It is
powerful, precise,
and ORIGINAL.
Most necessary
paperwork is
provided and/or
is almost
organized
properly.
Word choice is
effective. It is
appealing,
striking without
being
overwritten, and
almost
ORIGINAL.
Word choice is
adequate and/or
not necessarily
ORIGINAL.
Word choice is
limited and/or not
ORIGINAL.
Content/Ideas
Conventions:
(Grammar and
Spelling)
TOTAL = _________ = _________
120
**The final typed Works Consulted will be graded as a quiz by MS. Ryan
Founding Fathers Research/Writing Project
INTRODUCTION
The Constitution of the United States is truly a remarkable document. The Framers
wanted to devise a plan for a strong central government that would unify the country, as
well as preserve the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. For over 200 years, the
flexibility and strength of the Constitution has guided the nation’s political leaders. While
55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention, only 38 ultimately signed the U.S.
Constitution. A 39th signature, John Dickinson’s, was written by George Reed at
Dickinson’s request.
TASK
You will be conducting research about the life of one of the founding fathers/signers of
the Constitution. While researching and note taking, it is suggested that you focus on
such factors as background, education, family life, personal interests, political life, and so
on. All of this will help to reveal the person’s personality, motivation in taking part in
politics, and his contributions while participating at the Constitutional Convention.
Your biographical information will be used to write an obituary, a historical record of
one’s life. You will have to be selective yet comprehensive about what you include
when preparing the obituary of the Framer of the Constitution whom you chose.
ASSESSMENT
Typed obituary (grading rubric distributed to each student)
Typed Works Consulted (graded by Ms. Ryan)
HELPFUL REFERENCES
Personal Library
MMS Home Page-see Grolier
Websites (also on Mrs. Sandor’s web page under LINKS):
www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/ss-fm.htm
www.bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp
www.colonialhall.com
www.virtualology.com/famousamericans.net/
www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1027.html
www.archives.gov
(click on Constitution and will give multiple options)
www.archives.gov/national-archivesexperience/charters/constitution_founding_fathers.html
www.americanrevolution.com/ppl_biographies.html
Links show shapes of gravestones and designs on headstones:
www.findagrave.com
www.gravematter.com
www.archaeology.com/online/features/nycolonial/graves.html
Some obituary links:
www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/obits/list.html
(You might pick up an idea about creative wording. Check out Martha
Washington; it’s
very interesting!)
www.armchairadvice.co.uk/bereavement/dignity/tributes.asp
(This includes tips for preparing an obituary. This page is written for family
members, but
will help students, too.
Possible guide/checklist:
-Full name of person (including middle, family, maiden names)
-Date and place of birth, names of parents
-Date of death, age and area of residence at death
-Area(s) where lived and/or worked prior to death
-If married, when and to whom
-Military history, honors
-Education, where and what year(s), degree(s)
-Awards, honors
-Important publications or other noteworthy accomplishments
-Work history, where and when
-Important or special organization memberships
-Volunteer activities
-Special interests and/or hobbies for which the person will be especially
remembered
-Survivors: immediate family, children, other relations, special friends
-Family members and/or special friend who predeceased the person
-Cemetery/place of burial