SENIOR PROJECT GUIDELINESThe Senior Project is an opportunity to investigate something of interest to you. The project, which you will complete during the spring semester, consists of three parts: a paper that answers a driving question about a chosen topic, a physical project related to the paper, and an oral presentation.

TABLE OF CONTENTSSenior Project Calendar.......................................................................................................2

Student Checklist.................................................................................................................3

Work Log.............................................................................................................................4

Physical Project Selection………………............................................................................5

Letter of Intent…………………………………………………………………………6-7

Proposal…...........................................................................................................................8

Waiver Form.......................................................................................................................9

Commitment Poster......................................................................................................10-11

The Paper......................................................................................................................12-18

The Physical Project..........................................................................................................19

The Mentor Letter/Agreement Form............................................................................20-21

Expert/Mentor Critique Form.......................................................................................22-23

Mentor Verification Form............................................................................................24-25

Mentor Letter Instructions……………………………………………………………26-27

The Portfolio......................................................................................................................28

The Presentation...........................................................................................................29-33

Rubrics…………...............................................................................................................34

Safety Nets.........................................................................................................................35

This guide belongs to __________________________________________ Period ____

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SENIOR PROJECT CALENDAR Senior Project Deadlines Assignments Points Page Length Due Date

Letter of Intent 15 points 1-1½ pages December 12

Proposal 50 points 3 pages December 17

Commitment Poster

15 points January 14

Waiver signed 10 points January14

Research Review 10 points January 16

Mentor VerificationForm signed and turned in

10 points January 16

1st Interview Rough Draft

15 Points 2 pages January 28

1st Interview 25 points 2 pages January 30

2nd InterviewRough Draft

15 points 2 pages February 11

2nd Interview 25 points 2 Pages February 13

Visitation Rough Draft

10 Points 3 Pages March 4

Visitation Final Draft

40 points 3 Pages March 9

Senior Paper Outline

20 points March 20

Senior Project Paper Peer Edit

15 points 10-12 pages with Work Cited Sheet

March 27

Edit Draft 15 points 10-12 pages with Work Cited Sheet

April 3

Final Paper (with Portfolio)

300 8-10 pages and Work Cited Sheet

April 17

Spring Break HAVE FUN!!! April 6- April 10

Product Log and Product

100 Log 15 hoursMinimumPhysical Product

Day of Presentation

Presentation 200 15-20 minutes with fielding questions Product/log due

April—May

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STUDENT CHECKLIST:Work Record

Paper Question: _________________________________________________________

Project: ________________________________________________________________

Date_____ Paper Question Selected

_____ Work Log begun

_____ Letter of Intent completed

_____ Proposal completed

_____ Project Waiver signed by all parties and submitted

_____ Commitment Poster completed

_____ Mentor established. Name ____________________________________________

_____ Qualifications ______________________________________________________

_____ Phone # ___________________________________________________________

_____ Mentor Information Letter signed by all parties and submitted

_____ Project begun

_____ Expert / Mentor Critique Form submitted

_____ Reading requirement completed

_____ First complete draft of paper completed

_____ Final draft of paper completed. Paper grade __________

_____ Project complete. Mentor Verification Form submitted.

_____ Portfolio completed

_____ Presentation completed

_____ Physical Product Complete

Grade Record

Paper: _______________________/300 pts

Presentation: __________________/200 pts

Physical Product Completed: _____/100pts

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TWO WORK LOGS:A Running Record of Your Work

One for Senior Paper=15 hoursOne for Physical Product=15 hours—

Part of your Senior Project assignment is to keep a running record of your work. Whenever you spend any time on any part of the project, keep track of your thoughts and activities in a log. It may be helpful to think of this as a journal. Date your entries, since the log may also help in terms of documentation of your project. Begin your log on the day that you receive this assignment. Here are some things to include:

1) Periodic reflections on what you are learning

2) Ideas and notes for your paper

3) Reactions to your reading

4) Reactions to your telephoning and organizing

5) Reactions to meetings with mentors and myself

6) Notes on your interviews, along with signatures and telephone numbers of your

interviewees (for confirmation purposes); you could also include the business

cards of people you contact

7) Reactions to your interviews

8) Reactions on visits associated with your project

9) Questions for your mentor, teacher, or yourself

10) Money spent

11) Time spent and due dates

12) Other

I will review the log as part of the Senior Project portfolio. The log should cover all time spent working on the rubric and show signs of prolonged activity (i.e. it should not look like you did it all the night before the portfolio was due.)

