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The Echo Project: A Heritage Inquiry
This is a significant project in Social Studies 11. Your goal is to connect two kinds of research: a topic or set of topics that interest you concerning events/themes in the 20th and early 21st Century, and some heritage inquiry where you gather primary evidence[1] or interview someone with firsthand knowledge of the matching time period. This does not have to be of an event of topic we studied in class either…..Start thinking about how you can make a personal connection to history.....
STEPS INVOLVED:
[1] A primary source is first-hand evidence, something gathered during or immediately after something has occurred, or expressed by someone who experienced the event, e. g. interview, diary or journal, photograph, news report, eyewitness testimony, original documents, certain kinds of creative works.
[2] Examples of project formats include written piece, slideshow, talk or presentation, poster or posterboard, video, scrapbook, reenactment, experiment, simulation, musical composition and/or performance, even interpretive dance….
[3] Write your essential question response for publication. In other words, the audience for your project is the class and teacher (at least), while the audience for your essential question is everyone – it may go up on a blog, social media, or website, so do not include details that compromise your safety and security.
This is a significant project in Social Studies 11. Your goal is to connect two kinds of research: a topic or set of topics that interest you concerning events/themes in the 20th and early 21st Century, and some heritage inquiry where you gather primary evidence[1] or interview someone with firsthand knowledge of the matching time period. This does not have to be of an event of topic we studied in class either…..Start thinking about how you can make a personal connection to history.....
STEPS INVOLVED:
- Write an ‘essential question’ to go with your Echo Project that relates to at least one of the six areas of critical inquiry (read on to learn more about these areas)
- Gather primary evidence, preferably from an interview, although other options exist.
- Research a topic related to a time period, event, social movement, etc….Use library and internet resources, as well as a study of the primary evidence you gather (a list of topics to come a little later…)
- Put together a project[2] that captures what you learned from Step 1 and Step 2, including references. There will be writing involved, but sometimes the writing is hidden (e. g. in a video).
- Provide a response to your essential question – this is like the conclusion of your project, while Steps 2-4 are like the ‘body’ of your work. Your response should fit on one page titled Echo Project –Critical Inquiry and include your question at the top.[3]
- Submit your project
[1] A primary source is first-hand evidence, something gathered during or immediately after something has occurred, or expressed by someone who experienced the event, e. g. interview, diary or journal, photograph, news report, eyewitness testimony, original documents, certain kinds of creative works.
[2] Examples of project formats include written piece, slideshow, talk or presentation, poster or posterboard, video, scrapbook, reenactment, experiment, simulation, musical composition and/or performance, even interpretive dance….
[3] Write your essential question response for publication. In other words, the audience for your project is the class and teacher (at least), while the audience for your essential question is everyone – it may go up on a blog, social media, or website, so do not include details that compromise your safety and security.
Examples of Echo Projects:
Timeline (this alongside our regular lessons): Week 1 Read and think about the project Explore possible topics and primary sources including identifying interview subjects Commit to a topic and decide on a (draft) essential question/check in with teacher Week 2 Conduct research Put your project together Week 3 Respond to your essential question Submit work |
Your analysis of the issue or exploration of a topic could take many forms, including:
Regardless of format, find some way to include your sources/ reference list. You are strongly encouraged to use a firsthand interview or other primary sources to gain perspective or add to your understanding of the issue and the time period…interview tips below. Interview Someone.... Talk to someone who lived through the Depression, WWII, or COLD War/Postwar era or has experience with the topic or issue you have chosen. Design questions to help you understand:
Of course, sometimes the fun part of an interview is simply learning what was life like for individuals in the past – dress, habits, hobbies and pastimes, jobs and lifestyle, relationships, interesting stories. There is a lot to be learned by reaching across the ’50 year gap.’ Examples of Interview Questions – adapt these and other questions to the time period and/or topic you are studying:
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