Friday, September 12, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
1. reflect on their personal qualities and synthesize that information into a personal mission statement.
2. demonstrate time management skills.

Agenda:
1. Warm-up: In their notebooks, students should answer the following questions: Please give Ms. Kingsbury some feedback on yesterday's class. What parts did you enjoy? What can be improved? In an effort to fine-tune pacing and activities for her National Board Certification, Ms. Kingsbury will solicit students for their thoughts.

2. Homework Review: Falling Through Air (see 9/11/01 posting for poem and discussion questions)

3. Senior Project FAQs:
a. What is the Senior Project? It is a state-mandated requirement that all seniors demonstrate knowledge of research and writing. In English class, you will be guided through the Senior Project and receive assistance and support from your teachers and academy coordinator. It is Ms. Kingsbury's job to make sure you complete the Senior Project and meet the requirements for graduation.

b. Is the Senior Project easy? In a word, NO. It is meant to take 60 hours of work. Some of this work will be done in class. Much of it will be done outside of school. Your entire project MUST be typed. Please make sure you have regular access to a computer. See your Academy Coordinator ASAP if this is a problem for you.

c. When are the due dates for each part of the Senior Project? The due dates are:

9/26 mission statements
10/3 career goals essays
10/10 research proposals
10/17 research paper outline
10/24 job search materials
11/7 first rough draft of the research paper due
11/28 second rough draft due
12/19 third rough draft due
1/9 set up portfolio
1/16 portfolios due!

There are other components as well which we will complete along the way. It is your responsibility to make sure you meet each deadline. Failure to complete each component of the Senior Project may jeopardize your graduation!

d. What about the PowerPoint presentation? After your portfolio is graded in January, we will begin to work on your PowerPoint presentations. The presentation is a synthesis of your research paper, so if your research stinks, then your PowerPoint is going to stink. You may begin working on your presentation at anytime, but be mindful that there are certain requirements that must be met for a passing PowerPoint presentation.

e. So really, how do I pass the Senior Project? Based on Ms. Kingsbury's grading system for the Senior Project, you must score at least 75% in your entire portfolio. You will receive the rubric when we set our portfolios up in January.

f. Can we get started now? YES! We are getting started today!

3. Personal Mission Statement: This is the first component of your Senior Project. It is due, typed, on Friday, September 26, 2008. In your mission statement, you are describing the kind of person that you are and the kind of person that you would like to become. You analyze how you will develop into that person. This essay requires you to reflect on your personal attributes. DO NOT TALK ABOUT YOUR CAREER PLANS OR WHAT YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP! THAT IS FOR ANOTHER ESSAY. You essay should be 1/2 page typed. We will write the rough draft in our notebooks during class today.

NOTE: If you waste any class time given to work on your Senior Project, all future work will be done outside of class!

Sample Mission Statement:

My name is Madelaine Kingsbury, and if you asked me to describe that kind of person that I am, I could tell you, without doubt, that I am a dedicated, compassionate, and fun-loving individual. I am a devoted mother to a charming but hot-headed three year old; despite her challenging behavior, I would do anything for her. I am also devoted to the students that I teach at Overbrook High School; their behavior is challenging sometimes too, but there isn't anything that I wouldn't do to help them be successful. I care for everyone that I know - my family, my friends, my boyfriend, my pets, my students, my coworkers - sometimes to a fault, but I can't be any other way. I show my compassion for others through my humor and light-heartedness. I do whatever I can to make a person smile. Even though I think I am pretty awesome, I would still love to become a better person, more patient and more calm. With the guidance and support of my friends and family, I know I will become the best person that I can be.

Now it's your turn! In your notebooks, write the rough draft of your own personal mission statement. It should be at least two handwritten pages (or one page front and back). I will monitor your progress in class.

Homework:
a. Complete your handwritten mission statement for homework.
b. Review all the work we did in class this week (diagnostic tests, poetry, etc.). Take 2 new words and learn everything you can about them. On Monday, you will teach your group your 2 new words.