28th Amendment Website Directions
1. You will create a website on Google Sites or another free web-building site such as weebly.com. and share your website with Mr. M via your class edmodo page and your student blog. In addition, you will be writing a reflective essay covering this project which will also be turned in with your website on edmodo and on the same blog entry.
2. The design of the website homepage is up to you, however consider it’s aesthetic appeal because your grade will be partially based on layout. You want visitors to linger at your site.
3. The theme of the Website is “______ NOW!” In other words, your website wants an immediate and dramatic change in the US government right now in the form of a new Amendment to the Constitution. For example, had there been computers in 1919, there doubtless would have been many websites drawing attention to and demanding the need for a 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. A possible website could have been titled: “LET WOMEN VOTE NOW!” Once your cause is decided, fill your homepage with the necessary colors, words, and images that will elicit an emotional response from the reader.
4. Your task is to think long and hard about what new amendment you would like to argue that the US Congress should propose. Think of all the many things wrong and unjust in our own country that could be fixed with an amendment to our constitution.
Mandatory Items in the Website
1. Home Page
2. A Tool bar on home page that must include at least the following 6 buttons/tabs:
28th Amendment
Links to Videos Showing the Problems Caused by the Omission of the Amendment
Ten Past Amendments that Made America Better
Steps to get an Amendment Ratified
Testimonials
Additional Information
3. The rubric will give more details to the above items.
**Final Draft of your website and reflective essay is due on your class edmodo page & student blog on January 17, 2017 by 8AM.
Amendment Website Rubric
Directions for Sharing: By Tuesday, January 17th (8AM) you must share the link to your website via edmodo and post the link on your student blog, along with your reflective essay. Starting on Tuesday, January 17th and continuing on your scheduled exam day you will be meeting with Mr. M to present your website and discuss your reflective essays. Mr. M will be asking you to navigate your website at his discretion as he asks questions (and fills out the scoring rubric). You must bring a hard copy of the rubric to the interview.
Homepage Visuals
The home page has aesthetic appeal that would cause visitors to linger at your site.
____ /5 The background color/design compliments the foreground.
____ /5 At least three contextually correct visuals are embedded on the home page. (Dimension - B)
Homepage Text
The home page is easy to read and gives off an impression of the need and purpose of the amendment
____ /5 The title of the website (largest font on page) includes “______ NOW!” (Dimension - B)
____ /5 The subtitle of the website (2nd largest font) includes “ Ratify...28th...Amendment!”
____ /5 The third line of the website should be a hook or catch phrase. (Dimension - B)
____ /5 Six buttons/tabs appear on the page so the reader can navigate to other pages.
(28th Amendment)
____ /10 The FIRST button/tab links the reader to a page devoted solely to a complete sentence or two describing the new law. This page will be scored for both feasibility and productivity of the amendment. Because this is only a sentence or two, the law’s potential will be better described during the interview process by the author of the amendment. (Dimension - B)
(Links)
____ /10 The SECOND button/tab connects the reader to a page called “Links.” Once on the page, the reader will be able see two links with a paragraph description of what can be found on each video. Link will be scored for how well you compare and contrast the opinions and goals of the video to your amendment’s cause. Video must be under five minutes. (Dimension A)
( Noteworthy Amendments)
____ /10 The THIRD button/tab links the reader to the following information. You need to briefly explain the content of your TEN chosen amendments. The below amendments are only suggestions. Students are free to omit any of the below amendments in favor of any of the other 27 amendments. (Dimension - B)
Noteworthy Amendments (1789-1992 - Changes made to the Constitution)
1. Free Speech, Press, Assembly, and Religion *
2. Right to own Guns *
4. No unreasonable search and seizure (Warrants) *
5. Right to be silent *
10. People have rights not listed *
* Bill of Rights
12. Electoral College
13. No Slavery
14. Minorities can vote
18 No Alcohol
19 Woman can Vote
21 Yes Alcohol
26 18 Year-Olds can Vote
(Steps to Ratify)
There are two major steps in the amendment process. First, amendments must be proposed. Amendments can be proposed in two different ways. An amendment can be proposed by the Congress if two-thirds of the members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate vote in favor of it. Alternatively, two-thirds of the legislatures of the fifty states can call for a constitutional convention for the purposes of proposing amendments to the Constitution. Since the Constitution was ratified in 1789, numerous amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by the Congress, but the states have never voted to call for a new constitutional convention.
