TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 1-Table of Contents

Page 2-Letter to Seniors, introduction to the four components of the Senior Project

Page 3-Overview of Research Project

Page 4-Parent/Student AcknowledgementForm (Signed and returned by ______)

Page 5-General Guidelines for Components One and Two (fall semester)

Page 6-Research Proposal Instructions (Proposaldue date :______Your completed proposal will be placed in your portfolio.)

Page 7-Journal One(Individual due dates will be provided by your teacher. All 8 journals must be completed and placed in your portfolio.)

Page 8-Journal Two

Page 9-Journal Three

Page 10-Journal Three Continued

Page 11-Journal Four

Page 12-Journal Four Continued

Page 13-Journal Five

Page 14-Journal Six

Page 15-Journal Seven

Page 16-Journal Eight

Page 17-Research Paper Rubric (point value: 200 points)

Page 18-Portfolio Evaluation Rubric (point value: 100 points)

Page 19-Divider Page for Spring Semester

Page 20-General Guidelines for Component Three (spring semester)

Page 21-General Guidelines for Component Three Continued

Page 22-General Guidelines for Component Four (spring semester)

Page 23-Technology Request

Page 24-Presentation Evaluation Rubric (point value: 200 points; placed in your portfolio to be filled out at presentation time by teacher/panel member)

**THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE FOR ACADEMIC ENDORSEMENT STUDENTS ONLY**

Page 25-Letter to Academic Endorsement Students/Parents

Page 26-General Guidelines for Choosing/Finding a Mentor

Page 27-Student/Mentor Agreement Sheet

Page 28-Student/Mentor Verification Log

Page 29-Product Self-Evaluation (you will fill this out prior to your scheduled presentation practice)

Page 30-Product Evaluation Rubric (point value: 100 points; placed in your portfolio to be filled out at presentation time by teacher/panel member)

  • Eight journals and certain forms are mandated by the state and, therefore, are required in your portfolio.
  • All bolded items must be completed and placed in your portfolio. Your individual teachers will provide further instructions.
  • Completed portfolios (all components including research paper) are due______. Ten bonus will be given to those portfolios handed in ______.
  • Please note the following, taken from the Parent/Student Handbook. This will apply to ALL four components of the Senior Project.

The grades for all major projects that have been assigned well in advance of the due dates and are turned in late will be addressed in the following manner. A project that is turned in one day later than the due date will be assigned one letter grade lower than the grade which would have been assigned on or before the actual due date. Projects that are more than one day late will receive a score of zero.

Dear Seniors:

As a culminating experience to your education in St. Tammany Parish, you are required to complete a Research Project. This project will empower you to choose a position on a topic of interest and research fully and present the results of your research to an audience. The project has the potential for challenging you in “real world” responsibilities and research that will help you to become more poised, confident, and better prepared to enter a career or university.

The Research Project represents a long-term educational endeavor that requires your vision, initiative, and commitment. You are encouraged to take some intellectual risks, think creatively and not be afraid to make some mistakes as you gain problem-solving skills. Sophisticated self-directed learning comes through the enlightenment of curiosity, a desire to succeed, and a commitment to a polished product. These are the goals and the challenges of this research experience.

Component One-Paper (fall semester):Research a topic of personal interest on which you will take a position. Synthesize information into a seven to ten page paper using MLA format and incorporating at least five credible sources and at least eight citations.

Component Two- Portfolio (fall semester): The portfolio will include all documentation of the Senior Research Project process and should reflect a period of inquiry and research. Documentation may include, but is not limited to, timelines, checklists, drafts, evaluations, revisions and reflective journal entries.

Component Three-Presentation (spring semester): You will prepare and deliver a speech using a powerpoint before an audience. At this time, you will present and explain your product and portfolio, describe your research process, and reflect on the process in regard to your experience.

Component Four- Product (spring semester): The final product reflects evidence of your personal development, reasoning and problem-solving ability, and the skills and knowledge you have acquired during this research experience. Possible products include slide shows, original art or writing, models, performances and demonstrations. Trifolds, powerpoints, or posters are not acceptable as products.

Take ownership of this project-Be proud of your finished product!!

Start early!!

Stay on schedule!!

Take intellectual risks and be creative!!

Make the finished product one that you are proud of!!

Overview of Senior Project

St. Tammany Parish and the State Department of Education have approved two distinct paths for the Senior Research Project: Academic Endorsement or the more basic Enhancement option. All students who meet the qualifying criteria outlined below in Honors/AP/Gifted English classes and have not earned Academic Endorsement through AP testing must pursue Academic Endorsement through the Senior Project. All other students who meet the criteria are strongly encouraged to do so.

