The Specialist
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Main Notes
- Junior and senior projects are introduced in 11th and 12th grades
- Projects allow students to exercise writing and reasoning skills on subjects that interest them
- Projects are wider in scope than 9th and 10th-grade research papers
- Projects should be diachronic, examining origins and historical development of topics
- Students should keep specific questions in mind while developing their topic of study
- Junior paper should be 15-20 pages long; senior paper 20+ pages
- Flexibility is allowed in project format, especially for the senior project
- All projects must involve substantial writing
- Projects should follow specific guidelines based on the subject area
- Outside evaluation is strongly suggested for these projects
Cue Column
- What is the purpose of junior and senior projects?
- How do these projects differ from earlier research papers?
- What does 'diachronic' mean in the context of these projects?
- What questions should guide a student's topic development?
- What are the length requirements for junior and senior papers?
- How can the project format be flexible?
- Why is writing important even in non-traditional projects?
- How do project guidelines vary by subject area?
- What is the role of outside evaluation in these projects?
- How does specialization benefit high school students?
- What is the relationship between these projects and potential college majors?
- How do these projects prepare students for college-level work?
- What skills are developed through these comprehensive projects?
- How do these projects integrate different areas of knowledge?
Summary
The chapter introduces the concept of junior and senior projects for 11th and 12th-grade students in a classical education model. These projects are designed to allow students to delve deeply into subjects that interest them, exercising their writing and reasoning skills developed throughout their education.
Unlike earlier research papers, these projects are broader in scope and diachronic in nature, examining the historical development of topics rather than focusing on a single point in time. Students are encouraged to explore the origins, cultural impacts, and future implications of their chosen subjects.
The chapter emphasizes flexibility in project format, particularly for the senior year, allowing for creative expression alongside rigorous academic inquiry. However, all projects must involve substantial writing to ensure students can articulate and evaluate their work effectively.
Specific guidelines are provided for projects in various subject areas, including history, literature, mathematics, science, foreign languages, computer programming, religion and ethics, arts, and sports. These guidelines ensure that students approach their topics comprehensively and draw connections across disciplines.
The importance of outside evaluation is stressed, with suggestions to engage experts in the field to guide and assess the projects. This not only enhances the quality of the work but also provides valuable connections and potential references for college applications.
Overall, these projects serve as a capstone to the classical education model, allowing students to synthesize their learning, develop expertise in areas of interest, and prepare for college-level academic work.
Action Items
- Allocate 2-3 hours or more per week for the project in grades 11 and 12
- Choose a major research project in a field of interest
- Ensure the project is diachronic, examining historical development of the topic
- Aim for 15-20 pages for the junior paper, 20+ pages for the senior paper
- Help students formulate questions about their topic's origins, development, and cultural impact
- Encourage extensive prereading in the fall semester
- Follow research paper preparation guidelines from Chapter 26
- Permit at least one project (ideally junior) to be in standard research paper form
- Consider creative alternatives for the other project (e.g., novel writing, experiment, recital)
- Ensure all projects involve substantial writing, even if combined with other activities
- History: Connect past events to present-day implications
- Literature: Trace genre development from roots to present
- Mathematics and Science: Combine historical development with problem-solving or experimentation
- Foreign Languages: Write in the target language or conduct a practical project
- Computer Programming: Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of technology
- Arts and Sports: Conduct historical survey and practical performance
- Enlist local college faculty or field experts
- Follow the suggested pattern for expert interaction (preread, discuss, write, submit, revise, resubmit)
- Offer an honorarium for the expert's time
- Use expert evaluation for college reference letters
- List as 'Junior Thesis' and 'Senior Thesis' under Electives
- Award 0.5 credits each if at least 60 additional hours are spent on the project