Grade 7 History Research Project
Due Date:__________
This project will consist of three phases. You and your group will have to use your
time wisely. You will be given four lessons to complete your project. You will then
present your research to the class in your chosen format. As part of your
presentation you are required to make an information worksheet for your class. This
worksheet should cover all of the important points of your research. Your hand-out
should help the class understand your topic and remember what you have
presented. Look at the attached rubric to make sure that you understand what is
required.
Phase 1 (1 lesson)
Research your topic and gather information. Make sure that you answer all of the
sub-questions that accompany your subject matter. You must make sure that you
have a good knowledge and understanding of your topic because after your
presentation the class will be allowed to ask you questions. Decide on different jobs
for all of your groups members. In your group you should delegate different areas of
research. This means that different members of your group will complete different
sections of your group’s research.
Phase 2 (1 lesson)
Bring your research together and start planning your presentation. Decide what
information you will keep. You must also decide what information you will use for
your oral presentation and what will be displayed in a written format in your
presentations. In this lesson you should also decide what format your presentation
will have, for example, Powerpoint, Prezi, an e-book, a play, a pre-recorded movie, a
song, a rap, a poster…the options are endless so be creative.
Phase 3 (1 lesson)
In this lesson you will start putting your presentation together. Use your time
effectively. In this lesson you should also start to plan and organise your hand-out for
the class. Remember that your worksheet will be used by the class later to
remember what you have taught them. Be creative with your information worksheet.
Phase 4 (1 lesson)
Finish off your presentation and your worksheet. Make sure that you read through
your work and check for grammatical errors. Have another look at your rubric to
make sure that you have fulfilled all of the task requirements. As a group you can
then use the remainder of the lesson to practise your presentation.
Research topics:
1. Jan Van Riebeeck
Who was Jan Van Riebeek?
Where did he come from?
Why did he come to South Africa?
Why is he important in world history?
Why is he important in South African history?
What is his wife Maria’s connection to Judaism?
Add any other relevant information that you find.
2. Simon van der Stel
Who was Simon van der Stel?
Where did he come from?
Why did he come to South Africa?
Why is he important in South African history?
How was he connected to Simon’s Town, Constantia and Stellenbosch?
What developments took place in agricultural during his Governorship?
Were there any Jews in van der Stel’s time at the Cape.
Add any other relevant information that you find.
3. The slave narratives of Catharina Anthonis and Abraham Van Batavia.
What is a slave narrative?
Who was Catharina Anthonis? What did she do? Where did she work?
What is her story and why is she important?
Who was Abraham Van Batavia? What did he do? Where did he work?
What is his story and why is he important?
4. The influences slaves left behind
What impact did slaves have on Cape History?
On African History?
How do we see those influences today?
Where can you see these influences?
How is Bo Kaap part of slavery’s legacy?
Look through a telephone directory and make a list of surnames that may
have originally been slave names.
5. Slavery Resistance
How were slaves treated?
What jobs were slaves expected to do?
What do you think caused the slaves to resist?
What form did slave resistance take?
What made it challenging for slaves to resist?
The Meermin was a ship on which slaves resisted. What happened.
A number of slave runaways lived near Pringle Bay for some time – how did
they survive?
How did the runaways survive on Table Mountain.
6. William Bleek and Lucy Lloyd
Who was Lucy Lloyd? What did she do? Where did she work?
What is her story and why is she important?
Who was William Bleek? What did he do? Where did he work?
7. Free Burghers: Dutch and French Huguenot immigration to the Cape
Who were the Free Burghers?
What was their job? What were they meant to do?
Why did the Dutch and French immigrate to the Cape?
What French influences are still visible today? E.g. A famous tourist village in
the Cape.
Using a telephone directory, list some names which are of Huguenot origin.
8. Further learning
Where in Cape Town can you go to learn more about this period in History?
Provide 3 options and give information on each of your suggestions.
9. The town of Genadendal
Give a brief history of the town and explain why it was founded and what its
original purpose was.
What are the main attractions for visitors to visit?
Why is it important to remember and celebrate the history of places like
Genadenal?
Give some information about the museum– what is it about, what can you see
there, etc?