In order to consider an Academic Endorsement on the student’s high school diploma, the student must meet certain criteria. Students must 1) have a minimum 2.5 GPA in the TOPS core curriculum; 2) earn a 23 or higher on the ACT; and 3) have a GEE score of Basic or higher. The commitment date for the Academic Endorsement path will be in early January each year. If students have not met all of the minimum criteria by that date, they may not seek the Endorsement option.

The differences between the two options are as follows:

Enhancement:

Paper:Seven to ten page paper using MLA format and incorporating at least seven credible sources (one must be a primary source/interview) with appropriate internal documentation.

Portfolio:Will include all documentation of the Senior Research Process

Presentation: Prepare and deliver a speech in front of peers

Product: Required as tangible evidence of the research experience

Mentor: Not applicable, however, all students are required to interview an adult knowledgeable about their chosen topic

Academic Endorsement:

Paper:Seven to ten page paper using MLA format and incorporating at least seven credible sources (one must be a primary source/interview) with appropriate internal documentation.

Portfolio: Will include all documentation of the Senior Research Process

Presentation: Prepare and deliver a speech in front of a professional panel

Product:Required as tangible evidence of the research experience. Academic Endorsement will not be awarded if product is not presented to the panel at presentation time.

Mentor: Five hours of time spent working with a mentorwho must be a non-relative over the age of 21who is knowledgeable about the chosen topic

Time Frames

For all students, the research paper and completed portfolio are due first semester. The presentation and product are due second semester. The portfolio and product must be brought with the student to his or her presentation. Academic Endorsement students must turn in their portfolios at their designated practice sessions.Learning to meet deadlines and fulfill commitments is an important life skill, and while there may be extenuating circumstances, students are expected to complete all assignments and meet all deadlines.

August, 2009

Dear Northshore Senior Parent/Guardian,

As a culminating experience to your child’s education in St. Tammany Parish, each senior will be required to complete a Senior Project that serves as a major part of his or her grade in English IV.

In the first semester, students will explore possible topics and then write research papers based on their choices. This research paper has been part of the English IV curriculum for many years, and it will now be an integral part of the Senior Research experience. Please note that the Senior Project is based on student research; therefore, each student must complete a research paper before he or she can continue with the project.

The research papers will require students to utilize the skills of research, organization, and time management. While specific portions of the research paper will be reinforced and reviewed during class time, the majority of the assignment will be written outside of the classroom. The student will be provided with instruction, resources, and written information as the class works through the assignment.

Learning to meet deadlines is an important life skill, certainly one necessary for a successful senior project. Students are expected to complete all assignments and meet all deadlines unless there are extenuating circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances include hospitalization of the students, long-term illness which renders the student physically unable to complete the assignments, or a death in the family.

St. Tammany Parish and the State Department of Education have approved two distinct paths for the Senior Research Project: Academic Endorsement or the more basic Enhancement option. All Honors/AP/Gifted English students who meet the qualifying criteria outlined below and have not earned Academic Endorsement through AP testing must pursue Academic Endorsement through the Senior Project. All other students who meet the criteria are strongly encouraged to do so. In addition to meeting the requirements of the Enhanced Senior Research Project, those seeking Academic Endorsement will procure a mentor and will present in front of an adult panel in lieu of presenting in front of their peers.

In order to consider an Academic Endorsement on the student’s high school diploma, the student must meet certain criteria. Students must 1) have minimum 2.5 GPA in the TOPS core curriculum; 2) earn a 23 or higher on the ACT; and 3) obtain a GEE score of Basic or higher. The commitment date for the Academic Endorsement path will be in early January each year. The commitment for the Academic Endorsement will be treated as a firm and serious commitment. All criteria for Academic Endorsement must be met by the January deadline.

Every senior has been given instructions by his or her English IV teacher containing more detailed information. The Senior Project provides an opportunity for parents to play an important role in the education, guidance, and encouragement of their seniors. If you have any questions, please contact the school.

Sincerely,

Senior Project Committee/English IV Teachers

NorthshoreHigh School

______

PARENTAL/STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

My child/ward has shown me this letter regarding the research requirements for the Senior Project. I have read and understand the letter.

Name (please print) ______Date______Phone Number______

Signature ______

I have read this letter regarding the research requirements for the Senior Project. I have read and understand the letter.

