Who is the Most Famous Kansan?

• Introduction
• Task
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Credits


• Teacher Page

Process

Step One:  Determine who holds which position on your committee. The roles are:

secretary-keeps the notes for the group on the selected Kansans
graphic artist-draws pictures of the people and does the layout for the posters
author-uses the notes to create phrases, sentences, or paragraphs for the narrowed down list and the posters
organizer-makes sure everyone is doing his/her role, keeps the group on task, gathers and finds any additional materials the group needs
communicator-catches any absent group members up on the groups progress, informs the governor (Mrs. Cook for this project) of the groups progress each day, and takes the role of any absent group members as needed 

In addition to the roles listed above each person is responsible for researching 4-5 Kansans and filling out a research sheet.

Step Two: As a group, decide who is going to learn about who.  Print out the Research Sheet and write down who is responsible for each famous Kansan.  Research and learn as much as you can about the famous Kansans. Use the list provided or do some outside research at the Kansas State Historical Society Website or at the National Education Association Website to find more people.  You may also use the World Book Encyclopedia from the classroom and any biographies our library has to help you.  If you don't know the meaning of a word on one of the sources be sure to look it up, ask a friend, or ask Mrs. Cook.

	Sam Brownback senator Source 1	Gwendolyn Brooks poet Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	John Brown anti-slavery crusader Source 1 Source 2
George Washington Carver inventor Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	Clyde Cessna aviator Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	Wilt Chamberlain basketball player Source 1 Source 2	Walter P. Chrysler auto maker Source 1
John Steuart Curry painter Source 1	Charles Curtis senator Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	Robert Dole senator Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	Amelia Earhart airplane pilot Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4
Wyatt Earp guman Source 1 Source 2	Dwight Eisenhower U.S. President & general Source 1 Source 2	Langston Hughes poet Source 1 Source 2	Walter Johnson baseball pitcher Source 1 Source 2
Alf Landon governor Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	James Naismith inventor of basketball Source 1	Carrie Nation prohibitionist Source 1	Gordon Parks photographer, writer, filmmaker Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
Pat Roberts senator Source 1	Barry Sanders football player Source 1	William Allen White journalist Source 1 Source 2  Source 3	Lynette Woodard basketball player Source 1

Step Three:  Get back together with your group and discuss what you have learned about each person.  Using the information all group members have shared narrow the list of famous Kansans down to five.  This doesn't necessarily mean that each person will name one famous Kansan from your list.  Think about what qualities your group wants each person to have to represent Kansas, and use that to choose five people.  Be sure to think about what qualities made each person great and why they should be the "Most Famous Kansan."  Click here to get some help starting the process if you need it.  If you are having problems persuading the people in group why someone should be on your list click here for some advice.  Be ready to explain why each person made the list.  When your group is ready, let Mrs. Cook know and explain how you made your choices to her.

Step Four:  Create a poster describing each person and their accomplishments.  Be sure to use words and pictures.  Click here for the requirements for your poster.