Example

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7 September 2007Received project guidelines in class today. Read through the guidelines and made notes and highlighted key areas. Kept track of areas/tasks that confused me. Need to find sources, interviews, mentors, and visitation location before I write my letters of intent. 30 minutes

Paper and Physical Project Selection

Answer in complete sentences.

Paper Question: _________________________________________________________

Physical Project: _______________________________________________________

TIPS:* Your paper must be presented in the form of a question answerable by research and

open to reflection.* Your project topic must begin with a verb.

QUESTION: How does abuse affect the development of a child?ACADEMIC SUBJECTS INVOLVED: Sociology, Child Development

Paper Selection

Based on these criteria, choose your paper topic:

Paper Question: _________________________________________________________

TIPS:* your paper must be presented in the form of a question answerable by research.

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LETTER OF INTENT:Approval of Your Plans

Your Letter of Intent is how you will inform me and your family of your Senior Project plans. This letter first goes home for a signature by your parent or guardian, and then is returned to be approved by myself. This letter is then returned and placed in the Senior Project portfolio.

Your letter of intent should follow standard business letter form and include each of the following:

1) At the top of the letter, a direct statement of the question you want to answer and the academic subject(s) involved.

2) An explanation of what, if anything, you already know or have accomplished in the area you have chosen.

3) The way in which the Senior Project will represent a challenge to you4) The importance of you investigation and connections between your project

and academic experiences you have had in high school (topics involving hobbies or recreational project will be particularly scrutinized for academic tie-in)

5) A statement of the question(s) you will answer in your paper included in the body of your letter.

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Sample:Question: How do lasers benefit society?Project: Repair Laser ApparatusAcademic Subjects Involved: Physics, mathematics

123 Whitney Court Walnut Creek, CA 94598

December 3, 2009

English DepartmentClayton Valley High School1101 Alberta WayConcord, CA 94521

Dear Ms. Allan:

After much consideration, I have chosen as my senior project topic: How does the application of lasers in industry and research benefit society? This topic will involve extensive library research and several interviews with scientists.

The project I have chosen is to study and repair a laser. I have always been interested in science and I became particularly interested in physics this year. I have never done work with lasers before and am intrigued by the prospect of doing so now. Mr. Jones, an assistant engineering professor at Diablo Valley College, agreed to be my mentor after I was given his name by my physics teacher, Mr. Schnizeldim. The project will be to repair the carbon dioxide laser at the DVC campus.

This project will be very challenging to me because I have never worked with lasers to any electronic device of this magnitude before. I will use my knowledge of physics and help from Mr. Jones to complete this project. The mentored project should involve about 50 hours of work and will cost about $50.00.

I hope this meets with your approval.

Sincerely,Amy SmithPeriod 2

I approve the academic relevance of this project. Yes___ No___

Teacher Signature ________________________

Teacher Comments/Suggestions

Parent Signature _________________________ Print Name _______________________

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ProposalApproval of Your Plans

In approving Proposals, I will look to see that the paper answers a thoughtful question that is neither too broad nor too narrow and that the physical project will offer the student a clear challenge in light of the student’s background.

The proposal and a project waiver form first go home for a signature by your parent or guardian, then are returned to be approved by myself. This proposal is then returned and placed in the Senior Project portfolio. Be sure to keep a copy of the letter to give to your mentor later.

Proposal Format

(1) At the top of the proposal, a direct statement of the question you want to answer

and the academic subject(s) involved

(2) Interest and Motivation (1-2 pages)Consider the following before you write: Why have you chosen this topic. If it

relates to a possible career choice, explain why this career interests you. If it relates to a hobby, explain how you became interested in it. If it focuses on an issue or a trend, explain what you want to know about this topic.

Be thoughtful and analytical. The topic is the foundation of the paper. What you choose to investigate is not as important as your caring about the subject. Your job in the proposal is to convince the reader that you care about the subject you have chosen and that it will be possible for you to obtain the necessary information.

(3) Knowledge and Preconceptions (1-2 pages)These are two separate categories. Identify what you know to be true about this

subject already. What have you learned from such sources as the media, friends, family, courses at school, personal experience, etc.? Then, write what you believe to be true (preconceptions), all your opinions and feelings, even if you have no factual information to back them up. After exhausting your supply of information, respond to the following questions: What questions do I have about my topic? What do I hope to discover during my search?

