Swan River Colony Research Project

Dear Parents,

Below you can see the key information of our major project for this term. I encourage you to engage with your son on this and have regular check ins to see how he is going.

Projects will need to be finished by week 9. The majority of work will be completed in class however there will be some homework tasks attached especially towards the end. It should be a rich and enjoyable adventure for the boys. I have also included a rubric so you can help your son to see if he is on track.

Swan River Colony History Assignment

As part of our research into the History of The Swan River Colony you will research the life of a person from the Swan River Colony. You will create a biography on your person and use your information to create an amazing presentation on your chosen person.

Part 1: The Research

Hello historians, ok firstly you need to decide on who to research. Choose someone who is interesting to you and also someone who you can find substantial information about.

Once you have chosen you person you will need to research the life of a Swan River Colony Identity of your choice.

Things to include:

Date of birth and death

Their childhood, education, and important events in their life.

What impact did their life have on The Swan River Colony?

Why they are famous? How did they help or influence The Swan River Colony?

Why did you pick this person?

Do you consider them a role model?-Explain.

Where have they left their mark in Perth today?  Any Street signs, suburbs, buildings or schools named after them?

Part 2 Your Presentation

Now that you have created your interesting and informative Biography here’s you chance to bring it all to life.

You are to create a presentation on your identity in which you will bring to life this person's existence.

How you present is up to you and your creativity and problem solving skills will be put to the test.

There are some things in which your presentation must include

Your biography writing on a poster and neatly presented

A large photo of your identity plus other pictures and drawings.

You must dress up as your identity

Create one object or artefact that is connected to your identity.

Swan River Colony Biography Writing Rubric

Criteria	Level 4	Level 3	Level 2	Level 1
The biography identifies why this person is important.	The writing shows clear and thorough insight into the person’s character (motivations, opinions, personality traits, achievements and obstacles) and supports the writer’s choice of outstanding leader.	Information about the person’s character is evident which clearly support the writer’s choice of outstanding leader.	Information about the person’s character is provided which loosely connect to the writer’s choice of outstanding leader.	Limited information about the person’s character is provided which may not clearly connect, or only superficially connects, to the writer’s choice of outstanding leader.
The biography follows relevant and accurate events in chronological order.	Strong and insightful descriptions of accurate and relevant key facts, events and examples are given in logical order, which reveal the subject’s character.	Accurate and relevant key facts, events and/or examples are given in logical order, which reveal the subject’s character.	Key facts, events and/or examples are simplistic and loosely connected the subject’s character.  A logical order is somewhat maintained.	Facts, events and/or examples are limited and may not connect to the subject’s character.  Events are difficult to follow as a logical order has not been maintained.
The tone of the text is engaging and descriptive.	The tone of the text is thoughtful and clearly supports the writer’s purpose. The writer effectively maintains an engaging voice and provides a vivid portrait into the subject.	The tone of the text supports the writer’s purpose.  Primarily an engaging voice is used that provides an overall positive image of the subject.	The tone of the text is recognizable but lacks the depth that is necessary to support the writer’s purpose.	The tone of the text is lacking and may not support the writer’s purpose.
Writing Conventions	Spelling is generally correct, even on more difficult words and punctuation is accurate.  A thorough understanding and consistent application of capitalization skills are present.  Grammar is correct and contributes to clarity and style.  The biography is very close to being ready to publish.	Spelling is usually correct, but more difficult words are problematic.  End punctuation is usually correct; internal punctuation is sometimes missing/wrong.  Most words are capitalized correctly.  Problems with grammar are not serious enough to confuse meaning.  Moderate editing is required by the teacher to polish the text for publication.	Spelling errors are somewhat apparent.  Punctuation is sometimes missing or incorrect.  Capitalization errors are somewhat apparent.  Several errors in grammar are evident but do not usually affect meaning.  Some editing is required by the teacher to polish the text for publication.	Spelling errors are frequent, even on high frequency words.  Punctuation is often missing or incorrect.  Capitalization is random.  Errors in grammar are very noticeable, frequent, and affect meaning.  Extensive editing is required by the teacher to polish the text for publication.