Project 2: Featurecast from the Past

Project Purpose:
To understand the difference between Cause/Effect Relationships and Correlations. To understand how and why major events in history are connected and intertwined (think yarn activity!). To research a major event from U.S. history in order to understand why it is significant and how it relates to other major events. To understand features of a feature article and podcast and to be able to create a feature article or podcast about your major event in history.

Project Requirements:
To present the 5Ws of your major event to the class. To write/peer edit/revise a feature article or podcast. To have at least three drafts in your Writing Portfolio. To present a polished version of your feature article or podcast on Media Night, as well as posting it online to our Team Featurecast from the Past web page (made by James).

Specific Concepts Learned:

Concept 1: Josef Stalin
For me, I researched the Cold War, and more specifically, researched the Russian Leader Josef Stalin. Josef Stalin was the Communist Leader of Russia, who wanted to control Eastern Europe after WWII. This was because he believed his country was weak, and needed protection. Afraid Josef would spread communism all over Eastern Europe, the US, and Britain had disagreed with his plan. Unfortunately, Josef refused to listen and continued his plan. The two other countries still tried to convince him, and sent supplies to those countries in need. One day, Josef got fed up and decided to build the Berlin Wall, which separated west Berlin from East.

Concept 2: The Aftermath of the Cold War
The Cold war resulted in a non-nuclear war, and Krustchev, the new Russian leader, removed his bombs from Cuba, and the US, Britain, and Russia solved their problems in peace. Also, the Berlin Wall was torn down, and people were free to go from west to east Berlin. Lastly, the countries run by Russia were basically free from communism.

Challenges:
One of the I had during this project was finding a periodical that was about the Cold War. I looked mostly in magazines, and on the internet, but there was nothing. I asked Ms. Staff to help me find one, and even when we did, it didn't have much on it about the Cold War. I had already had a lot of information, though, so it didn't really matter.

Real World Significance:
Out of this project, I have learned a lot. First, I learned what the Cold War was about and how it was connected to other events in time. I think this could help me later on if I wanted to become a historian or teach a history class. Also, I learned how to use garage band for my interviewing. This could help later on because if I go to a High school where we use a lot of media (like all of the High Tech High schools) then I would know that. Lastly, learning about the past can help our choices for the future.