Social Studies Historical Figure Project

This year in Social Studies, we have learned about nine historical figures that
worked to expand the rights of citizens in our democracy. We also learned
about obstacles that the historical figures overcame to be successful, how their
location and environments affected their lives, political organizations that they
supported, and awards that they won.
Nine historical figures: Paul Revere, Susan B. Anthony, Fredrick Douglas, Mary
McLeod Bethune, Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Thurgood Marshall,
Lyndon B. Johnson, Cesar Chavez
For this project, you are to select one of the nine historical figures. Then,
write a speech from his or her point-of-view. I suggest writing it on
notecards. Your speech should include the following details:
-When and where were you born?
- Tell us three fun facts about you.
-How did your location impact life? (E.g. South-slavery, Colonies-no
independence)
-What obstacles did you overcome to be successful?
-Were you in any political groups? What did they stand for?
- How did you expand rights for citizens in our democracy?
- Did you win any awards?
You will be assigned various due dates for this project so that you know
when to come to school prepared. Parents may come to watch their child
present. The day that you are assigned to give your speech, you should
attempt to dress like your historical figure would have dressed. You will
read your speech to the class in costume. Make sure that you have
practiced reading with good fluency! Pay attention to accuracy, punctuation,
expression, and pace when you are speaking.

This rubric is how you will be graded! Make sure that you will
score all 4s by using this as you prepare your project!
CATEGORY

25 points

20 points

15 points

10 points
You did not
attempt to dress
like your
historical figure.

Dress

You attempted to dress like your

historical figure.

Content

Your speech
included all of the
required content:
birthday, birth
place, three fun
facts, location,
political groups,
and how you
worked to expand
rights in a
democracy.

Your speech
included most of
the required
content.

Your speech had Your speech did

only one or two not include the
key aspects of
required content.
the required
content.

Fluency

You delivered
your speech with
appropriate
fluency. You read
with accuracy,
and your fluency
had appropriate
expression and
pace. You used
punctuation to
guide your
fluency. You did a
character voice.

You delivered
your speech with
appropriate
fluency. You read
with accuracy,
and your fluency
had appropriate
expression and
pace. You used
punctuation to
guide your
fluency. You did
not do a character
voice.

You did not

You did not read
maintain fluency with fluency.
during your
speech.

Audience
Behavior

You were polite and respectful

when others were
giving their
speeches. You did
not talk or engage
is distracting
behavior.

An adult had to
speak to you
about your
behavior when
someone else was
giving a speech.