senior project 2009

8/6/2019 Senior Project 2009

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SENIOR PROJECT GUIDELINES

The Senior Project is an opportunity to investigate something of interest to you. Theproject, which you will complete during fall semester, consists of three parts: a paper that

answers a driving question about a chosen topic and an oral presentation.

TABLE OF CONTENTSSenior Project Calendar.......................................................................................................1

Student Checklist.................................................................................................................2

Work Log..........................................................................................................................2-3

Choosing Your Paper........................................................................................................3-8

Statement of Intent...............................................................................................................9

The Paper......................................................................................................................10-15

The Portfolio......................................................................................................................16

The Presentation...........................................................................................................16-19

Grades and Rubrics............................................................................................................19

Safety Nets.........................................................................................................................20

This guide belongs to __________________________________________ Period ____

SENIOR PROJECT CALENDAR

2009-2010 School Year

All dates subject to change. Listen in class for revisions.

___________________________ Project assigned in-class.

___________________________ Statement of Intent with parent signature due.

___________________________ Projects approved.___________________________ Commitment Poster due.___________________________ Complete draft due in-class.

___________________________ Class edits complete. Revise paper.___________________________ Submit Final Paper Draft

___________________________ Presentations begin in-class.___________________________ My presentation date.


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STUDENT CHECKLIST:

Work Record

Paper Question: _________________________________________________________

Project: ________________________________________________________________

Date_____Brainstorming and Project Selection Sheets complete

_____Paper Question Selected

_____Work Log begun

_____Statement of Intent completed

_____Statement of Intent signed by all parties and submitted

_____Commitment Poster completed_____Reading requirement completed

_____First complete draft of paper completed

_____Final draft of paper completed. Paper grade __________

_____Portfolio completed

_____Presentation completed

Grade Record

Paper: ______________________

Presentation: ________________

WORK LOG:

A Running Record of Your Work

Part of your Senior Project assignment is to keep a running record of your work.Whenever you spend any time on any part of the project, keep track of your thoughts and

activities in a log. It may be helpful to think of this as a journal. Date your entries, since

the log may also help in terms of documentation. Begin your log today! Here are somethings to include:

1) Periodic reflections on what you are learning2) Ideas and notes for your paper3) Reactions to your reading


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4) Reactions to your telephoning and organizing5) Notes on your interviews, along with signatures and telephone numbers of your

interviewees (for confirmation purposes); you could also include the business

cards of people you contact.

6) Reactions to your interviews7) Questions for your teacher or yourself8) Time spent and due dates9) Other

I will review the log as part of the Senior Project portfolio. The log should cover all time

spent working on the rubric and show signs of prolonged activity (i.e. it should not looklike you did it all the night before the portfolio was due.)

Example

CHOOSING YOUR PAPER AND PROJECT:

Focusing Your Paper

The following pages will help you decide which of your interests will make a goodSenior Project. Your task is to narrow your interest into questions you will answer in

your paper. Look over the examples below. A good choice now will help avoidproblems later. [Note: You may not use any of the topics listed below. Be creative!]

AREA OF INTEREST PAPER QUESTION

1. Marketing and AutoShop

How can electric and hybrid engines change the automotive

industry as we know it?

2. Ecology andGovernment

What changes must be made to the existing infrastructurefor our country to create a high-speed rail system?

7 September 2008Received paper guidelines in class today. Printed pages six through eight

of the booklet from the online file and completed all inventories tochoose project. Parents approved all three topics after making

suggestions for how to be more specific. Need to find sources,interviews and visitation location before I write my letters of intent. I

really like my first topic, though, so I hope no one else gets it and Ms.

Ross approves it.


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3. Drafting andEconomics

What effects have Japanese automakers had on American

car designs?

4. Mathematics andHistory

Who invented algebra?

5. Spanish and Art Who was El Greco?6. Physics and History What makes an airplane fly?7. History and P.E. What the Americas Cup?8. Child Development

and PsychologyHow does a child develop in the first three months of life?

