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Passion Project
What is your passion? Art, Whales, Submarines, Nuclear Fission… Dive in and Learn!

This week-long project should at a minimum demonstrate grade-level work that showcases each
individual student’s abilities and interests. If done correctly, students should spend approximately 20
hours researching, reading, learning, viewing, writing, and creating items related to your project!

Table of Contents
Click below to easily navigate this document.
Project Overview 2
Research 3
Communicate 4
Reflect 6

Project Planning Guide 7

K-2 Graphic Organizer: Gathering Information 9

3-5 Graphic Organizer: Gathering Information 10

K-5 Grading Rubric 11

6-12 Grading Rubric 12

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Project Overview
These choices are open-ended and applicable to K-12 with grade-level modifications.

Research Communicate Reflect

● K-2 Choose at least 1 way to ● K-5 Choose at least 1 ways to ● K-5 Choose at least 1
research your project communicate what you have way to reflect on what
● 3-5 Choose at least 2 learned you learned
different ways to research ● 6-12 Choose at least 2 ● 6-12 Choose at least 2
your project different ways to different ways to reflect on
● 6-8 Choose at least 3 communicate what you have what you learned
different ways to research learned
your project
● 9-12 Choose at least 4
different ways to research
your project

Research Online Make a Movie Self Evaluation

Interview an Expert Create a Poster Rubric Analysis

Go on a Field Trip Create an Informational Book Keep a Journal (written or video)

Visit the Library Create a Website Other (Clear with your teacher)

Watch a Documentary Poetry Anthology

Listen to a Podcast Design a Public Awareness

Campaign

Other (Clear with your teacher) Make a Newspaper, Pamphlet, or

Brochure

Make a Game

Record a Podcast

Write a Play or Musical

Create a Multimedia Project

Make a Physical Model

Other (Clear with your teacher)

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Research
My ● K-2 Choose at least 1 way to research your project
Choice(s) ● 3-5 Choose at least 2 different ways to research your project
● 6-8 Choose at least 3 different ways to research your project
● 9-12 Choose at least 4 different ways to research your project

Research Online Visit a reputable website to gather information on your passion. Discovery
Education is a great place to start and all JCS students have access.

Interview an Expert Talk to a Museum Docent, a Veterinarian, a Park Ranger, a nurse, a pilot.
Use your community and family resources. Brainstorm and prepare a
good list of possible interview questions. Consider recording your
conversation for later use.

Go on a Field Trip Southern California has a plethora of museums and natural resources,
take advantage! Make sure to gather information about where you visit for
your sources pages later on. You may also consider a virtual field
trip--Discovery Education has some great ones!

Visit the Library Talk to your local librarian and let them know what you are researching!
Libraries have books, magazines, newspapers, videos and community
speakers! Make sure you record your sources before returning your
materials.

Watch a Discovery Education has free documentaries and video clips. In addition,
Documentary Nova, PBS, NatGeo, SchoolTube all provide educational programming!

Listen to a Podcast Tech savvy? Look into PodCasts which can be listened to in the car, on
the iPhone and computer. Try NPR’s BrainsOn! While listening, note
ideas and relevant quotes. Remember if taking a direct quote, give credit
to the speaker!

Other Describe here:

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Communicate
My ● K-5 Choose at least 1 ways to communicate what you have learned
Choice(s) ● 6-12 Choose at least 2 different ways to communicate what you have learned

Make a Movie Using a video camera, picture slides, stop motion...etc. create your own
mini documentary citing what you learned during Project Week. Add
commentary, music, wording...etc.!

Create a Poster When creating a visual component, be sure your pictures and titles are
laid out and organized in a visually pleasant way. All information should
be cited on your poster. Think about what you can add to your poster to
make it more appealing and creative. Ask yourself, “What would draw a
passerby's eyes to your poster?”

Create an You are now an expert on your passion! Can you write and create your
Informational Book own book? Think about what pictures you will use. Can you use your
own photography from the previous Research component? How will you
publish your work? This is a great opportunity to work through the
writing process and become a published author!

Create a Website Many sites like Weebly, Wordpress and Google Site allow free website
development. Can you use this “Communicate” option in conjunction
with another “Communicate” idea, such as Write a Book or Make a
Movie and use the website as a platform for presenting your works?

Poetry/Song/Writing An Anthology is a collection of poems, songs or short writings grouped

Anthology together by the same writer. Think about how you could present this
Anthology. Will you type it or artistically hand write each item? Will you
include pictures?

Design a Public The purpose of a Public Awareness Campaign is to educate and

Awareness influence the public on a specific topic or to change false or negative
Campaign perceptions on a topic. If you are interested in this option, research
current Public Awareness Campaigns for ideas!

Make a Newspaper, Many websites (including Word and Google Docs) have pre-made
Pamphlet, or templates for newspapers, pamphlets and brochures. Make sure you
Brochure cite your sources (including photographs) in your writing!

Make a Game If you choose to “Make a Game”, think about what your goal or purpose
of the game will be. To educate, to influence, to change perceptions…?
Make sure you play your game with family and friends to ensure it
makes sense and you have met your intended goal!

Record a Podcast Now that you are an expert, can you record and publish your own
Podcast. Publishing a Podcast may require extra steps and research!

Write a Play or Do you love everything theater and acting related? Write a short play or
Musical musical (following proper script formatting) based on your passion. Will
your piece be a one person show or large cast? Could you also gather
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some friends and perform your masterpiece… and record it? There are
countless options!

Create a Multimedia Multimedia Projects should contain “multi” media sources. Options
Project include: Powerpoint, Google Presentation, PowToon, Prezi, Screencast,
video, music and written words.