(3) Resources (1 page)Consider what resources are available to you. You are required to conduct two

interviews and a visitation in the process of your search. Do you know anyone who would be a good source of information? Ask other people for ideas about whom might be good to interview. Think big! Then, use the library and the Internet for secondary sources. Must give titles of books and web sites in your proposal.

(4) An explanation of your physical project and its relationship to your paper

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Waiver Form

AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASETO PARTICIPATE IN SENIOR PROJECT

I am the parent or legal guardian of _______________________________________ who (Student’s Name)

has enrolled in the Senior Project at Clayton Valley Charter High School. I understand that the Senior Project is an English Department requirement which requires __________________________________ to travel off the Clayton Valley High School

(Student’s Name)

campus to property and places not owned or operated by the Clayton Valley Charter High School. I also understand that the Senior Project requires ___________________________________________ to schedule and travel to

(Student’s Name)

appointments and to work with individuals and entities who are not employed by and are not agents of Clayton Valley Charter High School. I further understand that when traveling to and/or attending appointments and/or touring property not owned and/or operated by Clayton Valley Charter High School, __________________________

(Student’s Name)

will not be under the immediate and direct supervision of an employee or agent of Clayton Valley Charter High School or Board.

I have read the material distributed by Clayton Valley Charter High School about the Senior Project. In accordance with my understanding, which is outlined in the paragraph above, I authorize ________________________________ to participate in the Senior Project on

(Student’s Name)

______________________________________________________________________,(State Nature of Project)

and I release and hold harmless Clayton Valley Charter High School, along with its employees and agents, from any and all liability for personal injury, including physical, emotional, and pain and suffering injuries, and/or property loss and damage which I and/or ____________________________________ incurs while he/she participates in or

(Student’s Name) travels to activities not held on property owned and/or operated by Clayton Valley High School and which are associated with the Senior Project.

_____________________________________________ __________________________Signature of Parent / Guardian Date

_____________________________________________ __________________________Signature of Student Date

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The following authorization and release to participate in the Senior Project is required by Clayton Valley Charter High School.. Any questions about the signing of this form should be addressed by contacting Mrs. Allan at maureen.allan@claytonvalley.org

COMMITMENT POSTER:For All The World To See

Your commitment poster is your chance to “go public” with your choice for a Senior Project. The poster will allow the class to see what you are up to.

RequirementsSize: Exactly twelve by twelve inches on lightweight poster board. Nothing may

protrude from the sides of the paper.Material: Poster board of any colorContents: The poster should include

a. your nameb. the question you will investigate in your paperc. a statement of your project that begins with an active verb that defines your

involvement in the projectd. a visual representation that symbolizes your project, such as a photo, drawing,

or collage.

Letter and DesignIf possible, invest in transfer type or letter stencil for a more professional look. You may also generate attractive headings from a computer. Do not limit yourself to one-dimensional designs. Confine decorative types to headlines only. Do not, especially, use them in all capitals! This, for example, is quite difficult to read:

SENIOR PROJECT POSTER

Like most of the other requirements for the Senior Project, make this something you will be proud to have others see!

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Examples of Senior Project Commitment Posters

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THE PAPER: A Serious Investigation That Interests You

The first component of the Senior Project is to plan and write a paper that records your attempts to answer your thesis question. Throughout the process of writing the paper, use your teachers as guides and resources. Your investigation of the topic should include the following:

1) One clearly stated question you hope to answer

2) At least two print sources. (Students are advised that over-reliance on

undocumented or electronic sources may affect the grade.)

3) Interviews of at least two experts face-to-face on your topic

4) At least one visit to a place related to your topic

The paper resulting from your serious investigation should include several qualities:

1) A style of writing that shows enthusiasm for the subject and that engages the

reader by using writing techniques such as narration, description, incorporation of

reading and research, conversations with experts, and standard English usage.

2) The integration of the following:

a. the question about the subject you hope to answer

b. how much you knew about the subject before you started

c. the steps you took and what you learned as you researched your subject

through reading, contacting, interviewing, and visiting

d. actual references to reading and interviews in the body of your paper using

proper in-text citations

e. reflection on what you learned from your research

3) A Works Cited of reading and interviews

4) A completed and revised draft which must be word-processed; the final paper

must be a minimum of eight pages and a maximum of ten pages double-spaced in

twelve-point Times New Roman.

NOTE: Students should not use cover sheets, folders, or bind their papers. This slows down the reading process.

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Grading Procedures for the Paper:

Complete Draft: This is not a “rough” draft. Your classmates will evaluate this draft and provide ideas for improvement. The mentor will comment on draft for accurate and sufficient research.

