Project

Introduction:

In this project you will have a chance to research your hero. Your hero must be someone who has made a difference in the world either in the past or present. Each student will choose a hero. Think about:

 

Step 1-Internet Research

Click on the stars below to use the web links to find information about some of the people who have made a difference. Remember that these are are web pages on the Internet. Some may contain opinions as opposed to facts. Your job is to determine what is fact, and what is not. In addition, these pages may contain challenging reading material. Feel free to use other sources to verify information, or to better understand the facts.

Anyone can be a HERO! (myhero.com/)

Biography database - search for more information about your hero.

Spectrum biographies - 24 famous people from Caesar to Cousteau

Explorers of the Millennium

Women of distinction past and present

First Ladies of the United States

African American Contributors

Presidents of the United States

American Presidents from the Internet Public Library

Inventors Hall of Fame

Peacemakers from the Nobel Peace Prize Page

Step 2 -Hero Facts

After looking over the web pages on heroes and reading other print resources- SELECT YOUR HERO! Using the Internet sources above and other reference materials, research in detail information about your hero. Be sure to take notes as you read. Click here for your HERO FACTS WORKSHEET. Please print out several of these to record information about your hero.

Please look for pictures of your hero as you research. If you find pictures on the web pages, copy the pictures and save them to your files. If they are book pictures, we can scan them or copy them. We will use the pictures in the next step of the project.

Step 3- Hero of the Year!

After you have completed your research on your hero (please make sure that you have a large number of facts) design a poster about your hero (you may use white construction paper or a piece of posterboard). Please include plenty of facts, pictures, and why you feel your hero should be a HERO OF THE YEAR. This poster will be to nominate your hero for HERO OF THE YEAR and will be presented to the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee (your classmates). If your hero is selected, you will then create a collection of commemorative stamps honoring your hero. Click here to see how you set up your HERO POSTER.

 

Step 4- Hero of the Year Stamp

Congratulations! Your hero has been selected by the Citizens Stamp Advisory as a Hero of the Year! You have been selected to design a commemorative stamp honoring your hero. Before you begin to design your stamp, please look at some stamps for ideas. Please visit this website (www.stampsonline.com/). Click here to visit the website (please remember to click the BACK button to get back to this page). Make sure to look at many different types of stamps to get some ideas on ways they are alike and ways they are re different.

Step 5- Create Your Stamp

After looking at a variety of stamp examples, create your own stamp honoring your hero. Please use the STAMP TEMPLATE to design your stamp. Please print out several of these in case you want to create more than one design or make a mistake. Please use pencil to sketch your design and then finish it in colored pencil or marker. Have fun and be creative!

Step 6- The Letter

After you have created your stamp(s). Write a letter to the Postmaster General explaining your hero stamp and why it should be considered for publication. Be convincing and give several reasons and facts from your research. Click here for the LETTER TEMPLATE. Please print out several copies of this template for your rough draft and final copy. When you are finished, please staple your letter to your HERO stamp design and give it to your teacher.