Once an amendment to the Constitution has been proposed, it must be ratified to become "valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of [the] Constitution." Article V specifies two methods by which proposed amendments can be ratified. First, an amendment can be ratified if three-fourths of the legislatures of the several states vote in support of it. Alternatively, the Congress can direct the states to establish special ratifying conventions to consider proposed amendments. If three-fourths of these conventions approve the amendment, it is ratified and becomes part of the Constitution.
(Testimonials)
____ /15 The FIFTH button/tab links the readers to a page that has at least three testimonials (quotations) from experts or celebrities backing up your desire to ratify the new amendment. Be creative with this. These testimonials must be stylistically appropriate in tone and content. Make sure to include the job title and qualifications of each person cited. (Dimension - C)
(Additional Info/Resources)
____ / 10 The SIXTH button/tab link the readers to a page with additional information about your website and cause. It is your choice what additional information you would like to add on this tab, but TWO pieces of additional information must be provided. Topics to consider are; contact information, donation information (what the $ is used for), a brief history of the cause you are fighting for, facts/info about your cause, additional resources (website, etc) about your cause, follow us information for social media platforms. These are a few suggestions, be creative with this section.
____/10 Reflective Essay. 5 Paragraphs and all requirements (on separate sheet) of essay are met. (Dimensions - A, B, & C)
Scoring Scale A = (90-100) / B = (80-89) / C = (70-79) / D = (60-69)
F = 59 or less. *parenthesis includes reflective essay scores. Rubric dimension scores are included in both scores for a total of 70% of grade on this assessment.
Dimension A : Comparing / Contrasting
(0) No evidence of comparing/contrasting.
(1) Identifies minor or surface-level similarities and/or differences.
(2) Identifies significant similarities and differences.
(3) Identifies significant similarities and differences relevant to a specific claim/main idea/thesis.
(4) Identifies significant similarities and differences relevant to a specific claim/main idea/thesis. Explains in a limited way why the similarities/differences are meaningful within the frame of reference (i.e., the claim/main idea/thesis).
(5)Analyzes or evaluates significant similarities and differences relevant to a specific claim/main idea/thesis. Thoroughly explains why the similarities/differences are meaningful within the frame of reference. Organizes points of comparison in a logical way.
(+) Analyzes or evaluates significant similarities and differences relevant to a specific claim/main idea/thesis, including an explanation of how the similarities/differences support a specific claim/main idea/thesis. Organizes points of comparison in a way that supports understanding and analysis.
Dimension B : Writing Argumentative Claim
(0) Claim is unclear or missing.
(1)Main claim is generally introduced; subclaims are limited, unrelated, or unclear.
(2) Main claim is clearly introduced; subclaims are relevant to main claim.
(3) Claims and subclaims are clearly introduced throughout writing and organized so that relationships between claims and subclaims are evident.
(4) Claims and subclaims are clearly introduced and organized in a way that makes relationships among claims & subclaims clear and supports the reader's understanding. Some attention is given to the significance of claims.
(5) Claims and subclaims are clear, focused, and consistent throughout the writing; the sequencing of the claims and subclaims builds the reader's understanding throughout the writing. The significance of the claims is clearly established.
(+) Claims and subclaims are clear, precise, and consistent throughout the writing with some nuance; the sequencing of the claims and subclaims creates a coherent structure that builds the reader's understanding throughout the writing. The significance of the claims is clearly established and developed.
Dimension C : Style and Language (Tone, Academic Language, Syntax)
(0) Does not use formal language.
(1) Begins to use a formal style but includes a significant amount of informal language. Sentence structure frequently obscures meaning.
(2) Uses a formal style most of the time but may include some informal language. Sentence structure is basic and repetitive or uneven and sometimes confusing.
(3) Consistently uses a formal style with some academic or specialized language. Sentence structure is functional; writing may demonstrate strong control over basic sentence structures but limited control over more complex structures.
(4) Consistently uses a formal style with consistently appropriate academic or specialized language. Sentence patterns are somewhat varied, with strong control over basic sentence structures and variable control over more complex structures.
(5) Consistently uses a formal style and academic/specialized language when most appropriate but also varies style and language effectively given the purpose, audience & conventions of the writing. Sentence structures are varied and effective.
(+) Consistently uses a formal style and academic/specialized language when most appropriate but also varies style, language, tone, and voice effectively given the purpose, audience & conventions of the writing. Sentence structures are varied and used strategically to enhance meaning by drawing attention to key ideas or reinforcing relationships among ideas.