Term Projects 2015files.ctctcdn.com/6111f08c001/da5c239f-56cc-4780-9221-b7...Together, we’ll learn basic film analysis and then begin analyzing terrifying and scary movies with children

2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS

Term Projects 2015

What Are Term Projects?

Term Project week is a chance for students in all grades to work together on multidisciplinary

projects. The goals of the projects are to challenge students to be cooperative learners and

function as a team to work towards an end product.

Every student must participate in and finish a Term Project as part of their promotion criteria.

Students will receive a grade (Fail, Pass, or Superior) for their Term Project. An alternate Term

Project will be assigned to students who will be absent during the Term Project session.

Students are expected to follow all school disciplinary rules. Any disruptive behavior or other

misconduct during Term Projects will be considered a disciplinary violation. The school

reserves the right to exclude any student who demonstrates disruptive behavior or serious

misconduct from Term Projects.

DEADLINE: Students must return the attached form indicating their 1st, 2nd, & 3rd choices to

the Operations Black Box no later than Friday, March 27, 2015. Failure to turn in Term Project

preferences by the deadline will result in placement by the school administration. An email

will be sent home on Monday, April 6th, 2015 stating your student’s Term Project assignment.

This email confirmation will also provide any applicable permission forms required for your

child to participate in the assigned Term Project. These permission forms are due April 30,

2015. **Please note, your child may be moved to a new Term Project if these forms are not returned on time. **

PAYMENTS: DO NOT send a payment with your project choices! By selecting your top three

choices, you are agreeing to any of these required fees. The project fee will automatically

be charged to your SMART account and payment is due no later than April 30, 2015. If you

have not paid your SMART account in full by this date, your student will be moved to a free

Term Project. Please contact Diana Collins ([email protected]) or Julie

Kearney ([email protected]) with any payment questions.

HOW TO SIGN UP: Identify your top three choices in order of importance to you. After

discussing your choices with your parents or guardians, they MUST sign the form before you

turn it into the Operations Drop Box. Again, do not send a payment with your project

choices! ***Students going on the 7th Grade Catalina Field Trip or Italy Trip DO NOT need to

fill out the attached forms.***

TERM PROJECT TIMEFRAME: Thursday, May 21st - Thursday, May 28th, 2015. All grades have

the same schedule during Term Projects, 8:25am -1:20pm, with school dismissal at 1:20pm.

Students will report directly to their Term Project room. LATEBIRD: Limited Late Bird will be available from 1:20pm until 3:30pm to students who need

to stay at school after their Term Project ends. All students MUST be picked up by 3:30pm on

these days. Standard drop-in fees will apply to students not pre-paid for Late Bird.


AN ADVENTURE THROUGH THE LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE

Cost: $30

Open to Grade Levels: 5th-8th

Teacher: Ms. Guiselle Chinchilla

Project Description: Over the course of five days, students will have the opportunity to enjoy

several traditional Latin American activities including: dancing merengue and salsa,

constructing items (Mexican piñatas and decorations made with seeds and shells). Students will

watch traditional legends; play traditional games, and learn to make common culinary dishes

from Central and South America. On the final day of Term Projects, we plan to display our final

products for peer view and enjoyment.

BASIC AND ADVANCED EXCEL & POWERPOINT

Cost: Free


Teachers: Mr. Paul McClernon

Project Description: Basic and Advanced techniques using Excel: Excel is one of the most widely

used programs for number crunching, graphing and even some more advanced numerical

methods. Scientists and engineers use it every day, but most kids at BASIS do not know how. This

Term Project is a mixture of theory and practical application that will make every student’s life

much easier; especially for the sciences. And if you’re so inclined, it’s a lot of fun! Students must

provide their own computer with Excel already installed.

Basic and Advanced techniques using PowerPoint: Every student and professional needs to

know how to generate a PowerPoint presentation. We will learn the fundamentals of making a

slide presentation and then add in enhancements like animation. The final product will be a

PowerPoint presentation of what you created with Excel!! Students must provide their own

computer with PowerPoint already installed.

BASIS UNITED

Cost: Free


Teachers: Mr. Tim Hirsch

Project Description: This Term Project is a combination of playing soccer and studying the global,

social and economic impact of the world’s favorite game. Each day, through lecture and class

discussion, we will cover the history of soccer in different countries, and we will analyze the

various ways soccer has affected the global economy. In addition to classroom discussion and

watching documentaries (described below), we will also play the world’s favorite game in a

world cup style soccer tournament. Teams will alternate between playing in an indoor soccer

tournament in the school’s gym while others will watch a movie/documentary.

