November ELA/SS Project

ELA/SS Monthly Project

Letters from the Past

Due:  Monday, November 16, 2015 (you may turn in early)

Grade: Projects are averaged with Tests grade.  Projects and Test grades are 40% of your total grade.  Completing projects is very important to your final Reading and Social Studies grade.

Assignment: Western Expansion pushed American settlers to the land west of the Mississippi River.  Both American Indians and American Settlers felt they had a right to that land.  In this assignment, students will argue from both sides of the issue, then conclude with their own opinion of the issue.

Activity Steps:

1.     Research both sides of the issue about the rights of the American Indian and the American settler to land west of the Mississippi River.

2.     Write a letter from the viewpoint of an American settler during Western Expansion.  In this fictional letter, you should take on the personality of a settler who is choosing to move to west.  You should justify your right to this land.  Be creative and offer pieces of history in your letter.

3.     Write a letter from the viewpoint of an American Indian during Western Expansion.  In this fictional letter, you should take on the personality of an American Indian who is choosing to move west.  You should justify your right to this land.  Be creative and offer pieces of history in your letter.

4.     Write a paragraph (5-7 sentences) taking a side on the issue.  Be sure to start your paragraph by stating your opinion.  Then, continue to argue your opinion.  Support your opinion with evidence that strengthens your argument.

5.     Place two letters and argumentative paragraph on a large paper/poster board of your choice.  Inform your teacher if you need a larger piece of paper.  Be as creative as you’d like in how you do this.

Be sure to review rubric before handing in your assignment so you can make sure you completed everything required.

Rubric: Check the rubric for expectations.

Letters from the Past Rubric Points possible: 15 pts
American Settler Letter -Creatively writes letter from point of view of American settler.
0: Poor letter with few or none of the components of a friendly letter, including date, salutation, body, closing, and signature.	1: Fair letter with some of the components of a friendly letter, including date, salutation, body, closing, and signature; viewpoint is not strong.	2: Good letter from viewpoint of American settler with all components of a friendly letter, including date, salutation, body, closing, and signature with logical sequence.	3: Excellent letter from viewpoint of American settler with all components of a friendly letter, including date, salutation, body, closing, and signature.
American Indian Letter -Creatively writes letter from point of view of American settler.
0: Poor letter with few or none of the components of a friendly letter, including date, salutation, body, closing, and signature.	1: Fair letter with some of the components of a friendly letter, including date, salutation, body, closing, and signature; viewpoint is not strong.	2: Good letter from viewpoint of American Indian with all components of a friendly letter, including date, salutation, body, closing, and signature.	3: Excellent letter from viewpoint of American Indian with all components of a friendly letter, including date, salutation, body, closing, and signature.
Argumentative Piece -adequately argues opinion about rights to land west of the Mississippi
0: No opinion given; no evidence given to support argument.	1: Poor argument with little evidence used to strengthen argument.	2:Fair argument with evidence to strengthen argument.	3: Excellent argument with evidence to strengthen argument.
Grammar and Spelling -correct use of punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.
0: Poor grammar and summary; numerous mistakes.  Made summary hard to understand.	1: Many grammar and spelling mistakes.	2: Few grammar and spelling mistakes.	3: No grammar or spelling mistakes.
Creativity -creatively display of letters and argumentative paragraph.
0: Letters are handed in without being attached to paper/poster.	1: Letters and argumentative paragraph glued to paper/poster; no other effort made to be creative.	2: Letters and argumentative paragraph are displayed in a creative way that adds to assignment in a good way.	3: Letters and argumentative paragraph are displayed in a creative way that adds to assignment in an excellent way.