9. P.E. and ChildDevelopment

How do children benefit from participation in sports?

10.Psychology andPhysiology

What are the pros and cons of abortion?

11.P.E. and Physics How do the aerodynamics of a sailboat affect its speed?

Interest Inventory

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Picking a topic for your Senior Project is one of the most important choices you willmake this year. The brainstorming list below is a way to imagine every topic you might

want to consider. Regardless of whether you now have an idea about what you will wantto do or have no idea whatsoever, make sure you have considered all your possibilities by

carefully jotting down any interest that might become a Senior Project.

1) Sports: __________________________________________________________2) Physical training and fitness: ________________________________________3) Arts and crafts: ___________________________________________________4) Photography and graphics: __________________________________________5) Architecture and design: ____________________________________________6) Performing arts: __________________________________________________7) Business and investment: ___________________________________________8) Foreign languages: ________________________________________________9) Travel: ________________________________________________________10)Politics: ________________________________________________________


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11)Community concerns / volunteering: _________________________________12)Consumer and home economics/ nutrition: ____________________________13)Science: _______________________________________________________14)Mathematics: ___________________________________________________15)Computers: _____________________________________________________16)Industrial Arts: __________________________________________________17)Writing and literature: ____________________________________________18)Animals: _______________________________________________________19)Environment: ___________________________________________________20)Other ideas: ____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Brainstorming and Narrowing

Clustering and other brainstorming techniques are excellent ways to develop ideas for

your Senior Project. Use these methods instead of, or in addition to, the ideas given here.

The questions below might provide ideas for a good project. Answer them thoughtfully.

1) What hobbies or interests do you have?

2) What subject have you taken that you would like to study further?

3) What course(s) would have taken at Clayton Valley if you had more time?

4) What do you plan as a college major / career choice?

5) What do you know that you could teach others?

Start deciding which ideas on your list will make a good Senior Project. On your

brainstorming lists, circle items that...


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1) Are of genuine interest to you.2) Are connected to academic work done in school.3) Have information readily available for your paper.4) Have experts available as interview possibilities.5) Will make a good impression when presented to the class.6) Will not take too much time.7) Will provide a challenge.8) Are related to your college or career goals.

Choose the three circled items from your brainstorming list that are the best candidatesfor your Senior Project:

1) __________________________________________________________________2) __________________________________________________________________3) ________________________________________________________________

Final Selection

Now that you have your topic ideas narrowed to three items, spend some time thinking

about each item. Then pick the topic that best answers each of the following questions.

Question Choice #1, 2, or 3

1)

Which topic will challenge me the most?2) Which topic is most clearly connected with academicwork done in high school?

3) Which topic is most clearly related to my career orcollege plans?

4) Which project may I do in connection with a project inanother class?

5) For which topic will it be easiest to find an interview?6) Which topic will probably have easier access to

information and experts for my paper?

7) Which topic includes the paper that will be mostinteresting for me to research and write?

8) Which topic will make the best impression whenpresented?

9) Which project will allow me to improve on talent andskills I already have?

10)Which topic would my family probably prefer?11)Which topic will probably best fit into my limitations of

time?


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Paper Selection

Based on these criteria, choose your paper topic:

Paper Question:_________________________________________________________

TIPS:* Your paper must be presented in the form of a question answerable by research. For

example, do not write My senior project is about drywall. Instead, you would write,How is drywall necessary to modern construction?

STATEMENT OF INTENT:

Approval of Your Plans

Your Statement of Intent is how you will inform me and your family of your Senior

Project plans. This letter first goes home for a signature by your parent or guardian, andthen is returned to be approved by myself. This letter is then returned and placed in the

Senior Project portfolio.

Complete the form on the following page and include each of the following:

1) A direct statement of the question you want to answer and the academic subject(s)involved

2) An explanation of what, if anything, you already know or have accomplished inthe area you have chosen

3) The way in which the Senior Project will represent a challenge to you4) The importance of your investigation and connections between your project and

academic experiences you have had in high school (topics involving hobbies or

recreational projects will be particularly scrutinized for academic tie-in)

5) A statement of the question(s) you will answer in your paper included in the bodyof your letter

6) Possible resources you may use and an estimate of expenditures in time7) Parent signature

In approving Statements of Intent, I will look to see that the paper answers a thoughtfulquestion that is neither too broad nor too narrow and offers the student a clear challengein light of the students background.


