Build Your Own Amusement Park!

U.S. HISTORY FINAL PROJECT – HISTORICAL THEME PARK At last, a quality theme park for all of those avid United States History enthusiasts is about to open its doors to the public. For many years, people from across the country have longed for a place that they could go to enjoy some fun in the sun and some good old fashion United States History! Finally, the theme park of their dreams is about to open, and you will be its creator! So, be inspired. Be creative. Be historical.

PART ONE: OUTLINE: Choose a topic, name your park and write an outline (this is due on May 23 rd ) Choose one topic as the central theme for your park: Reconstruction Westward Expansion The Age of Imperialism Age of Industrialization Progressive Era WWI The Roaring Twenties The Great Depression WWII Civil Rights Movement Women’s Rights Movement Cold War Vietnam War Watergate The 1950’s The 1960’s The 1970’s The 1980’s 1990’s

Part One (Outline)cont’d I. NAME Most theme parks out there usually have some sort of catchy name such as: Six Flags, Cedar Point, Busch Gardens, Coney Island, etc. Your first task in this assignment is to give your theme park a catchy name that sets your park apart from all the others. For this section you will want to be as creative as possible. Remember, your goal is to attract avid American History enthusiasts (and their money) to your park and not your competitors’ theme parks. The name of your park should let people know what it’s about and grab attention of passersby, while representing what your park is trying to do. II. OUTLINE - In order to build your Theme Park you will need financial backing – investors. Develop a 1 page outline describing the following: 1. Historical Topic that is the basis for the park 2. The sub topics that will become the different sections of the park; the rides, characters and restaurants. 3. A rationale for the success of the park and why the investors should support the project. Include a brief explanation of the importance of the historical time period and why you chose it as the central theme.

PART TWO: PROPOSAL: Develop the major sections, rides/attractions, characters and food (this is due on Thursday, June 13 th at 3 p.m. through turnitin.com) Something like this: Not this…

PROPOSAL: III. PARK SECTIONS Theme parks across the country are usually divided into smaller parts or sections within the park such as: “Frontier Land”, “Kiddie Park”, “Water Parks”, etc. Create THREE such areas within your theme park and give each section a catchy name. Once again, remember to be as creative as possible when selecting names for each section. Each section needs to have its own name that tells your customers what that section is about. The sections need to have themes that are related to your central historical topic and can be either a historical era (i.e. WWI) or conceptual (i.e. human rights). Also, your sections must include at least 2 different subtopics related to the main historical time period in history.

IV. RIDES/ATTRACTIONS The reason most visitors come to a theme park is to enjoy the many rides and attractions they have to offer. Now that your theme park has THREE creative sections, for EACH section create TWO rides that can be found within EACH section. These rides should have some historical significance and should also be very creative. (For example: if my park’s theme is the Cold War, and one of the sections of my park deals with the conflicts I may have a roller coaster entitled “The Cuban Missile Crisis” or the “The A Bomb!”) You will want to research events and people within your chosen time period in order to come up with specific attractions. 1. Each ride should include a description that explains what the ride is and why it fits into that section of your park historically. You must also give some specific historical information about the event or individual. 2. This is an info sheet for a prospective customer or investor for each ride/attraction.

V. FOOD VENDORS When people are riding the rides and enjoying the atmosphere of your quality theme park all day, they tend to get hungry. You will want to create at least TWO restaurants or places to get food within your theme park. These establishments should be creative and historically significant. (For Example: Staying with my “Cold War” example: I might have a stand called “Gorbies Grub!” or “Nixon’s Tricks and Treats”.) 1. Each restaurant should be described and have a small sample menu describing some of the items that can be purchased there 2. Each needs to have some kind of historical theme to complement your park or a section of your park

VI. ROAMING CHARACTERS Every good amusement park has fun characters (like Disneyland) that walk about the park and bring joy to all of the patrons. Your park should include at least THREE fun characters that might walk around the park and interact with your guests. 1. These characters should be historically significant 2. Write a description explaining their historical significance in one paragraph. Something like this: Not This…

Part Three: Map and Presentation VII. MAP Last but not least, create a map of your park so investors can see how things are laid out. This can be hand drawn or computer generated, just make it legible and creative. Think of the maps you get when you go to the zoo or an amusement park (pictures are involved!). VIII. PRESENTATION Using either a hand drawn or computer generated Poster, Brochure, Video or a PowerPoint, you must present your theme park to the investors (the class) who will evaluate and rate your proposal. This is your opportunity to “sell” your ideas!

Requirements 1. The Outline Document must be written with proper structure and organization. – Submit to – Due May 23 rd 2. The final Proposal for the investors should include the following: – Name of the Park – 3 Sections of the park with 2 rides in each section and a 1paragraph description of each ride Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 – 2 food Vendors and a 1 paragraph description of each – 3 Characters and a 1 paragraph description of each – The Proposal should be organized with clear headings and sub headings. All paragraphs should be written formally. You will need a reference page that cites all of your sources in MLA format. – Use Noodletooles to keep track of your sources and notes. – Submitted to on Thursday, June 13 th at 3 p.m.!!! 3. Presentation is the “sell” to investors, so make it interesting! It must be at least 5 minutes and no longer than 10 minutes. It should include the information found in your Proposal. You can use PPT, Posters, Video and/or photographs to present your ideas.

