Senior Seminar
Kingston High School– 2012/13
Kyle Nielsen, knielsen@nkschools.org
(www.nkschools.org KHS→Students→SeniorSeminar)
Course Objectives:
Senior Seminar is a required course that enables seniors to fulfill the graduation requirement for
Culminating Project and receive a 0.5 credit. The Culminating Project is a presentation of the portfolio which a
summation of their career as a student, their high school and beyond plan and their community involvement.
All students will be required to complete all of the assignments regardless of their post-graduation plans.
Statistics show that it is extremely likely that within a few years after graduation, most high school graduates
will enroll in some form of post-secondary education and the assignments for the Culminating Project are
designed to prepare them for this and entry into the workplace.
Course Requirements:
Since class sessions will be used to introduce, clarify and begin working on assignments, attendance at
all eleven Senior Seminar sessions is essential. Students are required to attend a minimum of 8 of the 11
sessions for their assigned group. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor if
they are absent. Most of the work on the assignments will be completed outside of school hours. Portfolio
presentations are scheduled for March 27th in the late afternoon and early evening. Students who do not
present at this time or before will be required to complete an extra assignment. Students will not be allowed to
present the portfolio until it is complete and checked off by their advisor.
All work from the Senior Seminar is to be kept in a 2 or 3 inch 3-ring binder.
Portfolio Inclusion Requirements:
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Goal setting sheet
Printed results from online surveys with written reflection
Post high school action plan
Career exploration paper or job shadow form and reflection
College application and college essay
Essay reflecting on school experience
Resume, job application and cover letter
Three letters of recommendation
Three best works from senior year with written reflections
Confirmation of FAFSA submittal or completion of FAFSA simulation
1040 EZ tax form simulation
Local scholarship application
Community involvement verification and written reflection
All students will be expected to abide by the following:
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Respect for yourself, other people and the classroom and its equipment.
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Attend all assigned sessions
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Have a signed and active District Acceptable Use Policy for computer use and abide by
same.
Cell phones, text messaging or music listening devices are not to be used during class.
Grading:
The grade for this class is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Completion of ALL required components is
necessary to receive a Satisfactory grade.
Senior Seminar Course Schedule
Session 1
Introduction: Course overview, syllabus, calendar, “Setting Goals” Post High School Action Plan
Credit Evaluation handed out to be placed in portfolio
Assignment: “Setting Goals”
Session 2
Assignment: Online assessments and reflection
Due:
Signed syllabus, setting goals assignment,
Session 3
Assignment: Letters of recommendation data and community involvement
Due:
Online self-assessments results and reflection
Session 4
Assignment: Career Exploration research or Job Shadow completion and reflection
Due:
Recommendation data form and letters of recommendation request sign-off sheet
Session 5
Assignment: Post-secondary education exploration and action plan
Due:
Career Exploration paper
Session 6
Assignment: College application, essay and best works
Due:
Post-secondary education exploration assignment
Session 7
Assignment: Essay reflecting on school experience
Due:
College application and essay
Session 8
Assignment: Complete resume, job application and cover letter
Due:
Essay reflecting on school experience
Session 9
Assignment: Local scholarship application
Due:
Resume, job application, cover letter
Session 10
Assignment: Complete FAFSA or simulation worksheet, complete 1040 EZ tax form
Due:
Community involvement verification and reflection, letters of recommendation
Session 11
Assignment: Practice portfolio presentation
Due:
Local scholarship application, FAFSA verification or simulation worksheet, 1040 EZ form
3 best works from senior year with written reflections
This page needs to be completed by both student and parent/guardian and returned by Session 2
I,
, have read and understand the Course Description for
Senior Seminar and understand that successful completion of this course is a graduation requirement.
Student Signature:
Date:
Student Email (to be used for session reminders):
(Please, be sure address is legible)
I have read the Course Description and have discussed/reviewed it with my child and understand that the
successful completion of this course is a graduation requirement.
Parent/Guardian Signature:
Date:
Parent/Guardian Phone Numbers:
Daytime:
Evening:
Parent/Guardian Email:
(Please, be sure address is legible)
For teacher use only for communication with parent/guardian:
Date
Subject
Communication Method