Citizen Quest

A quest for Famous American Citizens for 4th, 5th, or 6th grades.

Designed by
Randi Yoho and Diana Lautenschlager
3rd grade teachers
Plainfield, Indiana

Last updated on March 2005 by Trisha Armstrong

 

 

Introduction

    For many years the United States Postal Service has made postage stamps more exciting by adding various symbols, graphics and people on the stamp face.  Our class is fortunate to have the opportunity to serve on a task force appointed by the United States Government.  The Government wants to choose ONE image for the face of ALL postage stamps.  Your job is to help determine whose image will appear on every stamp.  Throughout United States history, who do you think demonstrates the finest qualities of citizenship and is worthy of representing American citizenship on every postage stamp?

 

 

Task

    Based on what you have learned about Famous Americans and citizenship, you and two other students will research, record and deliver a presentation.  Your goal is to find an American who demonstrates quality citizenship and use your presentation to persuade the task for to vote for your citizen. This individual will have the honor of appearing on the new postage stamp. 

 

 

Process

1.  You will be assigned to a team of 3 students.  Your team will research selected Web sites to find a famous American who will best demonstrate quality citizenship.

2.  After you have selected a person, your research should include the following information:

                What is the Citizen's full name, date and place of birth, age or date of death?

                 What is the educational background of the citizen?

                What was this person's career choice or area of interest?

                What important contribution(s) did they make to the United States?

                What effect did this contribution make on our country?

                Has this person received any awards or other positive recognition?

*Hint:  If you cannot find answers to at least 4 of these questions you should choose another person to research.

3.  Next, with the information you gathered, your group will write a one page summary.  This summary should be written in a way that would persuade the other members of the task force that your citizen should be chosen to appear on the face of the stamp. 

4.  Using the computer, your group will create a stamp that contains a picture of the citizen you researched.

5.  Using your written proposal and your stamp, create a presentation for the task force expressing why you think they should choose your citizen .

       Presentation Choices

            A slide show using Powerpoint 

            A Flyer using Publisher

            Dress and act the part of your citizen

            Create and sing a song about your citizen

 

 

Resources

http://www.greatwomen.org/

http://aabd.chadwyck.com/

http://www.famouspeople.com

http://www.congress.gov

http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/people.html

 

 

Evaluation

Evaluation Rubric

 

 

 

Conclusion

You and your group have now presented your citizen to the task force.  Will your citizen be chosen to have their face on the stamp?