Heroes of the American Revolution—Multi-Genre Project
TASK
Research the life of ONE important figure from the American Revolution and compose a portfolio
encompassing a variety of writing that provides a clear picture of that individual.
TEKS
5.2 (B) Identify the Founding Fathers and Patriot heroes, including John Adams, Samuel Adams, Benjamin
Franklin, Nathan Hale, Thomas Jefferson, the Sons of Liberty, and George Washington, and their motivations
and contributions during the revolutionary period
STEPS
Here is a general outline of the steps needed to complete the project. Use the checklist and rubric to ensure you
have met the standard!
1. Choose WHO you are going to research and begin reading about them from a variety of sources
(internet, library, media, and textbook). You may need to take notes about what you read!
2. Begin making a list of significant events that the figure influenced, including their contributions and
motivations. Do further research as necessary to learn more!
3. Select 4-6 appropriate genres for your figure and begin composing! Work through the writing process to
complete your pieces.
4. Construct a book with a cover and table of contents AND the FINAL copies of your writing pieces.
Make sure that YOUR NAME, as the author and illustrator, are included on the cover! Include a
BIBLIOGRAPHY page to cite the sources you have used.
CHECKLIST
I have a cover with an illustration, the name of my historical figure, and my name as the author of the
portfolio.
I have a table of contents.
I have 4-6 written pieces.
*My pieces are complete. They are neatly written or typed.
*Each piece looks like the genre. For example, letters have an opening and closing. A diary has a
date. A magazine article LOOKS like a magazine article.
*Information is accurate.
*Pieces that require illustrations have illustrations (encyclopedia article, comic strip, etc.).
I have a bibliography page that cites my sources.
Heroes of the American Revolution—Multi-Genre Project
WHO SHOULD I RESEARCH?
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Founding Fathers
Patriot heroes
John Adams
Samuel Adams
Benjamin Franklin
Nathan Hale
Thomas Jefferson
The Sons of Liberty
George Washington
WHAT GENRE SHOULD I USE TO
COMMUNICATE MY FINDINGS?
 Biography
 Brochure
 Cartoon
 Character Sketch
 Comic Strip
 Complaint Letter
 Diary Entry
 Encyclopedia Entry
 Essay (make your own prompt and respond)
 Graphic Organizer/Thinking Map
 How-To Article
 Interview
 Jokes and Riddles
 Letter
 List (Include at least 8 items)
 Magazine Article
 Map
 News Article
 Opinion Essay
 Persuasive Essay or Letter
 Piggy-Back Song
 Play (Script)
 Poem (can use a VARIETY of poems)
 Poster
 Resume
 Speech
 Story Retelling
 Tall Tale
 Trading Card (like a baseball card)
 STUDENT CHOICE—If you have an idea not
listed here, please come see me!
Name __________________ Date __________________ Project__________________ Score ______
PROJECT RUBRIC—Specific expectations for EACH assignment are communicated to student.
CONVENTION
S
CONTENT
ABOVE AND BEYOND
(75)
EXCELLENT
(70)
Includes 100% of required
elements
Includes at least 90% of required
elements
Demonstrates deep understanding
of concepts, skills, and/or
application of strategies
***Evidence that the student
extends his/her knowledge by
making connections, elaborating,
and/or applying the content, skill,
or strategy in a new way
***Project contains something
extraordinary
Demonstrates strong understanding
of concepts, skills, and/or
application of strategies
Project is neat, complete, and
consistently organized to achieve
desired purpose
Project is neat, complete, and
consistently organized to achieve
desired purpose
Presentation is eye-catching and
presents the material in a creative,
unique way—Multiple graphics,
colors, and text are used to
support the project’s purpose
Presentation is appealing and
includes multiple graphics, colors,
and text that support the project’s
purpose
Multiple facts, details, and
examples are included and are
accurate and relevant,
STRONGLY supporting the central
message of the project—Sources
are cited when applicable
(25)
Applies grade level conventions
accurately—
Makes few, if any, errors in
grade level conventions
Multiple facts, details, and examples
are included and are accurate and
relevant, supporting the central
message of the project—Sources
are cited when applicable
(20)
Demonstrates overall control of
grade level conventions--Makes some errors, but they do not
significantly detract from meaning
and readability
SATISFACTORY
(65)
REQIUIRED ELEMENTS
Includes at least 80% of required
elements
LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING
Demonstrates average
understanding of concepts, skills,
and/or application of strategies
***Few, if any, misunderstandings
are present
ORGANIZATION & VISUAL APPEAL
Project organization makes sense
so that the piece achieves its’
purpose, but organization may not
be consistent
Presentation is appealing and
includes some graphics, colors, and
text that support the project’s
purpose
CREDIBILITY
Some facts, details, and examples
are included supporting the central
message of the project—Sources
are cited when applicable
(20)
Demonstrates overall control of
grade level conventions--Makes some errors, but they do not
significantly detract from meaning
and readability
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
(55)
UNSATISFACTORY
(45)
Includes at least 70% of required
elements
Missing more than 30% of
required elements
Demonstrates basic understanding
of concepts, skills, and/or
application of strategies
***Some misunderstandings are
present
Evidence of understanding is not
present
***There may be multiple
misunderstandings
OR
***Not enough information has
been provided to demonstrate
understanding
Organization is inconsistent-Improvement is needed for project
to achieve desired purpose
Organization is lacking and does
not achieve desired purpose
Presentation needs improvement-Graphics, colors, and text used are
limited and/or do not support the
project’s purpose
Presentation needs major
improvement-- Graphics, colors,
and text, if used, are very limited
and do not support the project’s
purpose
Limited facts, details, and examples
are included and may or may not
support the central message of the
project—Sources may or may not
be cited
Facts, details, and examples, if
included, do not support the
central message of the project—
Sources may or may not be cited
(13)
Attempts grade level conventions—
Makes errors and some may
detract from meaning and
readability
(10)
Lacks grade level conventions—
Makes numerous errors that
detract from meaning and
readability
***Conventions include punctuation, capitalization, handwriting, spelling, and grammar.***