Revolutionary Times: Social Media in the 1776 War
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Revolutionary Times: Social Media in the 1776 War

Grade 10Social Studies1 days
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5.0 (1 rating)
In this project, students will become historical communicators, crafting a 1776-themed social media feed to convey the causes, key figures, and events of the American Revolution to a modern audience. Students will explore the values forged during this period for the new nation, using primary and secondary sources to ensure historical accuracy. The project culminates in a curated social media feed that tells the story of the American Revolution in an engaging and informative way, incorporating peer feedback to refine their work.
American RevolutionSocial MediaHistorical AccuracyKey FiguresPrimary Sources1776Historical Communication
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as historical communicators, use a 1776-themed social media feed to accurately and engagingly convey the causes, key figures, and shaping events of the American Revolution to a modern audience, while also exploring the values it forged for the new nation?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What were the major causes of the American Revolution?
  • Who were the key figures involved in the American Revolution, and what roles did they play?
  • How did social media operate in 1776?
  • How did the events of 1776 shape the identity and values of the newly formed United States?
  • How can we use primary and secondary sources to accurately portray historical events on social media?
  • How can we create engaging and informative social media content that appeals to a modern audience while remaining historically accurate?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to identify and explain the major causes of the American Revolution.
  • Students will be able to research and describe the roles of key figures involved in the American Revolution.
  • Students will be able to analyze and explain how the events of 1776 shaped the identity and values of the newly formed United States.
  • Students will be able to create engaging and informative social media content that accurately portrays historical events to a modern audience.
  • Students will be able to use primary and secondary sources to accurately portray historical events on social media

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Alternate History Social Feed

The class is presented with a 'broken' social media feed from an alternate reality where the American Revolution had different outcomes. Students must analyze the existing posts, identify the discrepancies, and rewrite the narrative to reflect the actual historical events and perspectives, challenging them to think critically about cause and effect.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Cause Categorization Chart

Students will brainstorm and list potential causes of the American Revolution, categorizing them into political, economic, and social factors.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm all possible causes of the American Revolution as a class.
2. Categorize the causes into political, economic, and social factors.
3. For each cause, write a brief explanation of its significance.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed chart categorizing the causes of the American Revolution with brief explanations for each.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal of identifying major causes of the American Revolution.
Activity 2

Key Figure Bio-Sketch

Students will select a key figure from the American Revolution and conduct preliminary research on their background, role, and significance.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a key figure from a provided list or suggest one for approval.
2. Research the figure using at least three different sources.
3. Write a one-page summary of their life and contributions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA one-page biography summary of the chosen key figure, highlighting their contributions and impact.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers learning goals related to researching key figures and their roles in the Revolution.
Activity 3

Echoes of the Past: Primary Source Analysis

Students will examine primary source excerpts (letters, speeches, pamphlets) from 1776 to understand the sentiments and values of the time.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read selected primary source excerpts from 1776.
2. Identify key themes and values expressed in the sources.
3. Write a reflection connecting these themes to the emerging American identity.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written reflection on how the primary sources reflect the values and identity being forged in the new nation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the learning goal of analyzing the events of 1776 and their impact on American identity.
Activity 4

Revolutionary Reels: Social Media Campaign

Students will translate historical information into a series of social media posts (simulated). Each post should cover a specific event, figure, or cause of the Revolution.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose five topics related to the American Revolution.
2. Research each topic to ensure accuracy.
3. Create a social media post for each topic, including text, image, and hashtags.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA series of five social media posts, each with text, a relevant image (drawing, meme, etc.), and appropriate hashtags.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports the learning goal of creating accurate and engaging social media content.
Activity 5

Historical Fact-Check: Peer Review

Students will peer-review each other's social media feeds for historical accuracy, engagement, and proper citation of sources.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Exchange social media feeds with a classmate.
2. Review the feed for accuracy, engagement, and source citation.
3. Write a constructive critique with specific suggestions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written critique of a classmate's social media feed, with specific suggestions for improvement.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goals of using primary and secondary sources and accurately portraying historical events.
Activity 6

