Senior ProjectGuide

Mineral County Schools

FRANKFORT HIGH SCHOOL

Grade 9 NOTE: You must enable MACROS to type in the designated areas. For Microsoft Office Word 97 – 2003, a notice will appear asking, “Do You Want to Open This File?” Click OPEN. If a Security Warning appears in Word 2007, hit the OPTIONS button and select “Enable This Content.” Hit OK.

Student’s Name:

English Teacher:

     

Frankfort High SchoolAccountability Accomplishes Achievement

Route 3, Box 169 Joseph E. Riley, Principal Ridgeley, West Virginia 26753 Kelly R. Haines, Assistant. Principal Office Phone: (304) 726-4767 Fax: (304) 726-8597

Dear Parent /Guardian:

As your son or daughter enters his/her sophomore year, I want to acquaint you with the

Senior Project. This project is designed to be a rewarding experience that allows students to

showcase the skills and expertise they have been developing throughout their education. The

Senior Project encourages students to explore in-depth a topic of interest which must align with

their Programs of Study. All Mineral County high school students will complete a culminating

project as part of the graduation requirement for both Keyser and Frankfort High Schools.

The Senior Project has four components: the Research Paper, the Product, the

Presentation, and the Portfolio. Information will be explained and dispersed through the

English classes at both high schools. All phases of the Senior Project must be satisfactorily

completed and approved in order for the student to receive his/her high school diploma. The

due dates of the final paper, portfolio, product, and presentation will depend on an arranged

date and time.

We continue to ask for your cooperation and assistance in helping your student complete

the components of the senior project each year. This will be a busy and exciting three years!

Sincerely,

Joseph E. Riley, Principal Kelly R. Haines, Assistant Principal

1.

The Senior Project requires students to complete each of the following P’s: PAPER PROJECT PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION HSTW (High Schools That Work) KEY PRACTICES FOR IMPROVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

High expectations – The Senior Project encourages students to have high expectations of themselves, to focus on their performance in high school, and to make the best of their education in order to prepare for college or a career.

Programs of study – The Senior Project helps students focus on high school being a preparation forthe world of work, rather than just a requirement without any focus.

Academic studies – The Senior Project allows

students to focus on identifying their strengths (identified in VITA and the SCANS Essay) in order to better prepare for post secondary education for their chosen career.

Career/technical studies – The Senior Project allows

vocational students an opportunity to communicate their performance and prepare for job interviews with solid knowledge about themselves and their chosen career.

Work-based learning – The Senior Project allows

students to focus on various work-based learning, as seen in their resumes, reference letters, VITA, and Goals Essay. This better prepares them for a job interview when asked what experiences they have had to prepare them for a particular job.

Teachers working together – The Senior Project becomes a project that all English teachers and vocational teachers help students complete, as well as all other teachers in gathering “Work Samples” which can be displayed in the portfolio. Guidance and mentoring is provided during the Product aspect of the project.

Students actively engaged – The Senior Project keeps students actively engaged in using writing real documents for real audiences, and documents which are life-long models for future job interviews.

Guidance - The Senior Project allows students to

explore, with guidance, various careers, specifically their chosen career field. Students are assisted with setting goals and selecting courses. The student’s progress is reviewed and appropriate interventions are suggested if necessary.

Extra help – The Senior Project provides extra help

to our students in preparing them for post secondary education for a specific career field, as well as providing them extra help in the interviewing process by having information gathered that will assist them in their resume and job application process.

Keeping score – The Senior Project is a mandated

activity in our county. By having our students complete this common activity, we provide our students with real opportunities for better job training, job applications, and job interviews.

Mineral County wants to create a life-long learner who knows how to access

information, how to use reading, writing, and thinking skills, and how to be

proficient with the use of technology.

2.

