Wax Museum Project

During the month of February the 3rd graders will be working on a long
term project that will require preparation inside the classroom and as well as at
home. The students will choose a historically significant African American figure
they would like to research. Then they will go online to look for information or go
to a public library to check out a book to read and use as a resource. They will be
required to prepare a report about their significant figure.
On Friday, February 27, 2015, we will organize a wax museum display at
school. The students will be required to dress as the person they researched. They
will become statues of wax and come to life when an imaginary button is
activated. They will be required to give a short speech, approximately 1-2 minutes,
over the life of their person. Other classes will come to view our 3rd grade wax
museum.
The following is the rubric for the overall grade of the research project. The
overall grade will be counted as a project grade in Social Studies.
Wax Museum Overall Research Project Rubric
Requirement
Points
Written Report
_____/50
Prepared Speech
_____/25
Visual Timeline ( Scrapbook, Poster, or Memory Box)
_____/20
Dressed in Costume
_____/5
Total
_____/100
Other daily grades will be taken as the students progress through the project.
These grades will not count towards the cumulative grade.
_______________________________________________________

I have read the information and the rubric (above) provided and understand the
requirements for the Wax Museum.
____________________________
Name of Student

_____________________________
Parent Signature

____________________________
Famous Person
Please return the above portion to your teacher by Thursday, February 12th.

Research Paper Rubric

Requirement
Rough Draft (handwritten) attached to back of report

Points
_____/5

4-5 paragraph format.

1 Introductory paragraph, 2-3 Body paragraphs discussing three events of
the famous persons life, 1 Conclusion/Interesting Facts paragraph
Each paragraph has 3-5 sentences.

_____/20

Bibliography 3 Sources with at least 1 Book (**Remember

www.google.com, www.bing.com, www.yahoo.com,
www.wikipedia.com and not official sources.) You need the specific web
addresses

_____10

Typed, easily readable font no bigger than 14pt, Double Spaced

_____/5

Proper capitalization, punctuation, and grammar

_____/5

Correct spelling

_____/5

Total

_____/50

Prepared Speech
Requirement

Points

Written Speech

_____/5

Eye Contact with audience

_____/5

Clear, memorized speech presentation

_____/5

Speech gives 3 pieces of information about the famous person (this

information comes directly from the research paper)

_____/10

Total

_____/25

Visual Timeline
(Scrapbook, Poster, or Memory Box)
Requirement

Points

8-10 Important Items or Events

_____/4

Caption for each event or item

_____/4

Visual Timeline must be Neat, Organized, and Creative

_____/4

Explanation for each event or item is relevant and clear

_____/4

Correct spelling, proper capitalization, punctuation and grammar

_____/4

Total

_____/20

Wax Museum Details

Biography: The students are to choose a historically significant African American figure they are
interested in researching. They must choose an appropriate biography to read for information about their
figure. They may also bring books from home or the public library. The students will have approximately
two weeks to read the biography and get their research completed. The students will have in-class time;
however they are expected to read at home as well.
Paper: For the paper the students will do research in and out of class. They will have the research
complete by Wednesday, February 25, 2015. They are required to have at least one biographical book
that they will use as a research source. They will also need a minimum of two other sources. These can
be books, magazines, articles, or internet sources.
The paper will be written in the four-five paragraph essay format; one introductory, two-three body
paragraphs, and one concluding/interesting fact paragraph. They will begin by organizing ideas in a
graphic organizer that is familiar for them, then transferring that information to an outline and finally
completing the process with writing their essay. This work will mostly be done in class; there will be
occasions of homework for any work the students do not finish in class.
We will be taking the opportunity to review with the students that their paper must be in their own words.
We will discuss how to appropriately use someone elses work; giving the author credit for the work.
Speech: To be believable as a wax statue come to life the students are required to write and memorize
a speech. The speech will come directly from the students completed report; no additional research will
be required.
They are to apply the information they learned about their historically significant African American figure
to a 1st person perspective, 1 to 2 minute, speech that will be given in class.
They will receive a grade for their speech (see rubric for the Prepared Speech). What we will be looking
for is making eye contact, speaking clearly and giving the class three points of information about their
person.
Costume on Wax Museum Day: The students will be graded on their costume. We will encourage the
students to be creative and use what they have. This isnt something they will have to make or buy
something special for, although they can if they choose. We will be giving the grade based upon effort,
not authenticity.
Visual Timeline: Students will have a Visual Timeline for their project. They have 3 options for their
timeline. The 3 options are a Scrapbook, a Memory Box, or a Poster. Students need to have 8-10 items
or events for their timeline that reflects important events in the life of their African American significant
figure. Students are encouraged to be creative.

Wax Museum Due Date Schedule 2015

Check off when completed

___ 2/13/15 Student has received person (begin finding

information/books about your person)

___ 2/17/15 Student must print information and/or have

a biography for class time
___ 2/18/15 Research; Start Writing Down Facts (Fill in
Outline)

___ 2/23/15 Rough Draft of Research Paper Due (writing

time will be provided in class before 2/23)

___ 2/24/15 Write Speech (time provided in class)

___ 2/25/15 Written Speech Due (speeches should be 1-2
minutes long)

___ 2/26/15 Final Paper Due (everything should be turned in

by 2/26)

___ 2/27/15 Wax Museum Day*

*Student can come to school dressed as their person or change before
presentation. The presentation will not take place until about 1:30.