PCowdry

toc = Wiki Organization = The York School Personal Project Student Handbook information is written in brown.

**Action items (due dates, forms etc.) are written in red.**

YOUR PROCESS JOURNAL ENTRIES SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN BLACK. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT EACH ENTRY IS PROPERLY DATED.

= Process Journal = = = Maintain a process journal containing all your thoughts, decisions and actions. This document allows you to record your progress as you work on the project. It should be completed honestly and regularly to show how your project is developing. The process journal will also help you as you write the various sections of the report.

* //Adapted from MYP Personal Project Guidelines, Jan 2004// The process journal should be written in each of the following stages of your personal project: Investigate, Design, Plan, Create and Evaluate. **The process journal will be collected along with your written report on the due date for submission: December 11, 2009.** The process journal is your account of the progress you make with the personal project. It is about:

a) What you are doing at that moment. b) What you are thinking c) What you are accomplishing d) How you are coping with each of the different stages of your project e) How well you are dealing with problems and what you are learning about yourself as a result f) What makes you happy, annoyed, angry, nervous, disappointed, proud g) It needs not contain only written material, you can use pictures, photos, sketches, checklists, recordings, anything which provides evidence of your planning and progress

For example:


 * Date || Thoughts/plans/challenges/decisions/accomplishments || Materials/Sources consulted ||

=Guiding Question (Big Idea)=

How can I mentally and physically challenge myself through athletics?

=I. Investigation=

**Part I: Brainstorming:**

[|Investigate_Brainstorming.pdf]

**Part II: Some questions to consider**

Is there anything that you want to learn more about? That you’ve always wondered about? Are fascinated by? I wonder how the lactic acid that builds up in your body during physical activity is created. Is there a way to reduce the amount of build up during activities?  Is there anything that you’ve always wanted to learn to do? I have always wanted to go scuba diving and compete in a physically challenging competition.  What are you interested in finding out about yourself? I want to see how hard I can push my body. How well I can organize myself without any direct help from any adults.  What challenge would you be willing to take? I would be willing to take any challenge whether it is mental or physical. I would prefer to challenge myself physically.  Have you traveled anywhere that changed your view of life? Where did you go? No I haven’t.   <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Have you ever experienced anything that changed your view of life? What was that experience? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The only experience that actually changed my view on life was in grade six when I studied the Holocaust. I also went to the Holocaust museum in Washington DC. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">If you could go anywhere (country, city, building, behind the scenes) where would it be? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Go to a Stanley Cup Finals game. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">If you could meet anyone, who would it be? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Michael Jordan. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Is there any deceased person that you wish that you had met? Who and why? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Maurice Richard because he is one of the greatest hockey players to play the game and he is one of the greatest that is no longer alive. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Is there something in your culture/heritage to investigate, bring attention to, celebrate? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">No.

<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Do you have future aspirations? Describe them. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I would like to become a professional sports player. It would also be really cool to compete in an extremely physically challenging event. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Do you have any hobbies? What are they? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">My hobbies are biking, water skiing, snow skiing, hockey, baseball, video games, and many other sports. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Do you play any sports? Which ones? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I play hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball, football, and skiing. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Do you participate in any competitive activities? What are they? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I play competitive hockey, soccer, baseball, and basketball. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Do you play any musical instruments? Which ones? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Euphonium and drums <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">If you don’t play any musical instruments, would you like to play any? Which ones? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Have you developed any skills that you could use in your personal project? What are they? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I am fairly skilled in most sports that I play including basketball, biking, hockey, soccer, baseball, and I also run. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">What are your major personal accomplishments? Why do you consider them accomplishments? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">One of my main personal accomplishments is probably coming in second at the science fair at my school. <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Do you belong to any clubs, community organizations etc. that could be incorporated into your personal project? Which ones? <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I belong to a gym near my house and it also has a swimming pool.
 * Part III:** **Questions to consider**

**NOW READ ALL THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN AND SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE MORE PROGRESS IN FINDING A SPECIFIC TOPIC FOR YOUR PERSONAL PROJECT. YOU MAY WANT TO DO THIS BY:

1. USING A MIND MAP VIA INSPIRATION OR BY HAND. YOUR MIND MAP** **WILL NEED TO BE SCANNED AND INSERTED INTO YOUR WIKI.**
 * 2. WRITE OUT ANSWERS ON LAPTOP OR BY HAND.**

1. Eliminate (cross out) any repetitive ideas 2. Eliminate any ideas that you really are NOT interested in pursuing 3. Put together any similar ideas 4. How can you relate your ideas to an Area of Interaction? Which one? Or two 5. Consider how relevant the ideas are to real life (are they doable?) 6. Consider the ideas most meaningful to you. Consider what, of yourself, you can bring to your ideas. 7. Can you formulate any questions about your ideas? Take a point of view? 8. Is your idea “researchable, interesting, realistic?


