NTPN Conference 2005 Deborah Super, Senior Project Coordinator Randolph County Schools Elkins, WV

Elkins High = 933 Elkins High = 933 Tygarts Valley High = 255 Tygarts Valley High = 255 Harman High = 76 Harman High = 76 Pickens High = 12 Pickens High = 12

o Graduation requirement = ½ credit o Part of Work-Based Learning board policy o Eight semesters of presentations completed o Work on project may also count toward work- based learning graduation requirement

Attitude of faculty and students Attitude of faculty and students English teachers = bearers of paperwork burden English teachers = bearers of paperwork burden Lack of definition of “project” Lack of definition of “project” Variations in evaluation from panel to panel Variations in evaluation from panel to panel Judges reluctant to fail any senior Judges reluctant to fail any senior

What is a ? What is a ? A project is more than an activity. An activity is a one-time thing. A project is a series of related activities completed over a period of time.

Activity or Project? Activity or Project? Single songComplete CD Short StoryNovel News ArticleNewspaper PhotoPhoto Album

A research paper A research paper A project A project A product A product An oral presentation An oral presentation

Topic will lead to project and product Topic will lead to project and product Recommended topic in career major Recommended topic in career major Follows proper MLA format Follows proper MLA format 3-10 pages - pending approval from the teacher 3-10 pages - pending approval from the teacher Completed in junior year English class Completed in junior year English class I-Search paper for special education classes I-Search paper for special education classes

Research paper must be completed in the junior year. Research paper must be completed in the junior year. Research paper must be completed before going on to Senior English. Research paper must be completed before going on to Senior English. Research paper is 1/3 of Senior Project grade. Research paper is 1/3 of Senior Project grade. Paper, product, presentation grades averaged = pass/fail on transcript for Senior Project. Paper, product, presentation grades averaged = pass/fail on transcript for Senior Project.

Mentor - Use as Resource Mentor - Use as Resource English Teacher – English Teacher – Assist and grade term paper Assist in preparation for presentation

A Mentor must be at least 21 years of age. at least 21 years of age. available to help. available to help. knowledgeable about the topic. knowledgeable about the topic. willing to verify all work. willing to verify all work.

 Complete a Project  Create a Product  Develop a Portfolio  Give an Oral Presentation

Seniors must present in semester scheduled for Senior English. Seniors must present in semester scheduled for Senior English. (Paper + Project + Product) ÷ 3 = Pass/Fail (Paper + Project + Product) ÷ 3 = Pass/Fail Failing project = F on transcript. Failing project = F on transcript. Anyone not passing has one more chance -- two days before graduation. Anyone not passing has one more chance -- two days before graduation. Parent and student sign acknowledgement. Parent and student sign acknowledgement.

Projects involve Action  Create fire safety & prevention lessons for children.  Paint a mural for the walls at school  Raise funds to purchase wigs for cancer patients  Design a web page for a business or an organization  Write and direct a play  Record original music  Restore a car

 Landscape a yard  Conduct a workshop for Chamber of Commerce  Breed small animal  Construct drainage system for a baseball field  Organize a hunting expedition  Construct a bridge  Design and sew a prom gown

Product proves the work for the project. Product proves the work for the project. Product proves the learning from the project. Product proves the learning from the project. Product is something you make or produce to show the judges. Product is something you make or produce to show the judges. Video Video Photograph Display Photograph Display Physical Product Physical Product PowerPoint PowerPoint Demonstration Demonstration

The product should be useful after the presentation!

½ Credit = approximately 60 hours Paper = 20 hours Project and Product = 40 hours Can you do a significant project/product in less time?

- Research paper - Mentor Consultation Form - Time/Work Logs - Other Required Forms

Slideshow/Video/Display Slideshow/Video/Display  A demonstration 5-10 minutes in length 5-10 minutes in length Show the product Show the product Present to a panel of three judges Present to a panel of three judges

Benefits to Students A sense of accomplishment A sense of accomplishment Research and writing skills Research and writing skills Communication skills Communication skills Contribution to community Contribution to community Preparation for postsecondary education Preparation for postsecondary education Preparation for the workplace Preparation for the workplace

 Community members as mentors  Community volunteers as judges  Student presenters for local organizations  Local newspaper and TV coverage  Service-based projects

Realization that Senior Project is here to stay. Realization that Senior Project is here to stay. Research and presentation lessons correlate with state content standards. Research and presentation lessons correlate with state content standards. The term project is well-defined and accepted. The term project is well-defined and accepted. Evaluation criteria better defined. Evaluation criteria better defined. Judges do not tolerate substandard projects. Judges do not tolerate substandard projects. Students know they cannot just prop up a poster and pass! Students know they cannot just prop up a poster and pass!

Complete handbooks may be downloaded at Click on Schools Randolph County Vocational-Technical Center Click Document Manager Click My Files Choose which handbook you want!