Name (please print) ______Date______

Signature______

GENERAL GUIDELINES

COMPONENT ONE-RESEARCH PAPER (fall semester)

These are general guidelines for everyone. Your teacher will provide more specific instruction.

1. All papers will be written and graded during first semester.

2.All papers must be 7-10 pages typed with at least seven sources and appropriate internal documentation.

3. All papers will be written in MLA format.

4. Everyone will be required to complete an outline, a rough draft, and a revised final copy of the research paper.

5. The paper must contain a Works Cited page for the sources cited.

6. You may not use Wikis or encyclopedias as one of your five sources.

7. If you have no internal documentation, you will receive an F.

8. If you are missing your Works Cited page, you will receive an F.

9. Your outline and the final copy of your research paper will be included in your portfolio.

COMPONENT TWO: PORTFOLIO (fall semester)

These are general guidelines for everyone. Your teacher will provide more specific instruction.

1. The portfolio is a 1-1 ½” ring binder.

2. You may choose to have your portfolio professionally bound instead of using a binder.

3. If you are using a binder, each page must be inside of a sheet protector.

4. Your portfolio must look professional and have a creative cover that contains the following

information:

Title of research project

Your name

Date of Submission

Name of High School

Class Information

Teacher’s Name

5. Everything must be typed except for forms which should be neat, legible and in ink.

6. Your research paper, parent consent forms, journal entries, reflections, and other

items must be placed in the portfolio. Individual teachers will give students a list of those items

which must be contained in their portfolios.

7. For all students, the research paper and completed portfolio are due first semester.

8. The portfolio and product must be brought with the student to his or her spring presentation.

9. Academic Endorsement students must turn in their portfolios at their designated spring practice sessions. 10. Academic Endorsement students must have their mentor forms and self-evaluation forms completed and placed in the portfolio by the spring practice session.

THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

Once you have decided upon your topic of interest, submit the typed proposal as described below. Single space the two paragraphs and do not use contractions.

TITLE: The proposal should begin with a centered title that poses a research question. For instance, “How Do Architects Plan for a NewBuilding?”

PARAGRAPH 1: State the purpose/objective of your research. Then give details about what will be contained in your research paper. For example, what information will the reader receive after reading your research paper? Explain in as much detail as possible the areas that will be discussed in your paper. In this paragraph, do not use first person pronouns.

PARAGRAPH 2: You may use first person pronouns. Explain what you will learn from this research project. Why is this topic of interest to you? Explain how this project will present a challenge to you. . If it doesn’t, you should choose another topic. Explain what you already know about this topic and what additional knowledge you will obtaining. In addition, what do you envision for your product?

At the bottom of the page, type the following verbatim:

I (am, am not) interested in seeking academic endorsement. (choose one)

I understand that I will receive a grade of “F” on this project if I plagiarize any section of my research. I have acquainted myself with the meaning of plagiarism, and I understand I am to ask the teacher if I have any concerns about how to avoid falsifying any information.

YOUR NAME

______

Your signature

NAME OF ENGLISH TEACHER CLASS PERIOD DATE

Student Reflection Journal #1 Date:______

Write a journal entry on the lines below reminiscing about the various research projects you have completed throughout your educational career. Also, reflect upon your feelings about the senior project. Your journal entry should be written in paragraph format.

The following questions should be addressed in your journal entry:

  1. What research projects do you remember completing in elementary or junior high? Did you enjoy doing these? Why or why not?
  2. What research projects did you complete in high school (in any subject area)? Did you enjoy doing these? Why or why not?
  3. Last year (junior year), what topic did you choose for your annotated bibliography and presentation? Why did you choose this topic? Do you think you want to continue with the topic or choose another one? (If you did not attend NHS last year, discuss what type of research you completed in your junior English class.)
  4. Do you have any concerns about this year’s research project? If so, what are they?

______

Student Reflection Journal #2 Date______

This journal must be redone if student changes his/her topic.

Now that you have chosen a topic and completed some preliminary research, it is time to decide what information you would like to convey about your topic. In the space below, write at least 10 questions that you will answer with your research. Feel free to begin with simple “Who” “What” “When” “Why” and “How” type questions, but then you should “springboard” from those to more in-depth ones.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Student Reflection Journal # 3 Date:______

Conducting research:

The answers to the questions you asked in Journal # 2 must be found in your sources. While the state requires at least five sources (one must be an interview), many of you will want more than five, especially if you find that many of your sources are “weak” (sources are considered “weak” if they do not contain enough usable information).