Independent+Study

8 8  8 **Honors Independent Study Syllabus** **SCA Gifted Education Services**
 * Advisors: ** Mrs. Victoria Kozlek vkozlek@scasd.us Mrs. Allison Burrell aburrell@scasd.us

**Grade Level**:  May be taken during any high school year; students have the opportunity to complete this course each year, subsequent years will require conference with advisors to determine increased rigor (eg. greater depth of topic, increased focus on grammar and writing skills, greater depth of oral/visual presentation, etc.)


 * Resources: **
 * * Mentoring relationship with a professional matched to student’s field of interest ||
 * * Writing workshop to improve written communication skills-- high school library, presented by advisors ||
 * * Research day at Bloomsburg University’s Andruss Library with the assistance of advisors and a university research librarian ||
 * * Gifted/ Talented resource room; high school library ||
 * * Help from advisors available-- in group sessions and individually ||

> **Course Description**: The Independent Study Research Project is a 1 credit honors level course in which talented students carry out an intensive job shadowing experience with a local professional as their mentor, over a six month period. At the same time, a research project to investigate a research question developed between the student and mentor will be completed, including a 15 page paper, a visual presentation (PowerPoint, poster, etc.) and an oral presentation to a panel of adults.
 * Prerequisites: **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Minimum average of 93% in previous English classes
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Two teacher recommendation forms (for 1st-time applicants)- one English teacher and one from field related to your topic
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Academic Expectations: **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Consistent, positive work ethic
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ability to complete work independently and responsibly
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Critical reading and thinking skills
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Superior verbal skills as applied to mentor interactions and oral presentations
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Effective research and writing skills
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cooperative and active participation in all learning environments
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Maintains and fosters academic integrity
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Professional dress for all visits with mentors and/or clients/ patients
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Professional courtesy and proper telephone etiquette
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mandatory oral/visual presentation of research
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mandatory attendance at School Board meeting in May to share project


 * Assessment<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: **<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Checklists and rubrics of written work and oral/visual presentation
 * 1) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Signed contract.
 * 2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Proposal
 * 3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Attendance at SCA research and writing workshop and BU Library Day
 * 4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Portfolio
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Separate installments of the research paper (4 sections and bibliography)
 * 6) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Oral/ Visual Presentation
 * 7) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Final copy of paper and portfolio
 * 8) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Log of time spent on project (including 12+ hours with mentor)
 * 9) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">School Board presentation