Ready for the Real World!

Garden City High School’s Buff Project: Expecting the Best

Why have a Senior Project?

It teaches responsibility. Real world skills (research,

writing, speaking, time management) are emphasized.

It keeps senioritis in check. The school board said we

had to have one!

How did we start?

1st Formed a committee. 2nd Called in an expert:

Careen Oscher from Far West Edge, Medford, Oregon

3rd Adapted materials to our needs

4th Piloted in Senior English class.

What are the components?

PaperProductPortfolioPresentation

Paper Criteria

• 5 sources (at least one primary)

• 1500 words (5-7 pages)

• MLA format

• Shows the process of writing

• --note cards, outline, drafts, editing, etc.

Product Criteria

A Learning Stretch that can be:

ExperientialPerformance-

basedExperimental

Examples: Teaching the Vietnamese alphabet

Making a quilt

Illustrating a children’s book

Getting a brown belt in karate

Cooking, decorating, silversmithing

Learning to play an instrument

Portfolio Criteria

Product LogLetter of IntentMentor ChecklistPhotos, Sketches,

DraftsDaily PointsSpeech Outline

Presentation Criteria

8-10 minutesUse of Visual Aid

& PowerPointDiscuss both

Paper and ProductQuestion and

Answer

How are those outside GCHS involved?

MentorsJudgesPaid ReadersParents

How are those inside GCHS involved?

Evaluation Teams

JudgesMentorsBuff Teachers

People you need

Buff Project Coordinator

Community Liaison

Advisory Board

Successes

Raising money for various charities: cystic fibrosis

Volunteering for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Homeless shelters

Teaching younger children skills: Project Effort

Teaching Responsibility

Letter of IntentDeadlinesWorking with a

mentorGraduation

Requirement

What do I think about Senior Projects?

It prepares our students for the real world in a way academic classes can’t.

It lets them have success in their own choices.

It involves the entire faculty with our Seniors.

It lets the community see what our graduates can do.

It is an antibiotic for senioritis.

It is worth the time, the planning, and the effort.

Any questions?