Walking in the Shoes of Another
Tenth Grade Lit/Comp - Mrs. Terry
Choices Unit Project
Fall 2006
Explanation and Requirements –
In this culminating unit project, each student will assume the persona of an individual who has faced adversity in the eyes of the public. The assessment pieces in this research project include a five-page diary written from the perspective of the assigned individual, as well as a presentation to the class defending the choice(s) made by the individual.
In order to complete the two required assignments, you must first conduct research to learn about the individual assigned to you and the difficult choices he has faced. If you wish to successfully complete this project, it is imperative that you take the time to develop a thorough, unbiased understanding of the person you are focusing upon. Remember, each of the individuals included in this project have been scrutinized by the media; therefore, you should carefully weigh information from a variety of sources before formulating your own perspective. Make sure you take into consideration not only the individual’s personal history, but the time period in which the event(s) took place, other individuals who played a role in the event(s), as well as other extenuating circumstances. The more you learn about the individual, the choices he made, and the consequences of those choices, the better prepared you will be to produce a quality diary and persuasive presentation. Your ultimate goal is to immerse yourself into the individual’s life so that you’re able to think, feel, and respond as that person.
As a class, we will visit the computer lab two class periods in order to perform research. You are strongly encouraged to complete additional research outside of class. This is a college-prep class, and you are expected to take ownership of your education. If you do not have Internet access at home, you may utilize the computer lab at school. Humanities lab 1 is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:15–7:45 am and from 3:45-4:45 pm. The lab operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan to arrive early in order to ensure availability.
Ms. Turner, CHS Media Specialist, has set-up research links for you, and you will be provided with detailed instructions for access. You are required to use these reputable links for research before visiting other sites. As you visit other sites, please take into consideration the reliability of the sources. Remember, anyone can publish information on the web; everything you read is not true.
After you have completed your research, you are to assume the persona of the individual you have researched and compose five original diary entries in first person (you will use the pronoun “I”). The entries are to address the adversity the individual has faced. In other words, the diary entries must contain facts gathered from your research, which prove you are knowledgeable concerning your assigned topic. You should express how the person feels regarding his conflicts, the choices he has made, the reactions of others (including the general public), and the consequences of his actions. As a whole, your diary entries should defend the choices made by the individual. Each diary entry must be accurately dated at the top and be a minimum of one typed page in length (size 12 font with 1-inch margins and 1.5 line spacing). You may choose any readable font that you feel suits your persona. Your finished entries are to be bound in a unique manner indicative of your character’s personality and the time period in which he lived/lives. Please refer to the diary rubric as you work to ensure that you’re addressing all of the required elements.
Following submission of your finished diary, you will assume the persona of your assigned individual and make a two to three minute persuasive presentation to the class. The presentation is to be based upon the thoughts communicated in the diary entries. Your goal in the presentation is to defend your choice(s) to the class (again, you must include facts from your research so that your argument is well founded). You must utilize at least one physical prop (costume, memento, etc.) relevant to your character. Please refer to the presentation rubric as you prepare.
Timeline –
Friday, August 25th Class Research Time
Tuesday, August 29th Class Research Time
Friday, September 1st Draft of Diary Entry #1 Due (Homework Grade)
Wednesday, September 6th Draft of Diary Entry #2 Due (Homework Grade)
Monday, September 11th Completed Diaries Due (Project Grade)
Tuesday, September 12th Presentations – Last Names Beginning with A-G (Project Grade)
Wednesday, September 13th Presentations – Last Names Beginning with H-M (Project Grade)
Thursday, September 14th Presentations – Last Names Beginning with N-S (Project Grade)
Thursday, September 15th Presentations – Last Names Beginning with T-Z (Project Grade)
Late projects will not be accepted unless you have an excused school absence. In this case, your project is due the day you return to school.
