HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC YEARBOOK
(Senior Year Project)
2015-2016
Woodland High School
Research and Writing in High School
Reflective of the new Common Core GPS
Students Develop Academic and Technical Skills through Creating an Academic Yearbook which will include: Writing a Research Paper at Each Grade Level, Providing a Community Service at Each Grade Level, Creating a Senior Product, Creating a Senior Portfolio, and Making an Oral Presentation.
Mr. Bret Cook, Principal
Sarah Barnett, English Department Chair
Mrs. Cynthia Brown, British Literature Teacher
Mrs. Quiana. Waldon, British Literature Teacher
Mrs. Meco Wilson, British Literature
Academic Yearbook (Senior Project)
British Literature & Composition
2015-2016
Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Waldon, Mrs. Wilson
High School seniors are nearing the completion of 12 years of education. They have taken a variety of courses and developed an assortment of skills during those years. The senior year is a time for students to combine their knowledge and skills in a senior project to show what they have learned. The Academic Yearbook provides an opportunity for a student to choose an area of interest, conduct in-depth research, and demonstrate problem-solving, decision-making, and independent learning skills.
The Senior Project is challenging: it requires considerable effort on the part of the student in showing what he or she has learned. A good Senior Project causes students to plan in order to meet deadlines and manage the project successfully.
In 12th grade the Senior Project consists of a written research report, a major product, and oral presentation, and a written portfolio of various types of writing. The four components are:
· Research paper—a formal paper that encourages students to develop and demonstrate proficiency in conducting research and writing about a chosen topic.
o Length: 5-6 typed pages (double spaced)
o Writing Style: Formal
o Sources: 5 different sources (no more than 2 internet sources)
· Product—a tangible creation based on choosing, designing and developing an item related to the student’s field of study (research paper).
· Oral Presentation—a formal presentation with a PowerPoint must be given before a teacher or a panel of judges.
· Writing Portfolio—In accordance with the new Common Core GPS standards, students will demonstrate the ability to “will employ strong, thorough, and explicit textual evidence in their literary analyses and technical research.” Students will complete several literary analyses and narrative writing including, but not limited to a compare/contrast essay, editorial response, autobiographical incident, poetry, formal interview, letter of intent, college application, resume, career and college comparison.
The entire project must be typed in a formal portfolio.
The final project is due Friday, April 1, 2016.
Presentations April 11 - May 2, 2016
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the school at (770) 389-2784.
My signature indicates that I have downloaded and read the entire Academic Yearbook packet.
Parent/Guardian Date Student Date
Academic Yearbook 1
Academic Yearbook/Presentation Expectations
British Literature
C. Brown, Q. Waldon, M. Wilson
Portfolio
· Portfolio should be a 1 ½ inch 3 ring binder (View Binder)
· A colored cover page should be on the front
· All paper should be in sheet protectors
1. Dedication Page / 10. Job/College Comparison2. Mission Statement / 11. Personal Resume
3. Letter of Intent / 12. High School Transcript
4. Autobiographical Essay / 13. College or Job Application
5. Compare/Contrast Essay / 14. Letter of Application
6. Literature Review / 15. 2 Artifacts from other classes
7. Editorial Response / 16. Product/Service or photo
8. Formal Interview / 17. Research Paper
9. Letter of Recommendation
Research Paper
· Should be 5 – 6 pages typed
· 10 – 12 pt professional font (New Times Roman)
· Include a cover page
· Include an outline
· Include a Works Cited Page (APA)
· May include pictures, graphs, etc. but cannot be used to take up space
· Five or more 3x5 source cards
· Twenty or more 5x7 note cards
