The Patriot Challenge consists of several components.  Students were given a packet on 1-12-11 containing  details for each required assignment.  Everything that is to be memorized is in the packet.  A slide show rubric was also given detailing how slide shows will be evaluated.

Students have 60-90 minutes/day during class to work on assignments.  If students are on task, they should have no trouble completely finishing assignments in class.   Those who are off-task (or perfectionistic) may have homework in order to meet deadlines.

1. Activity #1 - researching a U.S. president, 1st lady, or other noteworthy political figure and providing evidence of learning by either writing a 1,500 word report or creating a digital slideshow to present to the class.  due on or before 1-28-11

2. Activity #2 - choose one of the following:  A) write a Constitution for our class consisting of five to ten laws, B) write a new national anthem, or C) create a new U.S. flag due on or before 2-11-11

3. Activity #3 - pick a state and research it then choose one of the following: A) create a game for students to play that teaches them about your state, B) create a road trip throughout your state - include meals, costs, miles travelled each day, events attended or places visited and gas costs  due on or before 2-25-11

4. States & Capitals Test & Contest: test will be graded, contest has a prize  3-18-11

5. States & Nicknames Contest: not graded, a prize for the winner 4-1-11

6. States Postal Abbreviation Test & Contest: test will be graded, contest has a prize 4-8-11

7. Memorize portion of Declaration of Independence: on or before 4-29-11

8. Memorize Preamble to the Constitution: on or before 5-13-11

9. Memorize Presidents Contest: not graded, prizes to those who accomplish this

10. Patriot Challenge Awards Ceremony: for those who complete all requirements -  May 19th (not sure what time yet)

Great American Hero Project Deadlines

I'm planning to have 99% of things done in class.  Students need to buy their own blank poster board - just a regular one, not the three-sided Science Fair poster board.  Any color will do.

4-29-11: Ten interesting or unknown facts typed, printed, and mounted on construction paper.  Hero picture due  (ready to use for creating hand-drawn portrait).

5-4-11: Poster should have hand-drawn borders done and attached.  Hand-drawn title also due.

5-6-11: Poster should have all 10 facts mounted and glued, 3-5 additional pictures mounted and glued, and captions mounted and glued next to pictures.

5-11-11: Timeline, map, or chart finished.  Students may use whichever one is appropriate for their hero.  Timeline shows birth, important events, and death of hero.  Map can show hero's state or  places for important events.  Chart can show other data that is relevant to hero.  This graphic will be mounted as all other items.

5-18-11: Hand-drawn portrait due.  Needs to be mounted on construction paper, too.  Oral presentations today and tomorrow (2-3 minute monologue of hero).  Students will talk like they are the hero - "I did this..." instead of "He did this..."

5-20-11: Wax Museum.  Students come dressed as their Great American Hero (or bring costumes to change into after lunch recess).  Students will be posing from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.  All students are asked to bring a small pedestal to stand on.  However, if the pose is sitting, then we can use a school chair (or you can bring a rocking chair, tree stump, etc. from home).  Small props as appropriate may be brought by parent.