Walking in the Shoes of Another
Tenth Grade Literature and Composition
Fall 2006 – Mrs.Terry
Research Topics
1. Susan B. Anthony – American civil rights leader and abolitionist who co-led the effort for women’s suffrage in the United States
2. Lance Bass - Band member of 'N Sync who recently disclosed his homosexuality
3. Barry Bonds – San Francisco Giants All-Star leftfielder who used steroids to enhance performance
4. Dietrich Bonhoeffer - German Christian leader who openly defied Hitler
5. Reggie Bush - Heisman Trophy winning tailback who allegedly received improper benefits
6. Bill Campbell – Former Atlanta Mayor found guilty of tax evasion who is to begin serving a federal sentence in August
7. Dick Cheney – Vice President of the United States who shot a friend during a hunting trip
8. Maurice Clarett – Former Ohio State football star who has experienced trouble with law enforcement, and he is now reported to be involved with an Israeli crime organization
9. Bill Clinton – Former President of the United States who had an affair with a White House intern while in office
10. Amelia Earhart – American aviator who disappeared over the Pacific during a flight around the world
11. Mohandas Gandhi – Political and spiritual leader of India who fought for the independence of India from foreign domination, as well as peace among Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs
12. Charlene Hunter Gault - First black individual to attend the University of Georgia
13. Tonya Harding – Olympic ice skater whose ex-husband attacked competitor Nancy Kerrigan
14. Anita Hill – A former employee of Justice Clarence Thomas who accused Thomas of sexual harassment
15. Michael Jackson – Pop star who experienced a four month trial for child molestation charges in 2005
16. Richard Jewell – Suspect in the 1996 Olympic Park bombing who was recently honored by the state as a “hero”
17. Floyd Landis – 2006 Tour de France Champion who tested positive for high levels of testosterone
18. Jessica Lynch – Prisoner of war of the Iraqi military in the 2003 invasion of Iraq who was rescued by Unites States forces
19. Nelson Mandela – President of South Africa most widely known for his fight against South African apartheid, even during his twenty-seven year imprisonment
20. Cynthia McKinney – Georgia’s first African-American congresswoman who recently lost her seat
21. Richard Nixon – Threatened by impeachment, a former United States President who resigned due to his involvement in the Watergate scandal
22. Mary Kate Olsen – Teen superstar who has battled drug addiction and anorexia
23. Rosa Parks – African-American Freedom Award recipient known for her fight against racial segregation
24. John Proctor – A Puritan who was convicted during the Salem Witch Trials
25. Branch Ricky - President of the Brooklyn Dodgers who defied public opinion by bringing Jackie Robinson up to play major league baseball
26. Jackie Robinson – Individual who chose to be the first black major league baseball player
27. Pete Rose – Cincinnati Reds legend who was banned from baseball for gambling on the game
28. Eric Robert Rudolph – An American domestic terrorist who is serving five consecutive life sentences
29. Andrei Sakharov - German Christian leader who openly defied Hitler
30. Oskar Schindler – An Austrian who saved the lives of his Jewish employees during the Holocaust
31. Socrates – A man who chose to remain true to his beliefs and teachings rather than to save himself from being executed
32. Brittney Spears – Pop star whose personal life, including skills as a mother and marriage, has been criticized
33. Jennifer Willbanks – Young lady who ran out on her fiancé just before their wedding and reported that she was kidnapped
Check Out the Following Sites for
AWESOME, Easy to Find Information
by Clicking on the Hyperlinks Below:
Note: Password NEEDED IF USED AT HOME
...see Mrs. Terry for the Password
World Book Encyclopedia (short, easy to read articles for background information for historical figures).
CHS Library Catalog which also gives you recommended websites. After you search, scroll down and click on the items that have WebPath Express in the title. These will give you a list of recommended websites with information about your historical figure. They find the sites for you!Student Resource Center if you still need more information... this database has great biographical articles! Type in last name first and when you get the list of articles, choose one that is a biography (biography will be written in black to the right of the article).
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