1. WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS? IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON COMPLETING AN INTEREST EXPLORATION PROJECT

2. Making Good Choices Your interest topic should be something that excites you! Choose something that you may already know a little about, but would love to know more. Choose something specific – NARROW YOUR TOPIC!

3. INTEREST TOPICS – (narrow your topic) ANIMALSMAMMALS HORSES- (Horseback riding) LIONS – (Lion taming in the circus)BIRDS PARROTS – (Pets of the Pirates) If YOU LIKE ANIMALS, TRY TO BE SPECIFIC:

4. BRAINSTORMING THINK ABOUT THINGS YOU LIKE TO DO. MAKE A LIST OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO. REVIEW THE LIST FOR TOPICS YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT.

5. How to make INTEREST TOPIC CHOICES What do I do in my spare time? List items Which topic would I like to know more about? Where can I find the information? Begin Research Brainstorm- Write down list: read, ride bikes, play soccer, watch television, play board games Examine list for possible topics – Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, English Mythology, etc. Library, internet, books, television. Begin research by taking notes and citing sources of information.

6. EVALUATION: You will be graded on your product, and oral presentation (teaching the class.) I will give you a rubric when we get started.

7. Presentations You must present your findings to the class by teaching your classmates about your subject. Requirements: 1.Research on your own and cite your sources. 2.Complete Power Point, or other technology with visuals using correct conventions of the English language. If you have other ideas, talk to me. 3.Teach the class about your topic. 4.Bonus: Create a handout/worksheet or activity for your classmates to complete which you may grade.

8. Sources: Remember: Any source that you use must be included at the end of your presentation. Points will be deducted if you leave them out!

9. What is a Source? A source is the actual person/place/thing from which you got your information. Some examples are: Person you interviewed Actual website you learned info about your topic such as www.discovery.com.www.discovery.com (never a search engine like google or ask.com) Books, magazines, newspaper articles (make sure you give the author’s name, title, publisher, city and copyright date.)

10. Evaluations You will be graded on your presentation based on how well you research, create a presentation with visuals and teach the class. Remember to refer to your rubric while completing your presentations to make sure you have done your best!

11. Power Point Grading Rubric

12. Standards ELA3C1 The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats. – The student Uses resources (encyclopedias, Internet, books) to research and share information about a topic. ELA3W1 The student demonstrates competency in the writing process. – The student Uses resources (encyclopedias, Internet, books) to research and share information about a topic. ELA4W3 & ELA5W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing. ELA5LSV2 The student listens to and views various forms of text and media in order to gather and share information, persuade others, and express and understand ideas.