Decades

(“Those who don’t learn from history

Are doomed to repeat it”)

Decades Summary
Description: Your job is to research and create a multimedia report on a decade in the
1900s. Use Microsoft Office and the web to make it a memorable
one.

Web Browser Research and gather historical information on the decade of your choice.

Word Processing Create a cover page.

Create a timeline that highlights the major events that occurred during your
decade

Excel Produce comparison table charts.

Spreadsheet

PowerPoint or Prepare a slide show or video to teach the class about your decade.
Pinnacle

PowerPoint Design an interactive game on your decade.

Publisher Make a two sided newsletter about the decade.

HTML Create a Web site about your decade.

Inspiration for these projects from: Toporski, Todd. Independent Projects Using Microsoft Office and
the Web. Westminster, CA 92683: Teacher Created Materials, Inc., 2002.
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Introduction:
Have you ever heard that those who don’t learn from history are domed to repeat it? You are
on a quest to research a particular decade during the 1900’s. Use your skills to make this a
memorable assignment.

Things to think about:

 What was happening in your decade—politically in the US and other countries?
 What were the fashions of the day?
 What events or sports were popular? Include popular movies, music entertainers etc.

Word Processing/Internet
 Create a cover sheet using wordart and drawing tools. PRINT IN COLOR
 Use your Internet skills to research important events during this decade and create a
timeline in Word using the drawing tools. The timeline should meet the following
requirements:
 Include major events that occurred during your decade
 Accurately label major events with the correct date and year
 Be visually appealing—enhance with color, graphics, clip art, etc.
 Fit on one page (Change the Orientation to Landscape)
 Print the timeline in color

Graphics/Publisher
 Design a two-sided newsletter covering the major events of your decade.
 Use pictures or graphics to enhance your newsletter.

Spreadsheet
 Create a spreadsheet showing the costs of various items in your decade and today.
 Start with such things as: milk, gas, bread, clothing, car prices, etc.
 Create a chart or two comparing this information. PRINT THE CHARTS IN COLOR

PowerPoint or Pinnacle (Studio 8)

 Prepare a slide show or video to teach the class about your decade.
 Include appropriate music from the decade.
 Create an interactive game in PowerPoint to test your students.

HTML
 Create a web site based on the research you have gathered and the documents you
have created.
 Include links to research sites about the decade.

Inspiration for these projects from: Toporski, Todd. Independent Projects Using Microsoft Office and the
Web. Westminster, CA 92683: Teacher Created Materials, Inc., 2002.

Criteria
(Excellent)
Cover Page Created a cover page with a
(10 Points) graphic and detailed author
information
Timeline (20 Created an excellent timeline
Points) that listed all major events
and the correct dates. The
timeline was visually
appealing and printed to fit
on one page.
Decade Created a detailed tri-fold
Newsletter two-sided newsletter with
(25 Points) appropriate articles and
graphics.
Cost Provided a detailed cost
Comparison comparison table with
(25 Points) correct formatting and
accurate, colorful charts.
Charts were printed in color
Multimedia Created an interesting and
Slideshow or detailed presentation that
Video described the decade.
(25 Points) Included appropriate music
from the decade. Printed out
handouts of the slides.
PPT Game Created a detailed interactive
(20 Points) game that students could use
to learn about the decade. All
Inspiration for these projects from: Toporski, Todd. Independent Projects Using Microsoft Office and the Web. Westminster, CA 92683: Teacher Created
Materials, Inc., 2002.
Decades Rubric
Scoring
(Almost There)
Created a cover page with a
graphic and included some
author information.
Created a timeline that
included most major events.
The timeline was visually
appealing but could have
been enhanced more
effectively. Printed to fit on
one page.
Created a tri-fold two-sided
newsletter with appropriate
articles and graphics.
Provided a cost comparison
table with correct
formatting and at least one
chart. Charts were printed
in color.
Created a presentation that
described the decade. Did
not include appropriate
music from the decade.
Printed out handouts of the
slides.
Created an interactive game
that students could use to
learn about the decade.
Score
(Needs Improvement) (Poor)
Created a cover page. Did not create a cover
page.
Created a timeline, but either Did not create a
did not include major events timeline.
or did not enhance the timeline
with graphics and color. The
timeline was not printed
correctly.
Created a newsletter at least Did not create a
one-page long, but lacked newsletter.
appropriate articles and
graphics.
Provided a cost comparison Did not provide a cost
table, but did not have correct comparison table.
formatting or charts.
Created a presentation, but did Did not create a
describe the decade or show presentation.
enough detail.
Created an interactive game Did not create a game
that students could use to learn about the decade.
about the decade. Many errors
 items worked correctly. Most items worked occurred during game.
correctly.

