March 27, 2017
Dear Families:
We are starting an
inquiry-based independent study called “My Passion Project” in class. The
premise is simple. Each of the students will independently investigate a topic they
are interested about. Additionally, they will formulate essential questions,
research the answers to those questions, choose how to demonstrate mastery of
the topic and ultimately, present their projects to share with the class. Most
of the work will be done in class during our Discovery time.
As Steve Jobs once said,
“If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to
be pushed. The vision pulls you.” This project is intended to help students
improve their research skills while giving them a taste of what it is like to
be a self-directed learner, and hopefully, a life-long learner. It is my hope
that this project will propel future investigations and educational pursuits of
passion.
Important Dates:
|
First check-in
-students must tell me
what their project will be about (using their questions during Discover time)
|
Second Week of April
|
|
Second check-in
-students must hand in
their written components of their research project
- The “Why” of their
project (Why is this an important topic? What impact will it have?
|
Week of April 24
|
|
Third check-in
-student have to choose
a way to present their project to the class
(We will continue to
work on their presentation and final products in class)
|
Week of May 8
|
|
Project Presentations
Parents Welcome
|
Date TBA (Most likely
first week of June)
|
PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY OUTSIDE CORRESPONDENCE (IE: CONTACTING ANIMAL SHELTERS, COMPANIES, ETC) IS TO BE DONE USING TEACHER EMAIL AND INFORMATION TO ENSURE PRIVACY OF OUR STUDENTS.
