Senior Project Handbook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents                                                                Page 2

Mission Statement                                                                Page 3        

Calendar of Major Due Dates         Fall Semester                                        Page 4

Calendar of Major Due Dates Spring Semester                                Page 5

Senior Project Overview                                                         Page 6

Steps of the Senior Project Checklist                                                Page 7

Topic Selection                                                                Pages 8-13

Letter of Intent                                                                Page 14

Teacher Topic Approval Form                                                Page 15

Project Guideline                                                                Page 16

Letter of Request to Mentor                                                        Page 17

Letter of Request: Professional Resource                                        Page 18

Physical Product/ Fieldwork Dialectical Journal                                Page 19

Senior Project Dialectical Directions                                                Page 20

Senior Project Dialectical Journal Template                                        Page 21

Research Paper Guidelines                                                        Page 23

Research Paper Rubric                                                        Page 24

Poster Requirements                                                                Page 25

Poster Evaluation Form                                                        Page 26

Mentor Verification Form                                                        Page 27

Reflection of Growth                                                                Page 28

Letter to Judges                                                                Page 29

Portfolio Requirements                                                        Page 30

Presentation Guidelines                                                        Page 31

Words of Advice for Your Speech                                                Page 32

Senior Boards Day                                                                Page 33

Suggested Outline for Senior Project Speech                                        Page 34

Senior Project Speech Rubric                                                            Pages 35-36

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s English teacher.

Senior Project Mission Statement

The ThunderRidge High School Senior Project will provide a cumulative evaluation instrument to validate a senior student's ability to research from a variety of media, write an argumentative research paper, design and complete a project, and teach others about the project in a formal presentation.

Purpose: The purpose of the Senior Project is to give students a chance to choose an area of study, to combine different disciplines, and to explore new avenues in a productive manner. Each student needs to address a challenging issue that will stretch his/her intellectual and personal growth. In essence, the project will provide a significant learning stretch.  

Senior Project Calendar 2022

Senior Project Overview

The purpose of the Senior Project is to give students a chance to choose an area of study, to combine different disciplines, and to explore new avenues in a productive manner. Each student needs to address a challenging issue that will stretch his/her intellectual and personal growth. In essence, the project will provide a significant learning stretch.  

Benefits of the Senior Project

Once the graduating senior has completed the Senior Project, he or she will have completed a task that has brought maturity, organization, service, learning, and public speaking skills to fruition. It is also important to note that students will be creating and completing these types of projects in their post-high school careers as well. Any student planning to attend a college or university will have to complete major projects like this as a part of the university experience. Aside from college, most careers will require the skills attained such as communication, collaboration, problem solving, and time management.  It moves the students from departmentalized learning in the classroom to a more interdisciplinary approach by applying their skills to real-world tasks.

There is no end to the creativity involved with these projects. There is no limit to what a student can do to challenge him or herself and learn and help others in the process. Any of the projects described in this booklet show that the student has used a host of skills that will set him or her apart from other seniors.

Senior Project Requirements

1.        Research paper (5-8 pages in length)

2.        Project

3.        Portfolio (e-portfolio or a binder containing evidence of Senior Project)

4.        Senior Boards (Presentation of learning in front of Senior Boards)

Steps of the Senior Project Process Checklist

TOPIC SELECTION

Points to Consider Concerning Senior Project

1. Which project will I most likely be able to use after senior year?

2. Which choice will challenge me the most and provide a learning stretch?

3. Which area will enable me to find the most resources?

4. Do I have a person who is willing to serve as my mentor?

5. Which project is realistic in terms of time for me, a busy senior?

6. What are my talents?

7. Which area would my family want me to select?

8. Is there an area that a college admissions representative or an employer will look at with interest?

9. Is there a budget concern for me?

10. Is there a concern about transportation?

Project Guidelines

Remember, for your Senior Project you MUST:

• Demonstrate a significant learning stretch through a well-designed project.
• Document a minimum of 15 hours participation outside of school.
• Complete a Fieldwork Dialectical Journal (with time log)
• Secure a mentor WHO IS NOT FAMILY OR A STAFF MEMBER AT TRHS. Make sure your mentor understands his or her responsibilities and the scope of your project. OR, locate an acceptable professional resource and secure permission for using the resource.
• Educate a board of judges about your Senior Project topic, experience, and product

Brainstorming Sheet for Students

Contemplate all the areas of interest in your life. Where do you see yourself in ten years? Where do you see your project in relation to one or any of the ideas listed below?