Make a Physical Become an engineer! If you are passionate about suspension bridges,
Model could you also create your own scale model of a bridge? If you are
passionate about sharks, could you create a kinetic model of a shark? If
you are passionate about Hydroponics, could you create your own
working, mini hydroponic garden?

Other Describe here:

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Reflect
My ● K-5 Choose at least 1 way to reflect on what you learned
Choice(s) ● 6-12 Choose at least 2 different ways to reflect on what you learned

Self Evaluation Take time to reflect on the past week and all you have accomplished.
Think about and respond in writing, regarding the following topics:
● Did I work as hard as I could have?
● Did I set and maintain high standards for yourself?
● Did I spend enough time to do quality work?
● Did I regulate my procrastination and distractions in order to
complete my work?
● Did I make good use of available resources?
● Did I ask questions if I needed help?
● Did I review and re-review my work for possible errors?
● Is my work something for which I am proud - that I would gladly
show to a large, global audience?

Rubric Analysis Using the provided grade level appropriate rubric, choose and circle
what you believe your scores to be. Add up the score total and
compare to the chart below the rubric to determine your “work days
equivalency.” In a short write up, provide evidence for your scores.

Keep a Journal In a physical or electronic notebook keep a day-to-day narrative of what

(written or video) you worked on. Consider the following questions:
● What went well?
● What materials do you need to gather to be successful for the
next day?
● What distractions made it difficult for you to work today and what
will you do to prevent those distractions tomorrow?
● What did you learn today?
● What were the most enlightening research points?
● Did anything surprise you about your research or building
today?

Other Describe here:

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Project Planning Guide

Day 1 Planning & Brainstorming
Use the following questions to help guide a conversation with your child about their
passion. Select the questions you feel are the most applicable.

Think: What are you passionate about?

1 hour What would you do if you had all the money in the world?
What catches your eye or attention?
What pictures, symbols, words or objects are meaningful to you?
What things do you like to smell, taste, hear, feel and listen to?
What do you like to do in your free time?
If you could choose anyone to switch places with, who would it be? Why?
What would you like to learn more about?

Develop: Turn your passion into a project.

30 minutes What do you already know about this topic?
What is your experience with this topic?
What do you want to learn through this project?
What do you want others to learn through your project?

Plan Your Research: What is the best way to research your passion?
30 minutes Look at the Project Overview and select how you will research your project.
● K-2 Choose at least 1 way to research your project
● 3-5 Choose at least 2 different ways to research your project
● 6-8 Choose at least 3 different ways to research your project
● 9-12 Choose at least 4 different ways to research your project
Research and finalize the details of your research such as searching online, visiting
websites, contacting an expert, determining a field trip, etc..

Plan Your Communication: What type of Passion Project will you create?
30 minutes Look at the Project Overview and select how you will communicate your project.
● K-5 Choose at least 1 ways to communicate what you have learned
● 6-12 Choose at least 2 different ways to communicate what you have learned
Research and finalize the details of your research such as searching online, visiting
websites, contacting an expert, determining a field trip, etc..

Plan Your Reflection: How will you reflect on your Passion Project?
30 minutes Look at the Project Overview and select how you will reflect your project.
● K-5 Choose at least 1 way to reflect on what you learned
● 6-12 Choose at least 2 different ways to reflect on what you learned

Gather Materials: What materials do you need for your project?

1 hour Use this time to gather materials such as markers, paper, glue, poster board, pictures,
etc...
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Day 2 Research
4 hours Use this time to research your passion.

Day 3 Communicate
4 hours Use this time to create your project.

Day 4 Communicate
4 hours Use this time to create your project.

Day 5 REfine & Reflect

4 hours Use this time to refine your project, practice your presentation and reflect on the process.
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Name________________________

K-2 Graphic Organizer: Gathering Information

Step One: Select one source of information. Circle the source you choose.

Step Two: Identify the three most important or interesting things you learned. Write
three sentences.

1.____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

2.___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

3.___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
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Name________________________

3-5 Graphic Organizer: Gathering Information

Step One: Select two sources of information. Circle the sources you choose.
Source #1

Source #2

Step Two: Identify the five most important or interesting things you learned. Write five sentences.

1._______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

2._______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

3._______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

4._______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

5._______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
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K-5 Grading Rubric

Value of Work
● Projects which score 15-20 pts. AND meet or exceed expectations in all areas earn the
equivalent of 5 days of work.
● Projects which score 15-20 pts. but DO NOT meet or exceed expectations in all areas earn the
equivalent of 4 days of work.
● Projects which score 10-14 pts. earn the equivalent of 3 days of work.
● Projects which score 5-9 pts. earn the equivalent of 2 days of work.
● Projects which score 1-4 pts. earn the equivalent of 1 days of work.

Project components you are expected to submit to your teacher:

1. “Gathering Information” Graphic Organizer
2. Product #1
3. Evidence of Reflection
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6-12 Grading Rubric

Value of Work
● Projects which score 24-32 pts. AND meet or exceed expectations in all areas earn the equivalent of 5 days of work.
● Projects which score 24-32 pts. but DO NOT meet or exceed expectations in all areas earn the equivalent of 4 days of work.
● Projects which score 16-23 pts. earn the equivalent of 3 days of work.
● Projects which score 8-15 pts. earn the equivalent of 2 days of work.
● Projects which score 1-7 pts. earn the equivalent of 1 days of work.

Project components you are expected to submit to your teacher:

1. Research Notes
2. MLA or APA Bibliography
3. Product #1
4. Product #2
5. Evidence of Reflection