Erickson Sample Assignment-
Cherokee Census- 1835		 Home List of Assignments

    Check out this page from a census of Cherokees in Georgia in 1835.  It is tough to read on the computer but you can get the idea.  Try to make out the names.  They tell you a great deal about what was happening to the native Americans by that time.
    This is one of the first assignments we do in the U.S. course.  It is amazing how much you can learn about these people just from the simple information supplied on the census. The students usually say things like, "There's no way I can read this." or "How can I learn anything from this?" That attitude doesn't last long.  When four or five students start examining it together they help each other discover things and they draw the most insightful conclusions.  Each year I learn some new theory about the Cherokee based on my students' deductions.
    Below the document you will find the accompanying assignment sheet.  Below that you will find the grading sheet that students receive at the beginning of the project.

 
Cherokee Census Assignment

MEMO:

TO: Presidential Committee on Indian Affairs

FROM: President Andrew Jackson

RE: Analyzing the census of Cherokees in Georgia taken in 1835

The Problem: What to do about the Indian population in the southern states, in particular, Georgia’s Cherokees.

The Task: As you know, the Department of the Interior has recently finished conducting a census of the Cherokee population in the state of Georgia. Your committee must analyze the census and gain as much knowledge about that native population as you are able. What type of people are they? What seems important to them? Are they nomadic? What are their values like? Where do they reside? How about their wealth?

After determining this and any other pertinent information from the census, you must begin to determine what you would recommend our action be. In a nut shell, how should we handle the "Indian Problem?" Should we remove them? Assimilate them? Cooperate with them? Exterminate them?

The Product: After studying the census and debating our course of action, please write a formal, one page report that includes the following:

    1. The most interesting factual points about the data
    2. The conclusions you have drawn concerning who these natives are.
    3. Clearly state your final conclusion and fully explain why you believe it to be our best course of action.

Good luck with this very important task. The future of our great country will be determined in no small part by your findings.

I ask that you have the report typed and ready for submission to me within three days.

God Bless America,

Andrew Jackson
7th President of the United States of America

Grading Rubric for Cherokee Report

Factual Information: 10 points

Are they accurate?

Have you stated enough (at least 5)?

Are they important?

Conclusions about the Cherokee: 15 points

Have you drawn thoughtful conclusions?

Do they make sense, based on the data?

Have you drawn enough conclusions? (at least 5)

Your recommendation: 25 points

Do you use your conclusions to support your recommendation?

Does your supporting paragraph(s) contain factual information?

Is it convincing?

Does it stand up to criticism? Are you aware of the drawbacks to your decision?

Overall presentation: 10 points

Grammar

Spelling

Typing

Etc.

Total Grade is out of 60 points
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