Grade 8 American History II Exit Project
Exit Project Common Core Learning Standard 1) Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary
sources 2) Identify aspects of a text. 3) Write arguments or an informative text focused on discipline-specific content.
Name: ________________________________________
Marie Curie Middle school 158
Due Date-
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As part of the 8th grade curriculum it is necessary that each student successfully completes a Social Studies Exit
Project for graduation. Carefully read the criteria and rubric for each task below. Choose one topic from the list below
and one task to complete. Create a thesis question which is a specific question on the topic chosen. For exampleTopic: WWII -> Thesis Question: How were Japanese Americans denied their Constitutional rights during WWII?
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Great Depression
World War II
Cold War
Korea
Vietnam
Civil Rights Movement
Woman’s Changing Role in United States
History
War on Terrorism
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Exit Project Task: Essay: Write an informative essay, on a chosen topic from the list above, which answers your thesis question.
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Includes a cover page with title centered (9 spaces from top of page) and student’s name, class, teacher’s name, and
due date in lower right-hand corner
Uses Times New Roman font (size 12), 1-inch margins, double-spacing, and black ink
Research Logs supports the thesis question with evidence - explanations/definition and 2-3 details/examples
Task answers the thesis question
Provides ample evidence to support the topic/thesis chosen
Includes a Works Cited List containing at least five varied primary and secondary sources using appropriate format
Include the rubric used with the final task
Criteria
Content
4
Creates an accurate, richly
detailed text. Paragraphs contain
detailed explanation of evidence of
research including 3 to 4 pieces of
evidence per paragraph from the
research logs. Includes 6-7
paragraphs that support thesis.
Rubric: Essay
3
Creates an accurate, detailed text.
Paragraphs contain explanations of
evidence of research including 3 to
5 pieces of evidence per paragraph
from the research logs. Includes 57 paragraphs that support the
thesis.
Researcher’s Logs
Contains 40 or more entries that
address the thesis statement or
question.
Contains at least 5 primary and
secondary sources (books, web
sites photographs).
Uses correct format.
Writer makes no errors in
grammar or spelling that distract
the reader from the content.
Has a clear, richly developed
beginning, middle, and end.
Each paragraph has a main idea
and is rich in supporting details
that answers the thesis question.
Contains 6-7 body paragraphs.
Contains 35-39 entries
that address the research statement
or question.
Contains at least 4 primary and
secondary sources (books, web
sites photographs).
Contains minor errors in format.
Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar
or spelling that distract the reader
from the content.
Has a clear, well developed
beginning, middle, and end.
Each paragraph has a main idea
and some supporting details that
answers the thesis question.
Contains 5-7 body paragraphs.
Works Cited List
Conventions
Organization
2
Use of text is vague. And limited
explanations. Paragraphs lack
support of main idea.
Paragraphs include less than 3
pieces of evidence from the
research logs. Includes 4
paragraphs that weakly support
the thesis.
Contains 30-34 entries
that address the research
statement or question.
Contains at least 3 primary and
secondary sources (books, web
sites photographs).
Contains major errors in format.
Writer makes 3-4 errors in
grammar or spelling that distract
the reader from the content.
Has a weakly developed
beginning, middle, and end.
Paragraphs lack sufficient details
to support main ideas to answer
the thesis question. Contains 4
body paragraphs.
1
Text fails to provide details or
explanation to support main idea.
Text is 2 or less pages. Paragraphs
include less 2 or less pieces of
evidence from research logs.
Includes less than 4 paragraphs.
Little or no support of the thesis
Contains less than 30 entries that
address research statement or
question.
Contains at least 2 primary and
secondary sources (books, web
sites photographs).
Contains major errors in format.
Writer makes more than 4 errors in
grammar or spelling that distract the
reader from the content.
Entire piece lacks organization.
Writer seems to have no sense of
purpose and fails to answer the
thesis question. Contains less than
4 body paragraphs.
Grade 8 American History II Exit Project
Exit Project Common Core Learning Standard 1) Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary
sources 2) Identify aspects of a text. 3) Write arguments or an informative text focused on discipline-specific content.