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TIPS: Before you submit a Statement of Intent, be sure you have already found yourminimum sources and interviews, and discovered a place to do your visitation. You may

not change your topic once you have it approved by me.


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STATEMENT OF INTENT

NAME: ________________________________________________________ PERIOD: _____

RESEARCHABLE QUESTION: _______________________________________

__________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC SUBJECTS INVOLVED: _______________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

WHY CHOSEN: __________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________ ________________________________

__________________________________________________________

HOW REPRESENTS A CHALLENGE: _______________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

THREE TEXTS: Source Author Year

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

TWO INTERVIEWS: Name Position Contact Information

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

ONE VISITATION: Name Location Contact Person

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

I hereby signify that my son/daughter has my approval to research this topic for their

culminating senior project.

Parent Signature _____________________________________________ Date ____________

Teacher Approval ____________________________________________ Date ____________


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THE PAPER:

A Serious Investigation That Interests You

The first component of the Senior Project is to plan and write a paper that records your

attempts to answer your thesis question. Throughout the process of writing the paper, use

your teachers as guides and resources. Your investigation of the topic should include thefollowing:

1) One clearly stated question you hope to answer2) At least three sources.3) Interviews ofat leasttwo experts face-to-face on your topic4) At least one visit to a place related to your topic

The paper resulting from your serious investigation should include several qualities:

1) A style of writing that shows enthusiasm for the subject and that engages thereader by using writing techniques such as narration, description, incorporation of

reading and research, conversations with experts, and standard English usage.

2) A personal essay which integratesa. the question about the subject you hope to answerb. how much you knew about the subject before you startedc.

the steps you took and what you learned as you researched your subjectthrough reading, contacting, interviewing, and visiting

d. actual references to reading and interviews in the body of your paper usingproper in-text citations

e. reflection on what you learned from your research [maximum one page.]3) A bibliography of reading and interviews4) A completed and revised draft which must be word-processed; the final paper

must be a minimum of eight pages and a maximum of ten pages double-spaced in

twelve-point Times New Roman.

NOTE: Students should not use cover sheets, folders, or bind their papers. This slowsdown the reading process.


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Grading Procedures for the Paper:Complete Draft: This is nota rough draft. Your classmates will evaluate this draft andprovide ideas for improvement.

Final Revised Paper: Your final revised paper will be scored by me. Scores transfer to a

letter grade for credit in English IV.

The Paper Writing ProcessYour paper should integrate all the skills learned in Clayton Valleys writing program:

1) Gather information from all your sources to address the questions you haveformulated

2) Define a topic to write about3) Find a focus that best addresses your topic4) Choose appropriate details, description, information, and resources for your topic

and paper

5) Revise and edit your paper to make sure it leads the reader through your personaljourney of discovery

6) Evaluate and reflect upon your discovery7) Edit and proofread again to create a paper of publishable quality

In tackling a paper like this, you must be a prepared and open-minded observer. Havequestions in mind when you begin your research, whether in the library or in the field.

Keep your eyes open to new information, new questions, new facts, and new details. Beready for surprises. Try to look behind facts and details for meaning and contradictions.

Gather more than you can possibly use so you can choose what is appropriate when youfind your focus.

Remember, you are trying to show your journey to answer questions and present what

you learned about your topic to your audience. Perhaps your focus is the part of theresearch that proved most rewarding; perhaps it is the stumbling blocks you had to

overcome; perhaps your pursuit of one discovery was the most enlightening; or perhapsyour journey switched directions, and that change led you to your new focus.

