The Graduation Project English III – Research Paper

The Graduation ProjectEnglish III – Research Paper

The Graduation Project is part of the English curriculum that is now required for graduation and must be completed successfully in order to receive a high school diploma.

This NC Graduation Project gives students an opportunity to demonstrate many of the skills they have learned since entering school.

This performance-based assessment incorporates 21st century skills with other concepts.

Students select a topic of interest and pursue the process through their junior and senior years.

FOUR COMPONENTS OF THE GRADUATION PROJECT

Research paper (to be written in the junior year)o Topic must be of interest to student o Topic must be approved by advisory committee o Length:

Academic 3-5 page minimumHonors 5-6 page minimum

o Sources:Academic (4) – 1 print, 1 chart/graph, 2 electronicHonors (6) – 2 print, 1 chart/graph, 2 electronic, 1 additional

oMust be typed; double spaced (12 point Times New Roman) oMust use MLA format

oWill count 25% of your 2nd quarter grade


Portfolio (To be completed in the senior year)oDocuments the process oIncludes letters, paper, resume, evaluations,

reflections oFirst impression to judges o1 ½" white binder with creative cover oMust include, in order, the listings in Table of

Contents


Product (To be completed in the senior year)oRequires a minimum of 2 hours with a mentor oMust be documented through photos, video,

journal entries, etc. oMust have a positive impact on the community

or be a valuable item oIs not just a brochure or poster oMust be an extension of the research


Presentation (To be presented in their senior year)oIncludes information about the entire process oRequires using technology (PowerPoint, video, etc.) oIs presented to a panel of 4-5 judges o 8-10 minutes in length (with time for questions)

Students must adhere to all deadlines in turning in all documents.

Students can choose his/her own faculty advisor to help guide them through the process...let them become their "best buddy."

Student must also choose a community mentor who will help them in the completion of their product.

CHOOSING A TOPIC: Is the topic of personal interest to you?

Do you know enough about the topic to get started, but can still benefit from further research?

Is the topic global enough to be researched but narrow enough to allow time for depth?

Does the topic lend itself to the other components of the project?

The topic is engaging and provides a "learning stretch" for student-is not something you already know a lot about-does this topic offer you a challenge?

CHOOSING A TOPIC: Do you have your parents' permission to pursue this

topic/product?

Can you find a community mentor to help you with this topic?

Think and rethink your topic-will it hold your interest for the semester?

Can a product be developed from this topic?

TOPICS CAN BE:

Career-oriented-Nursing/job shadow a nurse and document the experience through a journal and interview.

Hobby-oriented-Stain glass windows/take a class in stain glass making and create a stain glass window.

Service-oriented-landscaping/landscape a local church or public area with an approved landscaped design and plants.

PRODUCTS CAN BE… Students should select a project that is interesting, fun, and

worthwhile.

There are several types of projects that meet the requirements for the North Carolina Graduation Project.

NOTE: Students will have to have a tangible OR intangible product to present to the review panel that is directly related to their research paper and a long-term project.

Your project proposal must fit into one of the following categories:

PRODUCTS CAN BE…

Physical project-a project that is created-something that can be touched and seen.o build or make something; such as a fashion outfit, a computer

program, a rebuilt engine, a model of a historical scene.oMake a quilt

o Restore a piece of furniture

o Build a model house

oWrite and illustrate a children's book

o Construct a robotic hand

o Design, create, and sell a T-shirt as a fundraiser for charity

PRODUCTS CAN BE: Performance project-a project that requires

the student to do something like acting, singing, teaching, coaching, or directing.

o Perform a dance you have choreographedo Perform a musical selection you have writteno Perform a magic show.oDirect a play oCreate an original dance or musical arrangementoCreate an original CD in a sound studiooDesign and publish a website

PRODUCTS CAN BE: Written projectoWrite an original children's story

oCreate a book of original poetry

oWrite a series of newspaper articles and publish in a local paper

PRODUCTS CAN BE:

Teaching/ Leadership Experience Projecto Teach a middle school health class about teen alcoholism

o Coach a Little League team

o Set up a Neighborhood Watch program

o Teach a middle school or elementary class a series of lessons or skills

o Teach a dance class

PRODUCTS CAN BE: Career-Related project

o Shadow a police officer and write/speak about the experience to a specific audience

o View and document medical procedures

o Volunteer at a local veterinarian's office

o Job shadow a teacher, nurse, or other professional job shadowing a professional in the area you might wish to work, volunteering time at a local office of some kind.

o Note: simplistic projects (like job shadowing without any application beyond the job shadowing experience) are generally considered too lightweight for a GRAD Project and are unacceptable unless some measure of increased sophistication is applied.

PRODUCTS CAN BE: Service projecto Organize a food drive

o Develop and implement an exercise program at a local senior center

o Volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, etc.

PRODUCTS CAN BE: Physical experience

o Learn to sky dive

o Run a marathon

o Go on a wilderness survival trip.

o Take a Lifesaving course

Is This a Product?

YES NO

Raising catfish Making a PowerPoint about catfish

Producing a brochure and other promotional items about Mooresville and distributing it through the Chamber of Commerce

Making a brochure about Mooresville

Building a generator Making a poster about how to build a generator

Teaching music to children Explaining different kinds of music to the judges

A series of game videos you yourself shot as a service to the athletic department

A video of a game shot by the coach’s wife

Is This a Product?

YES NO

Learning how to install car speakers and installing them in a friend’s car

Already knowing how to install speakers and installing them in your own car.

A web site you designed A poster about how to design a web site

A brochure to recruit animal shelter volunteers distributed throughout the community

A brochure listing facts about cats from your research paper

A PowerPoint** showing pictures of you teaching reading to children

A PowerPoint on how to teach reading

** Power Points are NOT a product unto themselves. They may be part of the presentation but do not replace a product.

COMING SOON!!!!January/February– Topic Selection and Approval

February/March– Research

March/April– Rough and Final Drafts