Name: ________________________________________
Marie Curie M.S. 158
Due Date
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Exit Project Task: Argumentative Essay: Write an argumentative essay, on a chosen topic, which presents and defends a
claim (derived from the thesis question) and acknowledges and refutes a counterclaim.
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Includes a cover page with title centered (9 spaces from top of page) and student’s name, class, teacher’s name, and
due date in lower right-hand corner
Uses Times New Roman font (size 12), 1-inch margins, double-spacing, and black ink
Research Logs supports the thesis question with evidence- explanations/definition and 2-3 details/examples.
Task answers the thesis question
Provides ample evidence to support the topic chosen
Includes a Works Cited List containing at least five varied primary and secondary sources using appropriate format
Include the rubric used with the final task
Rubric: Argumentative Essay
Criteria
Supportive Claim
4
Creates an accurate, richly
detailed text. Paragraphs contain
detailed explanations and
evidence of research including 34 pieces of evidence per
paragraph from the research
notes to support claim in 6-7
richly detailed well-developed
body paragraphs.
Counterclaim
Presents and refutes
counterclaim by citing sufficient
evidence from a variety of
primary and secondary sources
in a richly detailed welldeveloped paragraph.
Uses specific evidence from all or
most of the research logs to
develop and support claim and
acknowledge and refute a
counterclaim.
Reasoning and Use of
Evidence
Research Logs
Contains 40 or more entries that
address the thesis statement or
question.
Works Cited List
Contains at least 5 primary and
secondary sources (books, web
sites photographs).
Uses correct format.
Conventions
Writer makes no errors in
grammar or spelling that distracts
the reader from the content.
Introduction
Uses sophisticated language to
engage reader, introduces the
topic, and states the claim in a
well-developed paragraph.
Uses sophisticated language to
summarize the main idea that
reflects the claim in a welldeveloped paragraph.
Conclusion
3
Creates an accurate
detailed text. Paragraphs
contain explanations and
evidence of research
including 3-5 pieces of
evidence per paragraph
from the research notes to
support claim in 5-7 welldeveloped body
paragraphs.
Presents and refutes
counterclaim by citing
sufficient evidence from a
variety of primary and
secondary sources in welldeveloped paragraph.
Uses specific evidence
from the majority of the
research logs to develop
and support claim and
acknowledge and refute a
counter claim.
Contains 35-39 entries
that addresses the
research statement or
question.
Contains at least 4
primary and secondary
sources (books, web sites
photographs).
Contains minor errors in
format.
Writer makes 1-2 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from
the content.
Engages reader,
introduces topic, and
states the claim in a welldeveloped paragraph.
Summarizes the main
ideas and reflects claim in
a well-developed
paragraph.
2
Weakly supports claim due to a
lack of sufficient explanations
and evidence from the research
notes (less than 3 pieces of
evidence per paragraph).
Includes body 4 paragraphs.
1
Fails to support claim with an
explanation and evidence
from the research notes. Uses
two or less pieces of
evidence. Includes less than
4 body paragraphs.
Presents and weakly refutes
counterclaim due to a lack of
sufficient evidence from a
variety of primary and
secondary sources.
Fails to refute counterclaim
with evidence from a variety
of primary and secondary
sources.
Uses specific evidence from
some of the research logs to
develop and support claim and
acknowledge and refute a
counterclaim.
Uses evidence from a few
research logs. Evidence may
be vague, irrelevant, or
inaccurate.
Contains 30-34 entries
that addresses the research
statement or question.
Contains less than 30 entries
that address research
statement or question.
Contains at least 3 primary and
secondary sources (books, web
sites photographs).
Contains major errors in format.
Contains at least 2 primary
and secondary sources
(books, web sites
photographs).
Contains major errors in
format.
Writer makes more than 4
errors in grammar or spelling
that distract the reader from
the content
Fails to introduce the topic
and/or state claim. Fails to
engage.
Writer makes 3-4 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
Introduces topic and states
claim. Lacks engagement.
Weakly summarizes main ideas
and weakly addresses the
claim.
Fails to summarize main
ideas or addresses the claim.