1. Social studies (historical study, cultural study)

2. Space (exploration, extraterrestrial theory)

3. Specialized hobbies or collections (coins, cars, dolls)

4. Philosophy (comparative studies, certain theorists or leaders)

5. Art (producing the school’s art show, painting a mural, designing a stained glass window for school)

6. Education (working with elementary students in the district, working with a high school teacher on a topic, working with the county to fight illiteracy)

7. Technology (wood, metal, cars, computers, graphics, electronics)

8. Family and consumer sciences (designing and sewing costumes for a play, musical, or homecoming; catering a special event)

9. Writing and/or literature (writing and illustrating a children’s book in English or a foreign language, compiling a poetry book)

10. Math and Science (exploring certain math theories, starting a tutoring program after school, pursuing an ozone study or starting a recycling program)

11. Photography/film (making a movie, taping and editing school events, showing photographs)

12. Social Concerns (homelessness in Denver, aging, youth violence)

13. Career path (journalist, doctors, physical therapists, researchers)

14. Volunteer/community service extension (volunteer project at a local hospital)

15. Travel (languages, working during a break in a foreign land)

16. Health and fitness (physical program for youth, teaching/ coaching others)

17. Performing arts (music, dance, drama)

18. Business (trends, stocks, computers)

19. Sports-related project (teaching children a new sport skill, volunteering at the YMCA)

20. Certification in an area (like CPR and help host a health fair)

Senior Project Ideas

This is not a definitive list of all possible project topics. It is not intended to limit student creativity or initiative. This list is provided to promote student formulation of a meaningful, personal choice that reflects the philosophy of the project. Students may not use a project that will count as a class credit. They can, however, create an extension of a class project for which they received credit.

School Service Projects

*Develop and execute a tutoring program

*Write a computer program for the school district or an instructor

*Design and publish a newsletter for a school organization

*Design and publish brochures about school programs

*Organize a career day

*Work with elementary classes to reinforce wellness, interpret poetry, etc.

*Develop and implement an intramural program

*Research a current district or school policy and make recommendations for improvements

*Organize and execute a school clean up

*Design and create a piece of art for public display at the school(s)

*Plan a district-wide art show

*Plan and organize a major-school wide event

*Work with a sports team and collect and produce video clips of the season’s best, funniest, most exciting plays and moments, etc.

Community Improvement/ Involvement Projects

*Coordinate a service project for a nonprofit organization

*Perform a service project for the elderly

*Perform a service for a senior citizen community

*Volunteer on a regular basis at a homeless shelter

*Volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home

*Plan, organize, and execute environmental improvement project

*Build or renovate a house as a service project

*Design and build a fitness trail

*Organize a community festival (i.e., arts, music, foods, multicultural heritage, etc.)

*Plan and supervise an elementary school bicycle safety program

*Coach a community sports team

*Teach a religious instruction class

*Work with and for a political candidate during a primary or general election campaign

Fine Arts and Creative Projects

*Compose and perform a piece of music for a senior citizen home

*Organize a student concert

*Organize a student art show

*Edit and produce a magazine for a school/community organization

*Edit and produce a school newspaper

*Write and publish a short story or book of poems

*Direct a school play or dramatic performance

*Design and paint a mural for display somewhere in the community

*Plan and conduct a showing of your personal artwork or writings

*Design and dress the window display areas for a department in the high school

*Write and illustrate a children’s book in English or a foreign language

*Make a video for public service announcements

Entrepreneur Projects

*Set up a small business, keeping financial records and managing time and materials

*Create a company and then develop and produce a product that helps someone or a group

*Organize a fund-raising activity for a nonprofit cause

*Establish a teen coffeehouse as a way to share poetry.