Each day before/after our games and practices, we will watch award winning documentaries

such as the acclaimed Two Escobars and Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary story of the New


York Cosmos, soccer-related movies, famous matches from both the Men’s and Women’s World

Cup Soccer, the English Premier League, and La Liga, and clips of the 100 best goals of all time.

New movies shown this year include Bend it Like Beckham, Pelada, Kicking It (documentary of

a touching story about homeless street soccer), and the documentary, History of Soccer.

BRIDGE

Cost: Free


Teachers: Mr. Robert Witz

Project Description: “Bridge is the most entertaining and intelligent card game the wit of man

has so far devised.” -- W. Somerset Maugham. What do Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have in

common? Well, they’re the two richest men in America, but they also share a passion for the

game of bridge. Bridge is a fun, challenging, and social card game that you can play for the

rest of your life. It requires and enhances abilities in communication, logic, memory, psychology,

math, and teamwork. During the Term Project, students will learn the rules of the game and

become better players while playing every day. Students who already know the basics can

learn more advanced techniques; like chess, bridge produces innumerable strategies but very

few masters!

CALLING ALL GODS AND GODDESSES

Cost: $5


Teachers: Ms. Ally Kornelis

Project Description: Students will explore the world of mythology and create their own tale using

the characters from ancient Greek and Roman myths. Students will learn about the genre of

mythology by reading stories, playing games, and watching movies, like Percy Jackson,

Hercules, and Maleficent, that demonstrate the development of mythology over time. Then,

students will create their own story and decorate a poster, with a partner or individually, that

shows what they have learned! Materials for the poster need to be brought from home and can

be recycled items. Get ready to channel your inner god or goddess and show off your creativity!

DANCE AND FILM

Cost: $20


Teachers: Mr. Adam Atkinson & Ms. Nancy Carbone

Project Description: Students will learn how to dance basic dance steps: Salsa, Waltz, Swing, and

Foxtrot. We will utilize the movies “Take the Lead” and “Mad Hot Ballroom” (PG-13 appropriate)

for examples of dancing and to learn some of the challenges for dancing students. Students

need not have any dance experience to try this class. Along with the demonstration, dance

students will give a short introduction to their dance’s history.


ENVIRONMENTAL ENCOUNTERS

Cost: Free


Teachers: Ms. Lydia Reznik

Project Description: Students will research and select an endangered species and make

desktop table-sized environmental models. Students are encouraged to use recycled materials,

so there will be little overall cost for the project. Art supplies and materials will need to be brought

from home. Students will create an inside “bat cave” and Monarch butterfly “way station”

habitat as a group. Films/movies will be played throughout the project. Lights out - environments

will be spot lighted! Students may work in groups of two to create their individual environmental

encounter.

FASHION ART PROJECT

Cost: $20


Teachers: Ms. Krisanne Markel

Project Description: Students who want to express themselves with fashion can join the Fashion

Art Project. Never wear the same thing twice! The fashion group will learn how to revamp styles

and build popular costumes from the past. Designers must be willing to bring in up to five or six

items of “ready to donate” clothing from home. Many fashion designs will require that students

try their hand at basic sewing, stitching, and hot gluing skills. On the final day, students will

parade down the catwalk displaying their favorite designs.

GENRE FILM ANALYSIS

Cost: $10


Teachers: Dr. Matthew Helmers

Project Description: Genre Film Studies: “Oh the Horror! The Humanity! Won’t somebody please

think of the Children?!” Ever think that children are strange, spooky, wild or generally

otherworldly? Well, you’re not alone. Starting in the early 90’s – Hollywood began to produce a

huge amount of movies with children at their center. In this Term Project, we’ll analyze a

selection of these movies historically and thematically, attempting to answer the question “what

happened to the representation of Childhood?”

Together, we’ll learn basic film analysis and then begin analyzing terrifying and scary movies

with children at their center. From the child who can see dead people in The 6th Sense and

Poltergeist, to the ghostly children of The Innocents and The Others, and finally to the

contemporary world of The Hunger Games we’ll see how the concept of ‘childhood’ changes

drastically in just 50 years. We’ll also explore the lighter-side of this concept with clips from The

Simpsons, The Twilight Zone and several contemporary family TV shows. At the end of the project,

we’ll revisit these movies and create ‘Honest Posters’ for the movies which explain the movies

we’ve analyzed in humorous annotated fashions to be displayed around school.

Caveat: This course involves movies that are rated PG-13 and involve suspense and horror. We’ll

be analyzing the conventions of the horror genre – but the movies are still a little scary!


