Senior Project Ideas

Be sure to start with the "Topic Brainstorming" sheet your teacher gave you in class.  These sites list community service ideas, usually by interest area.  Use the four interests you list under #1 on the sheet to guide you, but feel free to venture outside of those comfort zones - you may just find something you find even more interesting!

Also remember that if you do choose an area with which you are all ready familiar, you will still have to go beyond that comfort zone in some way: the senior project "stretch."  The research area and project must both be a "stretch" for you: the topic should go further than you have gone before!  Your project cannot be something you all ready do or have done in the past.  Consider this an opportunity to do something you have always wanted to try!

Seniors, this is your big chance to leave a mark on your community!  Don't just rush through choosing your topic.  Take this task seriously so that you do not waste your time just trying to "get through" Senior Project.  If you take time to choose a thoughtful topic and project, then you will enjoy more of the time you spend working on Senior Project.  You will also be able to produce something with which you are proud and leave your mark on our community in a positive way. 

North Carolina Graduation Project Ideas:  9 pages of ideas from the state of North Carolina.  If any of these interest you, and there are some unique ideas in here, then I can help you find contacts and resources.  If it is not immediately adaptable to Burke County, then I can help you refine it!

Senior Project Topics and Ideas:  an article with preliminary ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

Controversial Issues Topic List:  a huge list of current, controversial issues that may spark your interest.  Remember to talk to me about anything "too" controversial, though, because I may be able to help you tame it a bit.

Science Projects:  some of these don't necessarily fit for Senior Project, but many could be adapted to your purposes if you are truly interested in that topic.

Senior Project Files

Here are all of the forms, notes, etc. that you will need while completing your Senior Project.  Many are in your handbook.

Deadline Calendar - Spring 2012

Senior Project Overview - A detailed list of all of the requirements for each component of the Senior Project (4P's: Paper, Project, Portfolio, Presentation)

Parent Letter - A charge to parents and students to be signed and returned on the second day of the semester.

Topic Brainstorming - Narrow down your Senior Project topic

Letter of Intent - Business letter format for your Letter of Intent to the Senior Project Committee

Mentor Guidelines - Details on who can serve as a mentor and the responsibilities of the mentor.

Mentor Information Consent Form - Must be filled out and signed by your mentor

Steps to Effective Research: Use this document to guide you step-by-step through your research process.

Assessing Web Site Credibility - What constitutes a good Internet source?

Sources - Rather than hand writing source cards, you can use this sheet to organize your sources.  Remember that you can use Citation Machine, Easy Bib, BibMe, etc. to create your citations (see the "Resources" page above for links to these sites).

NoteCard Formatting - How to set up your notecards

Notecard Template - A template for creating your notecards on the computer so that the information can be copied and pasted into your research paper

Interview Tips - Refresh your memory on proper interview etiquette!

Interview Form - The form to complete for the required interview source for your research paper

Interview Evaluation Form - Must be completed by your interviewee and turned in with the Interview Form on the day that completed interviews are due

Outline Format - This format shows the bare minimum for your topic outline.  Remember that topic outlines do not have complete sentences - topics only!

Outline - More on formatting your topic outline, with tips and reminders.

Integrating Source Information - Reminders and details on how to integrate information from your sources into your research paper.

How to insert Internal Citations - Reminders and details on how to cite your sources in your research paper.

Sample Research Paper - Formatting guide for information on creating the title page, page numbers, works cited page, etc.  Use this sample when formatting second draft and beyond.

Research Paper Rubric - The rubric your teacher will use to grade your research paper.

Project Proposal/Checklist - A guide to planning each step of your project process and setting goals to have it complete. List step-by-step everything you have done on your project since your Letter of Intent was approved and then everything you plan to do from here.  This document will be reviewed by the committee.  This checklist is your last chance for project changes!!!

Senior Project Excused Day - Should you need to miss a school day to complete your Senior Project, you must complete this form and turn it in to your senior English teacher within 24 hours in advance of the day you need to miss.  Keep in mind that you are not "entitled" to this day; it is only for those who absolutely cannot complete the project any other day.  Such necessity must be communicated by your mentor!

Mentor Log - Keep track of the time you spend with your mentor.

Project Parent Consent Form - Due before we begin working on projects, this document is for your parent to fill out and sign to communicate to your teacher that he/she knows what you are doing for your project and with whom you will be spending your time.

Journal Template - A template for writing your journal entries.  Remember: if it isn't in your journal, then it doesn't exist!!  (Journal any and all time for which you want credit!)

Project Self-Evaluation - How do you feel you did on your project?

Mentor Project Confirmation - To be filled out by your mentor to verify your work on the project

Project Due Date Checklist - Gives details on what to turn in the day that final projects are due.

Project Rubric - The rubric your teacher will use to grade the project portion.  Remember that he/she will also follow the proposal/checklist that was approved by the committee when assessing your grade.

Portfolio Guidelines - How will you create your portfolio?

Portfolio Table of Contents - What should be in your portfolio?

Presentation Preview - The final page of the portfolio

Portfolio Rubric - The rubric your teacher will use to grade the portfolio. 

Presentation Guide - A step-by-step guide to creating your presentation notecards

Presentation Dress Code - Professional dress requirements for class and panel presentations

Presentation PowerPoint Format - A guide to creating a PowerPoint to accompany your presentation

Speech Tips - Review your presentation skills!

Speech Checklist - Use this checklist to be sure that you have all of the necessary elements in your presentation speech.  You will also use this checlist during class to assess a partner's speech.

Presentation Rubric - The rubric that your teacher will use to grade your class presentation and that the panel will use to assess your final presentation.