PROJECT CHECKLIST PARK NAME & OUTLINE – May 23 rd 3 PARK SECTIONS Name for each section – 2 rides in each section – Name for each ride – 1 paragraph description for each ride Sections include at least 2 different elements from your central period in U.S. History 2 VENDORS – Name – Description of food 3 ROAMING CHARACTERS – 1 paragraph for each explaining historical significance and why you chose them MAP PROPOSAL/MATERIALS FOR PRESENTATION - Thursday, June 13 th at 3 p.m.!

HISTORICAL THEME PARK POINTS Part One: Outline ___________/20 NAME AND OUTLINE Part Two: Proposal: ______________/50 PARK SECTIONS RIDES/ATTRACTIONS FOOD VENDORS ROAMING CHARACTERS Part Three: Presentation: ___________/30 MAP PRESENTATION TOTAL = __________/100

Need More Help? How to write the outline… How to write it: I. Name the Park. II. Name all of the sections of your park – List the rides for each section III. List the Characters IV. Map Example: Part I: Puritan Fun Town Part II: Park Sections A. Crucible Thrill Rides – “Tituba” rollercoaster – “The Gallows” parachute drop B. Great Awakening Water Park – The Reformation Wave Pool – The Evangelical Slip-N-Slide C. The Iroquois Federation Food Court – Mohawk Longhouse – Onondaga Game Lodge – Iroquois Three Sisters Restaurant Part III: Characters A. Jonathan Edwards B. Abigail Williams C. Mary Alcott Part IV: Map

Need More Help? How to write the proposal… Name of the Park Provide Rationale This is the key element of your proposal. It should include the park’s name, an explanation of the history of your topic, and define any terms that may appear in your paper. Give a brief explanation of why you chose the topic for your theme. Catch the reader's attention in this opening portion of the proposal so they have to read on. Describe the Sections of your Park Write a short description of each section. Explain the historical importance of your topic and provide specific facts. Describe and explain the rides, food and characters Outline the different rides, food and characters that will make up the entertainment in each section of your park. Each ride should include a description that explains what the ride is and why it fits into that section of your park historically. You must also give some specific historical information about the event or individual. Each restaurant should be described and have a small sample menu describing some of the items that can be purchased there. *This is an info sheet for a prospective customer or investor for each ride/attraction Finish with a strong and persuasive conclusion. This is your final appeal for the proposal. It should recap what you hope to accomplish with your park and why the investors should support it. Add a works cited section Use Noodletools to provide the sources that you used in MLA format.

Example of Proposal (1 st of 3 slides) Example: Part I: Park Name Puritan Fun Town Part II: Rationale There are many themed amusement parks in America, but almost none that educate and entertain at the same time. Puritan Fun Town will change all of that and become the premier educational amusement park in the country. This kind of place is important because it keeps history alive and encourages further study about important events from a young age. Puritan Fun Town will benefit not only the history buffs and the thrill seekers, but the community as well. Employment opportunities for all skill levels are available at the park. This place will become a community center; a place for education and entertainment that can provide economic and social rewards for years to come.

Example of Proposal (2 nd of 3 slides) Part III: Description Park Section 1: The Crucible Thrill Rides Rides: Parachute Drop called “The Gallows” and a rollercoaster called “Tituba” Park Section 2: Great Awakening Water Park “Baptize” yourself in the ultimate fun of a water park! “Awake” your senses as you cool off on a warm summer day! Learn all about the influence of Protestantism on American values and democracy while you’re at it! The Great Awakening in American history was a period of religious revival in the 1700’s lead by Protestant ministers. These ministers conducted “frontier revivals” that attempted not only to inform followers of the scripture but to engage them emotionally in their own religious practice. This period is also characterized by a shift towards democratic thought in the colonies and sought the conversion of others to Christianity, which introduced the faith to many African Americans. Rides: Reformation Wave Pool and the Evangelical Slip-N-Slide The Reformation was a split in the Catholic Church. In England this divide caused England to break away from the Pope and the Catholic Church, which lead to the establishment of the Church of England. Puritans grew out of this religious shift and ultimately split from the Church of England because it was not religious enough as it had not fully “reformed”. Evangelicalism represents the world wide Protestant history and is the basis for Christian missionizing in the Protestant faith. Puritans left England for religious freedom, but also sought to spread the gospel to other lands. Park Section 3: Food Court: The Iroquois Confederation Eat at the Mohawk Longhouse, Onondaga Game Lodge, or the Iroquois Three Sisters Restaurant

Example of Proposal (3 rd of 3 slides) Park Characters: Jonathan Edwards, Abigail Williams, Mary Alcott Part IV: Conclusion The history of the United States begins with the landing at Plymouth Rock in The Puritans arrived in North America hopeful for a life free to practice their religion. Those hopes and dreams are the foundation of who we are as a nation today. From the Puritans through the growth of the colonies, America’s identity is rooted in principles of freedom, ingenuity and opportunity. Now, for the first time, Americans will have the opportunity to relive those times in an exciting, entertaining and exhilarating walk through the past. They can ride a rollercoaster; cool off in a water park, or just relax over a great meal! There is no other place like Puritan Fun Town – a unique, educational and exciting family experience!

HAVE FUN!!!! You’ll do great!!!