SECTION V – CAREER Resume/Cover Letter applying for either: a job, a college application, or a scholarship/award - revise senior year if needed (10) Complete in Electric Portfolio and give to career teacher

Completed Letters of Reference (1 in each grade - 10, 11, 12) Scan and upload into Elect. Portfolio

The CAREER INTEREST SEARCH report (10) Will be graded by career teacher, then upload corrected copy into Electric Portfolio

SECTION VI – TRANSCRIPT/TEST SCORES May be scanned & uploaded into Electronic Portfolio

Certificates of testing (SAT/ACT) or WESTEST scores (11 – 12)

Transcript (12)

SECTION VII - FOR YOUR INFORMATION Career Clusters and Some Examples of Career Majors (9) FAQ’s About Senior Projects (9) CAREER INTEREST SEARCH - Rubrics/Evaluation Sheet (10) CAREER INTEREST SEARCH - Oral Presentation Evaluation Form (10) When to Use a Cover Letter (10) Letter of Reference (10-12) The SCANS Essay - What is SCANS? (11) Visual Presentations (12) Oral Presentation Outline (12) Oral Presentation Tips (12) Oral Presentation Attire (12)

SECTION VIII – GRADING CAREER INTEREST SEARCH - Rubric/Evaluation (10) Completed in career class

CAREER INTEREST SEARCH - Oral Presentation Rubric/Evaluation (10) Completed in career class

Oral Presentation RUBRIC for Senior Project (12) Evaluation Sheet - Research Paper and Project Presentation (12) Given to English teacher by principal after judging

SECTION IX – Career Cruising ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO (9 – 12)

(Record information below for future use)

Account Username:

Portfolio Password:

4.

YEARLY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT CONTRACT – Grade 9

As the parent/guardian of , a student enrolled

in Mineral County Schools, I am aware the Senior Project is part of my son’s or daughter’s

contract, and that he/she must pass all phases of the Senior Project to receive a high school

diploma. In addition, I know my son/daughter must maintain a journal of experiences and

create a portfolio showing the process of Senior Project.

I understand that successful completion of the Senior Project is necessary to fulfill graduation requirements.

Student’s Signature: ________________________________________ Date ____________

Parent’s Signature: _________________________________________ Date_____________

Grade 9 English Teacher __________________________________________ Date _____________

MY PROGRAM OF STUDY (Check one)

Natural Resources

Business, Marketing and Finance

Fine Arts

Health Services

Science & Engineering

Public and Human Services

NOTE: Students will be provided one of today’s fastest growing and most popular electronic gadgets for their Senior Project work – a USB flash drive. It will allow them to keep all the documents and research associated with this project in one location, making it easier to track their progress.

The USB flash drive will be used during grades 9 – 12. Students should replace them if lost or damaged because they are an important aspect of utilizing technology to complete this process.

5.

The VITA RecordSTUDENT’S NAME:

9 10 11 12 9 10 11 12

ACES BASEBALLAFS BASKETBALLDEBATE Club BOWLINGDECA CHEERLEADINGFBLA CROSS COUNTRYFEA FOOTBALLFFA GOLFForeign Language Club ManagerFRANKFORT FANATICS Mat Maid/StatisticianGreen Team/Going Green SOCCERHI-Y SOFTBALLHOSA STATISTICIANKEY CLUB TENNISKEYSER KRAZIES TRACKRachel’s Challenge VOLLEYBALLRAZE WRESTLINGSADDSCIENCE CLUB 9 10 11 12

SKI CLUB Math Field Day Winner

SkillsUSA Science Fair WinnerSMILE TEAM Social Studies Fair Winner

STUDENT COUNCIL Voice of Democracy Winner

Student for Change       YOUTH ALIVE      

9 10 11 12 9 10 11 12

Academic Honor Society BOYS STATEArt Honor Society GIRLS STATEMu Alpha Theta Gov. Honors Academy      Hugh O’Brian                        CONCERT BAND       MARCHING BAND      

6.

The VITA Record

NOTE: Click directly under each heading and begin typing

HONORS AND AWARDS: List name of award and year you received it (eg. Student of the Month – Oct. 2011).      

COMMUNITY SERVICE: 4-H, Scouting, Church Youth Group, etc.     

OFFICES HELD:     

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES: List name of sponsoring organizations, the activity, and number of volunteer hours.     

7.

