This

I Believe Project

Objectives Assessed:
You will understand that other peoples values have validity through your experiences in our community of diverse learners
(Objective 3)
You will be able to explore and develop your own belief system (Objective 7).
You will be able to express the significance of diverse perspectives in various communities (Objective 8).

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Throughout this unit we have been discussing things that influence the way things are around us, or to use
our buzz word, the status quo. We have looked at rules from our school and our own homes, laws and
cultural traditions in our nation, and morals and beliefs.

As we dig deeper as a class, you will have the opportunity to dig deeper for yourself too. You will write a
This I Believe statement using personal anecdotes, opinions, and examples that will explain your belief
and how it either aligns with or questions the status quo. These will be comparable to the examples we
will study from the NPR initiative. Your statement will allow YOU to articulate something that you believe
in. You will choose your own topic.

To enhance your presentation, you will choose ONE option from the list below to create a multi-media
component. Your media presentation should complement what you have written and allow us to better
understand your statement.

Visual Options

p Digital Story
p Podcast
p Silent Film
o Note: You will need to read your statement aloud while the class watches your silent film
p Propose your own topic to be approved!

Finally, after you have written your This I Believe statement and digitally enhanced it, you will share your
statement with our classroom community at the end of the unit. After our celebration and presentation
day, you will write a brief unit reflection considering the belief statements of your peers as well as your
own.
SUMMARY STEPS TO FOLLOW:

p
p
p
p
p
p
p
p

Re-read your blog posts

List OLD ideas from your blog and add NEW ideas that could be your topic
Choose 1-2 of your favorite topics
Brainstorm anecdotes, opinions, and examples to support 1-2 topics
Begin drafting your statement
Revise in class AND on your own
Digital Workshop your visuals
Write Unit Reflection in a Blog Post

Grading Rubric

Scoring Category



Belief Statement

Personal
anecdotes,
opinions, &
examples

Powerfully
Proficient

Reflection

Clearly articulated
Central to the piece

Explains how it
favors or
challenges the
status quo

Personal examples
are relevant and
support the belief
statement

The authors
opinions are clear
and appropriately
used to expand
the belief
statement

Multi-Media
Presentation

Statement is not
relevant
Does not fully
discuss the status
quo

Clear personal
evaluation of belief
statement and visual
presentation based on
the learning goals

Points Earned



/15

Examples are

somewhat
relevant, but
unclear
The authors
opinion is

somewhat present,
but unclear or not
appropriately used
to expand the
belief statement

Examples are not
relevant, coherent,
or clearly linked to
the belief
statement
The authors
opinion is unclear,
and does not fully
extend the belief
statement

Some visuals and

audio are relevant
Media used
supports the belief
statement, but
does not fully
extend ideas

Visuals and audio

or not relevant or
cited properly
Media does not
clearly support
and/or extend
ideas presented in
the belief
statement

Includes at least ONE

take-aways from peer
presentations

Personal evaluation of
belief statement and
visual presentation is
unclear or not totally
based on the learning
goals

Includes at least TWO

lessons learned from
blog discussions

Partially includes ONE

take-away from peer
presentations

Partially includes ONE-

TWO lessons learned
from blog discussions

Present, but
somewhat unclear
Somewhat linked
to the status quo

Rethinking
Required

Relevant use of
visuals, audio, and
belief statement
Media used
supports and
extends ideas
presented in the
belief statement

Quite Competent

Personal evaluation of
belief statement or
visual presentation does
not fully address the
learning goals

Lacking any complete

take-aways from peer-
presentations

Lacking complete
lessons learned from
blog discussions

Total Points Earned: ________ / 100 points

/35

/30

/20