The choice of details, description, and facts are the most important decisions a writermakes. The materials you choose from your research must advance your journeyappropriately. There is no room for fluff. A paper on photography, for example, should

probably not include a details description of the drive to Santa Cruz, since it has nothingto do with what you learned about photography, whereas a description of the workshop of

a master photojournalist might provide essential and serious details that reveal theessence of his art and your understanding.


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Not every paper will have the same amount of each ingredient. As in good cooking, thechef determines the seasoning for his dish and varies the spices accordingly. You may

have to adjust your blend. You will find in rereading and editing that there will be thingsyou must cut and others you must develop to make your concoction palatable to the

reader.

Your reflection and evaluation are essential how you handle them is determined byyour paper. Perhaps you can reflect at certain places along the way, or you may choose

to save your reflection until the end. You must choose based on your project andexperience. The watchword, as with the entire Senior Project, is You Decide!

Most of all, keep in mind that your paper should make what you learned come alive and

indicate your enthusiasm and growth. Present what is important to you and make itimportant to your readers. Thus, it should be a paper you will be proud to have anyone

read. It will be your work at its best.

Interview TechniquesYour paper must include information from interviews of at least two people who areexperts in your subject. These interviews must be conducted in person. Prepare yourself

ahead of time by knowing what you want to find out from your interviewee. Phone orcontact your interviewee ahead of time to set up a meeting and be sure to be on time.

You will not be excused from school to make these appointments.

Preparing for your interview:Prepare questions you want answered or areas you want to investigate. Keep your

papers primary question(s) in mind, and use your reading to show you already knowsomething about your topic.

Organize your questions into two categories:

1) Questions with short safe answers that will break the icea. What is your background?b. How did you first become involved in the subject?

2) Anecdotal or evaluative questions that cover what you really want to find outa. What do you think of...?b. Whats hard about...?c. Please explain the...d. Tell me about a time when...

3) Ask the big questions. Get your source to open up.Stay alert! Be prepared to come up with additional questions based on the responses your

interviewee makes. Avoid personal matters and questions that invite yes-or-no answers.


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Be willing to go with the flow of the conversation, but also be prepared to bring thesubject back around to what you want to find out.

Facing your interview:

Arrive on time and be appropriately dressed.

Note details about your interviewee and the surroundings for possible use in your paper:the room, dress, gestures, appearance, age, etc.

Avoid taking hand-written notes, which can destroy the give-and-take of natural

conversation. Instead with permission, of course use a tape recorder or video camera.

Show interest in what is said. Keep your papers primary question in mind and usefollow-up questions based on responses to pursue your investigation.

If you use a recorder, you could play back what has been said and ask the interviewee if

there is anything more to add.

Thank the interviewee at the end of the interview, and, if possible, ask for a business cardto include in your portfolio.

After your interview:

Review your notes or tape and decide what you can or cannot use. Be sure to send yourinterviewee a thank-you note.

When writing up your interview for your paper, incorporate what was said in the body of

your paper in a style that flows naturally. The interview should not appear in scriptformat, nor should it be a series of questions and quotes, such as I asked and He

replied.

The VisitationAnother requirement of the Senior Project will be to visit a place related to your topic.This could be a visit to an artists studio if you were doing a project on sculpting; to a city

planning commission if your project were to investigate solutions for traffic problems; orto a hospital if you were interested in shadowing a doctor for a paper on health care. Inother words, this visit should help in answering the question for your paper.

The description and reflection on your visit should be woven into the body of your paper

in a flowing style that also shows your skill in using descriptive writing. Where youinclude this information will vary from paper to paper depending on your topic and focus

while writing it.


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Other MaterialsWhen appropriate, other materials can be included in your paper, such as photos,illustrations, tables, etc. These should also help answer your paper question and are

included in an appendix. These are not counted as part of the eight-to-ten page requiredfor the text of your paper.

In-Text CitationsAlthough formal citations are not required for your paper, you must credit others whoseideas you use. Informal references, or in-text citations, must be included so your reader

will know where you found your facts and where to go for more information on thesubject. Of course, anything cited in the body of your paper should have a full entry in

your works cited list.

