This project provides students with an opportunity to apply and showcase what they have learned throughout their study of the Being an American curriculum. Students will identify a topic related to the curriculum that they wish to learn more about, research that topic, and then develop a product to share with the class on an assigned date.

Guiding Questions:

• What does “Being an American” mean to me?
• What principles and virtues are common to all Americans?

Objectives:

• Students will reflect on what they have learned across the Being an American curriculum.
• Students will practice civic virtues needed in civil society by working in groups.
• Students will research and analyze a topic of their choosing connected to the Being an American curriculum themes.
• Students will practice public speaking skills by sharing what they learned in a presentation or prerecorded video.

Student Materials

• Being an American Capstone Project Parameters and Directions
• Group Contract
• Research/Library Check-In
• Project Rubric

Facilitation Notes: Students will consult Appendix A: Founding Principles and Civic Virtues Organizer and Appendix B: Being an American Unit Graphic Organizer from the first lesson in the curriculum. This project is designed as a culminating assessment after completing the Being an American curriculum. Students may choose to work on their project individually or in small groups, subject to teacher discretion. If allowing students to work in groups, you may opt to use Group Contract to ensure accountability. You may elect to have students work on their projects during class, on their own time, or both. You may wish to use Research/Library Check-In if using class time. This project allows for a significant amount of student choice in selecting the topic and medium that their project will take. It is recommended that teachers approve the topic as shown in the project parameters to ensure students ground their content in the material and demonstrate the knowledge they have gained.