OFRW

Project Options:  An individual or group may select one of the following three topics described below.  Guidelines and judging criteria are on the following pages.

Historical Fiction:  Write a short fictional story, journal, play or poem that describes the historical event when President Ronald Reagan said in his speech, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Video Interview:  Create a video interview of the historical event when President Rondal Reagan said in his speech, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Scrapbook:  Create a scrapbook that focuses on the historical event of President Ronald Reagan's speech when he said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"


CONTEST DEADLINES:

Local Contest:  By Friday, January 14, 2011, student education projects must be submitted to the local club education chairman.  The chairman is to (1) have judging completed, (2) notify the winners, and (3) submit the top three projets to the Congressional District Directors by Friday, January 28, 2011.

District Contest:  By Friday, January 28, 2011, local winning projets must be submitted to the Congressional District Directors.  The District Directors are to (1) have judging completed, (2) notify the winners, and (3) submit the top three projects from each district to the State Education Chair by the date of the OFRW Winter Board Meeting or Satruday, February 12, 2011.

State Contest:  The State Education Chair is to (1) have judging completed and (2) notify the winners of the top three state projects and the one honorable mention by February 26, 2011.

*The OFRW will select the state judges and the decisions of the judges will be final.
*The top three state projects and the nonorable mention winner will be the guests of the OFRW at their annual
  Education Project Contest Luncheon held in April 2011.


CONTEST PRIZES:

The top three projects will receive $200 cash prize
The Honorable Mention will receive $100 cash prize
Each school of the 4 winning projects will receive $100 cash prize


                                                Guidelines for Historical Fiction

Write a short original fictional story, journal, play or poem that describes the historical event when President Ronald Reagan said in his speech, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"  You may write from the perspective of any person relevant to this event:  the perspective of President Reagan, a resident of EAst Berlin, a resident of West Berlin, Mr. Gorbachev, etc.  However, it is important to remember that the charaters and events of your work must remain true to the event and time period.  Include at least 15 historical facts in the work of fiction.

The fictional work should be approximately 750 words long and typed in a size 12 font with pages numbered on the bottom center.  At the end of your work, you must include a page citing the sources you used.

Submit your work and three (3) additional copies for judging purposes.  Staple your original historical fiction work to a completed Official Education Project Entry Form (which will be furnished by your teacher).

The fictional work must be received by the OFRW local chairman by Friday, January 14, 2011.



                                                 Judging Criteria for Historical Fiction (100 points total)

1.    Focus on Assigned Topic:  The entire story should be related to the chosen topic and allow the readers to
       understand much more about the topic (20 points) 

2.    Accuracy of Facts:  all 15 historical facts presented in the story should be accurate.  (20 points)

3.    Development of characters:  the readers should feel as if they know the characters and are able to identify
       with their emotions and feelings (10 points)

4.    Description of setting:  the historical time and place shoulde be accurately described  (10 points)

5.    Plot or problem and conflict:  it should be very easy for the readers to understand the cause and cir-
       cumstances of the problem or conflict that the main characters face  (10 points)

6.    Plot or solution and resolution:  the solution or resolution to the character's problem or conflict should be 
       sequential, easy to understand and logical.  There should be no loose ends.  (10 points)

7.    Creativity:  remaining true to the event and time period, the story sould contain imaginative details and/or 
       descriptions that contribute to the readers' enjoyment  (5 points)

8.    Mechanics:  there should be no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  (5 points)

9.    Illustrations:  The cover page and all illustrations (photos, maps, drawings, etc. ) should be relevant and 
       accurate and add an additional component to the reader's understanding  (5 points)

10.  Sources:  the citation page must accuragely document all sources  (5 points)



                                                Guidelines for Video Interview

Create a video interview in a DVD format that focuses on the historical event of Presdient Ronald Reagan's speech when he said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

The title, illustrations and graphics should be interesting, accurate, and relevant and add to the viewers' understanding of the topic.

The DVD video should be 7 minutes long.  The video should use interesting videography and incorporate diffrent camera angles and appropriate use of zoom.

At least 15 historical facts must be articulated in the interview.

The interviewer should ask in-depth questions regarding the historical background of the event.  The persons interviewed may be any persons relevant to this event:  President Reagan, a resident of East Berlin, a resident of WEst Berlin, Mr. Gorbachev, etc.  Their answers should communicate a deep knowledge and understanding as well as opinion of the historical event.

At the end of your work, you must include credits listing the sources you used for your work.

Submit two (2) DVD's (the original and a copy) for judging purposes.  Include with them an Official Education Project Entry Form  (which will be furnished by your teacher).

