Stone Age Toolmaker Project
Due Date: 8/31/16
You are going to complete a Stone Age Toolmaker Project to show your knowledge of the tools early hominids used. You will select, create, and demonstrate a tool from a specific hominid group. This project will consist of three parts: the tool, an advertisement, and a commercial.
Step 1- Select one group of the early hominids: Homo habilis, Homo erectus, or Homo sapiens.
Step 2 – Research the types of tools that were specific to that group of hominids. You may use your Ancient Civilizations textbook in addition to the Internet, or you may find other resources in the school or public library.
Step 3 – The Tool
You will design and build a tool made of natural materials. This means no staples, nails, tape, glue, synthetic fibers, particle board, etc. Remember, a tool is defined as a handheld object that has been modified to help a person accomplish a task. This means you can’t just pick up a rock and turn it in as your tool. In addition, you cannot create a tool whose only purpose is warfare: that would be a weapon, not a tool. Remember, bowls and hammers are tools, too.
Step 4 – The Advertisement
The advertisement is the first part of this project’s creative element. You will design an ad to help “sell” your tool to other hominids. Your ad must include the name of the tool, a picture or drawing of the tool, a description of the tool (materials used to make the tool, what it does or how will it make life easier), the hominid group that would use it, a “price” for the tool, and a place to meet for trading the tool. Remember, early hominids did not have money so they would have traded their tool for something they needed or wanted. I will give you construction paper for your ad. Look at advertisements in magazines and newspapers for creative ideas on how to sell your tool. Make sure your advertisement is appropriate for the time period of your hominid group.
Step 5 – The Commercial
The commercial is the second part of this project’s creative element. You will present your tool and advertisement to the class. You are acting in a “live commercial” to promote and “sell” your tool to us. You should use your tool and possibly other props in your commercial. Your commercial should last 40-45 seconds. Watch TV commercials to see how they get you to want to buy their products. This creative element is meant to be fun, but you will need to practice, practice, and practice some more.
Stone Age Toolmaker Project Presentation Rubric
| Category | Advanced 10 points | Proficient 8 points | Approaching 7 points | Beginning 5 points | Teacher Comments |
Preparedness
|
Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. | Student seems fairly prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals. | The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. | Student does not seem at all prepared to present. | |
| Stance and Eye Contact | Student stands up straight – looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with the audience. | Student is standing up straight and establishes eye contact with the audience. | Student is standing up straight and establishes some eye contact with the audience. | Student is leaning, slouching, pacing, or swaying and has not establishes eye contact with the audience. | |
| Voice | Volume-can be heard Clarity-words are spoken clearly (100-95% of the time)Expression/Pitch- feeling and full range of voice was used. | Volume-can be heard Clarity-words are spoken clearly (94%-85% of the time)Expression/Pitch- feeling and most range of voice was used. | Volume-can be heardClarity-words are spoken clearly (84%-70% of the time)Expression/Pitch- feeling and some range of voice was used. | Volume-cannot be heardClarity-words are mumbled or cannot be understoodExpression/Pitch- feeling and full range of voice was not used. | |
| Time | Student met the requirements of 40-45 seconds. | Student time fell in the range of 35-39 seconds or 46-50 seconds. | Student time fell in the range of 30-34 seconds or 51-55 seconds. | Student time fell in the range of less than 30 seconds or more than 55 seconds. |
Total Score: ___________/40 points (this will be a history grade)
Five points deducted for each school day it is late.
Stone Age Toolmaker Project Rubric
Due Date: 8/31/16 (Five points deducted for each school day it is late)
Rubric for the Tool
Tool is made from natural materials /20
Tool is accurate for the time period /20
Creativity/Ingenuity /10
Total /50
Deductions for being late
Grade Total for History /50
Rubric for the Advertisement
Name of tool /5
Accurate picture or drawing of tool /5
Description of tool (materials used) /5
Function of tool (how it is used) /5
Hominid group that would use tool /5
“Price” of tool (remember, don’t use money) /5
Place to meet to trade tool /5
Neatly designed (including penmanship and use of space) /5
Correct grammar, spelling, and capitalization /5
Creativity/Ingenuity (slogan and/or design layout) /5
Total /50
Deductions for being late
Grade Total for Writing /50