Spanish American War:
Library Assignment

Objective: Create a study guide/information sheet on the Spanish American War.

Components: You may be creative with the format, but please including the following information:
-Events leading up to the war
-Causes of the War
-Main events/battles during the war
-3 key historical figures associated with the war
-at least two images associated with the war
-how the war ends, details of the peace agreement
-long term impact for the United States
-A correctly formatted bibliography of all the sources you use (don’t forget to include citations for your photos).

DO NOT cut and paste information, but make sure to put it in your own words. If you directly cut and paste information, you will not receive full credit for the assignment!

Your Sources:
-Your Works Cited page can be at the bottom of your study guide or on a separate page, stapled to the study guide. Don’t forget to use easybib.com to make sure it is perfectly formatted!
-Make sure that ALL your sources are reputable. Suggestion: The Library of Congress and PBS have good information sites about the Spanish American War. For additional resources, see: http://www.pbs.org/crucible/frames/_resources.html

Due: Tuesday at the end of class

Partners: groups of 2 are OK

Points/Value: 50 points (5 points for each of the components listed above, plus 10 points for in-class work)

Particulartly pay attention to the photographs, list of victims, and personal accounts.

After looking through the data, stories, and photos respond in writing to the tragedy.  You may respond in one of the following ways:

• Write a detailed obituary for one of the victims.
• Pretend you are a lawyer preparing to sue the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.  Write your opening statement to the court.
• Imagine you are a survivor.  Write about the horros that you wittnessed.
• Select a photograph and use that as the inspiration for a short historical fiction piece.
• Write a letter to president Taft demanding workplace reform.
• Write a poem to repond to the tragedy.
• OTHER:  do you have another idea?  Check with me first for approval…

Due:  end of the period

Value: 20 points

You may print out your response OR e-mail it to me at erin.sullivan@redclay.k12.de.us

HOMEWORK: Read NY Times article from March 26, 1911 and answer 1-5

In August of 1945 President Truman authorized the use of the atomic bomb on the island nation of Japan.  Today you will be exploring this decision.

1. Explain the Manhattan Project—what is it?  Who was involved?
2. There are compelling arguments both in favor and opposed to dropping the bomb on Japan.  Research these arguments and provide two arguments for each side.
3. Ultimately, which argument do you feel is most compelling?  Explain.
4. Once the decision to drop the bomb was made, describe the logistics.  How were the bombs dropped? How were the cities selected?
5. What was the long-term effects of dropping the bomb (both from a health and political perspective).
6. 63 years later, the decision continues to be controversial.  What are you feelings about the topic?

Due: end of the period

1.  Name the 9 justices.  For each, identify if they are considered conservative, moderate or libral.

2.  Click here to explore the most recent Supreme Court decisions.  Pick 3 and complete the following:    a.  Summarize the Constitutional question in the case    b.  Summarize the court’s decision     c.  Do you agree with the ruling?  Why/why not?

3.  Play the game “A Day in the Life”.  How did you do (score out of ten)?  What was the purpose of this game?  Which Supreme Court decision do you think has had the most impact on you?  Explain…

Directions:   Use the internet to research the answers to the following questions.  You may work with a partner.  Turn in the completed scavenger hunt at the end of the period.

1. How many presidents were killed while in office?
2. Who were they?
3. How much does the President earn?
4. How much more if the current President being paid than George Washington?
5. What is the purpose of a Presidential Library? 
6. Who established the first one?
7. Which president did not live in the White House?
8. Who writes the President’s speeches?
9. Who was the youngest president?
10. The oldest?
11. Have any presidents been divorced?  If so, who?
12. Who was the oldest First Lady?
13. The youngest?
14. In 1782, a committee completed a Presidential Seal.  President Truman made several changes to the seal.  What were they?  Do you agree or take exception with his rationales for these changes?

Bonus: How many people have served as POTUS or VP from Delaware?

Complete the following chart, filling in each candidate’s position on the specified topic.  For each item, circle, star or highlight the position you most agree with.

When you’re done, please hand in the assignment to Mrs. Tise.

Your response may be e-mail to me at erin.sullivan@redclay.k12.de.us or you can print out your answers and turn them in to Mrs. Tise at the end of the period.

1.  Find an artist using his/her art to express his/her personality (one for each of the following categories).  If there is a specific piece of art that you are referencing provide the name of the work and, if possible, a picture.

               a.  Visual (Fine) Art: (2 forms which can include: painting, drawing, sculpture, funiture, architecture, graphic design, illustration, jewelry making, pottery, and others)

    b.  Dance/movement: (2 forms: choreographer and performer)

   c.  Music (composer)

   d.  Music (musician, band)

    e.  Photography

   f.  Writing: (any form: poetry, journalism, playwrite, etc…)

g.  Drama: (2 forms: actor and film/theater producer/director, etc…)

2.  Post your favorite example.

3.  How do you use your art to express your personality?

 EXTRA CREDIT:  find additional examples from the criteria above

In groups of 3 or smaller develop a comprehensive plan to address the problems in Iraq.  Your findings and plan will be presented to Congress (our class) and The President (me!).  We will vote on the plans, and the plan that passes will get extra credit. 

 Your plan needs to be specific.  For example, if you saw that you want a troop withdrawl, make sure to discuss a timeline and the number of troops that are coming home at once.  Also, you need to address what American involvement (if any) do you want after we remove troops.

Due: Tuesday in class (which means that you have 2 days in class and a weekend… which means that it should be good… really good).

Value:  50 points

The NYTimes has a nice section on Iraq…

Select an article from the list to read, and complete the following:

1.  Identify title, author, and publication date.

2.  Summarize the findings in the article in one well-written paragraph.

3.  Write your reactions to the article.  Did anything suprise you?  Do you agree with the opinions expressed by the author?

Due: 4/22