Grade 8 American History II Exit Project
Exit Project Common Core Learning Standard 1) Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary
sources 2) Identify aspects of a text. 3) Write arguments or an informative text focused on discipline-specific content.
Name: ___________________________ Marie Curie Middle School 158
Exit Project Task: Picture Book : Design a picture book that creates an
Due Date
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accurate detailed mature representation of a chosen topic
from the list that answers your thesis statement or question.
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Includes a cover page with title centered (9 spaces from top of page) and student’s name, class, teacher’s name, and
due date in lower right-hand corner
Complete Picture Book in Times New Roman font(size 12-14), 1-inch margins, double-spacing, and black ink
Research Logs supports the thesis question with evidence- explanations/definition and 2-3 details/examples
Task answers the thesis question
Connect illustrations to text
Illustrations/text should show main ideas and supporting details from research.
Includes a Works Cited List containing at least five primary and secondary sources using appropriate format
Include rubric used with the final task
Criteria
Content
Research Logs
Works Cited List
Primary and Secondary
Conventions
Organization
4
Creates an accurate,
detailed visual
representation of the topic.
Text/dialogue uses rich
explanations and details to
describe the topic and
contains evidence from
research logs by including
3-4 pieces of evidence per
paragraph for the picture
book. Sufficiently answers
thesis question.
Contains 40 entries that
address research
question.
Contains at least 5
primary and secondary
sources (books, web sites
photographs).
Uses correct format.
Writer makes no errors in
grammar or spelling that
distracts the reader from
the content.
Has a richly developed
beginning, middle, and
end.
Picture Book:
Contains at least 8 well
developed pages. Each
picture book page is rich
in details that support and
answer the thesis in a
paragraph per page.
Rubric: Picture Book
3
Creates an accurate,
detailed visual
representation of the topic.
Text/dialogue uses
explanations and details to
describe the topic and
contains evidence from
research logs by including
3-5 pieces of evidence per
paragraph in the picture
book. Contains details to
answer the thesis
question.
Contains 35-39 entries
which address research
question.
Contains at least 4
primary and secondary
sources (books, web sites
photographs).
Contains minor errors in
format.
Writer makes 1-2 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from
the content.
Has a clear well
developed beginning,
middle, and end.
Picture Book:
Contains at least 7 pages.
Each picture book page
has a main idea with
details that support and
answer the thesis in a
paragraph per page.
2
Creates a weak visual
representation of the topic.
Text/dialogue is used to
describe the topic and
contains evidence from
research logs by including
2 pieces of evidence per
paragraph. May have
some inaccurate
references to topic. The
few details and
explanations weakly
answers the thesis
question.
Contains 30-34 entries
which address research
question.
Contains at least 3
primary and secondary
sources (books, web sites
photographs).
Contains major errors in
format.
Writer makes 3-4 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from
the content.
Has a weakly developed
beginning, middle, and
end.
Picture Book:
Contains at least 6 pages.
Each picture book page
contains a limited amount
of details that weakly
support and answers the
thesis question in a
paragraph per page.
1
Fails to create an accurate
visual representation of
the topic. Text/dialogue
contains evidence from
research logs by including
less than 2 pieces of
evidence per paragraph.
Contains major
inaccuracies concerning
the topic. Addresses few
or no details/explanations
and fails to answer the
thesis question.
Contains less than 30
entries that address
research question.
Contains at least 2
primary and secondary
sources(books, web sites
photographs).
Contains major errors in
format.
Writer makes more than 4
errors in grammar or
spelling that distracts the
reader from the content.
Has no clear beginning,
middle, and end.
Picture Book:
Less than 5 pages.
The majority of picture
book pages do not contain
a main idea and details
that support or answer the
thesis question in a
paragraph per page.
Grade 8 American History II Exit Project
Exit Project Common Core Learning Standard 1) Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary
sources 2) Identify aspects of a text. 3) Write arguments or an informative text focused on discipline-specific content.
Name: ________________________________________
Marie Curie Middle school 158
Due Date ________________________
As part of the 8th grade curriculum it is necessary that each student successfully completes a
Social Studies Exit Project for graduation. Carefully read the log rubric below. The logs and final
Exit Project are each 25% of the 4th marking period grade.
