Syllabus: Senior Project 2014-2015
Greer Middle College Charter High SchoolInstructor: Crystal Earle
138 W. McElhaney
Taylors, SC 29687 864.469.7571 Room: B-26
Course Description:
The senior project is a capstone project for the senior year, is required by our charter, and is mandatory for graduation. Students have a year to complete an individualized learning experience. Beginning with an essential question, students will research, work with a mentor, and complete a portfolio, product, and presentation to the community. The course is structured to guide students through their independent study.
This syllabus is just a brief overview, and it is imperative that you read and adhere to the Senior Project Handbook.
Course Objectives:
This project will allow students to show that they have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become:
A. Self-directed, lifelong learners who
Develop and maintain a sense of commitment to learning;
Take responsibility for and pride in the quality of performance and products;
Participate in challenging experiences with perseverance;
Establish and work toward personal goals;
Access information from a variety of sources;
Demonstrate responsible creativity and imagination.
B. Flexible workers who
Operate independently with confidence;
Collaborate effectively and responsibly with both peers and adults;
Demonstrate skills of decision making, leadership and teamwork;
Formulate, write and carry out a plan;
Use technology as a tool.
C. Complex thinkers who
Analyze situations from multiple perspectives;
Identify and solve complex problems using knowledge from the humanities,
mathematics, science, and the arts;
Form reasoned judgments.
D. Effective communicators who
Listen with a focused and inquisitive mind;
Search for answers to questions;
Express knowledge, ideas and feelings effectively through written and oral language;
Interact with the community.
Materials:
Senior Project Handbook- suggestion:print the handbook off of school website and keep in ½” binder3 Ring Binder- should be at least 3”
Dividers(extra-long tabs)
Sheet Protectors
Flash Drive- preferably a separate one just for Senior Project
Pencils or pens
Scope & Sequence
Daily: Note-taking; Research; Portfolio Progress & Checks
Weekly: Journaling; Annotated Bibliographies
Quarterly: Reflections; Meetings to Discuss Progress
Outside-of-Class: Mentor Meetings; Product Work
SC Uniform Grading ScaleGMC Performance Levels:
A= 93-10090-100 = Mastery
B= 85-9280-89 = Proficiency
C= 77-840-79 = Below Proficiency
D= 70-76
F= 69 or below
*Please bear in mind that any grade below an 80 is a failing grade at GMC.
The 4 Components are averaged for Final Grade / Cohort Class Breakdown:25% Portfolio* (Graded by a panel of 3 GMC faculty members)
25% Product* (Graded by Coach & SP Committee)
25% Presentation* (Graded by Judges from Community)
*You will receive separate rubrics for these components.
25% Cohort Class(Graded by Coach) / Participation (Research Log, Timeline, Class Work, etc.)- 20%
Journals- 20%
Portfolio Checks- 25%
Forms & Contracts- 10%
Annotated Bibliographies- 25%(Q1-Q3 Only)
Final Reflective Essay- 25%(Q4 Only)
Midterm Reflection- 10% (S1 only)
*Overall SP Grade with 4 components averaged will count as final exam in all high school classes. There is no final exam for SP.
Behavioral Expectations:Students should always show respect to teachers, other students, their environments, and themselves. Also, my expectations are that students will demonstrate responsibility and represent GMC as seniors in a constructive manner. However, if a student consistently disrupts the classroom or school setting, that student will be referred to the administration.
Students must exhibit academic integrity as well as comply with policies described in the GMC student handbook.
Cell Phones may be used in the SP Class for Mentor Contacts or SP related business, and only with teacher permission.Refer to page 9 of GMC School Handbook for school-wide policy.
Late Assignments:NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
It is up to the student to find out what he or she missed during an absence and to receive a due date from me.
Attendance: South Carolina law states that a student must attend at least 85 days of a 90 day one unit course (GMC year-long A/B block schedule); therefore only five (5) total unexcused absences are permitted in this class. ATTENDANCE IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF SUCCESS. When a student is absent, he/she misses valuable instruction and the opportunity to work in class. Adequate time is given in class to complete most assignments. If a student is absent, my expectation is that the work is completed at home or in Office Hours outside of regular class time.
Office Hours & Extra Help: Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 3:00-3:45 or schedule appointments individually
YEAR PROGRESSIONWeek 1 (August 12-15): Introduction/Overview
What is Senior Project?