Internship or Career-Related Projects

*Intern with an elementary teacher or subject area teacher

*Intern in a health-related field and share that with a health class

*Intern with a government or legal entity and design a lesson

*Intern with a newspaper or publishing entity and design a lesson

*Intern with a design or advertising firm

*Intern at a daycare center

*Intern with a film, theater, or drama entity and share that with the church drama club

*Intern with a general contractor and design something for the school grounds.

*Intern with a skilled tradesman and donate work to a worthy cause

*Restore a car or other transportation for someone in the American Association of Retired Persons

Practical Arts Projects

*Build a piece of furniture and donate it to a charity auction

*Cater a social function for the community, local firemen etc…

*Design and create an original clothing design for a production such as the spring musical or fall play

*Demonstrate carpentry skills by remodeling or enhancing an area in the community

*Design and redecorate a room for a women’s shelter

*Create and paint a design for someone’s home/workplace/community center

*Create an appropriate animated movie for a class/elementary school.

*Write, direct, and perform a children’s theater production

*Create an elementary drama production

*Design puppets and produce a puppet show for younger kids

*Develop public relations or marketing materials for a theater

*Plan a “Save the Rainforest” project

*Plan LINK activities for freshman

*Host a band festival

Other Suggestions

*Work with a veterinary hospital staff member (shadow experience)

*Research how the brain, skeletal, or other system in the body works and produce a video or visual for display for a science/ health teacher

*Work with the Humane Society or the Denver Zoo on a project

*Work with disabled children (i.e., design sports activities for them)

*Create and follow through with a recycling program for a semester

*Design murals for schools with guidance from teachers/administrators

*Conduct mock trials

*Sponsor and administer a voter registration drive

*Organize a model similar to the United Nations

*Organize a forensics tournament

*Complete a community improvement project (park or playground)

*Organize a spring extravaganza for a senior citizens center

*Teach younger kids a sport

*Design a cultural display case for a local business

*Establish a correspondence program with a school in a foreign country or local school with guidance from a teacher

*Complete a foreign foods program

*Organize a traveling art show

*Organize a foreign language tutoring time for the language of your choice

*Develop audiotapes of novels and short stories for teachers

*Establish an environmental monitoring project

*Complete a Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) project

*Develop a booster club for an athletic team

*Complete a foreign exchange opportunity

*Form a band to play music at a dance or school-sponsored event

*Develop an ethnographic extension for a social studies teacher

*Conduct a peer-tutoring project over the summer

*Produce a highlight film for any sports team, musical, or related event.

*Establish a homework help system

**Fundraising**

Students are encouraged to fundraise with 3rd party sponsors; however, if a student chooses to organize a fundraiser at TRHS the following guidelines MUST be followed:

• Student must have a faculty member to sponsor the fundraising event
• Student must complete the Fundraiser Request Form and submit to Athletic Director
• Must secure the Athletic Directors approval
• Only upon approval, meet with TRHS Bookkeeper
• The TRHS sponsor is to properly handle/ oversee the collection of funds as outlined on the Fundraiser Request Form.

Fundraising monies cannot be used for individual benefit.  Monies are for realized benefit to the group as a whole.  For questions, please see the Athletic Director or Bookkeeper.

Music

Each person learning the piano or guitar must play 2 songs, one of their own choosing and one from the following list.  This will help us determine a minimum proficiency level for each instrument.

