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Independent Project Selection
  1. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 04. Raising Private Resources
      1. Benchmark MS.3 Develop a service plan.

Youth will interact with older citizens in order to make intergenerational connections in the community, discover the wealth of history around us, and develop pride in and a sense of connection to their community.

Duration: 
PrintOne Forty-Five Minute Session Plus Project Time
Objectives: 
  • write a research proposal.
  • conduct research and interviews and maintain a log of their work.
  • draft, revise, and edit final written projects to produce a finished research article.
Materials: 
  • copies of handout "Sample Proposal" 
  • Notebooks, paper, pens, and pencils
  • Contact Log (handout below)
  • Camera or audio recorder (optional)
Instructions: 
Print

  1. Tell youth, "Today, the goal is to narrow your focus and begin writing a proposal and outlining your project."

  2. Distribute or display the Sample Proposal (see handout below) for the whole group. This sample can be used as a model timeline for your individual projects. Discuss the requirements for the proposal and the deadlines. The proposal should include:

    • a clearly stated subject
    • the form of your project (memoir, story/legend, nonfiction article, etc.)
    • timeline
    • procedures

  3. Youth may use the proposal as a checklist as they work on their projects. Each time they complete a step in the procedures or timeline, they may check it off to make sure they are on track.

  4. Youth should keep a contact log and record in it each time they conduct an interview or other research for their project. Share the Contact Log (handout below) and distribute copies. It may be helpful for youth to keep all of their information and research together in a folder or notebook to help organize the project.

  5. Youth may record their interviews with audio or video. This allows them to return to the interview at a later time and transcribe it. In order to record, youth must secure permission from the person they are interviewing before beginning to record.

  6. During the next four weeks, youth should independently arrange interviews, collect research, and write drafts of their projects. With partners, students may draft their projects, meet in peer conferences, meet with the lead adult and then revise drafts. If needed, help pair youth with a citizen in the community and assist in arranging interviews.