Passion Project Assignment Sheet Have you ever wanted to teach the class about something you are really interested in??? Here is your chance!!! Task: Select a topic. It may be any topic you would like, as long as it is school appropriate. It should be a topic that is very interesting to you! The topic should be manageable, not too broad. You will present your topic to the class. It should be an example of your very best work. You will have class time to work on this project.

Checklist 1) Part 1: Investigative Research (Web/Outline, 16 Note Cards, Website Eval Forms) - Due Date is February 10th ___ Select a topic to research. My topic is______________________________________. ___ Determine 4 areas to focus your search on.

(Example- I am passionate about sharks. I will focus on their habitat, physical features, interactions with humans, and preservation). Please see Mrs. Kime if you need help deciding on your focus areas.

___ My focus areas are _______________________________, _________________________, ___________________________, and ___________________________________.

___ Research Questions: There are two types of questions. We want THICK Questions!

Examples Thin: What is 3D printing? THICK: How can 3D printing benefit students and school? Thin: When did the Olympics start? THICK: How have the Olympics changed from when they first began? Thin: What equipment is used in baseball? Thick: What are the ethical issues of baseball equipment? Thick: Prove that baseball equipment has become safer over time. Thick: Who created the original baseball equipment?

See Mrs. Kime if you need help making a Thin Question into a Thick Question. You will write and answer 16 Thick Questions (4 per each focus area)

Thick Questions

Ideas: Facts + opinions

Why? How?

Longer answers

A lot of research is needed to

arrive at a conclusion

Thin Questions

Facts

Who? What? Where? When?

Yes/no or short answers

Quick and easy to answer

____Complete an outline (web or traditional, Mrs. Kime will show you how to do this) that will help you organize your thinking. These will be the questions you investigate and research using books, magazines, interviews, video clips, and the internet. ____Write the question, answer, and source on a note card. You should have one note card per question. You will end up with 16 note cards. Try to vary your sources so they come from different places (books, internet, interview, etc.) You may want to use different colored note cards for the different focus areas. You can do your note cards electronically if you choose. ___Submit a website evaluation form for each website used as a source.

___ Note cards will be checked and returned to you. Sample Note Card: (One side of note card) (Other side of note card) 2) Part 2: Nonfiction Writing Collection- Due Date is March 31st ____Rather than one large informational report, you will create a minimum of four shorter pieces to inform your audience about your topic. This is “playful nonfiction”, not a “fact dump”. Your writings should be creative, but based in facts. Below is a list of different types of nonfiction genres. You will write at least four pieces, one for each focus area. Your collection may (and really should) have more than four pieces. Biography Memoir Autobiography Diaries and Journals Letter Law Reader’s Theater How-To Poetry Song Lyrics Food/Travel Writing Persuasive Essay Article Speech Plus many other types…

Focus Area- Types of Sharks

Question: What impact do humans have on the

shark population?

It is estimated that up to 100 million sharks

are killed by people every year, due to

commercial and recreational fishing.

Source: Website

Site Title: Tree Hugger

Page Title: 10 Amazing but Endangered Shark

Species: How Many Do You Know?

Address: http://www.treehugger.com

Date: August 15th

, 2002

___ Items in your Collection should be edited and in published form ___Create a cover page for your Collection ___Create a Table of Contents for your Collection ___Include your outline at the start of your Collection ___ Create a formal bibliography page using MLA Style. (Check out Son of Citation or Owl Online Writing for help). Include this in your Collection. 3) Part 3: Presentation/Lesson- Due Date is May 19th ___ Complete the lesson plan template that will help guide you through your presentation. This needs approval three days before you present! ___ Create a quick assessment (quiz, written response, white board questions, etc.) to have the class show they learned from your lesson. ___ Visual Aids (these should add to your lesson) ___ An activity for the class to do (game, worksheet, word search, art project, etc.) ___ A book to show the class that connects with your topic Presentation/Lesson should be at least 30 minutes long and may be up to an hour. Mrs. Kime can make copies if you need them; just let her know in advance! Here are some ideas you may want to include in your presentation/lesson:

Poster board to show information

Power Point

Brochure

Puppet show

Game

Reading of a story

Video clip

A trip out to the playground to show us about your topic (if related)

You have total creative freedom!! You must meet with Mrs. Kime once a week to check in and discuss your project. We will discuss a timeline and agenda for your lesson.

SAMPLE Lesson Plan Template for Sharks

Lesson Part Planned Event Time Reminders/Notes

Intro/Engage Play music from “Jaws” as class writes 1 shark fact they already know on sticky note.

5 minutes Have a few students share their notes.

Sharing of info - Shark Poster - Video clip - Model of shark - Shark

brochures

3 minutes 10 minutes 5 minutes 7 minutes (25 minutes total)

Walk around with poster, don’t rush!

Interactive Activity Shark teeth sorting to match each shark

12 minutes Explain before passing out supplies!

