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Potawatomi Trail of Death Research: Home

 

Project Directions

Research Directions: You will be researching the Potawatomi Trail of Death using the resources and databases provided on this libguide. You are required to create 4 notecards, using 4 different sources. You will need to use 3 of the provided sources, and 1 source you found on your own using the databases. You must cite all 4 sources in Noodletools. After completing your research, you will design a historical marker for this event in history. 

Step 1: Research
Step 2: Prototype Design
Step 3: Build Historical Marker
Step 4: Display at ABMS in gallery walk

Notecard Requirements:

  • Title: Title Each Notecard 1-4.
  • Resource: Link the resource citation that you are using for that specific notecard. (You must add your citation to NoodleTools first!)
  • Direct Quote: Copy and paste any important information you found from this article. Include the who, what, when, where, and why?
  • Summary/Paraphrase: put the direct quote information into your own words. This is what you would put on your plaque next to your historical marker.
  • My Ideas: Use this section to brainstorm ideas of how you can show this information in a historic marker. This section is optional. 

TIPS FOR CREATING A HISTORICAL MARKER

Historical Marker Text Do’s:

  • Construct historical marker text so that it is a point by point, chronological narrative of the subject and its historical significance.

  • Each line in the historical narrative should be verifiable with resources cited in the bibliography of the historical document (your research).

  • Propose historical marker text that is 130 words or less. This does not include titles and “erected by” language.

  • Place the historical marker subject in a larger narrative, showing significance beyond the local level.

○ For example, when speaking about a church, cemetery, or school, explain how the subject shows larger state-wide or national trends. Rather than saying “ABC School was established in 1950 for the education of African- American children in X County,” the text could illustrate broader significance by explaining “ABC School, established in 1920 for the education of African- American children in X County, was part of the Rosenwald school building program that matched funds from philanthropist Julius Rosenwald with community donations to build schools for African Americans during the era of segregation.”

Historical Marker Text Don’ts:

  • As historical markers are not intended to be monuments or advertisements, the use of overly adulatory language that departs in any way from an objective and dispassionate recounting of historical documented facts will not be approved.

  • Marker texts with quotes or lists of names are discouraged.

  • Illustrations may not be included on the historical marker.

  • The use of “firsts” is highly discouraged unless it can be proven without question.

    Local legend or traditions will not be considered as sufficient.

For more information on creating historical markers click here: https://distillcreative.com/blog/2020/4/6/reimagining-historic-markers

For more information on historical markers in Kansas click here: https://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-historical-markers/14999

Blue Valley Library Media | Blue Valley School District #229 | Overland Park, KS 66223