The 1776 Social Media Time Capsule

Students will compile their individual social media posts, incorporating feedback from peer reviews, into a cohesive social media feed that tells the story of the American Revolution.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Revise individual posts based on peer feedback.
2. Arrange the posts in a chronological or thematic order to create a cohesive feed.
3. Add a brief introduction and conclusion to frame the feed.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA complete, curated social media feed for 1776, ready to be presented or displayed.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSynthesizes all learning goals by culminating in a complete, curated social media feed for 1776.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

1776 Social Media Time Capsule Rubric

Category 1

Cause Analysis and Chart

Assessment of the chart detailing the causes of the American Revolution, focusing on accuracy, categorization, and explanation quality.
Criterion 1

Cause Identification and Categorization

Accuracy of the identified causes and their categorization into political, economic, and social factors.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies and categorizes causes with exceptional accuracy and provides insightful explanations, demonstrating a deep understanding of their significance.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies and categorizes causes accurately with clear explanations, demonstrating a thorough understanding of their significance.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies and categorizes some causes, but may have inaccuracies or incomplete explanations, showing an emerging understanding of their significance.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify and categorize causes accurately, with minimal or unclear explanations, showing a limited understanding of their significance.

Criterion 2

Explanation Clarity and Detail

Clarity and detail of the explanations provided for each cause.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides exceptionally clear, detailed, and insightful explanations that thoroughly explore the significance of each cause.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear and detailed explanations that effectively explore the significance of each cause.

Developing
2 Points

Provides explanations that are somewhat unclear, lack detail, or partially explore the significance of each cause.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides minimal, unclear, or inaccurate explanations that fail to adequately explore the significance of each cause.

Category 2

Key Figure Bio-Sketch

Evaluation of the biography summary of a key figure from the American Revolution, focusing on research depth, clarity, and coherence.
Criterion 1

Research Depth and Breadth

Depth of research into the key figure's life, contributions, and impact.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptionally thorough research from diverse sources, providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the figure's life and impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates thorough research from multiple sources, providing a clear understanding of the figure's life and impact.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates some research, but may lack depth or diversity of sources, resulting in a limited understanding of the figure's life and impact.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates minimal research, resulting in a superficial or inaccurate understanding of the figure's life and impact.

Criterion 2

Summary Clarity and Organization

Clarity, organization, and coherence of the biography summary.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents an exceptionally clear, well-organized, and coherent biography summary that effectively highlights the key figure's contributions and significance.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a clear, well-organized, and coherent biography summary that effectively highlights the key figure's contributions and significance.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a biography summary that is somewhat disorganized, lacks clarity, or incompletely highlights the key figure's contributions and significance.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents a biography summary that is disorganized, unclear, and fails to adequately highlight the key figure's contributions and significance.

Category 3

Echoes of the Past: Primary Source Analysis

Assessment of the primary source analysis, focusing on the identification of themes and values and the quality of the reflection on American identity.
Criterion 1

Theme and Value Identification

Identification of key themes and values expressed in the primary source excerpts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies key themes and values with exceptional insight and depth, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the historical context.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies key themes and values accurately and effectively, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the historical context.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some key themes and values, but may lack depth or accuracy, showing an emerging understanding of the historical context.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify key themes and values, demonstrating a limited understanding of the historical context.

Criterion 2

Reflection Quality and Depth

Quality and depth of the reflection connecting the themes to the emerging American identity.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides an exceptionally insightful and well-reasoned reflection that deeply connects the themes to the emerging American identity, demonstrating advanced critical thinking.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a thoughtful and well-reasoned reflection that clearly connects the themes to the emerging American identity, demonstrating effective critical thinking.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a reflection that is somewhat superficial, lacks depth, or incompletely connects the themes to the emerging American identity, showing basic critical thinking.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a reflection that is minimal, unclear, or fails to adequately connect the themes to the emerging American identity, demonstrating minimal critical thinking.

Category 4

Revolutionary Reels: Social Media Campaign

Evaluation of the social media campaign, focusing on the accuracy of information and the engagement and creativity of the posts.
Criterion 1

Historical Accuracy

Accuracy of historical information presented in the social media posts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents historical information with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail, demonstrating a deep understanding of the American Revolution.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents historical information accurately and effectively, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the American Revolution.

