8th+GRADE+PROJECT

=NOVEMBER: Initial Mentor-Student Meetings= -- Tuesday, Nov. 17, 5-6 p.m. in room B204 at Dzantik'i Heeni //(led by Ms. Brooks and Ms. Marks)// -- Wednesday, Nov. 18, 12-1 p.m. in the library at Dzantik'i Heeni (//led by Mr. Marks and Mr. Smoker)// -- Thursday, Nov. 19, 5-6 p.m. in the library at Dzantik'i Heeni (//led by Ms. Hausler and Mr. Campbell)//

= = =From "ROPES" to "GPS": A Definition of the Project=

For years at Dzantik'i Heeni, 8th graders have pursued a "ROPES" (or Rite of Passage ExperienceS) project after two years of build-up in 6th and 7th grade. In recognition of the school's new structure and of changing student needs, 8th grade teachers have revised the old ROPES project and given it a new face and a new name: GPS, or "Goals for Personal Success". While GPS will retain many of the best parts of the old ROPES project -- adult mentors, long-term projects that follow a student's passion, and a presentation to classmates and to community panelists at UAS -- it will also be more teacher-supported (with focused attention to building skills like setting short-term goals and working with adult mentors) than it has been in the past.

=__**The project's essential question: "How can I be in charge of the direction in which my life moves?"**__=

=**8th Grade Student RESPONSIBILITIES:**= - complete regular check-ins with homeroom teacher to ensure project is running smoothly - write essay in spring to help panelists “pre-meet” him/her through his/her writing - complete a practice presentation in front of his/her homeroom before the panelist presentation - complete journal entries as required to journal about the project
 * **In School** || **Outside of School** ||
 * - complete GPS poster

//**Can the GPS project affect my grade???** Yes. You will receive grades on each part of the process (see deadlines). You will not “fail” if you don’t meet your project goals, but your grade will suffer if you don’t attempt a project.// || - meet with mentor to complete each goal - complete each step of the project - practice presentation - communicate with parents if he/she is feeling overwhelmed ||  ||

=GPS Project TIMELINE of Short-Term Goals, 2009-2010=


 * **In School** || **Outside of School** ||
 *  October 29 – Official introduction of GPS

 November 9-13 – Research project background; compile questions/goals

 November -- Mentor-Student Meetings; Project Design due

 December 11 – GPS Posters due

 Dec.-April – Weekly journaling on progress, questions, problems, etc.

 April – Personal essay due; learn presentation skills; develop presentations; present GPS project to peers

 Mid-May – Present GPS projects at UAS ||  November 6 – Project Proposal due

 November 13 – Mentor Selection due

 Dec.-April – Individual, structured, documented (pictures, video, journal) work on project with mentor, following individual timeline

 by April 23 – All work on project done; Mentor’s Evaluation due

 early May – revise GPS presentations ||