Inspiration for these projects from: Toporski, Todd. Independent Projects Using Microsoft Office and the Web. Westminster, CA 92683: Teacher Created
Materials, Inc., 2002.

Criteria
(Excellent)
Web Site Developed an excellent Web
(30 Points) site using information from
other parts of the project.
Used proper Web design.
Final Packet Final packet was put together
(20 Points) neatly in the correct order,
stapled appropriately, and
handed in on time.
Final All members participated in
Presentation explaining elements of the
to Class project. Presentation went
(25 Points) exceptionally well. Group
picked the best 2-3 key items
of the project to highlight.
Used the 10 minutes of
presentation time very
effectively. Presentation
style and delivery were
excellent.
Comments
Inspiration for these projects from: Toporski, Todd. Independent Projects Using Microsoft Office and the Web. Westminster, CA 92683: Teacher Created
Materials, Inc., 2002.
Decades Rubric
Scoring
(Almost There)
Developed a Web site
using information from
other parts of the project.
Used proper Web design.
Final packet was in the
correct order, stapled
appropriately, and handed
in on time.
All members participated
in explaining elements of
the project. Presentation
went smoothly. Group
picked 2-3 key items of the
project to highlight. Used
the 10 minutes of
presentation time
effectively. Presentation
style and delivery were
good.
Score
(Needs Improvement) (Poor)
Developed a Web site but did Did not develop a Web
not correctly use information site.
from other parts of the project.
Some aspects of the Web
design were flawed.
Final packet was not put No final packet was
together correctly or turned in turned in.
on time.
Not all members were active One member did the
participants in the project presentation.
presentation. Presentation was Presentation was
rough--not well planned. rough--not well
Group picked 1-2 key items of planned. Did not use
the project to highlight. Did the presentation time
not use the 10 minutes of effectively.
presentation time effectively. Presentation style and
Presentation style and delivery delivery were very
were weak. weak.
TOTAL SCORE:
(200 Possible)
Inspiration for these projects from: Toporski, Todd. Independent Projects Using Microsoft Office and the Web. Westminster, CA 92683: Teacher Created
Materials, Inc., 2002.
 Decades
Printing and Presentation Instructions
The items listed below are in order according to the way they should appear in your final
packet. Final packets should be three-hole punched and in a binder. Please read the
additional information about printing and presentation instructions.

Item (In Final Packet Printing Instructions Check

Order) when
complete
Cover Page Print in color
Timeline Print in color
Decades Newsletter/Brochure Print in color (2 sided)
Cost Comparison Print charts in color
PowerPoint or Video Print in color (Handouts—6 slides per page)
Do not print if you did the movie
PPT interactive game Print in color (Handouts—6 slides per page)
Web Site DO NOT PRINT (GRADED DURING
PRESENTATION)

Presentation Information:
Your group will sign up for a presentation time. Each group will have 10 minutes to
present. Part of your grade is based on your presentation. Are you ready? Do you know
who is presenting what? Have you discussed the order in which you would like to present
things?

During your presentation you must show the following things:

• Web Page
• Play Interactive Game
• Show Movie
• Brochure (Pass around one copy for others to see while you are presenting)

Good Luck! If you have questions, ASK!

Inspiration for these projects from: Toporski, Todd. Independent Projects Using Microsoft Office and
the Web. Westminster, CA 92683: Teacher Created Materials, Inc., 2002.