Developing
2 Points

Presents historical information with some inaccuracies or omissions, showing an emerging understanding of the American Revolution.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents historical information with significant inaccuracies or omissions, demonstrating a limited understanding of the American Revolution.

Criterion 2

Engagement and Creativity

Engagement and creativity of the social media posts, including text, images, and hashtags.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates exceptionally engaging and creative social media posts that effectively capture the spirit of the American Revolution and appeal to a modern audience.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates engaging and creative social media posts that effectively capture the spirit of the American Revolution and appeal to a modern audience.

Developing
2 Points

Creates social media posts that are somewhat engaging or creative, but may lack impact or fail to fully capture the spirit of the American Revolution.

Beginning
1 Points

Creates social media posts that are unengaging, uncreative, or fail to capture the spirit of the American Revolution.

Category 5

Historical Fact-Check: Peer Review

Assessment of the peer review, focusing on the quality of the critique and the accuracy of the assessment.
Criterion 1

Critique Quality

Thoroughness and constructiveness of the critique, including specific suggestions for improvement.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides an exceptionally thorough and constructive critique with insightful and specific suggestions for improvement, demonstrating advanced analytical skills.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a thorough and constructive critique with specific suggestions for improvement, demonstrating effective analytical skills.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a critique that is somewhat superficial or lacks specific suggestions for improvement, showing basic analytical skills.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a critique that is minimal, unconstructive, or lacks specific suggestions for improvement, demonstrating minimal analytical skills.

Criterion 2

Assessment Accuracy

Assessment of accuracy, engagement, and proper source citation in the peer's social media feed.

Exemplary
4 Points

Accurately assesses the peer's social media feed, providing insightful feedback on accuracy, engagement, and source citation with exceptional attention to detail.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately assesses the peer's social media feed, providing clear feedback on accuracy, engagement, and source citation.

Developing
2 Points

Assesses the peer's social media feed with some inaccuracies or omissions, providing limited feedback on accuracy, engagement, and source citation.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to accurately assess the peer's social media feed, providing minimal or inaccurate feedback on accuracy, engagement, and source citation.

Category 6

The 1776 Social Media Time Capsule

Assessment of the final social media time capsule, focusing on the incorporation of feedback and the overall coherence of the feed.
Criterion 1

Feedback Incorporation

Incorporation of peer feedback to improve the individual posts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional incorporation of peer feedback, resulting in significantly improved individual posts that reflect a deep understanding of the suggestions.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates effective incorporation of peer feedback, resulting in improved individual posts that reflect a thorough understanding of the suggestions.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates some incorporation of peer feedback, but the individual posts may only be partially improved or reflect a limited understanding of the suggestions.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates minimal incorporation of peer feedback, resulting in little to no improvement in the individual posts.

Criterion 2

Feed Coherence and Flow

Coherence and flow of the curated social media feed, including the introduction and conclusion.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates an exceptionally coherent and well-flowing social media feed with a compelling introduction and conclusion that effectively frames the story of the American Revolution.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates a coherent and well-flowing social media feed with a clear introduction and conclusion that effectively frames the story of the American Revolution.

Developing
2 Points

Creates a social media feed that is somewhat disorganized or lacks flow, with an introduction and conclusion that are weak or incomplete.

Beginning
1 Points

Creates a social media feed that is disorganized and lacks flow, with a minimal or missing introduction and conclusion.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How did your understanding of the causes of the American Revolution evolve throughout this project?

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Question 2

Which key figure did you research, and how did their perspective influence the content you created for the social media feed?

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Question 3

In what ways did analyzing primary sources change your perception of the events of 1776? Give specific examples.

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Question 4

What challenges did you encounter while creating historically accurate and engaging social media content? How did you overcome them?

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Question 5

How did the peer review process impact the accuracy and quality of your final social media feed?

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Question 6

What is the most important lesson you learned about the American Revolution through this project, and how can you apply it to your understanding of other historical events?

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