Independent Project Details
As we get closer to the end of the year, I wanted to take a moment to detail what must be done for the independent project. Everyone already has a topic and has begun the research process. Time will be given in class, but it is also expected students are working on some of this at home, too. I will be providing support and guidance along the way, and thank you in advance to parents for supporting the research efforts at home!
Here is what must be included as part of the project:
- Notes from your research: Must say where research has come from. Can be recorded on paper, in Google Docs, or on Evernote, as long as it can be sent to me electronically or a printed version can be handed in.
- Proper bibliography: Use Easy Bib as a guide or other websites online to put your bibliography in order. Ms. Ho, our librarian, also has links on the library site to help with bibliography format. Must be a nice, neat, alphabetized bibliography printed out and handed in. This paper will also be available the day of presentation for people to view.
- Primary research: First-hand research must be done. It cannot be based on past experiences or your own knowledge. You need to one of the following: an interview with an expert (write questions, write responses, document and turn in), an experiment (do a proper lab write up, take pictures of the process, write a conclusion), visit a location (go to the aquarium, zoo, space centre, a park, a lab and then record all observations with pictures and notes), make observations (create a journal and take detailed notes from observing something such as watching frogs in an aquarium over time), documenting making something as part of learning how to do something (examples: studying fish and then making a habitat for fish, or studying website production and making a website), or a survey (prefer you did not do this one as it is hard to get enough responses to actually mean anything — classmates are not enough.)
- Present: Design and make a way to present your information to the public. Ideas are: poster, PowerPoint, Prezi, BookCreator, Puppet Pals, diorama, model, cartoon, drama presentation, speech, brochures to hand out, poster, active experiment display, etc.
- Reflection: Reflections on work posted on E-Portfolio during and after the process.
Criteria (Rubric Will Be Provided):
- Shows critical thinking about the topic. Asked some great questions along the way that helped the research along.
- Answered questions posted on e-portfolio as best as you could. Evidence of having answered these questions is in notes or in the presentation.
- Complete, alphabetized, printed, neat bibliography that shows at least 10 secondary resources used, as well as a mix of internet and book resources.
- Primary research completed with complete documentation in terms of photos, observations, and notes.
- Notes, with key points from what you read, and with each section of writing showing where the information came from.
- Visually appealing, creative, engaging, and/or interesting presentation method so the public can enjoy your research. (Each project will be different, of course!)
- Reflections show effort to look back on research process and comment on what went well and what could be improved for next year.
- Time management – done on time before our presentation day.
Due Dates:
- June 7th: All notes, bibliography, and primary research complete. Turn in notes and bibliography to Ms. D for marking.
- June 23rd: Presentation due! Public comes to visit our classroom to see!