Selected Topics Project

This capstone project is designed to allow students the opportunity to explore aspects of AP United States History of personal interest that may not otherwise be part of the general focus of the course. The project will require the student to become an "expert" on a specific event and/or issue in America's history through research and analysis.

Students will demonstrate their mastery through a series of assigned tasks:

• Bi-weekly Blog Posts (80 pts)
  
• Research & Annotated Bibliography (40 pts)
  
• Artifact & Symposium (60 pts)
  
• "TED" Talk Presentation (20 pts)
  

Total Points Possible: 200

This project counts as 10% of a student's class grade.

Students will create a blog through the edublogs platform and are responsible for writing and posting to their blog by the submission dates below:

• January 22
  
• February 5
  
• February 19
  
• March 5
  
• March 19
  
• April 9
• April 23
• May 7
  

Each blog post will count for 10 points and together will make up 80 points.

**The rubric for blog posts and specific expectations/topics for each post will be made available as the project progresses.

Students are required to submit an annotated bibliography using the standard MLA format.

Bibliography must include at least 10 sources (6 from internet, 4 print).
*Note: Amsco does NOT count as a print source; however, if you choose to use any information from Amsco, then you need to include it in your annotated bibliography.

Your annotated bibliography is due Thursday, March 26. It will count for 40 points.
Instructions for submitting annotated bibliographies will be made available closer to the due date.

The manner in which you present your information is open-ended. However, it must be a digital artifact.

Think of your artifact as a digital essay. It must clearly outline a thesis, supporting facts, and a conclusion.

Students will also participate in an online symposium after all artifacts are submitted. The purpose of the symposium is to share your artifact with your peers in a collaborative and reflective environment.

Artifact Submission Date: April 23
Symposium: April 30
*Each will count 30 points, making up 60 total project points.

The final element of Selected Topics Projects are the in-class presentations. Each "TED" Talk Presentation will last 6-8 minutes and will showcase what you learned from this project and why your topic is significant to US History.

Talks will count for 20 points of the project total.
Projected Dates: May 14-19 (after the APUSH & EOC Exams)

January: Blog set-up, Topic Selection & Proposal

February: Research & Annotated Bibliography

March: Research & Annotated Bibliography (03.26.15), Public Speaking Independent Book Study*

April: Artifact (04.23.15) & Symposium (04.30.15)

May: TED Talk Presentations (Begin 05.14.15)

Information, rubrics, and expectations for each project element will be released as we progress through the project. A rubric will be provided for each product & element of the project.

Every Thursday will be reserved for Selected Topics. This time will be organized to avoid burn out. As a progressive project, elements will be added as we continue through the semester.

You are expected to work diligently and autonomously on your project. Mrs. Butler reserves the right to deduct points from your project for off-task behavior and to alter the grading breakdown for individuals as necessary. It is your responsibility to manage your time efficiently and effectively.

Please use the link below to sign up for the topic you would like to research. You will need to have your Top 3 Topic Choices, with #1 being the topic you wish to study and #2 & #3 as alternatives.

Topic sign ups are due by Monday- January 12

Topics will be approved by Thursday- January 15

Instructions for Signing Up

1. For your class period, check the sign up box.

2. Enter your name (first & last) and your Top 3 Choices (from 1-3, separate by commas) in the appropriate boxes.

3. Follow instructions to submit your sign up.

**See screenshot below!

Sign Up Genius LINK: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4fa8aa2aa5f58-selected