Guitar:

Dust In the Wind

Imagine

Amazing Grace

Piano:

Gavotte -Bach

Knight Rupert -Schumann

Sonatina 4 -Clementi (Pick one of the 3 movements only)

Letter of Intent:  Outline

        1234 Jackson Street

        Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (Student’s address)

        November 1, 2021 (Today’s date)

        Mrs. Jane Doe (Seminar Teacher’s name)

        1991 Wildcat Reserve Parkway (School address)

        Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

        Dear Mrs. Doe:

Paragraph 1:         Topic Proposal:  What is the proposed topic? What will be your proposed fieldwork (mention mentor or professional resource if you have one)?  What will be your final product (How will you apply your learning)?

Paragraph II: Interest in Project:  Explain your interest and any previous experience you have in this field.  Why do you want to do this?  What value will the project hold for you, the school, and/ or the community at large?

Paragraph III: Learning Stretch:  What will you  learn during this project, particularly how will you challenge yourself to stretch beyond your usual limits?

        Sincerely,

        Bill Taylor

        Bill Taylor  (Student’s name)

Senior Project Topic Approval:  Teacher Verification

Student Name: __________________        Topic: _________________

Seminar Teacher: _______________      English Teacher: ____________

I have read the Senior Project Topic Proposal and give the following recommendation:

_______ The proposal demonstrates a clear definition of the topic and provides an

acceptable learning stretch.

_______ The topic choice and/ or learning stretch may be acceptable but

needs more clarity. Modify or clarify your project. Revise your Letter of Intent

to better articulate your project or learning stretch. Submit revised Letter of

Intent to Seminar Teacher for approval.

        OR

_______Topic needs administration approval prior to final approval. See comments for more information.  Show approved Topic of Approval Form to Seminar for final approval.

Completed by Administration Only

_____________________________________                ___________

        Administrator Printed Name                                        Date

_____________________________________

        Administrator Signature

_______The topic as it stands is not acceptable.  Please choose another topic.

You must re-submit a new Letter of Intent to Seminar Teacher within the week. Seminar Teacher will need to approve before you may proceed.

Once Letters of Intent have Seminar Teacher approval, students will keep the letter and approval form.  (Some English teachers opt to take them)

Additional comments:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Seminar Teacher ____________________________   Date _____________

Project Guidelines

Senior Project is different from most other forms of research because it directs students away from books and out into the world for some hands-on experience.  The Senior Project must demonstrate a learning stretch.  It should push the student to develop new talents, abilities, or interests. The Senior Project cannot be something previously attempted.  Please don’t revisit an old middle school or freshman year project!  The student must have an end project!  Simply completing the field log and accompanying paperwork does not constitute a project!  If the purpose of research is to apply the knowledge in a personal way, then the projects will be as diverse, unique, and varied as the students who design them.

        A project will:

• Demonstrate a learning stretch through a well-designed project

• Require documentation of a minimum of 15 hours participation outside of school

• Require a completed Mentor Verification Form or Professional Resource Approval Form

• Require a daily Field Work Dialectical Journal documenting the daily student experience, documents ongoing progress, daily challenges, problem-solving techniques

• Require evidence of physical field work or physical product

Note To The Students Who Want The Easy Way Out:

Some students think that it is a cinch to choose what they think is an easy project.  They think to themselves, “I’ll just choose something that won’t take much time or effort, just to get it done.  I’ll take my C and see you later.”  Without exception, the students who have done this found several things to be true:  

1)  Easy wasn’t true because there wasn’t much to the project in the first place.

2)  There was no challenge or risk; therefore, the whole experience was unsatisfying.

3)  They did not feel proud of their accomplishment because there was none.

4) They wasted their time.

Letter of Request to Mentor:  Outline

        1234 Jackson Street

        Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 (Student’s address)

        November 2, 2021 (Today’s date)

        Mrs. Jane Doe (Mentor’s name)

        1991 Wildcat Reserve Parkway (Mentor’s address)

        Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (This is the inside address- that of the recipient!)

        Dear Mr/Mrs. Doe:

Paragraph I: Overview of Senior Project:  Introduce yourself. Explain what the senior project is.  Be sure to include:  all requirements, the timeline and the rationale.  (All of this info is in this booklet!)

