NTPN Conference 2005NTPN Conference 2005Deborah Super, Senior Project CoordinatorDeborah Super, Senior Project Coordinator

Randolph County SchoolsRandolph County SchoolsElkins, WV 26241Elkins, WV 26241

dsuper@access.k12.wv.usdsuper@access.k12.wv.us

Elkins High = 933Elkins High = 933 Tygarts Valley High = Tygarts Valley High =

255255 Harman High = 76Harman High = 76 Pickens High =Pickens High = 12 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 studentsAttitude of faculty and students English teachers = bearers of English teachers = bearers of

paperwork burdenpaperwork burden Lack of definition of “project”Lack of definition of “project” Variations in evaluation from panel Variations in evaluation from panel

to panelto panel Judges reluctant to fail any seniorJudges reluctant to fail any senior

What What isis a a ??A project is more than an activity.A project is more than an activity.

An activity is a one-time thing.An activity is a one-time thing.

A project is a series of related A project is a series of related activities completed over a activities completed over a

period of time.period of time.

Activity or Activity or Project?Project?

Single songSingle song Complete CDComplete CD

Short StoryShort Story NovelNovel

News ArticleNews Article NewspaperNewspaper

PhotoPhoto Photo AlbumPhoto Album

A research paperA research paper A projectA project A productA product An oral presentationAn oral presentation

Topic will lead to project and productTopic will lead to project and product Recommended topic in career majorRecommended topic in career major Follows proper MLA formatFollows proper MLA format 3-10 pages - pending approval from the 3-10 pages - pending approval from the

teacherteacher Completed in junior year English classCompleted in junior year English class I-Search paper for special education I-Search paper for special education

classesclasses

Research paper must be completed in Research paper must be completed in the junior year.the junior year.

Research paper must be completed Research paper must be completed before going on to Senior English.before going on to Senior English.

Research paper is 1/3 of Senior Research paper is 1/3 of Senior Project grade.Project grade.

Paper, product, presentation grades Paper, product, presentation grades averaged = pass/fail on transcript for averaged = pass/fail on transcript for Senior Project.Senior Project.

Mentor - Mentor - Use as ResourceUse as Resource English Teacher –English Teacher –

Assist and grade term paperAssist and grade term paper

Assist in preparation for Assist in preparation for presentationpresentation

A Mentor must beA 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 ProjectComplete a Project Create a ProductCreate a Product Develop a PortfolioDevelop a Portfolio Give an Oral PresentationGive an Oral Presentation

Seniors must present in semester Seniors must present in semester scheduled for Senior English.scheduled for Senior English.

(Paper + Project + Product) (Paper + Project + Product) ÷ 3 =÷ 3 = Pass/FailPass/Fail

Failing project = Failing project = FF on transcript. on transcript. Anyone not passing has one more Anyone not passing has one more

chance -- two days before graduation.chance -- two days before graduation. Parent and student sign Parent and student sign

acknowledgement.acknowledgement.

Projects involve Projects involve ActionAction

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 Product provesproves the work the work for the projectfor the project.. Product Product proves proves the learning the learning from the from the

project.project. Product is something you make or Product is something you make or

produce to show the judges.produce to show the judges. VideoVideo Photograph DisplayPhotograph Display Physical Product Physical Product PowerPointPowerPoint DemonstrationDemonstration

The product should be useful The product should be useful afterafter the presentation! the presentation!

½ Credit = approximately 60 hours½ Credit = approximately 60 hours

Paper = 20 hoursPaper = 20 hours

Project and Product = 40 hoursProject and Product = 40 hours

Can you do a Can you do a significantsignificant project/product in less time?project/product in less time?

- - Research paperResearch paper

- Mentor Consultation - Mentor Consultation FormForm

- Time/Work Logs- Time/Work Logs

- Other Required Forms- Other Required Forms

Slideshow/Video/Display Slideshow/Video/Display A demonstrationA demonstration 5-10 minutes in length5-10 minutes in length Show the productShow the product Present to a panel of three judgesPresent to a panel of three judges

Benefits to StudentsBenefits to Students

A sense of accomplishment A sense of accomplishment Research and writing skillsResearch and writing skills Communication skillsCommunication skills Contribution to communityContribution to community Preparation for postsecondary Preparation for postsecondary

educationeducation Preparation for the workplacePreparation 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 Realization that Senior Project is here to stay.stay.

Research and presentation lessons correlate Research and presentation lessons correlate with state content standards.with state content standards.

The term The term projectproject is well-defined and is well-defined and accepted.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 Students know they cannot just prop up a

poster and pass!poster and pass!

Complete handbooks may be downloaded at

http:boe.rand.k12.wv.us/

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Randolph County Vocational-Technical Center

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