Lewis and Clark - October Post

          Students have done time line on Lewis and Clark and have watched a documentary on it.  At this point we are looking for something that they can create that will show they understand what they have studied and seen.  This year we decided to do journal entries.  Students were broken into groups of three, each person in the group had to choose a different person from the expedition and three different events.  Students then had time to research their specific events and write their journal entries.  Honors had to write three entries with seven sentences each.  Regulars had to write three entries with five sentences each.  The qualifications for Honors were more stringent in regards to details and personal characteristics in their entries that could identify the person without seeing who signed the entry.

Here is an example of an entry: 

June 19, 1803;

I have just sent out the proposal letter to my dear friend William Clark requesting his assistance in my upcoming expedition. The amount of anticipation for the answer to my request is unbearable. I have presented him with all of the information that was given to me, in the best hopes that he will agree to assist me on this fabulous journey. I provided Clark that I have had the choice to indict soldiers, whom of which cannot be commissioned officers, and exceeding no more than twelve, along with any other men that I so believe will be an aid to this journey. I have the highest of hopes.

Meriwether Lewis.

  Overall I would consider the project a success. There was an issue in having all the students turn in their projects (here we are in November and I am still waiting for six projects to be turned in). The reviews went over well with students. The only major issue they faced was in putting their final product together in chronological order. The use of Google Docs for the document definitely assisted in letting everyone work on their portion at the same time. It also helps them in regards to spell check and grammar.