Paragraph II: Detailed information about your project:  Outline what your individual project will be.  Why did you choose this project?  What do you hope to learn?  What do you want to do?  What will your product be?  What is your timeline from beginning to end?

Paragraph III: Role of the Mentor:  Explain what role you see your mentor playing in your project.  What will you need from him/her?  What will his/her time commitment be?  How often do you think you would need to meet/talk?  It’s important to be clear about your expectations of a mentor- he/she will have to verify that you completed your project and he/she should know what he/she is signing up for.

Paragraph IV: Closing:  A short closing thank you statement highlighting your excitement and appreciation that he/she will work with you to achieve your project goals.

        Sincerely,

        Bill Taylor

        Bill Taylor  (Student’s name)

Letter of Request to Teacher:  Professional Resource

        1234 Jackson Street

        Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 (Student’s address)

        November 2, 2020 (Today’s date)

        Mrs. Jane Doe (English teacher)

        1991 Wildcat Reserve Parkway (Seminar Teacher’s address)

        Highlands Ranch, CO 80129  

        Dear Mr/Mrs. Seminar Teacher:

Paragraph I: Purpose of letter: State your purpose for this letter. What is your project?  Explain what Professional Resource(s) you would like to use and how it correlates with your project.

Paragraph II: Detailed information for the resource:  Provide a rationale for using a Professional Resource rather than a mentor.  Why would this resource be a better option for you?  What do you hope to learn through this resource?

Paragraph III: Credibility of Professional Resource:  Explain why this resource is a valid and reliable source. Provide credentials, etc.

Paragraph IV:  Demonstration of Growth:  Students who have mentors have the advantage of someone evaluating their growth.  Since you have chosen a Professional Resource, it is incumbent upon you to demonstrate your growth.  How will you show your growth within this project? This goes beyond the dialectical journal.

        Sincerely,

        Bill Taylor

        Bill Taylor  (Student’s name)

Physical Product/ Fieldwork Dialectical Journal

During the physical product/ fieldwork phase of the Senior Project, you must keep an up-to-date record of the effort, results, and time you have spent working on your physical product/ fieldwork.  This log is important for several reasons.  First, it keeps you on task and focused by requiring you to write down all that you have accomplished so far and what you still need to complete.  Second, it helps keep a record of the time spent on the physical product/ fieldwork.  Finally, the physical product/ fieldwork log allows the teacher and the Senior Board Judges to realize the effort, thought, and learning stretch you have expended.  It will give them a clearer idea of the scope of your physical product/ fieldwork.  

Expectations: 12 entries minimum

1. The log should describe what you do at one time in specific detail.  You should not wait until the end of the week, for example, to write several entries or to try too many activities in one log entry.  Either way, you would probably be too general.

2.  The log must include contacts you make with your mentor(s) and others who assist you along the way.

3.  The log should report successes, surprises, disappointments, and changes.

4.  The log must be typed- remember that both your teacher and judges will read it- but it need not have the serious tone that a research paper does.

5.  The date on each activity should be included at the top of each entry.

6.  The number of minutes/ hours spent on that day’s activity should be reported at the end of the entry in parentheses.  That number should be reasonable.  Going to the library to pick up one book would not reasonably take three hours, for example.

SENIOR PROJECT DIALECTICAL JOURNAL

INSTRUCTIONS AND SAMPLE DIALECTICAL JOURNAL ENTRY

**Note: You must have at least 12 entries.

Name: ___________________________Project Title:  _________________________

Senior Project

Senior Project Fieldwork Log

Research Paper Guidelines

The Senior Project paper is much, much more than a report.  It is an argument about a controversial topic within the field of your Senior Project topic. Any worthy argumentative topic will have published peer- reviewed articles. However, for some topics, written information may be hard to find; therefore, students may use primary as well as secondary sources for information. The paper is likely to cross many disciplines.  Students should be reminded that research, as the name implies, means they will be exploring, investigating, discovering, stretching, and deciding something about the topic they have chosen.