Informal references consist of the last name of the author you are citing, plus the pagenumber(s) that apply to your quote or paraphrase. If you are using the authors name in

the body of your text, then you merely need to include the page number(s) in parentheses

at the end of the passage.

Below are passages from successful papers that make good use of informal references.

Note the format for punctuation.

From a direct quote in a paper on A Musicians Career by Anna Fraser (94):Whether moved by prudence or expertise, the courts of Europe present a

panorama or enlightened patronage unrivaled by another institution of the past,and unmatched by any council, corporation, or committee of the present

(Hogwood 16).

From a paraphrased passage in a paper on Silent Victims by Rachel Ash (94):From [this article] I learned that if physical abuse occurs during the first years of

life, the years when the deepest, most formative layers of the personality areformed, the result may be severe mental aggression (Kurz 157).

When the authors name is included in the body of the text, the in-text citation need only

include the page number, as long as it is clear which book from which it is taken. Thefollowing is quoted from a paper on Benefits of Meditation:

Shakti Gawain explained is his bookCreative Visualization that the ultimate goalof imagery is to be able to make every moment of our lives a wondrous creation

(39).

When referring to anyone in the text of your paper, use their full name plus anidentification the first time (for example, Irwin Moore, a fulltime sculptor), and any time

after that, refer to them by their last name only. In-text citations should not be necessaryfor your interviews. Follow the MLA Guidelines for your works cited list.


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Paper ReflectionOne of the most important parts of your paper will be the section in which you reflect onwhat you learned while investigating your topic. Remember, you could weave your

reflections into the body of your paper at appropriate moments, or you could write asection at the end. Consider the questions below as you write your reflection.

1) What did you learn?2) What did you learn that you didnt expect?3) What did you learn about yourself? About life? About people?4) How are you different now from when you started your paper?5) Do you now feel differently about your topic or your question?6) What did you do that you didnt expect? How did you feel about that?7) What was easy for you? Why?8) What was hard for you? Why?9) What did you learn from the problems you encountered?10) What did you learn about writing?11) Did you learn anything about how you personally learn?12) What did you discover about book-learning compared to real-world-

learning?

13) What surprised you about the people you interviewed?14) What did you learn about taking risks?15) How is your paper related to your academic studies in high school?16) What did you learn about the importance of what and how youve learned in

school?

17) What comments have you had from others?18) Would you approach your paper any differently, knowing what you know now?


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THE PORTFOLIO:

A Folder That Contains Your Work

Before your presentation, you will prepare an attractive, culminating portfolio. This willbe what you take with you after the project is over. In addition, you will present this to

me, prior to your presentation, for review. Use whatever organizational means necessaryto make a clean, attractive presentation.

The portfolio should include the following, in this order, in an appropriately-sized three-

ring binder.1) A Senior Project Portfolio Checklist2) A Title Page containing your name, period, due date, and question3) Table of Contents4) The Log of Work, including time spent, tasks, dates, and accomplishments.5) The signed Statement of Intent summarizing the goals of your project6) All additional material you think is important or interesting7) A paper rubric8) The clean final draft of the paper

THE PRESENTATION:

A Report of What You Learned

When your paper complete, you will give a presentation to the class. Presentationsshould be carefully planned to be six-to-eight minutes long, after which the class and I

will conduct a two-minute question period before evaluation.

Your presentation will include the following:

1) A discussion of the paper, the question it answered, and what you learned2) A discussion of the relevance of your paper to your academic work in high school3) The interview experience4) A demonstration or the use of other audio-visual aids5) At the conclusion of your presentation, we will ask questions about your paper6) Appropriate and interesting presentation techniques


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Gathering Presentation IdeasThe following questions can help you plan what you will say during your presentation.In addition, look over your paper and your work log. Carefully consider each question

and take notes on a separate sheet of paper.

Overview:1) How did you decide on the subject of your paper?2) How was your Senior Project related to projects in other classes?