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DIRECTIONS
Create a thesis question which is a specific question based on the topic chosen.
The entries in the logs answer the thesis question. Explain/define and add 2-3
details/examples.
Type logs in Times New Roman, 12 font size, 1 inch margins.
Ensure the proper format is followed. Each source has its own log. 5 sources = 5 logs
Each entry must be restated/paraphrased in your own words. DO NOT COPY!
Plagiarism will result in an Assistant Principle meeting. If you are unsure please
contact your teacher.
Rubric- Log
Criteria
Content/
Evidence
4
All or most entries focus
on answering the thesis
question using evidenceexplanations/definition
and 2-3 supportive details
and examples.
3
Majority of entries
focus on answering
the thesis question
using evidence and
supportive
explanations/definition
and 2-3 details and
examples.
2
Limited entries focus on
answering the thesis
question using
evidenceexplanation/definition
and at least 2 or less
supportive details and
examples.
Number of
Total Entries
Organization
of Logs
40 or more entries
39-35 entries
34-30 entries
Each source has their
own log with numbered
entries. Each log should
include 2 quotes that are
3 sentences max.
All logs are typed.
Paraphrased information
only.
Some sources have
their own logs with
numbered entries. Each
log should include 2
quotes that are 3
sentences max. 3 out of
the 5 logs are typed with
paraphrased
information.
Followed
required
model
All logs 5 followed the
required model.
Majority of sources
have their own logs
with numbered
entries. Each log
should include 2
quotes that are 3
sentences max. 4 out
of the 5 logs are typed
with paraphrased
information.
4 out of 5 logs follow
the required model.
3 out of the 5 logs follow
the required model.
1
Little or few entries
focus on answering
the thesis question
using evidenceexplanation/
Definition and 1 or
less supportive
details and
examples.
Less than 30 entries
Little or few sources
have their own logs
with numbered
entries. Each log
should include 2
quotes that are 3
sentences max. 2 or
less logs are typed
with paraphrased
information.
2 or less logs follow
the required model.
Grade 8 American History II Exit Project
Sample Research Note/Log with directions/model is below…
Name
due Date
Class
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Research Notes # _1_ (5 sources = 5 logs SEE RUBRIC)
Topic- The general topic chosen from the directions WWII
Source- Use Easybib.com Follow prompts. (Book, internet, primary, video, museum)Works
cited page (last page before rubric) in your final task is in alphabetical order by the first
letter. Do NOT # or bullet the sources. READ RUBRIC. 5 sources = 5 logs
Deverell, William, and Deborah G. White. United States History: And New York History, Post-Civil War
to the Present. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2010. Print.
Thesis Statement/Question- A specific question based on the topic chosen to
answer in the task. By writing the Q it keeps you focused on answering it.
How does WWII provide greater opportunities for women?
Evidence- 8-10 entries for each of the 5 logs- “Grade insurance”. For each entry
define/explain with 2-3 details and examples- just like the study guides we have
been doing all year. No repetition. No plagiarism. Reword/paraphrase.
1. Middle class women, come from educated working families, for the first
time worked in factories making supplies for WWII. Heavy industrial factory
jobs had been considered “unladylike” and only for men. Only poor women
worked before WWII. Middle class or rich stayed home to care for the house.
2. “Rosie the Riveter” represented women successfully helping the war effort
at home. “We can do it” meant women can do it. Riveting is to connect two
sheets of metal with a drill/connect parts to a machine like an airplane or
warship.
3. WWII was “the first time we got a chance to show that we could do a lot of
things that only men had done before.”- Winona Espinosa (pg.231) Women
proved they were capable of being responsible and being able to successfully
complete the factory task.
4. Each entry is information/evidence. Each entry includes a definition and
add 2-3 details/examples/explanations
Each log generally should be 8 -10 entries to ensure meeting requirements.
Blank version of notes/logs- next page  Cut and paste into Word.
Grade 8 American History II Exit Project
Name
March 2016
Research Notes # ____
Source:
Topic:
Thesis Question:
Evidence in your own words. DO NOT COPY!
1.
2.
3.
Class
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