Graduation Projects Set Sail
There is a celebration in me and it isn’t really connected to my student who turned 19 today – although, that is pretty exciting. You see we started a new semester last week and it is my chance to begin another graduation project seminar with a group of students who will graduate in June. Our school is a five-year program and these students have amassed many college credits along the way. Their last high school requirement, however, is this series of challenges where they get to demonstrate all they have learned in their tenure as North Carolina students. I absolutely love this course! It tickles me to get to watch them stretch their interests and strengths and choose one thing to study for the entire term.
We are off to a great start and today we were able to have a round table discussion regarding progress related to topic choice. I get to help each child find mentors, community service, research topics, and a final product to create. The journey is arduous and at times frustrating, but today it was all about possibility and I wanted to share some of the diverse ideas that have made the cut. We have:
Banjo repair
Autism
Accounting
American Sign Language
Physical fitness
Pastry
Quilting
Veterinary Medicine
Interior Design
Motorcycle engines
Tailoring or Clothing Design
Dental assisting
Leonardo DaVinci model recreation
Teaching
Movie production
Book Binding
Cerebral Palsy
Business management
Architecture
There are several others still being bandied about. Some of these will be tweaked and/or changed completely as well. All will be expanded until the student becomes an expert before presenting to a group of judges at the end of the term. Like I said, this is a very exciting time and I am honored to act as a guide in this process. All aboard!
Themocracy
You sound like an amazing teacher…too bad more students don’t have lovers of learning to guide them in their journeys like you, from Pennell’s Meredith soulmate
I think many teachers love learning. I am inspired daily by the teachers I work with. Thank you for your encouragement.