TWO YEARS, FOUR PIECES

The Graduation Project:

Graduation Project Process: The 4 P’s

• Product ideas

• Research paper

Junior Year

English

• Begin (or continue) product

Summer• Finish

product• Assembl

e portfolio

Senior Year

English

• Presentation to Review Board

December or April

Getting Started

BEFORE ASKING…• WHAT QUESTION DO I WANT TO ANSWER?

START WITH THE END IN MIND

• WHAT PRODUCT CAN I DO FOR THIS TOPIC?

• WILL THE PRODUCT BE CONCRETE OR EXPERIENTIAL?

Getting Started

STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHOOSE TOPICS THAT INSPIRE THEM

TO BECOME EXPERTS.

BEFORE THEY PROCEED, HOWEVER, THEY NEED TO THINK OF AT LEAST

ONE PRODUCT IDEA.

MANY GREAT TOPICS DON’T WORK FOR THE GRADUATION PROJECT BECAUSE

THEY CAN’T LEAD TO A PRODUCT.

Concrete Experiential

Types of Products

designcreatebuildpublish

volunteer workjob shadowinginternshipsmission tripsclinics & workshops

(student-led)

Concrete Experiential

Successful Products in Recent Years

design for high school uniforms

working bio-diesel converter

syllabus for a medical volunteer class

symphonymodel and financial

plan for a sports center

volunteering with holistic veterinarian

teaching clinic for Little League pitchers

building wells in Guatemala

conducting music experiments at Lake Wylie Elementary

General Product Options

These products work well with a wide variety of research topics:

websites

books (recipes, diet, children's, etc.)

documentaries

experiences related to a future career

Just remember…

• A product takes the research "on the road" by doing something new and creative that educates or enlightens.

• A visual aid illustrates the topic and/or what has already been done with it (models, posters, etc.)

Research Paper

THE RESEARCH PAPER MUST PROVE A FOCUSED THESIS WITH CREDIBLE RESEARCH.

PAPERS SHOULD HAVE 6 -8 PAGES OF TEXT, INCLUDING A STUDENT-PRODUCED GRAPHIC.

PAPERS CAN TAKE ALMOST ANY FORM• ARGUMENTATIVE• COMPARE-CONTRAST• CAUSE & EFFECT• CRITICAL REVIEW• ANALYTICAL

Research Paper

Each paper must cite a minimum of five different sources that are authoritative and current.

Students should strive for variety and balance by using print, online, interviews, digital media, and other reliable resources. They should not rely solely on online sources.

It is important for students to evaluate each source’s credibility, especially if it is an online source.

Primary sources

Sources should include at least one primary source.

Primary sources are original materials produced in the time period or immediately after, usually by someone with direct experience.

Examples include audio/video recordingsdiaries/lettersinterviews/oral historiesnewspaper articles

written at the timerecords of

organizations/government agencies

speechessurveyspublic opinion polls

Research Paper Scores

Papers are scored anonymously by two teachers in different disciplines, using the rubric contained in the student manual.

Paper scores are 20% of the second quarter grade in 4x4 classes (standard, honors) and 40% of the 4th quarter grade in AP.

Can… Cannot…

Junior English Teachers

Teach lessons on research, essay writing, documentation, and avoiding plagiarism

Provide feedback on rough drafts

Work with students one-on-one in class or after school

Score drafts using the final draft rubric

Revise or edit papers for the students

Score the final draft of their own students’ papers

Senior Year

• PRODUCT

• PORTFOLIO

• PRESENTATION

Portfolio

Copy of the research paperPaperwork as designated by Coordinator and

teacherThree reflections

paper product overall process

Mentor paperwork (all parts if extra credit is to be earned)

Professionalism, neatness, evidence of technology

Presentation

Professional dress required

Research and development for both years presented while showcasing learning over time – not just a speech

Product may be used as a visual aid or presented last

Poise and charisma are important – but substance is crucial

Presentation Scores

The scale score is a combined total from the product, portfolio, and presentation.

Each piece is scored holistically on a 4-point scale, for a total of twelve possible points.

Completed mentor paperwork with solid evidence earns one extra credit point (up to thirteen total). Excellent evidence earns two extra credit points (up to fourteen points total)

Presentation Scores (continued)

The total of all three scores is translated into a score out of 100.

Presentation scores are 20% of the second quarter grade in 4x4 classes (standard, honors) and 40% of the 4th quarter grade in AP.

Can… Cannot…

Senior English Teachers

Teach presentation skills, resumes, portfolios, and professional dress

Provide feedback on reflections and practice presentations

Work with students one-on-one in class or after school

Score portfolios, products or presentations using the final rubric

Revise or edit papers for students

Sit on the Review Boards of their own students

Review Boards (a.k.a. Product & Presentation Night)

OUR GOAL IS A THREE -MEMBER TEAM (TEACHER, PARENT, AND COMMUNITY MEMBER) FOR EACH PRESENTER – IN OTHER WORDS, A DIVERSE CROSS -SECTION OF ADULTS.

JUDGES IN THE PAST HAVE INCLUDED • METS TEACHERS AND STAFF (AND THEIR

FAMILY /FRIENDS)• FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE, AND JUNIOR PARENTS • TEACHERS FROM LAKE WYLIE AND RIVERGATE

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS• LOCAL CLERGY• ENGINEERS• GRADUATE STUDENTS• RETIREES

Review Boards Process for Students

Arrive in holding area 30 minutes

before timeslot

When called, report to

designated room

Give portfolio to judges and

set up presentation

materials

Complete presentation

Leave product and

presentation with judges

Return to holding area

Wait for scores to be returned

by Review Board

Get final score from

Coordinator

Direct any questions or concerns to

the Coordinator

For more detailed information…

http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/ci/grad-project/Pages/default.aspx