English IVEnglish IV

CHOOSE YOUR PROJECTCHOOSE YOUR PROJECT

Be careful in choosing your Project. It Be careful in choosing your Project. It has to be something which interests has to be something which interests you. You will have to live with your you. You will have to live with your

decision until the end of the decision until the end of the semester. Choose a project that will semester. Choose a project that will

make you happy!make you happy!

Ask yourself: What is my passion? Ask yourself: What is my passion? And How can I share it with others?And How can I share it with others?

PROCRASTINATION PROCRASTINATION IS IS

THETHE ENEMY! ENEMY!

Don’t let it get You!Don’t let it get You!

An Overview of the Semester An Overview of the Semester ProjectProject

Research paperPhysical Application of KnowledgePortfolio AssessmentFinal Presentation

A FEW BASIC RULES…..A FEW BASIC RULES…..

Mentors are required for student projects. Faculty advisors are required.The project must be a “learning stretch”,

not something the student already knows. Due dates will NOT be extended.Project activities must be fully

documented.

More basic rules….More basic rules….

All projects must be approved. No project will be approved which is illegal, immoral, dangerous, or which violates school rules.

If a student changes the topic for his or her project after approval has been given, the student must submit new Parental Consent forms, Letters of Intent, and Project Proposals.

Topics may not be changed after the first 4 weeks of the semester.

Students must complete all parts of the semester project in order to pass the EXAM for English IV.

MENTOR REQUIREMENTSMENTOR REQUIREMENTS Mentors are required for all semester projects. Each student would select a Mentors are required for all semester projects. Each student would select a

mentor who has experience in the project area and can provide guidance in mentor who has experience in the project area and can provide guidance in completing the project. Members of your family may be mentors if they are completing the project. Members of your family may be mentors if they are experts in your area. When selecting a mentor, consider the following experts in your area. When selecting a mentor, consider the following questions:questions: Will the mentor have time to help you?Will the mentor have time to help you? Does the mentor have information you can use in your research paper or Does the mentor have information you can use in your research paper or

project?project? Will the mentor give you support and encouragement?Will the mentor give you support and encouragement? Will the mentor be able to verify the hours you spend on the project?Will the mentor be able to verify the hours you spend on the project? Will you be able to interview the mentor as your primary source for your research Will you be able to interview the mentor as your primary source for your research

paper orpaper or Will the mentor be able to locate someone else for you to interview?Will the mentor be able to locate someone else for you to interview?

At the end of the project, one of the required items in your portfolio will be a At the end of the project, one of the required items in your portfolio will be a form your mentor fills out detailing how much time you spent together form your mentor fills out detailing how much time you spent together working on the project and evaluating your work effort.working on the project and evaluating your work effort.

The mentor may terminate the relationship if you are not meeting with the The mentor may terminate the relationship if you are not meeting with the mentor and/ or are not doing what is required towards completing your mentor and/ or are not doing what is required towards completing your project.project.

MENTOR REQUIREMENTSMENTOR REQUIREMENTS

Mentors must be age 21 or older.Mentors must be age 21 or older.Mentors may NOT reside in the same Mentors may NOT reside in the same

household as the student.household as the student.Mentor forms MUST be signed by the Mentor forms MUST be signed by the

parent or guardian.parent or guardian.

THE COMPOSITE SCORETHE COMPOSITE SCORE

In order to pass the semester project, students must complete all components of the project and must earn 70% of the total possible points (280/400 points) for their composite score.

The composite score consists of four equal parts.

Research Paper 100 pointsPortfolio Assessment

(includes Physical Application of

Knowledge) 200 pointsFinal Presentation 100 points

HOW WILL I BE GRADED?HOW WILL I BE GRADED?

All components--the research paper, the portfolio assessment, and the final presentation--must be completed during one semester in English IV.

Any student who does not complete all components will automatically earn an “F” on the final exam.

Additional points may be earned by submitting a DIGITAL PORTFOLIO of the semester project.

Follow the schedule you have been given.

Please be reminded, these are DEADLINE DUE DATES.

Students may finish these assignments at ANY time before

the due dates. The MOST important skill the semester

project teaches is TIME MANAGEMENT.

COMPONENTS IN DETAILCOMPONENTS IN DETAIL

The Research PaperThe Research Paper

The research paper demonstrates the student’s ability to gather and organize information beyond the encyclopedia; primary sources are REQUIRED.

The length of the paper may depend on the nature of the topic, but at least 8-10 pages of text is required. The paper will be typed.

DIGITAL SUBMISSION IS REQUIRED.

Research Paper ComponentResearch Paper Component

A Closer LookA Closer Look

PlagiarismPlagiarism

Plagiarism is taking credit for the words and/or Plagiarism is taking credit for the words and/or ideas of others.ideas of others.

It is possible for students to plagiarize without It is possible for students to plagiarize without their knowledge.their knowledge.

To determine whether plagiarism is intentional or To determine whether plagiarism is intentional or unintentional, the English teacher will look at the unintentional, the English teacher will look at the age of the student, the nature of the offence, age of the student, the nature of the offence, and the scope of the offence.and the scope of the offence.

Given the time, instruction, and resources Given the time, instruction, and resources available, there is no excuse for plagiarismavailable, there is no excuse for plagiarism..

