US+History+Semester+II+Project


 * US HISTORY END OF THE YEAR PROJECT **


 * This project is due to be completed MONDAY, May 20th. You will have a minimum of 5 in-class work days. This will be a **100 point** assignment - Use your time wisely!
 * Consider what you have learned from the ENTIRE year of US History!
 * Select a project from Option 1 (small groups) or Option 2 (individual).

**__ OPTION 1 __** The following four projects are to be completed in groups (2-4 people max) and are VIDEO / movie based. By selecting and completing one of these – you will receive 5 bonus points on your project score.


 * 1a) IN THE LIFE OF AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT** Create a 5-7 minute mini-biography on one of the American presidents. Be sure to include a “cast of characters” that is important in relation to your chosen president. For example, if you chose JFK it would be important to include Lyndon Johnson, Bobby Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, etc. Don’t forget to include major political, economic, social, and cultural events in relation to each presidential administration.

You should have interviews and video clip footage to enhance your stories USE THE WEBSITE [|WEVIDEO] FOR THIS OPTION.
 * 1b) A YEAR IN REVIEW NEWSCAST** Perform a news broadcast that reviews all of the major events from one year in American History. Your broadcast must be 7-10 minutes in length. You must have the following “segments” in your broadcast: (1) Culture –movies, sports, music, the arts, (2) Society – education, law, editorial, (3) Politics – elections, politicians, major issues, foreign & domestic policies, (4) Economics – the economy, the budget, unemployment. You may rename the segments if you like. You must have multiple “anchors” and “field reports.” Be as creative as possible.

USE THE WEBSITE [|WEVIDEO] FOR THIS OPTION.
 * 1c) MUSICAL (PARODY) INTERPRETATION OF A HISTORIC EVENT/PERSON/PERIOD** Create a music video! Choose a contemporary song, change the lyrics, and design a video that illustrates a historic event, person, or period. Your music video should be no shorter than 3 minutes.

USE THE WEBSITE [|WEVIDEO] FOR THIS OPTION.
 * 1d) MOCKUMENTARY OF A KEY HISTORIC PERSON/EVENT/PERIOD** Ever watch **//The Office//** or the movie **//Best in Show//**? These are examples of a fairly recent genre in movie and television. A fictional film that is in the style of a documentary and pretends to be a documentary. A mock documentary. Here’s your chance to rewrite history. Choose a historic person, event, or period and document your topic through your eyes. Mockumentaries are expected to be funny, so this may be a difficult task. You must be aware that certain topics warrant a serious approach and would be inappropriate for this activity (ie. The Holocaust, Civil Rights Movement). Therefore, if you choose this option your group must first get approval from Mr Litecky.

USE THE WEBSITE [|WEVIDEO] FOR THIS OPTION. **__ OPTION 2 __** The following are to be completed ALONE! You will receive 10 bonus points for choosing option “a” or “b” //__Your art must also be accompanied by a short summary (minimum 1 page double spaced typed) that explains your parody and its connections to current American society.__//
 * 1e) A Top Ten in American History** Think about what are the ten most events in American History – THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. Put them in an order of #10 being important – but each story up to #1 being MORE important – and #1 being the MOST important. For each event you should have multiple pictures & video clips along with a voice over explanation on the impact this event had on America. Think about events that involved politics, social issues, economics, entertainment and sports. THIS IS A VIDEO – NOT A PREZI or GOOGLE DOC!
 * 2a) CREATE YOUR OWN INTERPRETATION OF GRANT WOOD’S AMERICAN GOTHIC** This painting by Grant Wood is considered an American icon. [|Click this link for the picture]. Throughout the years every generation of Americans since 1930, has interpreted this classic to reflect their contemporary time, society, culture, politics, etc. For those of you who are artistically inclined your task will be to create your own parody of American Gothic. You may choose from the following mediums: paint, sketch, collage, photography. If there is a program that you can use to create this digitally as well – check with me and you can do that instead.Your artwork must measure no smaller than 16x20 inches.

Design, write and illustrate a graphic novel version of a historic event or biography. Your work must be historically accurate and detailed. The final project must be presented in a professional way, it should be bound (spiral or booklet). If you can think of a way to complete this digitally (possibly the website [|TOONDOO] & adding screenshots into PAGES on a Mac Computer) talk to me about your plans as well. Minimum of 10 pages.
 * 2b) GRAPHIC NOVELIZATION OF HISTORIC EVENT/BIOGRAPHY**

3b) **Do you have an idea? Talk to me what you are thinking and we can make it work!**


 * ADOPT THIS RULE OF THUMB: It would be wise to get approval from**
 * Mr. Litecky before beginning any of the options detailed above.**