Embedded Files
Below you will find links to and descriptions of all the history assignments we use in Choose Your Own Adventure. Click on the individual assignment links to get the full instructions and printable worksheets. Any other missing assignments will be found in This Week in Class and in Students.
We have divided the assignments into 3 categories based on what skills you will use to complete them.
Detective: A detective closely examines historical facts and puts them together in many forms. They work with charts to present information clearly and logically. They enjoy answering questions and finding details.
Artist: An artist focuses on pictures to learn about the past. They produce drawings to present information to others in unique ways. They enjoy creating work that shows off their skill and talent.
Profiler: A profiler is mostly interested in people and how they think. They like to imagine themselves in historical situations and write about how they would have reacted. They usually present their information through short writings.
Specialist: A specialist in history uses all three of the above skills to create projects that appeal to many people. They are interested in all aspects of history and present their ideas in complex projects.
20-30 Minute (Half-Period) Assignments
5 points each
Name
Type
Description
A word from the unit is written vertically and then each letter is used to start each line of a descriptive poem. Usable in any unit.
Draw a picture of a historical object and annotate it with captions.
Write a short explanation of life experiences as if you were a particular object from history (for example: Da Vinci's paintbrush).
Complete a poem with a pre-made layout about a specific person (or group) in history. Requires detailed information about the figure.
Create a bumper sticker about a specific topic. Usable in any unit. Requires high creativity.
Describe two causes and two effects of a historical event. Requires an event with obvious causes and effects.
Complete a 5 section graphic organizer for the unit including review questions, key terms and a symbol.
Using a picture with random shapes and scribbles, create a scene depicting something we studied in the unit. Highly recommended.
Write out the daily schedule for a person living in a historical civilization. This explains what a typical person in a civilization would do throughout their entire day.
Design the epitaph and gravestone for a famous figure. Requires some knowledge and/or research about the figure.
Give grades to a historical figure based on certain subjects assigned by your teacher. Highly recommended.
Complete a graphic organizer highlighting the influences and contributions of a given society or person.
Answer a series of thought-provoking questions about a single photograph or piece of art.
Create a graphic organizer in the shape of a picture frame about a historical figure.
Make a postcard as if you were visiting an ancient civilization.
Give grades to a historical figure based on subjects assigned by the teacher. Highly recommended.
Write a summary of a historical event in the form of a text message to a friend.
Complete a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast two historical figures, events or civilizations.
Create a wanted (or hero) poster for a figure in history.
Write a letter to a historical figure giving them advice on a problem they are facing.
50-60 Minute (Full Period) Assignments
10 points each
Type
Description
List 10 imporant people, events, concepts, etc. and then create conceptual links between them in a graphic organizer.
Complete a graphic organizer as a history unit summary. Requires the unit to be broken into 5 parts to work as shown here.
Create a 3-5 panel comic strip showing an event from a historical period.
Create flashcards for four key terms from a unit.
Create an instant message conversation between two historical figures about a historic event.
Draw a map and add captions or small pictures to bring the map to life.
Draw a timeline and add captions or small pictures to bring it to life.
Write and recite an introductory speech for a historical figure. May require some extra research about the figure.
Create an invitation (the who, what, when, where, what to bring, etc.) to a historical event we studied during the unit.
Write a legal defense for a historical figure who may have committed a crime.
Complete two bio-poems side to side to highlight the similarities and differences between two historical figures or groups.
Write a recipe with a list of ingredients it would take to create a given civilization or culture. This requires abstract or metaphorical thinking. If you don't know what "abstract" or "metaphorical" means, then do not attempt this assignment.
Rewrite the lyrics to a song to make them about a historical period.
Transport yourself back in time and figure out what would happen to your age and gender in a given civilization.
Create three trading cards for people, events or objects from a given unit. The cards each include basic information and a "relevance ranking." Try to collect them all! Courtesy of Mr. Woodside.
Create a television channel line-up based on a recent unit. Decide what shows would be on to match up to the culture.
Draw pictures contrasting key points of two civilizations. One of the shorter full day assignments.
Write a series of diary entries as if you were a certain historical figure going through an assigned event.
2 Hour (Two Period) Assignments
20 points each
Type
Description
Make your own crossword puzzle. Usable in any unit.
Create a Myspace page for a historical figure. Highly Recommended.
Create a children's book about a given topic.
Write and perform a short play about a historical event. Completed in pairs or small groups.
Write a creative fictional story using key terms and figures from the unit.
Create a storyboard layout for a movie based on a historical event.
Create a web page about a specific topic from a unit.
Use art and writing to recreate a given unit as a movie. You will design a movie poster and write a movie review.
Design a one page magazine-style cover for a section of the textbook.
Create a puppet of a historical figure along with a list of statements that person would or did say.
Create a six-panel foldout brochure that highlights the history, hot spots, and accomodations of a society we have studied.
Flip the script on an event in history. Change one major detail from the event and then speculate as to what might change as a result. You will then show your results in a recreated textbook page.
Special Assignments (3-4 periods)
40 points each
Name
Type
Description
Working with a partner create a picture book for 24-26 key terms from a unit, each starting with a different letter of the Alphabet.
Create a board game using historical information. Be creative and follow directions carefully.
Write a report on and build a model of a technological achievement from history.
Working with a group of 3 or 4 other students film a short newscast presentation on a historical event. Most of the work for this project will be done outside of class.
Working with a group of 3 or 4 other students create a newspaper with multiple articles and elements on a period in history.
Create a large word cluster using terms from a given unit. They write sentences explaining why you made certain connections. The Brain Chain assignment is a simplifed form of this one.
Create a Powerpoint presentation on a historical topic.
Coming soon!
Text Twist!
Google Sites
Report abuse