Mid-Year Project

            Because of the holidays, 2^nd quarter always seems to fly by!  That’s why, despite that it feels we only recently chose our topics for this quarter, we need to start thinking about our midterm.  Therefore, last week I presented my idea to the class.  Rather than taking a test (impossible with nineteen individualized subjects) or writing a traditional essay about their work during the midterm block set aside for their class, the students are going to work on developing, implementing, and then reflecting on a personal project related to their reading.  As I said, we began brainstorming and completing the initial planning phases last week, so I already know, for instance, that Eric is planning to create a “Hobbit Hole,” and John-Luc is going to take contemporary photographs of local sites of historic significance and compare and contrast them to their original states.  Jess is going to paint a portrait half in the style of van Gogh and the other half in Kahlo’s style, and Mike is going to build an octagonal tree house!  I can’t wait!  The project guidelines are below.  After we finish, I’ll send an update on anything that we plan to adjust for the spring project. 

 Mid-Year Project

Due by 7:30 am on Tuesday, January 20th

            Because this is not a traditional English class, we are not going to take a traditional midterm.  Instead of coming in for a long test for which you have (hopefully!) studied ahead of time, you are going to plan for, complete, and blog about a project of your choice.  This project should be based around an interest that arose during your reading for the semester, ideally second quarter since that will be freshest in your mind.  We will spend approximately five hours of class time on this project.  The rest must be done on your own.  Everything that you do in relation to this project (research, planning, execution, and reflection) must be posted in your final blog of the semester, by 7:30 am on Tuesday, January 20^th.  Please take this blog post extra seriously, as it is the representation of a project that counts for 10% of your yearly grade.  This means that you should write an outline and an initial draft, then self-edit and additionally have someone else look it over before you post a final version for me (and any other viewers) to read. 

             

Guidelines:

There are three stages to the project:  research/planning, action, and reflection.

Between these three elements, your project will take approximately 20 hours.

Requirements:

1.      The project must justifiably relate to one of your quarter topics, ideally 2^nd quarter. 

2.      Evidence of research, planning.

3.      At least ten hours where you take action and do something.  Action must be recorded in written testimonials from other people, photographs, or videos.

4.      Reflection/Blog Post (1,000 words):  This reflection should first lay out what you set out to do and why.  Feel free to post excerpts from your planning and link in articles that relate to your topic or goals.  Next, explain not just your project but the results, the way that it affected you (or didn’t), and its connection to your reading.  You may also discuss any challenges that you faced in completing your project.

Because this assignment takes the place of your midterm, it is worth 10% of your grade for the year.  That means that if you get a zero on it, your grade will go down 10 points.  You have more than a month to complete it, including a week and a half of vacation, so please make sure that you complete it to the best of your ability.

            I hope that it will be a great experience for all of us.  I’m really looking forward to seeing what you come up with and especially for witnessing how choosing your own topics to study has affected you both personally and intellectually.  Whatever we learn from this experience, we will apply to a final spring project.

Good luck! J

            I recently finished my two latest books where childhood is a major motif: All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr and The Interestings, by Meg Wolitzer.  The “children” in these books are closer to teenagers, but they initially seem as innocent as much younger children.  So, what’s my project for the quarter?  Mostly grading theirs, if I’m being honest, though weekends of overnight babysitting for my three nieces and baby nephew, all six and under, should count for something, too!

                                                                                                            Happy Holidays,

                                                                                                                                    CJF