nicurn Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I am putting together a history course for my boys (rising 11th and 9th grader) for this coming school year. We are going to be covering Early American- American Revolution. I have got my text, Great Course lectures, documentaries, and everything that I want to use fairly well lined up. Where I my having difficulty is the writing assignments. How many writing assignments should I require and what length? Is 4 sufficient, with maybe 1 or 2 of them being term papers? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Home Alabama Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Hi... I'm planning American history as well. In one of my threads, this was suggested. Hope it may help... http://forums.welltr...h/#entry4679024 If you don't mind, I would love to know what resources you have chosen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingedradical Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I'd be interested in both your plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Home Alabama Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I'd be interested in both your plans. I wrote a lengthy reply but didn't want to appear to hijack the OP. These are the American history ideas I've been considering: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/467820-sharing-some-ideas-for-american-history/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate in Arabia Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I designed a Middle Eastern history course for my 9th grader this year and his core project is a kind of scrapbook that has notes he's taken from the core text, maps and related activities I've assigned; and he's had some writing assigned for the source materials he's been reading. I think he enjoys flipping back through his scrapbook, I would perhaps like for him to incorporate more visual things, like to research and include pictures/information about famous places/monuments as he comes across them... maybe next year (I plan to continue the course throughout his high school years) I could have him include more art/architecture/etc., although I don't want to overwhelm him time-required-wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl B in VA Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I suggest adding a PowerPoint project. This requires the same research skills as a term paper but requires different presentation skills. I require that the student do an oral presentation with the PowerPoint slide show. Blessings, Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicurn Posted April 9, 2013 Author Share Posted April 9, 2013 I suggest adding a PowerPoint project. This requires the same research skills as a term paper but requires different presentation skills. I require that the student do an oral presentation with the PowerPoint slide show. Blessings, Cheryl That is a good idea. I had not even thought about that. My oldest would probably enjoy that more than a written term paper. Thanks for the suggestion. Anyone else with ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history_junkie Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I think 3 or 4 small assignments, or the suggestions for a PPT or term paper are sufficient. I really wish I had become more proficient in PPT before college. The small assignments could be less than 5 pages. They could be anything from compare/ contrast essays, book reports, creative dialogue, an analysis of a famous speech... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicurn Posted April 13, 2013 Author Share Posted April 13, 2013 I think 3 or 4 small assignments, or the suggestions for a PPT or term paper are sufficient. I really wish I had become more proficient in PPT before college. The small assignments could be less than 5 pages. They could be anything from compare/ contrast essays, book reports, creative dialogue, an analysis of a famous speech... Thank you for the suggestions and the ideas for papers. Also, the books that I am considering for their reading list next year are: The Scarlet Letter Last of the Mohicans Johnny Tremain ? Rabble in Arms ? Oliver Wiswell ? Federalist Papers Antifederalist Papers and biography of their choice (has to be a signer of the Declaration of Independence) Are their any other must reads for this time period, or other books that I should consider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history_junkie Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 I haven't read everything on your list, but I would definitely emphasize the Federalist and Anti-federalist papers. Providing good background on those is helpful, such as who wrote what, and how else that author figured in the Constitutional Convention, etc., because many students don't have that background when they go to college. I read The Last of the Mohicans in the 9th grade, and I believe I read Johnny Tremain before that. Johnny Tremain might be light for an 11th, grader, but it is still a good read, and I loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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