The Revolutionaries of Latin America

Introduction

Over the past 50 years Latin America has seen some of the most brutal dictatorships and civil wars in modern times.  These times of suffering have produced some of the most remarkable young leaders to influence politics to date.  Generation after generation, Latin American revolutionaries have had the ability to inspire young people around the world thanks to their heroic conquests and indisputable courage.  There have been those who came to power peacefully, others who did so forcibly but they all did so for the same reason, equality.  Latin America is infamous for having an extraordinary disparity between the rich and the poor.  Latin American revolutionaries are those who fought to close this socioeconomic gap. Through their quest for equality these average Joes became heroes of the working class and of the world.

Task

Students will select a Latin American revolutionary to research individually.  You and your fellow group members will then share amongst yourselves the findings of your research.  Your group should then consider and research the current political issues of any country of your choosing in Latin America.  Armed with this information, you and your group should carry out an informed debate in regards to what past Latin American revolutionary would be best suited to help pacify this current political crisis and why.  You and your group will then present your findings to the class IN SPANISH.

Process

First, you must select a Latin American revolutionary to research individually.   This includes biography, political views, education and revolutionary relevance.  Next, you should share your findings with your group.  After this, you and your group will select a Latin American country that is currently struggling with a political issue or crisis and research this issue in depth to develop a true understanding of the problem and its origin.  You will then explain to your group whether or not you think your revolutionary would be of assistance in this matter.  Your group will then debate which revolutionary would be most influential in this situation and why.  Your group will present its findings to the class IN SPANISH.  (Helpful links can be found on the credits page).

Evaluation

Individual Rubric

 

(There are no group grades)

Excellent (5)

Very Good

(4)

Good

(3)

Alright

(2)

Needs improvement

(1)

Teamwork

Works well with the group members to brainstorm ideas, debate relevant topics and contributes to the group while helping to organize the project and plan out the presentation.

Works well with group members to brainstorm ideas, debate relevant topics and contribute to the group.

Shares ideas with the group and gives feedback to other students comments.

Contributes minimally to the group.

Does not contribute anything to the group.

Effort

Demonstrates an interest in the topic and strives to go above and beyond.

Completes all aspects of the procedure.

Completes most aspects of the procedure.

Completes some aspects of the procedure.

Does not follow any guidelines laid out in the procedure.

Research

Facts from 6 or more links are used in the presentation.

Facts from 4-5 links are used in the presentation.

Facts from 2-3 links are used in the presentation.

Facts from 1 link are used in the presentation.

No facts are used from any links in the presentation.

Presentation

Presents findings to class in a clear voice and makes the presentation easy to follow and understand.

Presents findings to class in clear voice.

Presents findings to class.

Stands with group but presents no findings.

Does not participate in presenting findings to class.

Accuracy

All facts are accurate.

1 factual mistake.

2-3 factual mistakes.

5-10 factual mistakes.

All facts are inaccurate.

A=25-23, B=22-20, C=19-17, D=16-14, F=13>

Conclusion

Upon the completion of this project you will be well informed on a Latin American revolutionary and understand why they were so influential in their time.  The research completed in this project has given you the some background knowledge on Latin American politics as well as current issues in a variety of Latin American Countries.  Listening to your classmates’ presentations has provided you with a broad knowledge of the most influential Latin American revolutionaries.  This web quest has helped you figure out how to use research and background information to theorize abstract solutions to current real world issues.  Hopefully this project has shown you that one person can change the lives of thousands for the better and that ideas can be extraordinarily powerful things.

 

Credits
Teacher Page

Foreign Language Standards Met:

 

Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.

 

Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics. [img_assist|nid=14655|title=Che|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=398|height=398]