Presentation (10 to 15 minutes) (PowerPoint)
· Professional Interview Attire
· State your name
· Summarize your dedication
· Summarize your mission
· Elaborate on your career choice
· Explain your research topic
§ Tell what it is
§ Tell why you chose it
§ Tell your Controversial Issue
· Present Product
§ Tell what it is
§ Tell how it relates to your topic
· Answer any questions from the panel
· Thank the panel
Academic Yearbook 2
Senior Project/Portfolio Due Dates
British Literature
C. Brown, Q. Waldon, M. Wilson
Activity / Date Due / Comments / Date of Completion1. / Signature Sheet (pg. 1) / August 17, 2015
2. / Conference Agreement form w/ Teacher / August 17, 2015
3. / Career/College/Military Comparison / August 21, 2015
4. / Annotated Bibliography (5 sources) / September 9, 2015
5. / First Journal & Time Log Check / September 14, 2015
6. / Letter of Intent (work in class on 9/15) / September 16, 2015
7. / Analysis Essay (Beowulf) (work in class 9/16-9/17 / September 18, 2015
8. / Note Cards (5) & Source Card (1) / September 28,2015
9. / Formal Outline (work in class 9/28) / September 29,2015
10. / Draft of Research Paper First 2 pages +Reference page (work in class 9/29-10/1) / October 2, 2015
11. / Canterbury Tales Rewrite / October 15, 2015 / Narrative
12. / Evidence of Product (oral presentations will be held on 10/19-10/20) / October 19,2015
13. / Note Cards (5) Source Card (1) (work in class on 10/21-10/22) / October 22,2015
14. / Commitment Form (pg. 4) / October 22, 2015
15. / Product Service Agreement Form (pg.8) / October 23, 2015
16. / Note cards (5) & source cards (1) / October 20-21, 2015
17. / Second Journal & Time Log Check / November 14, 2015
18. / Learning Artifacts from other subjects with Abstract / November 14, 2015
19. / Personal Response to Macbeth / November 16, 2016
20. / Resume / November 16, 2015
21. / Mission Statement / November 17, 2015
22. / Letter of Recommendation / November 20, 2015
23. / Evidence of Products / November 18, 2015
24. / Evidence of Product (Oral Presentations) / November 19-2015
25. / College Applications (2)Printed (work in class 12/7-12/8) / December 8, 2015
26. / Draft of Research of research paper (second 2 pages + reference page) (work in class 12/9-12/10) / December 11, 2015 / Narrative
27. / Formal Interview / January 8, 2016
28. / Note cards (5)& source cards (1) (work in class 1/11-1/12) / January 12, 2016
29. / Draft of Research (third set of 2 pages + reference page) (work in class 1/13-1/14) / January 15,2016
30. / Oral presentations of research/product / January 15, 2016
31. / Third Journal & Time Log Check / February 8, 2016
32. / PowerPoint (printout) 6 slides per page work in class 2/8-2/11 / February 12, 2016
33. / Final Research Paper due / February 26, 2015
34. / High School Transcripts / March 7, 2016
35. / Dedication Page / March 8, 2016
36. / Awards/Certificates / March 10, 2016
37. / Senior Project Portfolio Due March 11, 2016
38.
*Dates and assignments subject to change Academic Yearbook 3
Commitment Form
Student’s nameStudent’s signature / Date
Research topic
Parent’s signature / Date
Senior project advisor’s signature / Date
Product idea (tentative)
Product mentor’s signature / Date
Career Cluster (Check one.)
o Agricultural & Natural Resources
o Architecture & Construction
o Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
o Education &Training
o Finance
o Retail/Wholesale Sales & Service
o Government & Public Administration
o Scientific Research/Engineering
o Health Science
o Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
o Hospitality & Tourism
o Human Services
o Information Technology
o Business & Administration
o Law & Public Safety
o Manufacturing
Academic Yearbook 4
Choosing a Senior Project Topic
A senior project is about doing and learning something that you want to do and learn about. This is your chance to choose a topic that will be interesting and worthwhile and will extend your knowledge. However, making the decision may not be easy. Choose carefully, consult with your senior project advisor, and remember to keep your project manageable. Here are some guidelines:
· Relate the topic to your interests or career choice.