Final Revised Paper: Your final revised paper will be scored by me. Scores transfer to a letter grade for credit in English class. You must submit a copy of your final draft to your mentor.

The Paper Writing Process

Your paper should integrate all the skills learned in Clayton Valley’s writing program:

1) Gather information from all your sources to address the questions you have

formulated

2) Define a topic to write about

3) Find a focus that best addresses your topic

4) Choose appropriate details, description, information, and resources for your topic

and paper

5) Revise and edit your paper to make sure it leads the reader through your personal

journey of discovery

6) Evaluate and reflect upon your discovery

7) Edit and proofread again to create a paper of publishable quality

In tackling a paper like this, you must be a prepared and open-minded observer. Have questions in mind when you begin your research, whether it be in the library or in the field. Keep your eyes open to new information, new questions, new facts, and new details. Be ready for surprises. Try to look behind facts and details for meaning and contradictions. Gather more than you can possibly use so you can choose what is appropriate when you find your focus.

Remember, you are trying to show your journey to answer questions and present what you learned about your topic to your audience. Perhaps your focus is the part of the research that proved most rewarding; perhaps it is the stumbling blocks you had to overcome; perhaps your pursuit of one discovery was the most enlightening; or perhaps your journey switched directions, and that change led you to your new focus.

The choice of details, description, and facts are the most important decisions a writer makes. The materials you choose from your research must advance your journey appropriately. There is no room for fluff. A paper on photography, for example, should probably not include a details description of the drive to Santa Cruz, since it has nothing

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to do with what you learned about photography, whereas a description of the workshop of a master photojournalist might provide essential and serious details that reveal the essence of his art and your understanding.

Not every paper will have the same amount of each ingredient. As in good cooking, the chef determines the seasoning for his dish and varies the spices accordingly. You may have to adjust your blend. You will find in rereading and editing that there will be things you must cut and others you must develop to make your concoction palatable to the reader.

Your reflection and evaluation are essential – how you handle them is determined by your paper. Perhaps you can reflect at certain places along the way, or you may choose to save your reflection until the end. You must choose based on your project and experience. The watchword, as with the entire Senior Project, is “You Decide!”

Most of all, keep in mind that your paper should make what you learned come alive and indicate your enthusiasm and growth. Present what is important to you and make it important to your readers. Thus, it should be a paper you will be proud to have anyone read. It will be your work at its best.

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Interview Techniques

Your paper must include information from interviews of at least two people who are experts in your subject. These interviews must be conducted in person. Prepare yourself ahead of time by knowing what you want to find out from your interviewee. Phone or contact your interviewee ahead of time to set up a meeting and be sure to be on time. You will not be excused from school to make these appointments.

Preparing for your interview:Prepare questions you want answered or areas you want to investigate. Keep your paper’s primary question(s) in mind, and use your reading to show you already know something about your topic.

Organize your questions into two categories:1) Questions with short safe answers that will break the ice

a. “What is your background?

b. “How did you first become involved in the subject?”

2) Anecdotal or evaluative questions that cover what you really want to find out

a. “What do you think of...?”

b. “What’s hard about...?”

c. “Please explain the...”

d. “Tell me about a time when...”

3) Ask the big questions. Get your source to open up.

Stay alert! Be prepared to come up with additional questions based on the responses your interviewee makes. Avoid personal matters and questions that invite yes-or-no answers. Be willing to go with the flow of the conversation, but also be prepared to bring the subject back around to what you want to find out.

Facing your interview:Arrive on time and be appropriately dressed.

Note details about your interviewee and the surroundings for possible use in your paper: the room, dress, gestures, appearance, age, etc.

Avoid notes, which can destroy the give-and-take of natural conversation. Instead – with permission, of course – use a tape recorder or video camera.

Show interest in what is said. Keep your paper’s primary question in mind and use follow-up questions based on responses to pursue your investigation.

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If you use a recorder, you could play back what has been said and ask the interviewee if there is anything more to add.

Thank the interviewee at the end of the interview, and, if possible, ask for a business card to include in your portfolio.

After your interview:Review your notes or tape and decide what you can or cannot use. Be sure to send your interviewee a thank-you note.

When writing up your interview for your paper, incorporate what was said in the body of your paper in a style that flows naturally. The interview should not appear in script format, nor should it be a series of questions and quotes, such as “I asked” and “He replied.” YOU MUST INCLUDE DIRECT QUOTES!

