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Ready for the Real World! Garden City High Schools Buff Project: Expecting the Best Slide 2 Why have a Senior Project? It teaches responsibility. Real world skills (research, writing, speaking, time management) are emphasized. It keeps senioritis in check. The school board said we had to have one! Slide 3 How did we start? 1 st Formed a committee. 2 nd Called in an expert: Careen Oscher from Far West Edge, Medford, Oregon 3 rd Adapted materials to our needs 4 th Piloted in Senior English class. Slide 4 What are the components? Paper Product Portfolio Presentation Slide 5 Paper Criteria 5 sources (at least one primary) 1500 words (5-7 pages) MLA format Shows the process of writing --note cards, outline, drafts, editing, etc. Slide 6 Product Criteria A Learning Stretch that can be: Experiential Performance- based Experimental Slide 7 Examples: Teaching the Vietnamese alphabet Slide 8 Making a quilt Slide 9 Illustrating a childrens book Slide 10 Getting a brown belt in karate Slide 11 Cooking, decorating, silversmithing Slide 12 Learning to play an instrument Slide 13 Portfolio Criteria Product Log Letter of Intent Mentor Checklist Photos, Sketches, Drafts Daily Points Speech Outline Slide 14 Presentation Criteria 8-10 minutes Use of Visual Aid & PowerPoint Discuss both Paper and Product Question and Answer Slide 15 How are those outside GCHS involved? Mentors Judges Paid Readers Parents Slide 16 How are those inside GCHS involved? Evaluation Teams Judges Mentors Buff Teachers Slide 17 People you need Buff Project Coordinator Community Liaison Advisory Board Slide 18 Successes Raising money for various charities: cystic fibrosis Volunteering for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Homeless shelters Teaching younger children skills: Project Effort Slide 19 Teaching Responsibility Letter of Intent Deadlines Working with a mentor Graduation Requirement Slide 20 What do I think about Senior Projects? It prepares our students for the real world in a way academic classes cant. It lets them have success in their own choices. It involves the entire faculty with our Seniors. It lets the community see what our graduates can do. It is an antibiotic for senioritis. It is worth the time, the planning, and the effort. Slide 21 Any questions?