Your video must be received by the OFRW local chairman by Friday, January 14, 2011.


                                         Judging Criteria for Video Interview  (100 points total)


1.    Focus on Assigned Topic:  the 7 minute interview should be related to the chosen topic and should allow the 
       viewers to understand much more about the topic.  (20 points)

2.    Historical Accuracy:  all 15 historical facts presented in the video should be accurate.  (20 points)

3.    Historical Relevancy:  the interviewer should immediately establish a purpose for the interview and maintain a 
       clear focus throughout the interview.  (10 points)

4.    Questions:  Insightful and in-depth questions requiring answers and opinions should demonstrate a thorough 
       knowledge and understanding of the historical event.  (10 points)

5.    Answers:  Well thought-out answers and opinions coupled with facts should communicate a deep knowledge 
       and understanding of the historical event.  (10 points)

6.    The title, illustrations, background, and graphics should be interesting, accurate, and relevant and should add
       to the viewers' understanding of the topic.  (10 points)

7.    Grammar of the interviewer should be correct and clear; grammar usage and style of the interviewees should
       contribute to the development of their character.  (10 points)

8.    The components of speech (voice, volume, articulation, rhythm, and pacing) should contribute to the viewers'
       understanding and appreciation of the historical event.  (5 points)

9.    Videography:  Many different "takes", camera angles, sound effects, and careful use of zoom should provide 
       variety in the video.  (5 points)

10.  Sources:  the ending credits should accurately document all sources.  (5 points) 



                                                 Guidelines for Scrapbook         


Create a scrapbook that focuses on the historical event of President Ronald Reagan's speech when he said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

The scrapbook must contain at least 10 pages with at least 15 historical facts.  Each page should contain a caption describing the historical events leading up to the speech and concluding with the final outcome and aftermath of the speech.

Each page should be neat and creatively done, and it should not deviate from the historical topic of the speech.

At the end of your work, you must include a separate page citing the sources you used.

Include with your scrapbook an Official Educaiton Project Entry Form which will be furnished by your teacher.  (If possible, please submit a coy of your book for judging purposes.)

Your scrapbook must be received by the OFRW local chairman by Friday, January 14, 2011.


                                              Judging Criteria for Scrapbook (100 points total)


1.    Focus on Assigned Topic:  the entire scrapbook should be related to the chosen topic and allows the reader to 
       understand much more about the topic.  (20 points)

2.    Historical Accuracy:  all 15 historical facts presented should be accurate.  (20 points)

3.    Historical Relevancy:  The student should give a reasonable explanation on each page of how every item in the
       scrapbook is related to the assigned theme.  (10 points)

4.    Quality of Contruction:  The scrapbook should show considerable attention to construction.  The items
        should be neatly trimmed and carefully and securely attached to the backing.  There should be no stray marks,
        smudges or glue stains.  Nothing should be hanging over the edges. (10 points)

5.    Number of Items:  The scrapbook should include 10 or more pages, each depicting a collage of sequential 
       events relevant to the topic ( 10 points)

6.    Creativity:  The use of color, drawings, captions, and display of the graphics or objects used in the scrapbook
       should reflect an exceptional degree of student creativity.  (10 points)

7.    Design:  Graphics should be trimmed to an appropriate size and interesting shape and arranged to that there is 
       balance on each page.  (5 points)

8.    Mechanics:  ther should be no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  (5 points)

9.    Illustrations:  The cover page and all illustrations (photos, maps, drawings, etc.) should be relevant and 
       accurate and add an additional component to the reader's understanding.  (5 points)

10.  Sources:  the citation page should accurately document all sources.  (5 points)

Select One Project Option: ______ Historical Fiction _________Video Interview ________Scrapbook

Select One: _______Individual  _______Group (number in group_____; no more than four in group)

School: ______________________________________________________________________

Phone Number:  _____________________________  E-Mail: ____________________________

Teacher: ___________________________________ E-Mail: ____________________________

Student's Names                                Address (City, State, and Zip)                            Phone (with area code)

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


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                 PLEASE ATTACH THIS ENTRY FORM TO THE EDUCATION PROJECT
                                                         (To be filled in by the OFRW Local Club)



OFRW Local  Club Name: _____________________________________________________________

Congressional District No: _____________________ County of Local Club: ______________________

Name of Local Club Education Chair: ____________________________________________________

Telephone Number of Local Club Education Chair: ______-______-_______________________

E-Mail address of Local Club Education Chair:  _______________________________________