The North Carolina Graduation Project at SAGE Academy

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The North Carolina Graduation Project at SAGE
Academy
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Tonight well talk about

• why
• what
• when
• who
• topics samples
• parents role

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Why a graduation project?

• NC state-wide requirement
• public, private, charter
• 2010 exit standards
• Good for kids
• ties skills to independent learning
• challenge of managing long project

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What is a graduation project?

• Paper
• 5-8 pages, research-based, specific question
• Product
• something you make or do, tied to paper topic,
  15 hours outside school
• Portfolio
• a record and reflection
• Presentation
• 6-8 minutes, a panel of 4-5 community members

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When is this due?

• Letter of Intent English III (topic, paper
  question, product plan, learning stretch)
• Forms due English IV (weeks 1-3)
• changes, ethical commitment/parental consent,
  mentor choice
• Research paper English IV (weeks 4-8)
• Mostly in-class, but some independent work

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When is this due?

• Product English IV (weeks 1- 12)
• student schedules, periodic checks
• Portfolio English IV (weeks 1- 12)
• all documents, journal entries, photo
  documentation
• Presentation English IV (week 15)
• can have notes, must have visuals, spoken, not
  read

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Who will help my child?

• Faculty Advisor
  works with 1 or 2 students,
  individual meetings, helps manage deadlines
  and paperwork
• Mentor
• community member, supervises product, at least
  12 hours
• Presentation Judges
• community members, review visual displays and
  portfolios, hear presentations, evaluate

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Choosing a topic

• Learning stretch
• interested, but not expert
• Fits paper product
• can develop a researchable question and
  achievable product
• Available mentor
• local, expertise in product area, student must
  contact
• Appropriate
• safe, legal, cheap

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Four examples

• Volunteer/service
• product is a project on behalf of an organization
• How-to
• product is an item the student makes
• Creative
• product is an original work of writing, art,
  music, etc.
• Career
• product is internship in business or profession

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Alice Volunteer/Service

• Alices general topic
• poverty in Africa
• Alices product
• a shoe-raising drive for Shoes for Souls
• Alices research paper topic/question
• what charity/relief organizations have made the
  most impact on poverty in Africa?
• Alices mentor
• a retiree with lots of experience in dealing
  with national and international charitable
  organizations

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Adam How-to

• Adams general topic
• four-wheelers
• Adams product
• rebuilding a blown engine on a used
  four-wheeler
• Adams research paper topic/question
• what factors influence both engine performance
  and safety in four-wheelers?
• Adams mentor
• a neighbor who has a machine shop, and has
  rebuilt several small engines on farm equipment

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Amy Creative

• Amys general topic
• childrens literature
• Amys product
• writing and illustrating a picture book
• Amys research paper topic/question
• what happens in the process of getting a book
  published?
• Amys mentor
• her elementary school art teacher, whos always
  encouraged her talent

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Aaron Career

• Aarons general topic
• becoming an Emergency Medical Technician
• Aarons product
• volunteering with the rescue squad, and
  preparing a presentation for middle school career
  day
• Aarons research paper topic/question
• how do emergency medical services, law
  enforcement, and hospitals work together?
• Aarons mentor
• his volunteer coordinator with the rescue squad

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Parents role(s)

• Brainstorm
• you know your kid best
• Encourage
• be positive in the face of panic
• Communicate
• read, listen, ask questions
• Organize
• backup, paper and electronic
• Support
• banker, chauffeur, cheerleader, therapist