Description of Student Performance
present a timeline with appropriate milestones for project completion
conduct research on the evolution of the local physical environment (an appropriately scaled area within approximately a 15-mile radius of the school)
make appropriate maps, including maps of each individual site and a general map showing relative location of all sites
write a narrative describing the dominant processes affecting the evolution of cultural features in the study region (e.g., economic processes, architectural tastes, technological changes in transportation, industrial processes, communication, migration patterns, and diffusion of cultural traits)
construct one or more population pyramids plus tables and graphs of population characteristics
develop maps and a narrative taking the traveler on an efficient route to locations illustrating the effects of these dominant processes
present a completed, formal publication and lead an audience through an actual or virtual field trip

Work Plan/Timeline

1. select an appropriate area of interest, in consultation with the teacher; the area should be local and have significant cultural features for investigation
2. construct a schedule for completion of the following tasks
3. gather maps and information that describe the processes which produced the present cultural landscape
4. interview available experts familiar with the cultural environment (e.g., geographers, historians, planners, business people, police officers, government officials, religious leaders, Realtors, etc.)
5. conduct literature and image search for information detailing the local environment; suitable images include (but are not restricted to) aerial photographs, satellite images, video clips, still photography, line drawings, paintings, etc.; suitable text items include (but are not restricted to) local histories, diaries, newspapers, etc.
6. create a preliminary annotated bibliography showing what information exists, how the information is relevant and how the information is to be accessed
7. consult maps of the area showing the evolution of the social patterns in the study region
8. select appropriate sites that illustrate the evolution of the cultural landscape
9. discuss selected sites with teacher and other experts
10. produce final maps and data tables
11. produce "guidebook" suitable for an individual to explore the sites with understanding (and safety)

Research

1. use appropriate research techniques developed and described in other assessment packages, exploring the following items
2. collect appropriate illustrations of cultural patterns
3. collect relevant local statistics
4. read relevant portions of cultural geography and history texts
5. study available atlases showing social characteristics
6. consult appropriate persons within planning departments, educational institutions, real estate development firms, etc.

Making Appropriate Maps
map design

1. information is clear and complete (TODALSIGS)
2. message is neat and clear
   

   a. avoid unnecessary information
   b. minimize distortion information
   c. mappable data is portrayed accurately
   d. mappable data is portrayed at appropriate ranges and units
   

3. shading/fill pattern is clear and effective
   

   a. avoid distortion or optical illusion
   b. tone pattern reproduces well
   c. provide strong contrast between adjacent tones and patterns
   d. most important information is darkest
   

4. symbols represent data classifications appropriately
   

   a. pictorial symbols enlarge, reduce, and reproduce clearly

1. site maps display features of significance at an appropriate scale
2. route map should be legible and provide traveler with safe access to each site

Guidebook
produce a guidebook with a narrative that summarizes the cultural history and present condition in the study area
final product should be of high quality

1. describe the cultural history of the study region; place the area in the larger context of regional or global forces (e.g., economic patterns, population shifts, cultural changes, etc.)
2. identify the present situation
3. describe each selected site used to illustrate the dominant forces
4. for each site, describe the forces at work, if any, that might change the cultural landscape in the near term (e.g., changing rates of out-migration or de- industrialization)

Population Pyramids, Graphs and Tables

1. graphs and tables are clear and easy to understand
2. data are in appropriate form
3. gaps in information are clearly acknowledged

Final Presentation

1. description of locale is presented with sufficient detail for a reader/audience that is unfamiliar with the place and its history
   
2. description places the locale in geographic context
   
3. analysis of the process and condition of study area is supported by evidence from the research
   
4. text and/or visual images are integrated to create a coherent message
   
5. presentation uses text and images effectively to convey information and present convincing message
   
6. presentation meets the needs of the target audience