Senior Seminar

FOR HOMEWORK DURING TRIMESTER 2, SEE LINK ON LAST PAGE, "HOMEWORK"

ORAL EXAM sheet

PRESENTATION sheet

Humanities

Senior Seminar 2007-08 (aka: "Senior Semitar" )

Instructor: Julia Taylor (not again)

Dates of Class:

Sept. 6 –20
Nov. 12-Feb 8 (all of trimester 2!)
March 5-April, but ONLY FRIDAYS, IF NEEDED

Other important Dates:

April 21-25th: April Vacation and possible project fieldwork time

April 28 –May 9 : Senior Project Field work (or return on 6th for spring trip)

May 12-15: Oral exams and preparation for exhibition

May 16 (Friday): Present Senior Projects

May 21-23: Roundtables

May 31: Graduation!

Overview of our first segment of seminar:

Believe it or not, it’s time to plan your final year of high school and to think about where to go from here. We will spend this first two and a half weeks reflecting and writing about yourself: thinking about what your strengths and weaknesses are, what you want to do in high school that you haven’t done yet, what situations allow for the most learning and growth for you, and how to best use this knowledge to plan not only this year but also your future. We will also make a college “wish list,” if you haven’t already, and begin getting applications materials organized. Finally, you will meet with Elissa individually to discuss your post-Compass plans, and she will be in our class regularly to provide information on the college process.

Supplies and intangibles needed (by tomorrow, if possible):

Three- ring binder with three dividers for the following 4 sections: post CS/college planning; Senior Project; Writing; Reading OR some sort of filing system that works for you (a chance to go to Staples!).
Paper (loose leaf-type or a spiral notebook or a cool notebook that you love)
Writing implement and paper (or laptop)
Senior Project supplies to be discussed later
Focus and self direction: My first piece of advice (and kind of like a warning): Take hold of your final year of high school and try your best to stay motivated if you feel yourself slipping into the infamous “senioritus” slump. Don’t confuse my relaxed, friendly nature with low expectations! Ask last year’s seniors (and the year before, for that matter)-- there is NO time for slacking!

Mandatory Activities for September:

Write answers to Dig Deep reflective questions

Write one polished essay that could be used as your college application essay; drafting required
Sign up and Study for SATS’s, if needed
Explore colleges and create a list of your top 5-8 to visit/apply
Create a resume—as practice and as a way to review your skills and experiences in the past 4 years. Use this to complete part of your college applications.
Meet with Elissa to discuss your post CS plans
Possibly: Mock interviews

Optional Challenge Activities:

Reading: If you read at least 200 pages of a book and write me a 200 word letter about it, a reading indicator will be added to your report card, with an automatic excellent. If you read more, that will earn you an outstanding. See me for novel suggestions.

Bring in newspaper articles of interest and lead a quick 5-10 minute discussion with the class. This raises your self direction and/or communication grade.

Use this as your check list:

DONE?	TO DO	DUE
	“Dig Deep” writing	Fri., 9/7
	College Essay: See handout; 1st draft requires an outside reader ( I can help find one)	DRAFT #1: DRAFT #2 (or 3): Fri, 9/14 Final (really this time)Draft: T, 9/25
	Scavenger Hunt (College research navigating)	Thurs., 9/13
	Resume	FINAL (really this time) DRAFT: TUES 9/25
	College List of 5-8 to apply w/a few sentences of explanation for each one; Make sure to hand in a copy of this list to Elissa	Wed., 9/26
	Other:

Assessed during first segment of the course:

Communication: Writing, presenting in a variety of formats (essays, resume)
Personal Development: Organization, HW completion, and personal insight
Community Involvement: helping each other and making it easy for all to get stuff accomplished

Final Note: I look forward to working with all of you in this exciting time of your educational careers. This is a very strong and diverse senior class, and I’m especially looking forward to ushering you through your senior projects. Feel free to e-mail me anytime with your questions, concerns, or first sentences/paragraphs of assignments. If there is more that you hope to fit into our “senior only” time, I hope that you will let me know.

SEE FULL SCHEDULE FOR WHAT I PLAN TO DO THE REST OF THE YEAR. AS ALWAYS, I WILL ASK FOR YORU IMPUT TO HELP ME PLAN SOME OF IT.