Minimum Requirements:

        MLA Format:

        •        Length: Five to Ten pages, not including Works Cited page,                                         glossary or graphics pages.

        •        Font:        12 point Times New Roman or Arial.

        •        Spacing:  Double Space.

•        Headings, Margins, Citations, Pagination:  as per current MLA guidelines handed out in class or The MLA Research Guide, 8th Edition.

•        Sources:   A minimum of five sources must be used.  There must be at least two database periodicals or peer reviewed sources. Books, magazines and newspaper articles, manuals, pamphlets, brochures, email correspondence, internet, etc. are acceptable sources. No multi-volume encyclopedia or dictionary references may count toward minimum. Sources listed in works cited pages must be found in the body of the paper!

        •        Parenthetical documentation:  at least ten citations are to be used in                                 the paper, according to the Seventh edition MLA style.

        Paper Submission:

• Deadline notice:  The DEADLINE is 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022.  
• ALL papers will be submitted to Turnitin.com

                LATE PAPERS WILL BE DOCKED 50% OF EARNED GRADE.

Plagiarism Statement 

Plagiarism, a derivative of the Latin for kidnapping and piracy, is the act of using another’s work and passing it off as one’s own.  TRHS’s Academic Misconduct Code addresses plagiarism.  Use proper MLA citations!

Special Notice

Papers not meeting the minimum requirements will not be evaluated and will receive 50% of earned grade once minimum requirements are met.                        

Research Paper Rubric

SENIOR PROJECT POSTER REQUIREMENTS

This assignment is an opportunity to publicize the Senior Project to the students, staff, and public.  These posters will be on display for the entire school community.  They are public displays of your commitment to and your interest in your paper and project topics.  You are asked to adhere to the following guidelines in order to produce a professional, understandable, and attractive Senior Project poster.

Materials

• Any color poster-board (purchase at Long’s, Target, Staples, Wal- Mart, or art store) 11” by 14”  
• Use colored pencils, pens, colored paper, markers, glitter, fabric, magazine cutouts, stencils, computer generated graphics, etc.

Content:

• Your full name on the front
• Your paper topic or title
• Your physical product/fieldwork topic written with an action verb
• A graphic of some kind that relates to your topic
• No spelling or grammatical errors

Organization:

• Must be neat, clear and legible.  Lettering that is cluttered or hard to read from a distance is unacceptable
• Information must be understandable and easy to follow.

Design:

• Be creative.  Make a poster that is a unique, artistic reflection of your topic.
• Take pride in your work
• Use color and design to showcase your topic in an eye- catching and attractive manner.

Senior Project Poster Evaluation Form

Seminar Teacher:  ______________________________

Class Period: ________________

Senior Project Poster Evaluation Form

1.  Poster contains the student’s name                        YES                NO

2.  Poster is correct size (11” X 14”)                                YES                NO

3.  Poster includes student’s paper and project title                YES                NO

4.  Poster describes physical and project/ fieldwork                YES                NO

5.  Poster has an effective graphic                                YES                NO

6.  Poster is error free, correct spelling, etc.                        YES                NO

7.  Poster has acceptable organization, creativity,                 YES                NO

        and legibility

Seminar Teacher:  Print a roster of your seminar and place a checkmark by the name of the students who meet these requirements. Place roster in Denise Orsini’s box.

MENTOR VERIFICATION FORM

Student Name___________________ Physical Product/Fieldwork_________________

Dear Mentor:

You have been chosen to verify this student's effort on his/her physical product/fieldwork.  Since most of the time spent on the product phase of the assignment has been outside of the classroom, verification of the student's efforts is necessary.  Please answer the following questions to help us evaluate his/her physical product/fieldwork.  Please keep in mind that this student's research paper has already been evaluated.  This form and your verification refer to the actual physical product/fieldwork.

