The Senior Project

1. The Senior Project • What is it • Where it came from • District graduation requirement

2. Phase I – Research Paper • Phase II – Fieldwork • Phase III – Portfolio and Presentation The 3 Components

3. Phase I - Fieldwork • Minimum of 15 hours of non-salaried work related to paper topic • Mentor • Expert in field (No Whittier teachers) • Over 21 • Not related to student • Must be approved by teacher and student’s parents

4. Fieldwork approved by teacher and student’s parents • Needs to be community based • Must involve a learning stretch • Needs to show personal growth • Has to be active – not passive

5. Types of Fieldwork • Create/make/design a physical product • Learn a new skill • Teaching/coaching experience • Volunteer • Senior Project Committee will determine community based eligibility

6. Quick Notes on Phase I • Topic approved by English Teacher • Paper must support a persuasive thesis • Cannot be a “how to” paper • Cannot be a “history of” paper • Read by outside panel of judges

7. Phase I– Research Paper • 6 sources • Minimum 25 Notes (paraphrase or direct quote) on notesheets • 5-9 page paper

8. PAPER TOPIC FIELDWORK Animal Experimentation Volunteer for ASPCA Work w/Animal Rights Group Unethical Training of Animals Enroll dog in obedience training GENERAL TOPIC Use of animals as therapy Train and share a therapy animal Animals Volunteer with a vet Giving steroids To racehorses Volunteer time at a stable Rescue groups vs. Animal rights groups Work w/Animal Rescue Group

9. PAPER TOPIC FIELDWORK Learning Styles Volunteer as aide for local elementary school Begin a tutoring program Phonics vs. Whole Language Receive training and tutor in a reading program GENERAL TOPIC Technology Plan, create and execute a lesson plan Education Establish a book club on campus Cooperative Learning Organize a reading campaign Religion in the Classroom Lead catechism/bible study

10. Success • Julie Duran • Advertising and marketing schemes • Created ads of her own

11. Success • Sarah Peck • Small Business issues in California • Created a small business and sold product

12. Success • Casey Freund • Homelessness in America; Choice and Assistance • Comedy Sportz • Donation to non-profit

13. Success • Kristle Manaoat • Ocean Pollution • Beach clean-up • Non-profit organization

14. Success • Edwin DeLeon • Coroner • Volunteer in Los Angeles County morgue

15. Success • Hannah Colon • Support for the troops • Letter writing campaign • Letters to troops

16. Success • Paulina Flores • Humanitarian Aid • Coat drive • Coat donation

17. Topics & FW • GOOD PAPER • Whole language vs. phonics approaches to teaching reading • BETTER PAPER • Early reading techniques and impact on children • BEST PAPER • Effects of “high stakes testing” on reading, curriculum GOOD FW Volunteer in elementary class or tutoring program BETTER FW Volunteer in class or program AND design and teach a lesson BEST FW Volunteer in class or program, teach lesson AND create tutoring program, club

18. Topics & FW • GOOD FW • Participate in diet/exercise program w/ class presentation • BETTER FW • Participate in program, guide family member, class pres. • BEST FW • Participate in two programs, class pres., conduct fundraiser, donate $ to youth ctr. GOOD PAPER Compare/contrast 2 weight training methods BETTER PAPER Weight training methods for various age groups BEST PAPER Weight training benefits/harm to female athlete, effect on college recruiting

19. Phase III – Portfolio/Speech • Portfolio w/all written work • 7-10 minute formal presentation • PowerPoint • Outside panel of 5-7 judges • Briefly share information on paper • Mainly discuss research, experience with fieldwork, and what you learned during the process • 5 minute question and answer

20. Grading System • Failure to complete the final checkpoint of the Paper or Presentation phases of the Senior Project by the final deadline will result in a failing grade in Senior English. • Students who fail to complete the Fieldwork phase of the Senior Project by the final deadline will be unable to complete the Presentation phase which will result in a failing grade in Senior English. • Three grade categories for each phase • Distinguished, Commendable, Adequate • Not Yet There – Must redo

21. Grading System • Checkpoints • All class checkpoints are set by Mrs. Bean • Each form signature is worth 10 points • Paper checkpoints are worth 50 points • Must be top quality, not half-complete drafts! • Due, in hand, at beginning of class • Students can always fax or email checkpoints • Must be received by beginning of class • No passes, phone calls or notes accepted! • Late form checkpoints receive half off “F”! • Late paper checkpoints receive letter grade down each day!

22. Help for Seniors • Senior Project Handbooks • Senior Project Website: Under Curriculum on WHS website • Bean’s Website: www.wuhsd.k12.ca.us/mbean • Senior Project Help Sessions with PREP Program • Twitter Reminders: Follow me at beanglishap

23. Happy Topic Hunting!

25. Dates to Remember • 1st CP 9/20- Parent Consent, Plagiarism & Fieldwork Honesty Statement • 2nd CP 10/11 Final Fieldwork Plan and Mentor Commitment Form • 5th CP Final Perfect Copy of paper • 6th CP 12/6 Fieldwork Documents due • 2/3/11 Portfolios Due • 2/9-10 Senior Boards (Presentations)

26. Topic Exploration • On a sheet of paper list 5 • Dream jobs • Issues in the world which concern you • Things that make you angry • Things that make you happy

27. Topic Exploration Step 2 • Create list of • 5 paper ideas w/ related fieldwork project ideas • Individual reflection • Write a paragraph • Choose one of your paper/fieldwork ideas • Tell why that topic would be interesting to research, how it would be a good fit for you