Intentional UnintentionalIntentional Unintentional

Copying portions of or an Copying portions of or an entire source without using entire source without using quotation marks and/or quotation marks and/or giving creditgiving credit

Submission of a paper Submission of a paper written by someone elsewritten by someone else

Omission of quotation Omission of quotation marks around quoted marks around quoted materialmaterial

Failure to give credit with Failure to give credit with paraphrased materialparaphrased material

Providing false quotations Providing false quotations and/or sourcesand/or sources

Insufficient Insufficient paraphrasingparaphrasing -- failure to -- failure to sufficiently alter the sufficiently alter the sentence structure or sentence structure or wording of a sourcewording of a source

Insufficient quotingInsufficient quoting -- -- failure to put quotation failure to put quotation marks around all quoted marks around all quoted materialmaterial

Insufficient citingInsufficient citing -- -- inaccurate and/or omitted inaccurate and/or omitted citationscitations

Penalties of Plagiarism at SPHSPenalties of Plagiarism at SPHS

Intentional plagiarism – Students will Intentional plagiarism – Students will automatically receive a automatically receive a zero zero on the on the assignment. Students will not be allowed to assignment. Students will not be allowed to resubmit.resubmit.

Unintentional plagiarism – Students will Unintentional plagiarism – Students will automatically receive an F on the assignment, automatically receive an F on the assignment, but the number of points awarded depends on but the number of points awarded depends on the extent of the plagiarism. Students may be the extent of the plagiarism. Students may be allowed to resubmit.allowed to resubmit.

Penalties of Plagiarism Penalties of Plagiarism ElsewhereElsewhere

Failing grade on a paper in a courseFailing grade on a paper in a courseFailing grade in a college/university courseFailing grade in a college/university courseSuspension from a college/universitySuspension from a college/universityExpulsion from a college/universityExpulsion from a college/universityTermination of employmentTermination of employmentFines Fines Jail timeJail time

Tips to Avoid PlagiarismTips to Avoid Plagiarism

Outline your paper, and write the paper based Outline your paper, and write the paper based off your outline.off your outline.

Have a printout/copy of the sources you use.Have a printout/copy of the sources you use. Read a section, then do not refer back to it until Read a section, then do not refer back to it until

the paraphrase/summary is complete.the paraphrase/summary is complete. If unsure whether or not to cite, cite the source.If unsure whether or not to cite, cite the source. When paraphrasing, change both the wording When paraphrasing, change both the wording

and the sentence structure of theand the sentence structure of the original text.original text.

Research Paper TipsResearch Paper Tips Read the paper aloud at a moderate pace.Read the paper aloud at a moderate pace. Use spell-check but realize that it is not always Use spell-check but realize that it is not always

correct.correct. When in doubt, ask someone for help.When in doubt, ask someone for help. Use your faculty advisor – five meetings are Use your faculty advisor – five meetings are

required, more are encouraged.required, more are encouraged. Use your English teacher – two meetings are Use your English teacher – two meetings are

required, more are encouraged.required, more are encouraged. Never turn down an extra set of eyes.Never turn down an extra set of eyes. Be more concerned with quality than with quantity, Be more concerned with quality than with quantity,

with content than with conventions.with content than with conventions. When given suggestions, revise!When given suggestions, revise!

PHYSICAL APPLICATION PHYSICAL APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE OF KNOWLEDGE

The physical application presents a hands-on experience dealing with some aspect of the research paper. It allows a student to apply the information learned during the research phase to create a demonstration of the learning and mastery of the project. 

Completion of the product requires a minimum of 10 hours of out of class work (although some students may have more than 10 hours). 

The project must be done on the student’s own time. Students may choose from the following types of

application: community service, internship, or creation of a physical product of some kind.

The 10 hours may be shown in one area or in a combination of areas. (For example, the student may work a 5 hour internship with his or her mentor, then apply that experience towards volunteer hours.

Adequate documentation is required in the form of journal/ reflections, as well as photographs.

This component is scored as part of the portfolio.

The PortfolioThe Portfolio

This part of the project is basically a collection of all documentation for the project.

It will include the actual research paper, project overviews, letters to and from mentors, project logs and journals, photos, and any other artifacts which document work on the project.

The portfolio also includes work samples from the semester.

These items will be bound in a photo-album type notebook which will be evaluated by outside judges.

The PresentationThe Presentation

Exit SpeechExit Speech

The final step of the Semester Project takes place at the end of the semester.

Each student must present an 8-10 minute presentation about his or her project and research.

This will be an evening event. Community members comprise the judging

panel and will ask five minutes of questions after the presentation.

The Semester Project website contains materials which will help guide the students in planning and executing this presentation.

Finally….Finally….

As you can see, the Semester Project is As you can see, the Semester Project is quite a challenge, but it is very “do-able”. quite a challenge, but it is very “do-able”. It takes hard work and dedication. Most It takes hard work and dedication. Most importantly, it requires prioritizing and importantly, it requires prioritizing and planning. planning.

DON’T DON’T PROCRASTINATE!!!PROCRASTINATE!!!

You cannot wait until the last You cannot wait until the last minute to begin the research minute to begin the research

paper and expect to get a decent paper and expect to get a decent grade.grade.