Passion
Project
Name:__________________________
Sargent/Wellman
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Passion Project
The purpose of this project is for you to explore something that you are
interested in, or curious about. You might choose a project to solve a
problem or answer a question that you have or observed.
You will have a chance to develop and demonstrate:
How you think
How you write
How you plan and organize your work
How you manage your time
The care you put into your work
Your enthusiasm for learning.
1. You will use the Planning Guide pages (blue) to get started and
organize your project in a notebook.
2. You will follow the research process completing the How to Do Research
Template (gold).
3. You will use the Passion Project Requirements page (yellow) to see
what you must include in your project and to check off the activities as
you complete them.
4. You will keep track of what you do on the Progress Log page (orange).
Every time you attempt to make progress or do an activity, record it in
your log.
5. You will keep track of the resources you use on the Resources and Note
Taking Page (white). For each source, write a bibliography and take
notes of important details. Use the How To Write Your Sources pages
(green) to know how to write your bibliographies.
6. You will review the assessment rubric (purple) to double check your
readiness to present to the class.
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Blue Planning Pages
Step I: BRAINSTORM
Make a list of a few things you might like to do for your passion
project.
Step II: CHOOSE
Write which topic you think you will do:
Step III: EXPLORE YOUR TOPIC
1. Read about your topic: Use an encyclopedia or other resource
and spend 15 minutes reading about your topic. Write down any
ideas you get for your project.
2. Choose a published person who shares your passion (you could use
one of your diamond medal books). This person will be:
____________________________________________
Plan to include this person’s life and work in your presentation.
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3. Mindmap or list ideas: Make a mindmap or list with ideas for your
project. Think of all the different types of activities that would be
fund to do that relate to your topic.
4. Get ideas from others: Do a conference with 2 other kids. Ask
them for ideas of activities you could do for your project.
I conference with _________________ and the ideas that we came up
with were:
I conference with _________________ and the ideas that we came up
with were:
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Step IV: MAKE A PLAN
1. Think about your presentation: Imagine what you might like to do to
share what you learn with the class. Take them on a field trip? Teach them
something? Do a play? Bring in guests? Set up an activity that includes the
whole class?
Write some ideas here:
2. Write an Action Plan Essay: Write an essay that answers the
following questions. Use a new paragraph for each question. You may add any
information you wish, but you MUST answer these questions:
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ACTION PLAN ESSAY:
What is your project and who shares this passion? (What
topic will you explore?)
Why do you want to do this project? Why is your project
worth doing?
What do you think you will do for your presentation?
What will you do first to get started on your project?
What are the next steps you think you will do?
What resources do you need to do your project? (people to
contact, books to read, field trips to set up, things to learn,
etc.)
What parts of your project do you think will be hard to do,
and will you overcome these difficulties?
Keep this essay in your binder.
Sargent/Wellman
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GETTING STARTED!
Step I: Read the Passion Projects Requirements Pages
Step II: Begin your research
Read and review How To Do Research
As you work, keep a log of what you do by filling out the Progress Log
Page with the date and activity you did.
On the Resource and Note Taking Page write down each source as you
use it and take notes. Refer to the “How to Write Your Sources” page
so you know how to write a bibliography.
How To Do Research
_____This is my research question:
______I have prepared key words to search for information.
These are my three key words:
1.
2.
3.
____I have used my search words to locate different types of information.
_____I have made photo copies of everything that I think I will use in my
Research Paper. Sources could be: Books, Videos, Articles: Encyclopedias,
Magazines, Newspapers, Internet.
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Passion Project Requirements
Check each item off as you complete them!
Part 1: Complete The Blue Planning Pages
_______ I have completed my brainstorming, chosen a topic and person, and
explored my topic (reading and writing for at least 15 minutes)
_______ I have made a mind map or a list of my ideas and have conferenced
with two other kids to get ideas.
_______ I have made a plan and have written my Action Plan Essay. I have kept
this essay in my notebook.
Part 2: Researching My Topic Checklist:
_______ I have kept my notes and papers organized in a folder or notebook.
_______ I have completed the How to Do Research page
_______ I have found seven sources of information from a variety of sources
(internet, encyclopedia, magazines, books, newspapers).
_______ I have kept track of my resources and notes on the Resource and
Note Taking Page.
_______ I have contacted three people in writing before May 1st about my
passion project (print outs of written emails, letters to organizations,
etc).
_______ I have kept track of my work on the Progress Log Page.
_______ I have written my research paper about my topic, included information
about a person who shares my passion, & written at least 1,800 words.
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Part 3: Designing My Presentation:
_______ I have chosen a form of presentation
(Circle one)
Posterboard
or
Powerpoint
(In addition to your presentation, you can take the class on a field trip
and/or bring in guest speakers. The sky is the limit, have fun!)
_______ I have chosen ______________ who shares my passion and prepared
how I will share about this person’s life and work.