GOING BEYOND PANDA

Cost: $20


Teachers: Ms. Liz Kuo & Ms. Elisa Lau

Project Description: Welcome to the Wonderland of China! Students will be immerged into all

aspects of Chinese culture. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to make Boba milk

tea, Shaved Ice, a wonderful flavored ice desert and dumplings while enjoying Chinese

traditional music. Students also have opportunity to make traditional lanterns. Students will

creatively make Shadow Puppets and film it. Have you wondered about Chinese characters?

We will show you Chinese calligraphy. If that is not enough, we will play Chinese chess. We will

kick shuttlecock for fun. Students can also enjoy watching Chinese movie “Gong Fu” or ‘Seven

Wonders of China.” If that’s still not good enough, we will do a chopsticks dance to indulge

ourselves in Chinese culture!

HOLLYWOOD GOES TO WAR

Cost: Free


Teachers: Mr. Linsy Atteberry

Project Description: Students will watch a variety of movies and television series covering

America’s involvement in armed conflict, notably in World War II and Vietnam. Films will include

such movies as Saving Private Ryan, The Green Berets, We Were Soldiers, Band of Brothers, and

the television series Tour of Duty. The historical aspect of the conflicts will be covered in short

lecture format, and group discussions will be held at the end of each film. Emphasis will be made

on the historical accuracy of the film and the perspective of a military veteran. At the end of

the project, students will make a determination of how well Hollywood does in terms of realism.

This project will require a signed parental permission slip to watch the movies.

ILLUMINATE IT!

Cost: $50


Teachers: Ms. Dru Hardy

Project Description: In this 3D project, we will create sculptures using clear packing tape and

LED string lights. Students must bring an object to the classroom that will serve as the basis for

their sculpture. The object should have volume and be relatively large. In the past students have

used large stuffed animals, large dolls, large toy cars, etc. After we are finished with the form,

we will add lights, creating a soft-lit sculpture (similar to a night light) for home.


INTERGENERATIONAL JOURNEY

Cost: $35


Teachers: Ms. Geraldine Herminia Slebos

Project Description: This project is a “community service experience” in which students will

interact with elders that are part of an independent living senior’s center. Developing stronger

connections with older adults and their community can have tremendous benefits for both

students and seniors.

Students will begin this project by learning about the needs of others as they age through movies

and discussion. Students will then spend a two days at BASIS preparing for their visit to the

retirement center by collectively brainstorming activities that they would like to do with the

seniors. A few ideas may be singing, dancing, reading, board games and creating gifts! The

following days will be spent at the senior center applying what they have learned and prepared

for their visits. Students will then share a slideshow and stories of their time and experience with

peers on their final day back at school.

This year visit will be to GENERATIONs Agritopia facilities to enjoy their Vibrant Living program and

share with them an unforgettable time. To learn more about the place, look for Generations

Agritopia at Gilbert location.

LE TOUR DE FRANCE

Cost: $30

Open to Grade Level: 5th-12th

Teachers: Ms. Florence Solves

Project Description: Come to visit France and her various regions and follow world renowned

“Tour de France”. The famous bicycle race which takes viewers and competitors alike through

the beautiful regions of France while engaged in a race for the gold (shirt that is). Over these

five days, we will discover gastronomy, architecture, art, dance, and movies following this

fabulous event and their competitors through the various roads and regions of France. Each

team will have to compete, for each day of the tour, in some form of challenge; winner is

awarded a prize. Along the way we will learn how to cook and learn a lot of cultural aspects of

each region along with interesting facts about this historical race. The last day of the race we

will present our art, culinary, and craft productions to the public, and see who of you will get to

stand on the podium next to the winner of the "Tour de France" and bring home the gold. Bonne

chance a tous!


MONEYBALL - SPORTS ANALYTICS

Cost: $15


Teachers: Mr. Isaiah Smart

Project Description: This project is designed to give students the opportunity to combine their

love of math, sports, games, management, logic and statistics to analyze the current trends in

sports. Students will examine different aspects of sports from football, basketball, baseball or any

activity that applies probability and statistics to improve winning. Movies such as Moneyball and

Draft Days (PG-13) will be used to illustrate these techniques in use. The goal of this project is to

introduce students to tools and techniques that professionals have recently begun using to

improve the probability of winning. Students will combine research and statistical skills to

develop a presentation about a sport and improving decisions which involve high opportunity

costs. (Snacks and drinks will be provided for 4 days)

POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS: WINNING ELECTED OFFICE

Cost: $15


Teachers: Dr. Matthew Jette

Project Description: Ever wonder how political campaigns are managed, how strategies are

created and pursued, or simply what political teams do behind closed doors? We often focus

our skeptical gaze on the candidate. The candidate though is often times merely a mouthpiece,

representing a much larger strategy created from hired political consultants and political

donors. From popular television shows like West Wing to movies like The War Room several and

often competing depictions emerge. One important feature remains clear, however.

