Summative Performance Task & Taking Informed Action

Summative Performance Task

Argument

 “How do we reckon with a history full of complexities and contradictions?” In a format of your choice (e.g., digital presentation, poster, paragraph), discuss the complexities and contradictions in the history of the founding of the United States and how we should remember and respond to those complexities and contradictions today. 

Taking Informed Action

Understand

Accomplished through the supporting questions and formative tasks.

Assess

Building on the ideas explored in supporting question 3, identify someone who is not typically regarded as a founder of the United States, but who nonetheless made important contributions to democratic ideals such as self-determination, freedom, and human rights. The following is a list of suggested historical figures to consider, but you may pick a figure who is not on this list: 

• William Apess
• Pontiac
• Mary (Molly) Brant
• Abigail Adams
• Judith Sargent Murray
• Phillis Wheatley
• Benjamin Banneker
• Ona Judge 

Once you’ve chosen a figure, research answers to the following questions: 

• Why should this individual be remembered as an important historical figure in US history? What contributions did they make? What struggles or opposition did they face?
• How did this person contribute to democratic ideals such as self-determination, freedom, and human rights? What tools or lessons have they left for those who wish to achieve democracy more fully today?

Act

In a medium of your choice (e.g., spoken word poem, blog/social media post, school exhibition, mural, performance), communicate your conclusions about your selected figure to a broader audience.