Spring 2012
Perruso & Lombardi
Name ________________________ Block _______ Date __________
Due Date _____________
Chapters 6 & 7
Amendments to the Constitution Project
Directions:
1. Choose any one of the 27 amendments to US Constitution that you recently
learned about in class. Then choose any one of the project ideas listed below to
answer an inquiry question and demonstrate your knowledge of the topic you
have chosen.
2. Create a written proposal (see the sample on the back of this page) for the project
idea you would like to create. The proposal must include the following:
o Must be word-processed
o Include your name(s), an inquiry question (what you want to find answers
to), a plan or sketch, a timeline with benchmarks and the materials and
resources needed for completion.
o Approved by me before you begin your project.
3. Be sure to include the following details in your project. Name the amendment,
provide examples and explain the history surrounding the amendment,
determine if the amendment was a good idea or not and predict what US
history would have been like without it. Finally, identify connections that you
have to the amendment.
Project Ideas:
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Interview with someone who had a direct connection to an amendment
(minimum 8 questions)
Brochure (minimum 4 panels)
Essay (minimum 300 words)
Picture book (minimum 6 pages)
Power point presentation (minimum 6 slides)
Podcast or audio recording (minimum 3 minutes)
Editorial cartoon (minimum 4 panels)
Board game
Smart phone app
or
You create a new suggestion
Spring 2012
Perruso & Lombardi
Follow these steps when writing a proposal (copy and paste the sample below):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
State your purpose. Do this clearly and concisely so that the reader knows immediately why you
are writing the proposal.
Give some background information about why you are proposing your suggestion so that the
reader has a better understanding of what you want to do.
Describe your plan for the project; this is where you give specifics about your plan.
List the materials and resources you will need.
Conclude by restating your project and explaining why it seems like a good idea.
SAMPLE PROPOSAL LETTER
PRO
To: (Teacher’s name)
From: (Student(s) name)
Date: (Today’s date)
Subject: A proposal to Amendments to the Constitution project.
I write this letter to propose (your idea) as a project idea for the Amendment Project. I propose the idea of
creating (project idea) because (state reasons why it’s a good idea). My plan for completing this project
includes (include everything in your plan). The inquiry question I hope to answer is (state the question).
The materials and sources I plan on using for my project include (list your needed materials and resources).
In conclusion, I think this project will be a good idea because (briefly restate why it’s a good idea).
Scoring Rubric
Quality
Standard
5
4
On time
Each piece of
project detailed
Very neat
Identifies
amendment exactly;
demonstrates clear
knowledge of
amendment
Provides several
relevant examples
Clear & logical
explanation
1 day late
Each piece of
project provided
Neat
Identifies & names
amendment;
demonstrates basic
knowledge of
amendment
At least 2 examples
provided
Logical explanation
Explanation is
precise
Explanation is
clearly stated
Clear & logical
explanation
Logical explanation
Connections Clear & logical
Logical explanation
On time
Proposal
Neatness
Indentify &
Explain
Amendment
Examples
Historical
Explanation
Good or
Bad Idea
Predictions
explanation
Creativity
Total
Clever & original;
deep, full, & clear
thinking; takes
successful risks
Interesting &
appealing
Acceptable
3
2 days late
Provides some
pieces of project
Not messy
Names amendment
and provides title
1 example provided
Somewhat logical;
sometimes hard to
understand
Explanation is noted
Somewhat logical;
sometimes hard to
understand
Somewhat logical;
sometimes hard to
understand
Some appeal; shows
some effort
Not
Acceptable
– 1 each day late
Did not complete
Too messy
Nonexistent
Provides no
examples
Nonexistent
No determination of
good or bad idea
Nonexistent
Nonexistent
Non existent