1.          Can you verify that the student spent at least 15 hours creating this physical product/ fieldwork?  Yes _______        No ________  

             Comments:

2.        Have you seen the physical product/fieldwork at different stages of completion, and not just the final phase?  Yes _______        No ________

        Comments:

3.        What problems specifically did the student encounter and overcome?

4.        Has the student demonstrated a stretch in learning?  How did the student experience a departure from his or her comfort zone?

5.        What success have you seen this student achieve?

Mentor Signature _______________________        Date __________________

Telephone _____________________   Email ______________________________

Thank you for your cooperation.  Your time and effort are truly appreciated.

Reflection of Growth

(This is for those students who used a Professional Resource rather than a mentor)

Students who have mentors have the advantage of someone evaluating their growth.  Since you have chosen a Professional Resource, it is incumbent upon you to demonstrate your growth.  Please provide a description of your growth within this project, including how you documented your growth as well as your benchmarks of success within the project.  

This reflection must be typed, double- spaced and no more than a page.  It is just a précis of your entire project with the emphasis of your learning growth.

LETTER TO JUDGES:  OUTLINE

1231 Park Street

Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (Student’s address)

April 4, 2022 (Today’s date)

Senior Board Judges

ThunderRidge High School

1991 Wildcat Reserve Parkway

Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Dear Judges:

Paragraph I:        Introduce yourself, your topic, and your project.

Paragraph II:  Senior Project:  Discuss your project and the process it took to complete the project.  How has this project changed or grown from your proposal?  Discuss the reasons for the change or growth.  

Paragraph III:  Lessons Learned:  What lessons did you learn?  How has this project affected you?  Go into more depth about lessons learned (Successes or frustrations).

Sincerely,

Bill Taylor

Bill Taylor

Portfolio Requirements

The portfolio reflects your learning process over the entirety of the Senior Project.  It provides essential documentation of your project for Senior Board judges.  Remember this will be their first impression of you and your project.

Portfolio contents will be presented digitally using Google Sites or other web based program.  Portfolio documentation is to be typed except where applicable forms utilize hand-written responses.  Photo documentation is to be captioned.

Important Note:  Incomplete, untyped, or otherwise partial portfolios will not be evaluated.

A complete portfolio will contain the following items, in this order:

1. _____ Decorative Front Page ( Includes title, name, and graphic)

2. _____ Letter to the Judges

3. _____ Table of Contents (create tabs for each section)

4. _____ Letter of Intent and Topic Approval Teacher Verification Form

5. _____ Letter of Request to Mentor

           OR-  Letter of Request Professional Resource and Professional Resource Approval

6. _____ Research Paper

7. _____ Fieldwork Dialectical Journal

8. _____ Body of Evidence: Learning Stretch Evidence!  Include samples of physical                           product or fieldwork (i.e., photos, plans, illustrations, designs, other evidence) with         

captions

9. _____ Forms:  Mentor Verification Form OR Reflection of Growth Précis        

10. _____ Résumé (required)/ Accomplishments: Optional items may include letters of         acceptance from colleges and universities, awards, merits, appreciation, etc.  You may         include any items that reflect your accomplishments.

Presentation Guidelines

The presentation represents the ultimate step in the process.  It is a self-evaluation and reflection by the students of all that he or she has accomplished and serves as a synthesis of all learning.  All presentations will be given before a Senior Board.

Presentation requirements:

The speech must:

• Be 6 to 10 minutes in length

• Be delivered before a Senior Board consisting of faculty, staff, school board members, members of the community, etc.

• Demonstrate knowledge and mastery of skills through speech, physical product / field work, and portfolio.

• Be accompanied by a product (application of learning); video or audio cannot be longer than two minutes

• Incorporate pictures or visuals in any PowerPoint presentations

The speaker must:

• Be on time

• Wear “business casual” attire or a costume/uniform appropriate to topic

• Answer questions regarding topic asked by the Senior Board

• Exhibit appropriate courtesies to judges, fellow students, and participants

• Be responsible for organizing, using, storing, removing all visual aids
• Equipment, materials needed for a successful presentation

• Provide any technical devices necessary for the presentation beyond school capabilities

Note:  Please be aware that members of the Senior Board may look unfavorably upon some fashionable items (i.e. visible tattoos, visible body piercings, extreme hair styles, visible navels, etc.) currently popular in youth culture. Please respect and understand your position, the adult audience being addressed, and the expectations required.