 * BY NOW YOU SHOULD HAVE A MORE DIRECTED TOPIC FOR YOUR PERSONAL PROJECT. DO YOU HAVE ONE? WHAT IS IT?**

1b) Areas of interaction [[image:tyspersonalproject:AoI.png caption="AoI.png"]]
[|Areas of interaction as lenses.doc]

1c) Focusing to a guiding question
**WRITING THE GUIDING QUESTION**

A good guiding question is characterized by the following:

i) that prompts students to ask more questions ii) has multiple answers iii) ensures students learn content and do research iv) promotes deep thinking about an area of interaction v) not easily answered

Examples:


 * **Topic** || **Guiding Question** ||
 * Safety || ‘How can I better design traffic flow around my school?’ ||
 * Poverty || ‘How can I help reduce poverty in my city?’ ||
 * Sport Violence || ‘How can I bring awareness to soccer violence and how can this be reduced?’ ||
 * THROUGH YOUR PERSONAL PROJECT YOU MUST ANSWER THE GUIDING QUESTION YOU CHOOSE ****.**

__ ** MYP PERSONAL PROJECT 2009 PROPOSED TOPIC ** __ ** THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BY Feb 25th ** 1. My topic/area of interest is: A Triathlon

2. Briefly explain what inspired you to choose this topic: I want to do a project that is based around athletics but at the same time has a mental aspect. Therefore I figured that if I plan out my own training schedule then that is the mental challenge.

3. Highlight applicable AOI

Environment Community and Service Human Ingenuity
 * Health and Social Education**

4. My guiding question is: (be as clear as possible). In what way can i best mentally and physically challenge myself through athletics? 5. Briefly explain how the above AOI(s) will be the focus of your project and how your guiding question is connected. <span style="color: navy; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Health is the main focus of my project because I will be training for and completing a triathlon. This will improve my health. My guiding question is connected because through the triathlon I am physically training myself and mentally preparing myself.

Ask yourself the following questions: 1. What kind of information do I need to research? 2. Who has information about my topic? How do I contact people? 3. Where do I find the necessary material? 4. Do I need to interview individuals? 5. Do I have to carry out my own experiments? 6. Do I need to prepare, circulate and analyze surveys/questionnaires? 7. Do I need to visit a museum? Gallery? Gathering the Necessary Material and Research ** When you have found a source of information and/or inspiration, you will have to decide how useful it is. The list of sources in your report should only include those you have actually used. Write an annotated bibliography for each resource in the section below. Remember to keep your personal project goal in mind. This will help you to select what is useful and relevant.
 * A book, journal, internet site: see **Bibliographic Resource tab** to the left.
 * An interview: record date of interview, name, address, title of person
 * A work of art: record name, artist, location of gallery/museum
 * An experiment: apparatus, circumstances

__1d) COLLECTING RESOURCES__ Fill out this table below as you go... (at least 1 print source, 1 website, 1 interview) //List below:// || || ||
 * **Questions:** || **Y/N** || **Which resource addresses my guiding question, AoI,** ||
 * Have I collected a variety of resources?
 * Are the resources enough to answer my question? || || ||
 * Do the resources support the area of interaction(s) || || ||
 * What changes could I make in my design(planning) and research to attain better results? || || ||

=II. Design=

**STAGE 2 DESIGNING THE PERSONAL PROJECT** After collecting and analyzing resources you are now in a position to make decisions about the best way to carry out your personal project.

Consider a table weighing out the different options you could take evaluating the pros and cons of each design option.

__** CHOOSING and APPLYING TECHNIQUES **__ Decide which design/technique you will use and write an explanation why you chose it.
 * Design/Technique || Pros || Cons ||
 * 1 || || ||
 * 2 || || ||
 * 3 || || ||

What will my ideal Personal Project look like/be when it is completed?

= =

=III. Planning=

**STAGE 3 Planning the Personal Project **

After your research you are ready to plan how you will carry out your Personal Project.