Campaigns are dynamic, rarely static and those who lead campaigns are constantly acting

and reacting to changing political stimuli, forced to make decisions quickly and with a great

level of uncertainty.

In this Term Project students will develop and run their own political campaigns, selecting a

candidate and designating campaign roles (including campaign manager, finance director,

communications director, political director, volunteer coordinator to name a few). Representing

the apex of the project is a school wide debate among the candidates and a school wide vote.

Additionally, a question and answer period of each team to share with the school lessons

learned and suggestions to improve the electoral process. Students will also be exposed to

movies and documentaries (some PG-13) that highlight the political process (i.e., The War Room

and Mr. Smith Does Not Go to Washington). Each student will not only have a great time, but

become more knowledgeable of the electoral process.


RISK-THE STRATEGY OF WAR

Cost: $30


Teachers: Mr. Joseph Zuggi

Project Description: Students will learn firsthand about military strategy and tactics, and the

difference between them. Moreover, they will gain a practical understanding of both through

the taking of several terrain hikes, the study of battles, map reading, land navigation, the

watching of the documentaries, and war gaming. On the final day, students will solve a tactical

problem and present their solutions to the class.

SAT PREP

Cost: $5

Open to Grade Levels: Tailored to students who have

finished AP Calculus BC and are taking the SAT Level 2

Mathematics Subject Test on Saturday, June 6th.

Teachers: Mr. TJ Peacher & Ms. Marizza Bailey

Project Description: Are you planning on taking the SAT Level 2 Mathematics Subject Test on

Saturday, June 6th? Unlike other subject tests, the material covered on the SAT Level 2

Mathematics Subject Test is vastly different from the material covered on any AP math exam.

With that in mind, would you like to review for the SAT Level 2 Mathematics Subject Test with

other upper school students, a BASIS math teacher, and an occasional fresh baked cookie?

With fully charged calculators in hand, we will work through some prep books together.

THE SCIENCE OF MUSIC

Cost: $50


Teachers: Dr. Mitra Sahu & Mr. Surjit Nanda

Project Description: Student will learn how art and music relate to science and different cultures

through four days of hands on workshops at the Musical Instrument Museum. This is not just a tour

but an opportunity for exploration. The workshops include: the science behind sound; "a trip

around the world" where students are introduced to the diversity of the world's musical traditions;

a hands on opportunity to interact with the instruments; and a scavenger hunt. Students will then

present what they have learned on the final day.


THE SECRET OF KELLS

Cost: $26


Teachers: Mr. Mahrus Dewes

Project Description: Illuminate your mind! Learn calligraphy and explore Celtic designs and

motifs from Ireland’s famous Book of Kells. We will watch the animated film, The Secret of Kells,

and the BBC documentary, How the Celts Saved Britain, and look at pages from manuscripts

over 1200 years old, to get into the spirit of ancient Ireland. Then, the real fun: dipping pens in

ink and writing fancy scripts, “uncial” in particular, then drawing patterns like Celtic knots and

elaborate capital letters. The end result will be your very own illuminated manuscript of your

name or other favorite quote. You can also take the pens and paper home to explore more on

your own.

THE SONORAN DESERT

Cost: $50

Open to Grade Level: 5th grade only

Teachers: Mr. William Weaver

Project Description: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The Sonoran Desert. Have you

ever wondered what the name of that yellow flower outside school is called? Or maybe that

weird looking pig like animal is called and what exactly is it doing walking by my window? How

about what are those mountains made of and how old are they? These are some of the

questions that will get answered during this course.

We live in a desert. Many people think this area is made up of boring brown stuff that whizzes by

the car window. It’s actually a fantastically diverse plant and animal universe that sits atop some

rather interesting rocks. If you want to learn the names of all the plants you can see and all the

animals that you can see around our school - then this course is for you.

At the beginning of each day we will take a short hike to explore the surrounding area. Then we

will come back to class and using drawing, painting or photo materials to document our findings.

We will sample foods and drinks made from dessert plants. We will also create a cactus and

succulent garden in a pot that you decorate. In addition to all of this, we go on a field trip to

the Desert Botanical Garden to see the extraordinary collection of desert plants and view many

desert animals.