Book Share title/author 1 minute Show detailed picture on page 36

Assessment Shark Quiz Show 10 minutes

Other Q&A/ feedback 5 minutes

Lesson Plan Template for _______________________________

Lesson Part Planned Event Time Reminders/Notes

Intro/Engage (10 points)

Sharing of info (30 points)

Interactive Activity (20 points)

Book (5 points)

Assessment (15 points)

Other

The Passion Project Part 1: Investigative Research Rubric

10 points 5 points 1 point Web/Outline Outline includes all

components and is completed in an

organized manner

Outline is missing components, but is

completed in an organized manner

Outline missing components and is not

completed in an organized manner

30 points 15 points 5 points

Note Cards All 16 note cards are completed with the

question, answer, and source documented

10-15 note cards are completed with the

question, answer, and source documented

Fewer than 10 note cards are completed with the question, answer, and

source documented, or note cards are missing

information

10 points 5 points 1 point

Sources All sources are credible and properly

documented on note cards and website

evaluation forms are all completed.

Most sources are credible and properly

documented on note cards and most website

evaluation forms are completed.

Some sources are credible and properly documented on note

cards and some website evaluation forms are

completed.

Part 1 Total /50 points

Part 2: Written Collection Rubric 10 9 8 7 6 5 Average

Id

eas The report focuses

on one topic. All details and facts are related and accurate.

The report focuses on one topic. Most of the details and facts are related.

The report focuses on one topic. Some of the information is vague or not related to the topic.

The report does not focus on one

topic. Some

details and facts may be inaccurate.

The focus is vague. Information and details are very general and not based on facts.

The topic is not clear. Many details

and facts are not related to the

topic.

Org

aniz

atio

n The report has a

strong intro, body, and conclusion. The conclusion sums up the report in a memorable way.

The report has an intro, body, and conclusion. The conclusion sums up the report.

The report has an intro, body, and conclusion. The introduction and conclusion are not strong.

The report has an intro, body, and conclusion. The conclusion does not sum up the report.

The intro and body are weak or incomplete. The conclusion does not sum up the report.

The report does not have an intro, body, or conclusion.

Vo

ice

The writer’s voice sounds Knowledgeable. It is clear the writer cares about the topic.

The writer’s voice sounds knowledgeable and informative most of the time.

The writer’s voice sounds Knowledgea-

ble some of the time. The writer seems to care about the topic.

The writer’s voice is inconsistent and vague at times. The reader is confused.

The writer’s voice may be Inappropriate for the purpose and audience. The voice is hard to Identify.

The writer’s voice is very weak or absent.

Wo

rd C

ho

ice

Precise words are used correctly and explained clearly.

Precise words are used correctly and explained most of the time.

Many of the writer’s words are precise and correctly used. Some are not explained.

Some of the words are too general. Their meaning is sometimes unclear to the reader.

Some words are repetitive or unrelated. Their meaning is not explained.

Many words are too general and incorrectly used.

Sen

ten

ce F

luen

cy The writing flows

because sentence lengths and types vary.

Most sentences vary in length and type. Some sentences are the same length and type.

More variety would make the writing flow better.

Many sentences are the same in length and type. They do not flow well together.

Sentences are too brief or too wordy. Reading is choppy and awkward.

Sentences are incomplete or incorrect. The report is difficult to read.

Written Collection Total /60 Cover Page /5 Table of Contents /5 Include Outline /3 Page Numbers /3 Bibliography /10 Part 2 Grand Total /86

Co

nve

nti

on

s All capitalization and titles are correct. The report is easy to read.

There are a few errors in capitalization or titles, but they do not interfere with meaning.

Minor errors in capitalization and titles are noticeable and distracting.

Frequent errors in capitalization, titles, and other conventions confuse the reader.

Many errors in capitalization and titles make the text difficult to read and understand. The writer shows lack of control over conventions.

The writing contains many errors in capitalization and titles. It is very difficult to read.

The Passion Project

Part 3: Presentation Rubric Student Name: ________________________________________

CATEGORY 10--Advanced 8--Proficient 6--Basic 4-Below Basic

Listening / Audience Score

Listens to Other Presentations

Listens intently. Does not make distracting noises or movements.

Listens intently but has one distracting noise or movement.

Sometimes does not appear to be listening but is not distracting.

Sometimes does not appear to be listening and has distracting noises or movements.

Lesson / Presentation Score

Preparedness Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.

Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.

The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.

Student does not seem at all prepared to present.

Content Shows a full understanding of the topic.

Shows a good understanding of the topic.

Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.

Does not seem to understand the topic very well.

Visual Aids and Props

Student uses several visuals aids and/or props that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.

Student uses 1 prop or visual aid that shows considerable work/creativity and which makes the presentation better.

Student uses 1 prop or visual aid which makes the presentation better.

The student uses no props or visual aids OR the ones chosen detract from the presentation.

Comments: Lesson Plan Components /80 Total Possible Points Part 3: /90

Final Project Score: Part 1: /50 Part 2: /86 Part 3: /90 Total: /226