· Make the topic broad enough to provide adequate resources and to yield a written report of the desired length and depth of study.
· Make the topic narrow enough to be covered within the time frame of the project.
· Choose a topic that lends itself to a manageable and affordable product.
Choosing a Senior Project Product
Carefully choose a product to build or produce or a community-based service to provide. Answer these questions:
· Does the research enhance the product? Is there a clear connection between the research topic and the product you want to produce?
· Does the product represent significant amounts of time, effort and appropriate complexity? Does it go beyond what you already know how to do?
· Is the product something you will do outside of your regular class? A product that you produce for a career/technical student organization will not fulfill senior project requirements unless it goes substantially beyond the parameters of that product.
· Will the product involve tangible evidence of your work — either something physical that can be seen and touched, a community-based service that can be documented as beneficial, or something performed, such as a play or a musical that is written, produced, taped and presented?
Academic Yearbook 5
Interviewing Experts
An interview with a knowledgeable person (a primary source) can be very valuable.
Be prepared, make a good impression, get the needed information, and show appreciation for the person’s time and willingness to share information.
Before the interview:
· Decide on your purpose. What do you want to find out?
· Write your questions and organize them in logical order.
· Learn something about the person to be interviewed (background, position, education, title, duties, etc.).
· Take paper and a pen to make notes.
During the interview:
· Make a good impression. Dress for the occasion.
· Be on time. Five to 10 minutes early is better.
· Smile, state your name clearly, shake hands, and state your purpose.
· Ask pertinent questions and listen for interesting information.
· Ask for clarification if needed. Remember, direct quotes must be accurate, and something “off the record” should stay that way.
After the interview:
· Express appreciation at the interview and in a follow-up note.
· Review your interview notes immediately. Fill in gaps and add information that will be helpful later in the project.
Writing a Letter of Intent
Using correct business style, write a letter of intent to the Senior Project Board. This letter will become part of your senior project portfolio. It should be typed/word-processed and planned well. It should include:
Paragraph 1: Describe the general area of interest of your senior project. Explain why you chose the topic and what (if anything) you already know or have done in the area to help build your knowledge base.
Paragraph 2: Include the specific research on which your paper will focus and some of the ideas you hope to include. Also discuss some of the resources you plan to use, any specific questions you want to answer, and what you need to know to do the research.
Paragraph 3: Describe how your paper relates to your product. Describe your project — what it is, who is involved, potential cost, time involved and possible resources. Explain how this is a potential learning challenge.
Paragraph 4: Write a paragraph about the dangers of plagiarism. What are the consequences? Relate it to academic papers.
Conducting Research
There is no shortage of information in today’s society. The challenges are to decide what information is needed, how to get it, how to organize it and how to use it. Six steps will help with this process.
Step 1: Define the task.
· What is my task?
· What do I want to do?
· What information do I need in order to complete my project? What do I already know?
· What do I want to know?
· What questions do I need to answer?
Step 2: Determine information- seeking strategies.
· What sources can I use?
· What resources are appropriate and available to use?
· What print, electronic, visual or personal (interview) approaches can I use?
· What is reasonable?
Step 3: Locate and access resources.
· What skills do I need in order to use the resources?
· What strategies can I use?
· What are some interviewing strategies?
Step 4: Get the information.
· Get accurate information. (Read, view and hear sources.)
· How do I understand and record my information? (Paraphrase, summarize, take notes and list references.)
Step 5: Synthesize the information.
· Determine how to organize and share the information. (Make an outline, use word-processing equipment to write the report, use graphics and other visuals, and plan a multimedia presentation, if appropriate.)
Step 6: Evaluate.
· How did I do? (Self-evaluation) Did my research meet the needs of my project?
Academic Yearbook 7
Career-based Product Agreement
Student’s name ______
Product title ______
Product proposal description ______
______
______
______
Steps for product completion
______
Materials list/Cost
______