The Color of Water

The Color of Water – Mini-Research Assignment

Copy of Assignment and Rubric

Sample Project

The purpose of this assignment is for students to practice research skills and gain an understanding of the historical setting of James McBride’s memoir.

The Assignment / Requirements:

  1. On your own or with a partner, you will need to do some basic research on your event or historic figure…this means accessing a reliable source, taking notes, and keeping track of your sources in MLA format.
  2. You will need to be able to explain in your own words: Who? / What? When? Importance/Significance?
  3. Create an 8x11 poster with a title, a picture, and the answers to the above questions with parenthetical citations where needed.
  4. Attach a works cited page and a bibliography if needed.
  5. Present your poster/information to the class.

Grading Criteria: (Total Points Available = 50)

10 Points - Small poster is neat with a clear title, a picture that makes sense, and few to no errors.

5 Points - Dates and information are accurate.

10 Points - Explanation includes who/what as well as importance/significance with enough of your own words to demonstrate understanding.

10 Points - All borrowed words and ideas are credited appropriately with parenthetical citations in correct MLA format. Borrowed ideas/phrases are integrated grammatically.

10 Points - There is a works cited page that is formatted correctly and corresponds with the parenthetical citation/s. Sources are academic and reliable – with use of at least one database source.

5 Points - The project was completed and presented on time, presentation was well-prepared and clear.

Total: 50 Points

Topics:

  • The Harlem Renaissance
  • The Great Depression
  • 1960’s Counter-culture
  • KKK
  • The Black Panthers
  • Malcolm X
  • Prohibition
  • Civil Rights Movement
  • Jim Crow Laws
  • Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
  • Jackie Robinson
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Joe Louis