 * Step 1:** Make a chronological list of steps you will take


 * Step 2:** Prepare a list of materials/resources needed and where and how you attain them (consider associated costs, people to consult and scheduling challenges if applicable).


 * Step 3:** Prepare a time line showing what you will do at each step (ie. A calendar or table itemizing action plans/anticipated results).


 * Step 4:** Include back up plans/alternatives should changes need to be made.

Planning and Development Worksheet:
__Due Date:__ April 29

//This is the first step of your project – to plan and to make a goal. Your goals and timelines may change throughout the project somewhat, but it is important to state and explain clearly the reasons for the changes in your process journal.//
 * You must complete this worksheet and share it with your supervisor at the your first meeting. At the end of the meeting both you and your supervisor will sign this sheet.**

Topic:

Focused Guiding Question/goal:

Area of Interaction (AoI): Justify and explain how your chosen personal project fits into the above stated AoI and guiding question. D escribe the process you will carry out to address your personal project guiding question Outline a detailed plan and timeline of what you hope to achieve. (Recognize plans can change, but only if there is a plan). You will want to take into account the deadlines that have already been set by the school (see page 2 of this guide)
 * Plans || Approximate Deadline ||

List __all__ the resources needed to carry out your personal project (this includes print sources, people, organizations, community services).

= = = = = =

= = = = =IV. Creation= **STAGE 4 CREATING the PERSONAL PROJECT** After research, choosing the best technique and planning you are now ready to create your personal project.

Ask yourself the following: **__ Process Journal __**

Today I swam 36 lengths in a 25m pool. This took me 30 minutes. Today I swam 38 lengths in a 25m pool. This took me 30 minutes. Later that day I took my bicycle in for a tune-up.
 * __April 18, 2009__**
 * __April 22, 2009__**

Today I biked 2 km to the swimming pool. I then swam 35 lengths in a 25m pool. This took me 25 minutes. Then I biked another 2 km to get home.
 * __April 25, 2009__**

Today I ran 2 km to the swimming pool. I then swam 38 lengths in a 25m pool. This took me 30 minutes. Then I ran another 2 km to get home.
 * __April 28, 2009__**

Today I biked 55 km from Mont-Laurier to Nomininique.
 * __May 5, 2009__**

Today I biked 65 km from Nomininque to Saint-Jovite.
 * __May 6, 2009__**

Today I biked 45 km from Saint-Jovite to Sainte-Adèle.
 * __May 7, 2009__**

Today I biked 35 km from Sainte-Adèle to Saint-Jérôme.
 * __May 8, 2009__**

Today I supposed to go to the swimming pool and swim around 36 lengths but I did not wake up on time to make it to the pool. Tomorrow I will complete the swimming that I was supposed to do today.
 * __May 22, 2009__**

Today I rode my bike one km more than I am supposed to on this day of the training schedule. This is because yesterday I forgot to do my swimming and I decided to bike to swimming so that I could accomplish both parts of my training for today in less time. The extra biking is not going to hurt my schedule it will only make be better at biking. I also changed the number of kilometres that is required for the lowest intensity on biking because I felt that I could biking further in that amount of time without pushing myself to far. During the swimming session I swam 2 lengths freestyle then 4 breast strokes. I did not have that much trouble while I was swimming freestyle and I think that my stroke is improving.
 * __May 23, 2009__**

Today I was supposed to run two kilometres for my training. I found that I was very short on time so when I went with my friend to a nearby street I measured the distance and it was about the same length that was required for the next level of biking intensity. I biked five km and I just managed to finish in the required time. I feel that I will go faster next time because I will be wearing proper biking equipment. I am going to try and work on getting my training back on track with the schedule.
 * __May 24, 2009__**

This morning I once again forgot to get up for my swimming. Fortunately tonight I had dry land training with my hockey team that was very intense. I feel that this was a sufficient replacement for my swimming. I was not able to get back on track today but it will be easier because tomorrow is my day off and it will help me get reorganized.
 * __May 25, 2009__**

Today I got up at 6:30 for the first time since my training started. I think that I am going to be more responsible from now on and I will not miss my training. This morning I ran two km in about eight minutes. This is two minutes under the maximum time for this distance. I think that I ran a steady pace considering that I am still sore from the dry land training that was on Monday. Tomorrow morning I have to get up again for swimming and this time I am not going to forget to go.
 * __May 27, 2009__**