SENIOR PROJECT TIMELINE for

Grade 9

FRESHMAN YEAR

Return the Yearly Acknowledgement Contract signed by a parent/guardian

Begin creation of ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO in 9th grade English class

All items in PORTFOLIO CHECKLIST must be completed

PORTFOLIO CHECKLIST

Complete the following PORTFOLIO requirements for GRADE 9:

COMPONENTDATE

COMPLETEDSTUDENT’S

INITIALSTEACHER’S

INITIALS

Signed Yearly Acknowledgement Contract

Create an Electronic Portfolio

Begin The VITA Record

8.

SENIOR PROJECT TIMELINEfor

Grade 9

1. NATURAL RESOURC Forester

Food Scientist Animal scientist Biochemist Farmer Veterinarian Assistant

Greenhouse/Nursery Garden Center Mgt. Golf Course Mgt.

Environmental Engineer

1. NAURAL RESOURCES Food Scientist Environmental Engineer Biochemist Veterinarian/ Veterinarian Assistant

Conservation Officer Farmer Fish Hatchery Attendant Greenhouse/Nursery Management Golf Course Management Landscape Designer Forester/Forestry Technician Wildlife Management

1. FINE ARTS Actor/Actress/Dancer/Singer Journalist/Proofreader Printing/Graphics Technologist Video Producer Photographer/ Commercial Artist Fashion Designer Commercial Printer Radio & TV Broadcaster Advertiser Museum Curator Archeologist Author /Historian Linguist/Translator Sign Language Interpreter Film/Theater Director Costume Designer

2. HEALTH SERVICES Physical Therapist Nurse/Doctor/Surgeon/ Pediatrician Radiologist Occupational Therapist Hospital/ Nursing Home Administrator Respiratory Therapist Dietician Speech Therapist Optometrist Dentist/Orthodontist/Dental Hygienist Mental Health Assistant Paramedic/EMT Lab Technician Chiropractor

9.

4. BUSINESS, MARKETING AND FINANCE Financial Analyst Accountant Entrepreneur Banker/ Loan Officer Insurance Agent Secretary Administrative Assistant Receptionist / Clerk Sports & Entertainment Marketing Sports Management/Marketing Travel Agent Stock Broker 5. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Chemical/Electrical/Civil Engineer Electronics/Mechanical Engineer Heavy Equipment Operator Welder/Machine Tool Technologist Machinist Auto Mechanic AC/Heating/Refrigeration Repairman Computer Repair Carpentry Brick/Stone Masonry Plumber/ Electrician Computer Networking/Repair Architect 6. PUBLIC & HUMAN SERVICES Administrator/Principal/Teacher/Coach Paraprofessional Judge/Lawyer/Paralegal Social Worker/Counselor/ Psychologist Child Care Worker/Director Government Worker Law Enforcement Officer/Prison Guard Food Service Worker Military Service Funeral Director

Cosmetology/Manicurist/ Massage Therapist Barber/Hairstylist Athletic Trainer Park Ranger Minister Firefighter/Fire Investigator

Six Career Clusters and Some Examples of Career Majors

8. What is a presentation? You will give a speech to at least three judges, explaining what you did for the project, what you learned, and what you have to show as a product.

You must relate the project and product to your research paper. Remember, your goal is not to teach what’s in your paper. Your goal is to impress the judges with the amount of preparation, depth of learning, and quality of product.

9. I have senior English first semester, but I don’t want to do my project until spring. What happens? Your presentation date and time will be determined by the school’s

Senior Project Coordinator. Unless you have a medical emergency with a doctor’s order or a death in the immediate family which causes you to miss the presentation day, you will receive an “I” until another date and time can be scheduled. If project is not completed, you will not be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies. You will receive your diploma when all work is satisfactorily completed.

10. Do I have to do a Power Point for my presentation? No. However, a Power Point is recommended for a professional looking presentation. Use of technology is important in presenting the project. You may use a power point, white board, video or audio presentation, etc.

11. Can a Power Point, a poster, a video, or a brochure be a product? Be careful if you try to use these products. If you plan to put information from the research paper in a Power Point, brochure, or poster, forget it! The judges are experts in their field. Your goal is not to teach what’s in your paper. You can use these as products if you do this:

- display evidence of what you did for the project, including pictures, survey results, etc.

11.