The VisitationAnother requirement of the Senior Project will be to visit a place related to your topic. This could be a visit to an artist’s studio if you were doing a project on sculpting; to a city planning commission if your project were to investigate solutions for traffic problems; or to a hospital if you were interested in shadowing a doctor for a paper on health care. In other words, this visit should help in answering the question for your paper.

The description and reflection on your visit should be woven into the body of your paper in a flowing style that also shows your skill in using descriptive writing. Where you include this information will vary from paper to paper depending on your topic and focus while writing it.

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Other MaterialsWhen appropriate, other materials can be included in your paper, such as photos, illustrations, tables, etc. These should also help answer your paper question and are included in an appendix. These are not counted as part of the eight-to-ten page required for the text of your paper.

In-Text Citations

Although formal citations are not required for your paper, you must credit others whose ideas you use. Informal references, or in-text citations, must be included so your reader will know where you found your facts and where to go for more information on the subject. Of course, anything cited in the body of your paper should have a full entry in your works cited list.

Informal references consist of the last name of the author you are citing, plus the page number(s) that apply to your quote or paraphrase. If you are using the author’s name in the body of your text, then you merely need to include the page number(s) in parentheses at the end of the passage.

Below are passages from successful papers that make good use of informal references. Note the format for punctuation.

From a direct quote in a paper on “A Musician’s Career” by Anna Fraser (’94):“Whether moved by prudence or expertise, the courts of Europe present a panorama or enlightened patronage unrivaled by another institution of the past, and unmatched by any council, corporation, or committee of the present” (Hogwood 16).

From a paraphrased passage in a paper on “Silent Victims” by Rachel Ash (’94):From [this article] I learned that if physical abuse occurs during the first years of life, the years when the deepest, most formative layers of the personality are formed, the result may be severe mental aggression (Kurz 157).

When the author’s name is included in the body of the text, the in-text citation need only include the page number, as long as it is clear which book from which it is taken. The following is quoted from a paper on “Benefits of Meditation”:

Shakti Gawain explained is his book Creative Visualization that the ultimate goal of imagery is to “be able to make every moment of our lives a wondrous creation” (39).

When referring to anyone in the text of your paper, use their full name plus an identification the first time (for example, Irwin Moore, a fulltime sculptor), and any time after that, refer to them by their last name only. In-text citations should not be necessary for your interviews. Follow the MLA Guidelines for your works cited list.

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Paper Reflection

One of the most important parts of your paper will be the section in which you reflect on what you learned while investigating your topic. Remember, you must weave your reflections into the body of your paper at appropriate moments. Consider the questions below as you write your paper and prepare to weave in your reflection.

1) What did you learn?

2) What did you learn that you didn’t expect?

3) What did you learn about yourself? About life? About people?

4) How are you different now from when you started your paper?

5) Do you now feel differently about your topic or your question?

6) What did you do that you didn’t expect? How did you feel about that?

7) What was easy for you? Why?

8) What was hard for you? Why?

9) What did you learn from the problems you encountered?

10) What did you learn about writing?

11) Did you learn anything about how you personally learn?

12) What did you discover about “book-learning” compared to “real-world-learning?”

13) What surprised you about the people you interviewed?

14) What did you learn about taking risks?

15) How is your paper related to your academic studies in high school?

16) What did you learn about the importance of what and how you’ve learned in

school?

17) Was your mentored project changed in any way by your work on your paper?

18) What comments have you had from others?

19) Would you approach your paper any differently, knowing what you know now?

TIPS:* The topic of the paper must be only about the research question. Do not discuss your

project, work process, work completed on the project, or the project mentor (unless they are an interview source.) You will be able to reflect on the project during the presentation and reflection essay.

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THE Physical PROJECT:An Activity That Interests You

The second part of your senior project is to engage in a challenging activity related to the topic of your paper. You will be assisted by a mentor from the staff or community who will provide you with expertise. In some cases, someone other than your mentor may assist you in critiquing your paper.

The following guidelines apply to the mentored project:

1) The physical project must represent a genuine challenge.

2) A minimum of fifteen hours’ effort is required to complete a passing mentored

project.

3) With approval, two students may work together to complete a mentored

project (proportionally increasing the hourly requirement). Students must,

however, submit a compelling rational in their Proposals and complete

separate papers and presentations. The proposals must be submitted together.

4) Students are encouraged to undertake projects that pertain to future career

plans.

