Saturday, October 17, 2015

Vietnam Final Project Options

The overall question and issue to address for every one of these options is,

“What was the United States fighting to win, and what was lost, in Vietnam?”

These descriptions for final project options are being left somewhat open-ended because there are a lot of ways to go about answering this question. You should plan on using the notes and documents we’ve collected, analyzed, and discussed.

Research/Opinion Paper
For this, you will need the following:
·        A thesis that stands as something that can be argued and attempts to directly answer the guiding question (“What was the United States fighting to win, and what was lost, in Vietnam?”)
·        Evidence backing any claims you make
·        To specifically address (but not be limited to):
o   Domino Theory
o   Vietnamization
o   The Draft
o   Search and Destroy tactics
o   My Lai
·        A conclusion that shows a clear answer to the guiding question.
This is the most “standard” option. Aim for 3-5 pages, 12 point font, double-spaced.

Presentation
This presentation will need to answer the guiding question of “What was the United States fighting to win, and what was lost, in Vietnam?”
The PowerPoint, Prezi, or other visual component to your presentation must be only a guide and enhancement to the actual presentation. Use images and bullet points to make it more engaging.
Do not plan on standing and simply reading the slides from your presentation.
Your presentation should roughly be ten minutes long and answer the guiding question while addressing (at least):
o   Domino Theory
o   Vietnamization
o   The Draft
o   Search and Destroy tactics
o   My Lai
Diary/Fictionalized Account
This option is an extension of the My Lai narrative. For this, you’ll need to write a longer narrative piece that, through its content and subject, answers the guiding question of “What was the United States fighting to win, and what was lost, in Vietnam?”
This can follow one or several people’s fictional stories through the Vietnam War. Through their thoughts, actions, and observations, you will need to leave your reader with an understanding of your answer to the guiding question. As with the other options, you must specifically address:
o   Domino Theory
o   Vietnamization
o   The Draft
o   Search and Destroy tactics
o   My Lai
As with the My Lai Narrative, focus on sensory language (sights, smells, sounds, feelings, etc) and trying to make your reader feel like they’re there.

You'll likely need to write between 5 and 7 pages to adequate address these topics.

Website/Wiki
Use http://www.wikia.com/, or a similar site, to create a wiki.
This option is to create a small wiki that, section-by-section, looks at specific aspects of the Vietnam War and answers the guiding question of “What was the United States fighting to win, and what was lost, in Vietnam?”
·        You must cross-link and connect sections to each other.
o   For example, if addressing the increased need for military manpower due to fears of communism in the “Domino Theory” page, you would need to link to “the Draft” when mentioning the draft.
·        You must include, at a minimum, specific pages for:
o   Domino Theory
o   Vietnamization
o   Silent Majority
o   Deferment
o   The Draft
o   Search and Destroy
o   Agent Orange
o   Refugees
o   Escalation
o   My Lai
o   Tonkin Gulf
o   Tet Offensive

This option is probably the most difficult of the final options. If you are unfamiliar with creating a wiki or webpage, I would not suggest it at this point.


Edit:

Carena, here are links to some documents to help you with the project we discussed.

History Blueprint Background on Protests

Lesson Template for Planning

Monday, October 12, 2015

My Lai Massacre Narrative

After watching the American Experience documentary on the My Lai Massacre (watch here), you will need to write a series of letters, journal entries, or a direct first-person narrative detailing the experience of somebody involved with the My Lai Massacre. 

This will be fictional, but based in your understanding of what happened in My Lai. The default viewpoint is a member of Charlie Company, but you are welcome to be creative as long as you remain realistic and demonstrate a clear viewpoint of what happened in the My Lai Massacre.

During the film, you should take notes to assist you in writing details into your narrative.

Your narrative needs to include the following pieces of information:


  • What is your name? How old are you? Where are you from?
  • How long have you been in Vietnam?
  • How have things been going? Be specific.
  • Have you been in combat? Who have you been fighting?
  • What are some specific concerns/fears that you have about being in Vietnam?
  • What was your role in the My Lai massacre?
  • What really happened in the My Lai massacre?



These journal entries should be at least 750 words and specifically address the questions above. Focus on sensory detail (sights, smells, tastes, sounds, etc) and try to put yourself in the shoes of somebody who was there.

Monday, September 21, 2015

September 21 - Wrapping it all up

Now is a good time to check your progress and make sure you're keeping pace with class. Please use available class time and the after-school program to ensure that you have the following assignments completed and stored in your class folder (along with any notes from watching the documentary and from our conversations in class).

  1. Timeline (link to timeline)
    • One sentence answers to "what was America trying to win and what was lost?" for each timeline event
    • Place custom icons for events on the map and timeline.
  2. SOAPS investigation and Essay (link to assignment)
    • I suggest working with a partner or small group.
    • Look up and note vocabulary you don't know.
    • Have a peer read your completed essay and give three specific pieces of feedback.

The expectation is that after today, you will have finished these assignments. No more class time will be given to them. If you joined late or have faced a particular struggle with completing this work, I encourage you to utilize the after school program!

Thursday, September 10, 2015

PBS Vietnam Map

This map/timeline shows several important places and events over the course of the Vietnam war. It can be used as a general overview or to help place things on your map.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/maps/index.html

Monday, September 7, 2015

Welcome! This class will focus on the U.S. role in the conflict in Vietnam. The essential question that will guide all our exploration and work is:

What were we fighting to win and what was lost in the Vietnam war?