The Paper:

1) What question(s) did you hope to answer in your paper?2) How is your topic related to other academic work in high school?3) Who did you interview for your paper and what did you learn from them?4) What did you read and what did you learn from your reading?5) Where did you visit during research for your paper and what did you learn?6) What difficulties did you overcome in writing your paper?7) What were the three most important things both personal and practical you

learned as a result of writing your paper?

8) About how many hours did you spend completing your senior project?Reflections

1) How is your Senior Project different from the way you envisioned it when youstarted?

2) What feelings did you have as you started your Senior Project?3) What feelings do you have about our Senior Project now?4) Overall, what did you learn about yourself from completing your Senior Project?5) How do you think your Senior Project will affect you in the future?6) What comments did you have from others about your Senior Project?7) If you could do your Senior Project over, what would you do differently?8) Would you recommend your Senior Project to next years seniors? Why or why

not?

Presentation PreparationYour Senior Project presentation should be one of the most memorable events of your

senior year. Your audience will be small and supportive and you will be well prepared.This is your chance to show off!


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The entire presentation, including demonstration and visual aids, should run between six

and eight minutes, followed by two minutes of questions.

OrganizingYourPresentation:

Write the ideas you have gathered and culled from your paper, work log, and questionsheet on separate 3x5 cards and arrange them in a logical order. Include blank cards for

introduction, conclusion, and places where aids and demonstrations may be added later

Plan an opening that will accomplish the following:1) Introduce yourself and gain our attention2) Explain your motivation for choosing your topic3) Take no more than a minutePlan the development of the presentation to:1) Discuss what you learned from your interviews, research, and visits2) Connect your project with your academic work in high school3) Show the role of the interviewee and others who helped you4) Include a demonstration or use of visual aids5) Last about six minutesPlan a conclusion that will accomplish the following:

1) Reflect on your personal growth2) Last about a minute3) Leave the audience with something to think about

SpeechTechniques:

Posture. Stand with confidence. Your audience has come to hear what you have to say,so take command. Avoid pacing and any distracting gestures that will take away from

your presentation.

Voice. Be sure that you speak loudly and slowly enough to be heard. Avoid speaking ina monotone.

Eye Contact. Look at your audience while you speak. Practice your presentation

thoroughly enough so you need only glance at your notes occasionally.

Appearance. Dress in professional clothing.


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Demonstration or Visual. Practice with your demonstration or visual aid so that you willlook like you know what you are doing.

PreparingforQuestions:

Your presentation will conclude with a two-minute question period. You will no t beexamined on your topic, but rather asked several informal questions about what you havedone and learned. There is no way to know what the class will ask you, but here are

some questions you should think about to prepare for your question section.

1) What questions did students ask during your practice presentation?2) What is the most interesting aspect of your presentation?3) What variety of views might the judges hold about your topic?4) What questions from the "Gathering Presentation Ideas" sheet did you not have

time for in your presentation to answer?

TIPS:* Use the rubric to plan your presentation and pre-grade yourself. Give copies to your

practice audiences so they know what to look for.

* Deliver the information in an order as close to the rubric as possible. It will ensure thegrader doesnt miss anything.

* Integrate the answers to the questions into a smooth monologue; do not choppilyanswer the questions as though responding to an invisible interviewer.

* Have backup plans, particularly when dealing with technology. If the computer breaksdown minutes before your presentation, what will you do next?

* Bring all the materials necessary to do your presentation; do not rely on Ms. Ross oryour classmates it is only your grade at stake. This includes tape, markers, napkins,

computers, projectors, etc.

ScoreToGrade Transfer:

Ms. Ross will grade your paper and presentationusing the rubrics on the following page. The

point transfer appears below.

29 35 A 63-7022 28 B 56-62

15 21 C 49-558 14 D 42-48

00 7 F 0-41


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SAFETY NETS:

Safeguards Against Failure

Because of the importance of the Senior Project, I have included "safety nets" to assureyour success.

The Paper

1) The Statement of Intent must be signed by me to ensure academic credit.2) Papers are peer-edited pre-submission.3) I score papers according to a standard guide.

senior project 2009

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