5) Your mentor must be a high school graduate with expertise in the area of your

project, who may not be a member of your immediate family. The mentor is

responsible for passing or failing the project by determining that

a. you have undertaken a project which is a genuine challenge

b. your project represents at least fifteen hours’ effort

6) You may submit incomplete projects that represent sufficient quality and

effort. For example, if you attempted to get your pilot’s license and found that

it would take over a hundred hours of flight time to complete, you may still

receive credit if you put in at least the minimum number of hours for the

project.

ATTENDANCE: You are not permitted to legally miss school for any work on the project!

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The Mentor Letter:

The following letter should be used to contact and secure your mentor. Be sure that both you and your mentor understand the level of commitment needed for this project. Your mentor will be expected to guide you in your project, help read and critique your paper, and verify that you have completed at least fifteen hours toward the project.

Two copies of the mentor letter follow. One should be given to your mentor and the other kept in your portfolio after I have checked it.

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CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL1101 Alberta Way

Concord, CA 94521(925) 682-7474

Dear Mentor:

On behalf of Clayton Valley Charter High School, I would like to thank you for volunteering to be a mentor for a Senior Project. Clayton Valley’s Senior Project is an English requirement consisting of three parts: a research paper, a mentored project, and an oral presentation.

Mentors are most important in helping students produce a project that applies the knowledge gained during the paper-writing phase. The project challenges them to go beyond the experiences they have had in the past. Not all mentored projects are tangible. While one student might rebuild an engine, another might run in the Bay-To-Breakers or stage a dance routine.

As a mentor, we ask that you accomplish the following:

1) Review the Proposal that your student will provide to describe his or her Senior Project.

2) Read, evaluate, and comment on a draft of your student’s paper for accuracy and sufficient research.

3) Help your student define his or her mentored project clearly and determine at exactly what point it will be considered complete.

4) Be certain that the mentored project requires the student to do something that is a challenge.

5) Meet with your student several times while work on the mentored project progresses. Provide help and advice to make the project a success. The mentored project must be completed by ____________________.

Please keep a copy of this letter for yourself and return the other with the student. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by both your student and the Clayton Valley Charter staff. Our Senior Project program would be impossible without the help of mentors like you. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at maureen.allan@claytonvalley.org.

Sincerely,

Maureen Allan, Senior English Teacher

Student Name ____________________________________________________________

Signature of Mentor _______________________________ Phone Number ___________

Print Name of Mentor _____________________________________________________

Qualifications of Mentor ___________________________________________________

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Expert / Mentor Critique Form:

The following form is to be presented to your mentor along with the first draft of your paper. This form should be filled out by your mentor and turned in to Mrs. Allan by .

Your Expert / Mentor Critique Form is considered a necessary part of successful completion of your Senior Project. This could be filled out by someone other than your mentor who has expertise in your field.

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SENIOR PROJECT:Expert / Mentor Critique Form

Dear Mentor:

Thank you for agreeing to critique this paper for _________________________. With this form, the student should provide the most recent draft of his / her Senior Project paper. Please read the paper for content, keeping in mind it will be revised. The English class will serve as a critic for mechanics and form. You are to read to make sure that the facts and research are accurate and sufficient.

Please make comments on the margins of the draft, answer the questions on this sheet, and feel free to add any additional comments on the back. This paper is a requirement for the student’s English grade, so your help is appreciated.

1) Has the writer any misinformation or has he/she made any factual errors?

_____________ yes _____________ noComments:

2) Can you suggest sources for additional research for this topic, suggesting material to research and persons to interview?

3) What information can you give to help the student improve the content of the paper (including your own knowledge of the topic)?

4) I have read this paper and discussed my comments with the student._____________ yes _____________ no

Mentor’s name ________________________________________________________

Mentor’s signature _____________________________________________________

Phone Number ________________________________________________________

Please include any additional comments on the back of this form

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Mentor Verification Form:

This form is to verify the completion of your mentored project. Be sure to share this with your mentor long before the published due date of -____________________________________.

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SENIOR PROJECT:Mentor Verification Form

Name of Student ______________________________________ Period _____________Physical Project _________________________________________________________

As a Senior Project mentor, your final responsibility is to verify completion of your student’s work and to pass his / her project. This is due to Mrs. Allan by _______________. Please check if you have seen the following documents:

______ Your student’s Proposal, explaining plans for a Senior Project______ A mentor information letter, explaining responsibilities______ A copy of your student’s Senior Project paperComments:

1) Please list approximate dates you met with the student:Date __________ Reason for meeting _____________________________________Date __________ Reason for meeting _____________________________________Date __________ Reason for meeting _____________________________________Continue additional meeting dates on back...Comments:

2) How did the project stretch or challenge the student’s abilities?

