The Graduation Project English 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) Topic must be of interest to student Topic must be approved by advisory committee Length: Academic 3-5 page minimum Honors 5-6 page minimum Sources: Academic (4) – 1 print, 1 chart/graph, 2 electronic Honors (6) – 2 print, 1 chart/graph, 2 electronic, 1 additional Must be typed; double spaced  (12 point Times New Roman) Must use MLA format Will count 25% of your 2nd quarter grade

Four Components of the Graduation Project Portfolio (To be completed in the senior year) Documents the process Includes letters, paper, resume, evaluations, reflections First impression to judges 1 ½" white binder with creative cover Must include, in order, the listings in Table of Contents

Four Components of the Graduation Project Product (To be completed in the senior year) Requires a minimum of 2 hours with a mentor Must be documented through photos, video, journal entries, etc. Must have a positive impact on the community or be a valuable item Is not just a brochure or poster Must be an extension of the research

Four Components of the Graduation Project Presentation (To be presented in their senior year) Includes information about the entire process Requires using technology (PowerPoint, video, etc.) Is presented to a panel of 4-5 judges 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. build or make something; such as a fashion outfit, a computer program, a rebuilt engine, a model of a historical scene. Make a quilt Restore a piece of furniture Build a model house Write and illustrate a children's book Construct a robotic hand 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. Perform a dance you have choreographed Perform a musical selection you have written Perform a magic show. Direct a play Create an original dance or musical arrangement Create an original CD in a sound studio Design and publish a website

PRODUCTS can be: Written project Write an original children's story Create a book of original poetry Write a series of newspaper articles and publish in a local paper

PRODUCTS can be: Teaching/ Leadership Experience Project Teach a middle school health class about teen alcoholism Coach a Little League team Set up a Neighborhood Watch program Teach a middle school or elementary class a series of lessons or skills Teach a dance class

PRODUCTS can be: Career-Related project Shadow a police officer and write/speak about the experience to a specific audience View and document medical procedures Volunteer at a local veterinarian's office 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. 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 project Organize a food drive Develop and implement an exercise program at a local senior center Volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, etc.

PRODUCTS can be: Physical experience Learn to sky dive Run a marathon Go on a wilderness survival trip. 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