THE BIG STORY/BIG SHORT STORY ASSIGNMENT

THE BIG STORY8th Grade Assignment

The Big Story – 8th Grade• The Big Story is an investigative news story that you

research and present. • The subject is an actual mystery.• Must "solve" the mystery

• By “solve” I mean come as close as possible• Research all theories (at least 3)• Pick the theory out there you agree with and explain in detail why

it's the best

• Presentation must answer the 5 Ws.

The Big Story – 8th Grade• Must create a stand-alone visual of the findings, including

• a brief statement of the mystery,• a summary of two or three theories,• your findings, and• a map of the scene, town, or region associated with the mystery.

You can add photographs if you have room.• This visual can be on poster board, but you may need something

larger, like the paper available in the Media Center

• Must create a 6 minute minimum presentation (PowerPoint, video, movie, etc.) • Make it interesting, like an on-the-scene newscast!• The point here is that you want to present the details

Sample Layout of Poster/Visual

Presentation Title (include name and period)

Your findings

Photographs

Other evidence (diaries, charts, etc.)

Brief summary of the mystery

Summary of the top theories

Map of the area (i.e., Jack the Ripper’s London)

The Big Story – 8th Grade• Must turn in list of sources (at least 5 different ones: map,

photographs, diaries, sketches, and so on are all sources. Not just books and websites.)

• You must format this as a works cited page. You’ll get a sample of this later.

• Due date: on or before October 31. Presentations start the following week.

The Big Story – 8th Grade• You may work alone or with a partner• How to partner

• No more than two people per project• Partner 1 prepares the chart/visual• Partner 2 prepares the PowerPoint or movie• Both contribute to the content

• Working solo? Due date November 7

The Selections

1. The Mary Celeste

2. Jack the Ripper

3. DB Cooper

4. The Lost Colony of Roanoke 

5. Amelia Earhart

7. Malaysia Flight 370

8. The Taman Shud Case

9. Kaspar Hauser

10. The Hinterkaifeck Murders

11. The Bermuda Triangle

THE BIG SHORT STORY7th Grade Assignment

The Big Short Story – 7th Grade• Short story must use the mystery as the historical

backdrop• For example, you could write a short story about two London

teenagers and their attempts to solve the Jack the Ripper murder case.

• Or you could invent a "victim" who was spared and tell the story from her point of view.

• Short story must use dialog, and the dialog must develop the characters• You can have one character describe another who's not in the

scene• This way, you develop the other character

The Big Short Story – 7th Grade• Requirements

• Typed• Double spaced• Times New Roman 12-point• Title• 650 word minimum

The Selections

1. The Mary Celeste

2. Jack the Ripper

3. DB Cooper

4. The Lost Colony of Roanoke 

5. Amelia Earhart

7. Malaysia Flight 370

8. The Taman Shud Case

9. Kaspar Hauser

10. The Hinterkaifeck Murders

11. The Bermuda Triangle