THE TECHSHOP EXPERIENCE

Cost: $160


Teachers: Mr. Asher Molk (6th-8th

graders) & Mr. Brandon Wicklow (9th-12th graders)

Project Description: Build your dreams here! Join us for a new and exciting experience! In this

project, student will travel to the TechShop in Chandler. The TechShop is a playground for

creativity. Their community is made up of hobbyists, artists, entrepreneurs, tinkerers, crafters,

scientists and students of all ages and skill levels. TechShop provides access to over $1 million

worth of professional equipment and software. In addition, the TechShop offers

comprehensive instruction and expert staff to ensure a safe, meaningful and rewarding

experience. At the TechShop students can explore the world of making virtually anything in a

collective and creative environment. During this Term Project, students will work on a

collaborative project that will be displayed in BASIS Scottsdale.

THREE DIMENSIONAL BOOK REPORT

Cost: Free


Teachers: Mr. John Nishan

Project Description: With AP and Final Exams now over, it is time to deactivate ones’ sympathetic

nervous system and turn on the parasympathetic system. Turn off the flow of cortisol and turn on

your norepinephrine. Deactivate your overloaded hippocampus, crammed with facts stored in

short term memory, and activate your occipital cortex to let your imagination run wild. Join us

for five days of reading, relaxing and gustatory pleasure. Allow action potentials to carry sensory

impulses from the receptor cells in your olfactory epithelium and gustatory cells to the olfactory

cortex and deep to the temporal lobe behind the lateral sulcus. Bring a good book, your favorite

blankie, snuggie or bean bag chair and de-stress. Using your fine motor skills from the frontal lobe

and coordination from the cerebellum, create one three dimensional book report to share with

others.

THROUGH THE WORMHOLE

Cost: Free


Teachers: Ms. Jennifer Vogelzang

Project Description: Students will watch episodes of the TV series through the worm hole which

deals with various topics of the mysteries of existence, such as what triggered life on Earth.

Students will create a poster advertising one of the episodes.


2015 Term Project Sign-Up

Students must return this form to the Operations Drop Box on or before the

deadline of Friday, March 27, 2015.

Students who do not turn in a form or turn it in late will be placed into a project with openings available. A

separate form must be completed for each child. If any student is not going to be at BASIS during term projects,

they MUST notify Mr. Garvey ASAP!

Exceptions will not be made for students who are absent on the day materials are distributed or collected. It is

the student’s responsibility to follow-up with the school office.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Please identify your top three choices for term projects in order of importance to you.

2. Discuss your decision with your parents or guardian. Your parent MUST sign the form.

3. Return the form on or before Friday, March 27, 2015 to the Operations Drop Box.

4. DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT FOR ANY PROJECT AT THIS TIME!

Term Project Estimated

Openings Cost

Open to Grade

Levels

1 An Adventure through the Latin American Culture 25 $30 5th-8th

2 Basic and Advanced Excel & PowerPoint 30 Free 8th-12th

3 BASIS United 25 Free 9th-12th

4 Bridge 25 Free 8th-12th

5 Calling All Gods and Goddesses! 30 $5 5th-8th

6 Dance and Film 45 $20 8th-12th

7 Environmental Encounters 25 Free 5th-7th

8 Fashion Art Project 25 $20 5th-12th

9 Genre Film Analysis 25 $10 8th-12th

10 Going Beyond Panda 25 $20 5th-12th

11 Hollywood Goes To War 45 Free 8th-12th

12 Illuminate It! 25 $50 6th-12th

13 Intergenerational Journey 25 $35 9th-12th

14 Le Tour de France 25 $30 5th-12th

15 Moneyball –Sports Analytics 25 $15 7th-12th

16 Political Campaigns: Winning Elected Office 35 $15 5th-12th

17 Risk – The Strategy of War 25 $30 8th-12th

18 SAT Prep 50 $5 *see packet*

19 The Science of Music 45 $50 5th-10th

20 The Secret of Kells 25 $26 7th-12th

21 The Sonoran Desert 22 $50 5th grade only

22 The TECHshop Experience 20 $160 6th-8th

23 The TECHshop Experience 20 $160 9th-12th

24 Three Dimensional Book Report 25 Free 10th-12th

25 Through the Wormhole 30 Free 6th-10th


TERM PROJECT SIGN-UP FORM

Form due by Friday, March 27, 2015

Student Name (PRINT): _______________________________________________________________________

Grade/Group: ____________ (Please make sure your choices below are being offered for your grade level)

______________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (Print)

______________________________________________________________ _______________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

A Term Project placement email will be sent to you on or before April 6th, 2015. The placement

will be sent to the email address listed on you SMART for Charter account.

1st Choice

2nd Choice

3rd Choice

Documents

Term Projects 2015files.ctctcdn.com/6111f08c001/da5c239f-56cc-4780-9221-b7...Together, we’ll learn basic film analysis and then begin analyzing terrifying and scary movies with children