3) Please verify that your student spent at least fifteen hours on this project?Yes _____________ No _____________Comments:

4) Please assess the quality of the project (continue on back)

Mentor’s signature ________________________________________________________Name (please print) _______________________________________________________Qualifications as a mentor __________________________________________________Date _______________________________ Telephone Number ____________________

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE!

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This form is to give to your mentor after the completion of your project. Ask them to write a letter reflecting on the experience of working with you. Give your mentor at least two weeks to write the letter. The letter must be included in your portfolio.

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Clayton Valley Charter High School 1101 Alberta Way Concord, CA 94521 (925) 682-7474

Dear Mentor:

On behalf of Clayton Valley High School, I would like to thank you for volunteering to be a mentor for a Senior Project. Clayton Valley’s Senior project is an English requirement consisting of three parts: a research paper, a mentored project, and an oral presentation.

I hope that you have enjoyed working as a mentor and learned from it as well. At this point, you should have consulted at least three times with the student with whom you are working, in addition to reviewing a draft of their final paper. Would you please write a letter to me reflecting on the process of working with your student? I would suggest discussing some of the difficulties, challenges and inspiring moments that seem significant to you.

This letter needs to be in the student’s portfolio after their presentation. Thank you once again for your sharing your time, experience and insight with my student. Please come to the presentation if possible, they tend to be quite inspiring.

Sincerely,

Maureen AllanPSA AcademySenior English Teacher

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THE PORTFOLIO:A Folder That Contains Your Work

Before your presentation, you will prepare an attractive, culminating portfolio. This will be what you take with you after the project is over. In addition, you will present this to me, prior to your presentation, for review. Use whatever organizational means necessary to make a clean, attractive presentation.

The portfolio should include the following, in this order: 1) A Title Page

2) Table of Contents

3) Senior Project Log—documents 15 hours including time spent, tasks, dates, and

accomplishments. Include photos, business cards, etc

4) Physical Product Log of work—documents 15 hours working on physical

product, dates, times etc.

5) The Proposal summarizing the goals of your project

6) The Senior Project waiver form

7) Two Interviews

8) Visitation

9) The Mentor Information Letter

10) The Mentor Critique sheet

11) The Mentored Project Verification of Completion signed by your mentor

12) The Mentor Letter

13) Sample of the Physical Project

NOTE: If your project was not written, include pictures, documentation of any

certificates of completion, letters from a supervisor, etc.

14) Any additional material you think is important or interesting

15) The clean final draft of the paper

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THE PRESENTATION:A Report of What You Learned

When your paper and project are complete, you will give a presentation to the class. Presentations should be carefully planned to be fifteen to twenty minutes long, after which the class and I will conduct a two-minute question period before evaluation.

Your presentation will include the following:1) A discussion of the paper, the question it answered, and what you learned

2) A discussion of the physical project and what you learned

3) A discussion of the relevance of your paper and project to your academic work in

high school of your presentation, we will ask questions about your paper and

project

4) The role of the mentor

5) Four visual aids

6) An activity that involves the class

7) At the conclusion

8) Appropriate and interesting presentation techniques

Gathering Presentation Ideas

The following questions can help you plan what you will say during your presentation. In addition, look over your paper and your work log. Carefully consider each question and take notes on a separate sheet of paper.

Overview:1) How did you decide on the subjects of your paper and mentored project?

2) How are your paper and physical project related?

The Paper:1) What question(s) did you hope to answer in your paper?

2) How is your topic related to other academic work in high school?

3) Who did you interview for your paper and what did you learn from them?

4) What did you read and what did you learn from your reading?

5) Where did you visit during research for your paper and what did you learn?

6) What difficulties did you overcome in writing your paper?

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7) What were the three most important things – both personal and practical – you

learned as a result of writing your paper?

8) A Reminder: If you require permission from the Administration, you are responsible for obtaining it and providing the permission in written form.

9)The Physical Project

1) What exactly was your physical project?

2) Who was your mentor and how was he or she qualified?

3) How did you find your mentor and what were your arrangements for meeting with

him or her? How often did you meet?

4) How was your mentor of help in completing your project?

5) About how many hours did you spend completing your senior project?