_______ I have prepared to explain what I have read and will let my audience
know where I found my information.
_______ I have practiced my presentation to stay focused on the important
information and it takes _______ minutes to complete.
_______ I have prepared how I will involve the audience.
_______ During my passion projectI solved a problem
by __________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Sargent/Wellman
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Progress Log Page
On this page keep track of what you do for your project
Date
Sargent/Wellman
What I did
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Resources and Note Taking Page
On this page keep track of resources that you use while doing your Passion Project. Print out or
photo copy all of the resources that you will be using for your research and add it to your
notebook. Include people, videos, books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, technology, magazines,
newspapers, radio, TV, pamphlets, etc. Use the example form page so you know how to write each
one. Use 7 resources.
Source 1
Bibliography
Notes
Source 2
Bibliography
Notes
Source 3
Bibliography
Notes
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Source 4
Bibliography
Notes
Source 5
Bibliography
Notes
Source 6
Bibliography
Notes
Source 7
Bibliography
Notes
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Criteria for an Excellent
Passion Project Research Paper
1. Cover Page: This is the first page of your paper. It needs to be at
least 1,800 words. It should have:
a. Title
b. Date
c. Your Name
2. Dedication: This is usually the second page.
3. The Paper should have all of these parts:
a. Introduction
b. Body of Details ( as many paragraphs as needed)
c. Conclusion
4. Glossary of Terms
5. Bibliography
6. One Diagram (Can be anywhere in the report)
7. At least one Picture (Can be anywhere in the report)
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HOW TO WRITE YOUR SOURCES: examples
(Note: Put all entries in alphabetical order. Indent any lines after the first one.)
Book/Pamphlet:
Author (last name first). Title. City where published: Publisher, copyright date.
Allen, Thomas B. Vanishing Wildlife of North America. Washington, D.C.: National
Geographic Society, 1974.
Magazine/Periodical:
Author (last name first). “Title of article.” Title of magazine Date (day month year): page
numbers of the article.
Kanfer, Stefan. “Hear Any Good Books Lately?” Time
21 July 1986: 48-50
Encyclopedia:
“Title of article”. Title of the reference book. Edition. Year published.
“Falcon and Falconry.” World Book Encyclopedia. 2nd edition. 1980.
Newspaper:
“Title of article”. Title of newspaper day month year, section: page.
“A School Without a Strike.” Chicago Tribune
22 July 1986,
sec A:10.
Videotape or film:
Title. Type of medium (videotape, film, etc.) Production Company, year, length.
The Grizzlies. Videotape.
National Geographic Video,
1987,
60 min.
Computer CD-Roms:
Encyclopedia:
“Title of article.” Title of Product. Edition or version. CD-ROM. City: Publisher, date.
“Japan.” Cartopedia. CD-Rom. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1955.
Magazine:
Author, “Tile of article.” Magazine Title date: pages. Title of Product. CD-ROM. City: Publisher,
date.
Gray Robert. “Do You Believe in Dragons?” Ranger Rick Oct. 1933: 21-29.
Discoverer. CD-ROM. Boca Raton: SIRS, Inc., Fall 1996.
SIRS
Personal Interview:
Name of person, Personal interview. day month year.
Doe, Jane.
Television/Radio:
Personal Interview.
16 Sept 1999.
“Title.” Name of Program. Station, day month year.
“Latch-Key Kids.” Hour Magazine.
Web site:
CBS,
15 Nov. 1983.
“Title of Article.” Title of Complete Work. URL (date you visited the site)
“Major Wars.” Civil War Center.
Sargent/Wellman
www.cwc.lsu.edu
(May 14, 1996)
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Passion Project Grading Rubric
Turn in your Notebook and Research Paper on the day of your
presentation!
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4 Your blue planning pages are well written and complete.
4 Your Action Plan Essay is well written and complete.
4 You kept notes and papers organized in a folder or notebook.
4 You have seven sources of information from a variety of sources
(internet, encyclopedia, magazines, books, newspapers).
4 You have kept track of your resources on the Resource and Note
Taking Page.
4 You have contacted three people in writing before May 1st about your
passion project (print out of written emails, letter to organizations, and
possible responses).
4 You have kept track of your progress on the Progress Log Page.
4 You have completed your How to Do Research Template.
4 You have completed a high quality Research Paper.
4 Your project is on time.
Presentation Presented!
1 2 3 4 You have completed a PowerPoint or Posterboard
1 2 3 4 You shared about a person who shares your passion
1 2 3 4 You explained what you have read and let your audience know where
you found the information.
1 2 3 4 Your presentation stayed focused on the important information.
1 2 3 4 Your audience stayed interested.
1 2 3 4 You were able to answer their questions.
_______ Total
Overall Grade:__________
62-64 = 4
50-61 = 3
Sargent/Wellman
28-49 = 2
1 - 27 = 1
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