The Four Components
Senior Project Terminology
Project Ethics/Parental Approval Forms
Examples of Past Projects
Week 2 (August 18-22):Review Policies
Brainstorming, Exploration & Ideas Worksheet
Begin Journaling Every Week
Mentor Search
Class Committee Activity
Develop Essential Question/Clarifying Questions
Week 3 (August 25-29): Project Proposals- Short Forms (Finalize to Submit to Committee for Approval)
Mentor Agreements
Review Long Form Contract
Week 4 (September 1- 5):Short Forms Approved or Denied (Revise if Necessary & Resubmit); Work on Project Contracts (Long Forms) if Short Forms Approved
Week 5 (September 8-12):Long Form Round 1
Week 6 (September 15-19):Teaching/Reviewing MLA
Teach Note-taking
Determining if a Source is Scholarly
Teach Annotated Bibliographies (MLA)
Begin Research
Long Form Round 2
Week 7(September 22-26): Continue Research (Annotated Bibliography Practice)
Peer Editing
Introduce Timeline of Goals
1st Annotated Bibliography Due
Week 8 (September 29- October 3): Work on Portfolios and Continue with Annotations
Mentor Meeting with Coach
Week 9 (October 6- 10):Work on Portfolios and Continue with Research; Begin Individual Conferences for 1st SLC; Meet with Mentors
Week 10 (October 13-17): Individual Conferences for SLC SP Progress Update; 2nd Annotated Bibliography Due
Week 11 (October 20-24): Update Timelines; First Portfolio Check
Week 12 (October 27- October 31): Continue Note-Taking, Research, & Annotations; Organize/Revise Portfolios based on refinements; 3rd Annotated Bibliography Due
Week 13 (November 3- 7): Meet with Mentors; Research; Product Work
Week 14 (November 10-14): Meet with Mentors; 4th Annotated Bibliography Due
Week 15 (November 17-21):Individual Work- Work on Portfolio Organization & Annotated Bibs
Week 16 (November 24-28):Midterm Reflection Overview; Continue with Annotated Bibs; Update Timelines; 5th Annotated Bibliography Due
THANKSGIVING BREAK (26-28)
Week 17 (December 1-5):Meet with Mentors; 6th Annotated Bibliography Due; Portfolio Work
Week 18 (December 8-12): Meet with Mentors; Midterm Reflection Work
Week 19 (December 15-19):Midterm Exams
2nd Portfolio Check; Midterm Reflection Due for Exam Grade; Product Progress Check; Update Timelines
Week 20 & 21 (December 22-26 & December 29- January 2):Winter Break
Week 22 (January 5-9):Teacher Workday; Career Day & Arts Intersession
Week 23 (January 12-16):Independent Portfolio and Product Work & Organization; Research; 7th Annotated Bibliography Due
Week 24 (January 19- 23):Work on Portfolio/Product; Meet with Mentors
Week 25 (January 26- 30):Continue research and portfolio work; Update Timelines
Week 26 (February 2-6): Independent Portfolio and Product Work & Organization; 8th Annotated Bibliography Due
Week 27 (February 9-13): 3rd Portfolio Check; Annotated Bibs; Individual Work, Discussions/Meetings as Needed
Week 28 (February 16-20): 9thAnnotated Bibliography Due; Portfolio Corrections
Week 29 (February 23-27): Continue Portfolio/Product Work; Corrections Made as Necessary; Update Timelines
Week 30 (March 2-6): Meet with Mentors; Finish research stages
Week 31 (March 9-13):Discuss Progress to prepare for 2nd Student Led Conference (individual meetings scheduled); Independent Portfolio and Product Work & Organization
Week 32 (March 16- 20):10th Annotated Bibliography Due; SLCs
Week 33(March 23-27):Letter of Introduction to Evaluators (to be included in portfolio); Update Timelines
Week 34 (March 30- April 3): Spring Break
Week 35 (April 6-10): Table of Contents for Portfolio; Individual Portfolio and Product Work and Organization; Product Due for Final Grade!
Week 36(April 13- 17): 4th Portfolio Check; Review Reflective Essay Writing
Week 37 (April 20-24): Final Checks and Corrections; Mentor Evaluation of Student Due; Reflection (Essay) Due
Week 38 (April 27- May 1):Finish Timeline of Goals; Finalizing Portfolios (Due with Final Corrected Notes and Annotated Bibs)
Week 39 (May 4-8):Writing Outlines and Practicing Oral Presentations
Week 40(May 11-15): Presentations on the 14th (Judging 4:00-7:00pm)
May 15th- Last Day for Seniors
Week 41 (May 18-22): Appeals if Necessary
May 26: Graduation Practice 1:00-3:30
May 27: Graduation Practice 1:00-3:30
May 28: Graduation
Refer to the Senior Project Handbook for a complete timeline and more specific list of all due dates.