Writing an Olive Branch Petition: One Last Chance for Peace
Mr. Kersey

Imagine you are a member of the 2nd Continental Congress.  You have been 
assigned to a committee to write a letter to King George III asking him for 
peace between Britain and the Colonies.  Remember that the battles of Lexington 
and Concord have already taken place, and that there is much tension between the 
British government and the Colonies.  With your fellow committee members, write 
a draft of an Olive Branch Petition to send to the king.

Your draft should include or mention the following things:

1) The injustices committed against the colonists in the form of taxes, as well 
as the recent violence.

2) The colonies' desire to be treated fairly and to be represented in 
Parliament.

3) The Congress' desire for peace between Britain and the Colonies.

4) At least one proposal for an agreement that will make both Britain and the 
colonists happy.

Good luck.  The future of the colonies rests in your hands.


Rubric:
This assignment applies to the History and Culture Standards.  Both standards 
will use the same rubric.

4 (Exemplary) Your petition has no spelling or grammatical errors.  It is 
clearly written and addresses each of the required topics.  It demonstrates 
knowledge of the revolutionary period and includes or mentions events from the 
text book or other sources.  The petition is convincing and persuasive.

3 (Accomplished) Your petition has no, or very few, spelling or grammatical 
errors.  It is clearly written and addresses each of the required topics.  It 
demonstrates knowledge of the revolutionary period and includes or mentions 
events from the text book. The petition is convincing and persuasive.

2 (Improving) Your petition has more than two or three spelling or grammatical 
errors.  It may not be clearly written.  It does not demonstrate a complete 
grasp of the revolutionary period, or does not mention or include events founds 
in the textbook. It may not address all of the required topics.

1 (Beginning) There are multiple errors in your petition.  It does not include 
all of the required topics.  It does not demonstrate a knowledge of the 
revolutionary period, and/or it is not clearly written.