6) What were the three most important things – both personal and practical – you

learned as a result of completing your project?

Reflections1) How is your Senior Project different from the way you envisioned it when you

started?

2) What feelings did you have as you started your Senior Project?

3) What feelings do you have about our Senior Project now?

4) Overall, what did you learn about yourself from completing your Senior Project?

5) How do you think your Senior Project will affect you in the future?

6) What comments did you have from others about your Senior Project?

7) If you could do your Senior Project over, what would you do differently?

8) Would you recommend your Senior Project to next year’s seniors? Why or why

not?

Presentation Preparation

Your Senior Project presentation should be one of the most memorable events of your senior year. Your audience will be small and supportive and you will be well prepared. This is your chance to show off!

The entire presentation, including demonstration and visual aids, should run around fifteen minutes, followed by two minutes of questions.

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Organizing Your Presentation:

Write the ideas you have gathered and culled from your paper, work log, and question sheet on separate 3x5 cards and arrange them in a logical order. Include blank cards for introduction, conclusion, and places where aids and demonstrations may be added later

Plan an opening that will accomplish the following:1) Introduce yourself and gain our attention

2) Explain your motivation for choosing your topic

3) Take no more than a few minutes

Plan the development of the presentation to:1) Discuss what you learned from your interviews, research, and visits

2) Discuss what you learned from the physical project

3) Show the role of the mentor and others who helped you

4) Involve the class

5) Include a demonstration or use of at least four visual aids

6) Last fifteen to twenty minutes

Plan a conclusion that will accomplish the following:1) Reflect on your personal growth

2) Last about a few minutes

3) Leave the audience with something to think about

Speech Techniques:

Posture. Stand with confidence. Your audience has come to hear what you have to say, so take command. Avoid pacing and any distracting gestures that will take away from your presentation.

Voice. Be sure that you speak loudly and slowly enough to be heard. Avoid speaking in a monotone.

Eye Contact. Look at your audience while you speak. Practice your presentation thoroughly enough so you need only glance at your notes occasionally.

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Appearance. Dress appropriately for your presentation.

Demonstration or Visual. Practice with your demonstration or visual aid so that you will look like you know what you are doing. You must ensure in advance that ALL equipment works.

Involve the Class. Integrate an activity, questions, a game—something that will engage the class.

Preparing for Questions:

Your presentation will conclude with a two-minute question period. You will not be examined on your topic, but rather asked several informal questions about what you have done and learned. There is no way to know what the class will ask you, but here are some questions you should think about to prepare for your question section.

1) What questions did students ask during your practice presentation?

2) What is the most interesting aspect of your presentation?

3) What variety of views might the judges hold about your topic?

4) What questions from the "Gathering Presentation Ideas" sheet did you not have

time for in your presentation to answer?

TIPS:* Use the rubric to plan your presentation and pre-grade yourself. Give copies to your

practice audiences so they know what to look for.* Deliver the information in an order as close to the rubric as possible. It will ensure the

grader doesn’t miss anything.* Integrate the answers to the questions into a smooth monologue; do not choppily

answer the questions as though responding to an invisible interviewer.* Have backup plans, particularly when dealing with technology. If the computer breaks

down minutes before your presentation, what will you do next?* Bring all the materials necessary to do your presentation; do not rely on Mrs. Allan or

your classmates – it is only your grade at stake. This includes tape, markers, napkins, computers, projectors, etc.

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Senior Project Presentation Rubric

Presentation1. 1 3x5 card for notes

2. 4 visual aids

3. 20 minutes long

Grading Criteria1. Preparedness (little use of notes, richness of material)2. Organization (any parts that were confusing; does presentation have a beginning,

middle and end?)3. Creativity (a new slant on an old idea, little known subject)4. Poise (confident, conversational tone, eye contact, gestures, movement, voice

pitch, pace of speech)5. Audience (material directed at a relatively novice audience, demonstrations,

terminology explained, appeal to)6. Visual Aids (audio, visual pieces of work/equipment, charts, photos, diagrams,

material, etc.)

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SAFETY NETS: Safeguards against Failure

Because of the importance of the Senior Project, I have included "safety nets" to assure your success.

The Paper

1) The Proposal must be signed by me to insure academic credit.

2) Mentors read drafts for factual accuracy and sufficient research.

3) Papers are peer-edited pre-submission.

4) I score papers according to a standard guide.

The Physical Project 1) I approve mentored projects before work begins.

2) The mentor monitors and assesses the quality of the mentored project as the

student works.

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