Author: Jennifer Earnest

World at War

Museum of Encounters, Explorations, and Exchanges during the World Wars

1910-1946

Project Overview
For the next two weeks you will be working with a partner to create an exhibit that will be on display for students and staff from the school to peruse. To create something that will be valuable for your peers, you should focus on the driving question:
How would we design a museum exhibit about the World Wars so that it
appeals to students at FVHS?
You will need to collaborate to research, design, and create an exhibit that is both entertaining and informative.
All of the World History students will be displaying their exhibits in our school-wide Museum on 5/13, and you will be serving as docents to offer insights for visitors.
Tips for Choosing a Partner
When selecting a peer to collaborate with, consider the following questions:
Q: Will they do their work?
A: If you hesitate to say “YES,” you may want to choose another partner
Q: Will they encourage me to remain focused?
A: When you are together, do you find yourself distracted and off task? If the answer is yes, you may want to choose another partner
Topic Proposal Form Due: Tuesday May 3rd
Name(s):
[This is not a firm commitment, but you should have an idea of what you’re interested in]
Proposal Description – Who / what do you want to study?
Issue Question:
1. Why are you interested in studying this person / event / idea?
2. Describe why this person / event is important – explain the historical significance. Give three clear reasons why this was important to history at a local, national, or international level:
a.
b.
c.
3. So what? Why is this important enough for you to research and present? Convince me.
Topic Approval: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: _____________________________________ Date: ________________

Resource Links

In This Packet
Refining your Focus
Project Proposal
What is an Annotated Bibliography?
Primary or Secondary?
Project Timeline
Grading Rubric

How would we design a museum exhibit about the World
Wars so that it
appeals to
students at FVHS?

Exhibit Example

Refining your Focus
For this project, you will be focusing on Exploration, Exchange, and Encounters during the World Wars. This theme is broad enough in scope to encourage investigation of issues that are interesting to you. You can begin brainstorming for possible ideas by thinking about subjects you are interested in, whether it is science, sports, art, warfare, culture, or even specific people. Make note of any areas of interest, creating a list of possible subjects. Talking with your classmates, teachers, and parents about your list can help you narrow down your selection.
Brainstorm Ideas
The first thing you’ll need to consider is which time period you want to work on: WWI, the Interwar Years, or WWII. With your partner, brainstorm a list of possible topics. Use your first day in the library to quickly see what materials are available, so you can begin to eliminate ideas.
Narrowing your Focus
Now that you have a topic that intrigues you, you will need to narrow it to an issue question.

Project
Proposal Sheet
After you have done some initial research and narrowed down your focus, you must complete the project proposal sheet.
Use it to explain why your research is relevant. Bring the completed form to me to discuss.
Once I have signed off on the proposal, you can continue your research and begin developing your bibliography & exhibit!

Exhibit Example

What kind of Source is This?
There are wide varieties of resources available for you to begin your quest. Begin with secondary sources.
Secondary Sources: There are wide varieties of resources available for you to begin your quest. Begin with secondary sources. These will provide historical context, may assist you in narrowing your topic even further, and guide you toward primary sources relevant to your topic.
Primary Sources: The most common definition of a primary source is that which is written or produced in the time period. Primary sources are materials directly related to a topic by time or participation. These materials include letters, speeches, diaries, newspaper articles from the time, oral history interviews, documents, photographs, artifacts, or anything else that provides first-hand accounts about a person or event. This definition also applies to primary sources found on the internet.

Exhibit Example

Annotated Bibliography
Annotated Bibliographies are a common practice in historical research. They are handy because they provide an opportunity for you to reflect on the usefulness of each source and keep your thoughts organized. Unlike a traditional work cited, you will also provide analysis of each source you use. You will create one of these for your Exhibit project.
Key elements of an annotated bibliography:
It is called an Annotated Bibliography. Not a Bibliography, not a Works Cited. Put this in the top center and either underline or boldface the title.
Primary sources are listed first, and listed in alphabetical order by the first word in the citation (excluding “a,” “an,” and “the.”)
Secondary sources are listed next, and listed in alphabetical order by the first word in the citation (excluding “a,” “an,” and “the.”)
**To assist you with this, you may want to create a file of Primary Sources and a file of Secondary Sources.
Annotated bibliographies are double-spaced (no need for an extra line between entries).
All lines after the first lines are tabbed in one tab (1/2 inch).
URLs (web addresses) should NOT be hyperlinked. I know that word does this automatically. Right click on the hyperlink, and click “remove hyperlink.”

Project Checklist & Timeline
May 2: Step 1 – Select a topic
May 3: Step 2 – Narrow your topic. Project Proposal Due!
May 4, 5, & 6: Step 3 – Research.
Some helpful hints about Quality Research:
Use credible sources. Experts in the field write credible sources. They are peer reviewed and fact checked. If you have questions about your source’s credibility, you need to investigate further. This is especially important when using information collected from the internet.
May 6: Step 4 - Developing an annotated bibliography. Rough Draft Due!
May 9-11: Step 5 – Design Project, conduct additional research (as necessary), and type the script (label content).
May 12: Finish the exhibit Complete Exhibit Due!
May 13: Museum Day! Annotated Bibliography Final Draft Due!

Requirement Checklist
Exhibit is no larger than 40 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 6 feet high OR If the exhibit is circular or rotating, it is no more than 30 inches in diameter .
Includes a header that is creative, impactful, and easy to read
Exhibit has a minimum of 15 primary sources, and are of at least 3 different types
Text is always appropriate, neat, and clear
All of the label content (text) is historically accurate
The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness & color scheme ties it all together
There are no large blocks of text
Exhibit includes artifact or 3 dimensional element (Extra Credit)
Exhibit includes audio or visual element (Extra Credit)

How will you make your project appealing?

Minor Grades:
Daily Logs
Project Proposal
Rough Draft

Major Grades:
Final Annotated Bibliography
Exhibit
Docent skills

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