Sample Social Studies Projects
Musical-Rhythmic: Do you love listening to
music? Research Civil War era music. Keep a
list of at least ten songs that you have listened
to. On the list include the name of the song, the
song writer (if known), whether it was Union
or Confederate, and a one- to two-sentence
description of the mood of the song and what
the song is about. After listening to several
songs, choose one to research and share with
the class. In a typed, one-page report, discuss
when and why this song was written. Do you
know who wrote the lyrics? Was it a Union or
Confederate song? Finally, what is the song
about (be detailed and specific)? Why did you
choose this song? You need to present your
findings to the class (you can simply read your
report) along with a copy of the lyrics for the
document camera. Last but not least, you’ll get
to either sing or play the song for your peers
(burn it onto a CD)!
Verbal-Linguistic: Are you dramatic? How
about becoming Mr. Abe Lincoln himself?
Become an expert at two of his most important
addresses/statements to the nation. Read and
paraphrase the Emancipation Proclamation
and the Gettysburg Address. Your “versions”
should be in your very own fifth grade language. Get a copy of the documents from your
teacher to see how you should paraphrase it.
Then, memorize and perform a dramatic reading of the Gettysburg Address for the class. You
could even dress like Abraham Lincoln if you
so wished! Your typed, paraphrased Proclamation and Gettysburg Address and your performance will be graded.
Visual-Spatial: Are you interested in battle
plans and war strategies? Choose a battle from
the Civil War. It does not have to be one we
have studied in class. Draw a map of the area
and use color-coded arrows to show the movement of each side’s troops. This should be completed on large construction paper. Pay
attention to detail and be able to explain this
map and the battle strategy to your classmates.
Know important names, dates, and statistics
for the battle—you can bullet-point these on
note cards or on a visual for your classmates
(you could even prepare a few PowerPoint
slides to display your facts). You will be graded
on quality of facts pertaining to the battle, neatness and accuracy of battle plans (your map),
and your ability to explain the battle to your
peers.
Bodily-Kinesthetic: Would you like to learn
about the naval battles that took place during
the Civil War? Research the battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack or the use of submarines
during the war. Use cardboard, foil, or other
materials to build a model of one of these ironclad vessels. Prepare to share this model and
explanation of the ship/ submarine and battle
with your classmates. Please write your facts
and explanations on note cards. The quality of
facts on your note cards and your model will
be graded.
Reproduced with permission from Blackburn, Rigor Is NOT a Four-Letter Word.
Copyright 2008 by Eye On Education, Inc., Larchmont, NY. All rights reserved. www.routledge.com
Reproduced with permission from Blackburn, Rigor Is Not a Four-Letter Word, Second Edition.
Copyright 2013 Routledge
All rights reserved. www.routledge.com