EHHS
World Literature/History
Term 4 Project-Children’s Storybook
Democracy and the French Revolution
I.Project Description
In this writing for understanding activity, students create an illustrated storybook that
chronicles major events of the French Revolution and assess whether these events contributed
to the growth of democracy. Working alone or in teams of up to three, students research key
events of the French Revolution. Then using vocabulary from a word bank and their knowledge
of the French Revolution, students create a storybook – complete with text, illustrations, and
other artistic adornments – that demonstrates student knowledge of the historical event as well
as its significance to the rise of democracy.
II.Planning (Before you begin writing)
Historical Research
1. Start by identifying a general area of interest.
2. Narrow it down to a specific area of investigation.
3. Make sure you can obtain sufficient resources (minimum of 4) for your project.
4. Read widely around the area of study and note down resources used.
5. Take notes from your chosen resources, including exact references.
6. Re-read your notes and decide where they would fit into the project.
Pre-writing (much of this will be done in Emily’s class)
1. Setting description. Details to follow in Lit class.
2. Character sketch of 1-3 main characters. Details to follow in Lit class.
III. Directions for Creating a Storybook About the French Revolution
1. Your team will create an illustrated children’s storybook that chronicles major events
of the French Revolution and describes how the revolution contributed to the rise of
democracy. It should be written in simple, clear language so that a 10-year-old could
read and enjoy it.
2. Your storybook will include these features:
○ A visually appealing cover with an appropriate title
○ A brief introduction that describes the conditions in France in the late 1780s that
were to cause the revolution
○ Sections on each of these events: the meeting of the Estates General, the storming
of the Bastille, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of Napoleon
○ Each section must contain:
■ An illustration of the event
■ A summary/description of the event and how it contributed to the French
Revolution
■ Use of all the vocabulary in the word banks that follow
○ A brief conclusion that explains how the events of the French Revolution
EHHS
World Literature/History
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contributed to the growth of democracy (don’t forget impacts like the Haitian
Revolution)
Any additional touches to make the storybook artistic and visually appealing –
use of color, page numbers, etc.
An MLA formatted bibliography of at least four reputable sources (only one may
be Wikipedia)
3. Your book may be submitted as a bound (staples, etc) hard copy or as an electronic book.
It should be 8-12 pages long.
IV. Word Banks
The Meeting of the Estates General - vote by order
The Storming of the Bastille - 14 July 1789
The Reign of Terror - Robespierre
The Rise of Napoleon - emperor
VI. List of Due Dates (Unless otherwise noted, all documents should be emailed to both Chris
and Emily by midnight on the due date)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Date
Assignment
June 1
Rough Draft due - text required, illustrations optional
June 8
Final due
VII. Evaluation
Chris and Emily will evaluate different sections of your project. Here’s how it will break down:
1.
Chris will evaluate all three sections of the introduction and bibliography. He will also
assess the short story for historical accuracy.
2.
Emily will evaluate the story itself using the 6-Trait Writing Rubric:
http://www.academicesl.com/docs/rubricdoc.pdf
She will also evaluate the early pre-writing assignments.
**Even though both of us will not evaluate your entire project, we still need to read your entire
project- so send/turn in the entire project to both of us when it is due.
A French Revolution Storybook RUBRIC
Exemplary work:
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Contains a visually appealing cover and title
A+
EHHS
World Literature/History
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Is written for an audience of 10-year-olds employing simple, clear language
Contains an introduction that describes conditions in France in the late 1780s
Includes sections on each of these events: the meeting of the Estates General, the storming of the
Bastille, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of Napoleon
Each section has: a colorful illustration of the event, a creative/innovative summary (not just a
statement of facts) describing how the event related to the French Revolution, and use of all the
vocabulary in the word banks
Includes a conclusion that explains how the events of the French Revolution contributed to the
growth of democracy
The final product has been proofread. It is written or typed in ink, has no spelling or grammar errors
and is in a storybook format
Uses additional touches in innovative manners to make the storybook artistic and visually appealing
- color, page numbers, additional visuals/graphics, etc.
Accomplished work:
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Contains a visually appealing cover and title
May be written for an audience of 10-year-olds employing simple, clear language
Contains an introduction that describes conditions in France in the late 1780s
Includes sections on each of these events: the meeting of the Estates General, the storming of the
Bastille, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of Napoleon
Each section has: an illustration of the event, a summary describing how the event related to the
French Revolution, and may use the vocabulary in the word banks
Includes a conclusion that explains how the events of the French Revolution contributed to the
growth of democracy
The final product has been proofread. It is written or typed in ink, has few spelling or grammar
errors and is in storybook format
Developing work:
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A-B
C-D
May contain a cover and title
May be written for an audience of 10-year-olds employing simple, clear language
May contain an introduction that describes conditions in France in the late 1780s
May include sections on some of these events: the meeting of the Estates General, the storming of
the Bastille, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of Napoleon
Each section may have: an illustration of the event, a summary describing how the event related to
the French Revolution, and may use the vocabulary in the word banks
May include a conclusion that relates the French Revolution to the growth of democracy
The final product may have been proofread. It may be written or typed in ink, may have many
spelling or grammar errors and may not be in storybook format
EHHS
World Literature/History
Beginning work:
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F
May contain a cover and title, and may be written for an audience of 10-year-olds
May contain incorrect or incorrectly placed facts
May be missing three or more sections (including introduction and conclusion)
The final product may have been proofread. It may be written or typed in ink, and may contain so
many spelling or grammar errors that the meaning is confused