Words of Advice for Your Speech

Prepare

• Public speaking is prepared speech- it is very different from conversation and extemporaneous speech.
• Organize your speech so that basic ideas are repeated.  Make sure your speech has a BEGINNING, MIDDLE, and END.
• Review your letter of intent, fieldwork, and letter to the judges. Make sure your speech has a major idea that your listeners will remember after you are finished talking.

Practice

• Practice many times until the speech seems natural.  Practice in front of many audiences:  the mirror, your pets, your parents, your siblings, your friends, and one of your classes!  Don’t just pick positive audiences.  Ask your audience for advice on how to improve.
• Don’t try to dazzle.  Just try to be sincere.

Incorporate product

Use pictures, charts, graphs, costumes, tools, video, samples, etc.  (Remember:  One of the lessons you may have learned during the whole process is asking for help.  SO ask for ideas for useful visual aids from your teacher or mentor.)  The visual aid must be integrated in your speech.  These are props; they can help you get over nervousness if necessary.  Make sure they are big enough for your audience and the judges to see.  Remember, you are responsible for the technical preparations for your presentation!  If your technical presentation does not work the day of the Boards, you must have another alternative.

... AND then practice again!  You won’t be as nervous if you are well prepared and have practiced.

REMEMBER that you are acting as a representative of both yourself and your high school when you give your speech to the Boards.  Each Board will have at least one community representative.  The community judges will be evaluating not only your speech but also the entire school community.  

Senior Boards Day

• Arrive twenty minutes before presentation time in the middle workroom of the wing where you will present.

• Upper E rooms, you will meet in Upper E workroom; Lower C, Lower C workroom, etc.
• If you are presenting in the B or D wing, you will meet in the Media Center.

• Wear appropriate, professional attire.

If Proficient:

• You will receive an email sometime during the evening after Senior Boards.  
• You will get your portfolios back from the lower C workroom during English class the following Monday. You can look at your feedback on the rubric for further comments.
• YOU ARE DONE AND YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED YOUR SENIOR PROJECT.  CONGRATULATIONS!!!        

If you are Non-proficient:

• You will receive a phone call sometime in the afternoon or evening after Senior Boards.
• You will receive your portfolio from your English teacher with specific feedback on your rubric.
• You will need to schedule a meeting with your English teacher to discuss how to become proficient for your rescheduled boards.
• Revise your presentation, product, etc.
• Your boards will be rescheduled within the next week.  Be patient while administration sets up a new board for you.

Suggested Outline for Senior Project Speech

I.        Introduction: Who you are, and what you hoped to achieve

A.        Hook: Use a story, personal experience, background info, a joke, a quote…create a "hook" to catch the audience's attention.

        B.        Introduce yourself.

        C.        State your purpose and goal (from Letter of Intent)

II.        Body:  The "Lesson": What was your project?  Discuss the process of accomplishing the project.  Show your application of learning.

        A.        Background of interest in project

                1.          Prior knowledge

                2.          Reasons for choosing project

        B.        Describe project design, product, and fieldwork

                1.        Explain how you went about completing your project

                2.        Discuss problems of the project and their solutions

                3.        Discuss time and costs involved and how to meet those demands

C.        Explain one key aspect or key skill from your project: show the judges how you applied your learning.

III.        Conclusion:  Reflect on your project

        A.        Discuss the learning stretch

        B.        Evaluate your product in terms of your goal

        C.        Overall reflection and personal insights

TRHS Senior Project Presentation                        Score _______/25

*Non-Proficiency in any category results in automatic failure of project.

*Minimum score of 15 needed to pass Senior Boards

*Passing Speech must be within 6- 10 minutes

Additional Comments:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________