Today I woke up at 6:30 for my light run. I am seven days into my training and am starting to get more into it. This is only the first time I have run but with the other activities I will be in good enough shape in time for the competition. I felt a little bit sore at the beginning of the run but this is mostly because of my swim yesterday. This was not that long which was good at this point and my distance will increase as I get further into the training.
 * __May 28, 2009__**

I went for a swim today and got 32 lengths done in 30 minutes. This is almost in the range that I am supposed to reach today. I have not been able to reach my higher levels of swimming consistently so instead of having different levels I am just going to swim as many as I can in half an hour.
 * __May 29, 2009__**

I went for a ten km bike ride today. Surprisingly it was not that difficult but I did have trouble on some of the larger hills. I felt a bit tired after because the conditions were not that good and most of the time I was biking against the wind.
 * __May 30, 2009__**

This morning I woke up and went for a short jog. It was about 3 km long so I ran pretty fast considering the distance. When I was finished I was really exhausted which is good because that way I can build up my cardio level and my muscles.
 * __May 31, 2009__**

Today I swam 36 lengths and I was able to do two lengths of front crawl and then two of breast stroke. This is good because that way I strengthen my arm better if I can do two of front crawl.
 * __June 1, 2009__**

Today I swam 42 lengths. I think that this because I had a rest day yesterday. My body was starting to get fairly sore from the last week of training and this day was a good break.
 * __June 3, 2009__**

This morning I ran four km in about 15 minutes which is good because at this point I have given myself 20 minutes for that distance. This way when I have to run a longer distance I will be able to complete it in the right amount of time.
 * __June 4, 2009__**

Today I swam 30 lengths. I felt that my front crawl is getting a lot faster but my shoulders were kind of sore after I was done. This is good because my muscles will build faster this way.
 * __June 5, 2009__**

This afternoon I went for a 6 km bike ride. There were a few large hills that I was able to bike up quickly. On the uphill portions I stayed on a high gear so that it would be more of a challenge.
 * __June 6, 2009__**

Today I biked the same route as yesterday but I did a loop at one of the larger uphill areas so I could do it twice. This increased my route by 2 km and it provided more of a challenge for me.
 * __June 7, 2009__**

Today I swam 38 lengths in about 25 minutes. This was because I was a little late and I had to get to school. I swam harder then usual to make up for this and I ended up getting in more lengths in than usual.
 * __June 8, 2009__**

Today I swam 32 lengths in the regular time. I was slower because I was swimming all breast stroke. This is because I wanted to see how fast I could do breast stroke in case I end up doing it during the actual event. Today I ran three km in ten minutes. I felt strong during most of the run even though I was sore.
 * __June 10, 2009__**
 * __June 11, 2009__**

This morning I swam 34 lengths. I tried to do more lengths of front crawl but I had trouble with pacing myself.
 * __June 12, 2009__**

This afternoon I went for a 13 km bike ride. I took a large looping route that was mostly on busy streets. There were lots of up hills and down hills that were difficult and easy. I did not have too much trouble with this but it took me about 40 minutes to complete. I should be able to do this faster.
 * __June 13, 2009__**

Today I ran four km. I did not pace myself well as I ran to hard at the beginning so I had to slow down during the middle of my run. I was able to finish strong though.
 * __June 14, 2009__**

Today I swam 30 lengths. I felt fairly sore because over the last week most of my training had been more physically demanding. This well help me rest because tomorrow I also get a rest day.
 * __June 15, 2009__**

Today I swam extra hard and I completed 42 lengths. This is the most yet. It is mainly because I was pretty well rested. I am happy to have accomplished this number of lengths.
 * __June 17, 2009__**

Today I went for a 6 km jog around the neighbourhood. It felt pretty good and I broke a good sweat. Tomorrow I am starting my more intense training.
 * __June 18, 2009__**

Today I swam 36 lengths. I did 2 front crawl, then 2 breast stroke. I am getting stronger on my front crawl.
 * __June 19, 2009__**

Have I written in my process journal regularly? Have I taken photographs (if applicable) at various steps? Have I attained all the materials that I need?

= =

= =

= = = = = = =V. Evaluation and Reflection= ** Writing the Personal Project Report FIRST DRAFT DUE DATE: November 6th
 * STAGE 5 EVALUATING and REFLECTING
 * **CONTENTS** || Yes or No ||
 * I have a contents page written with sections labeled introduction, description of research, process, analysis of process, conclusion, bibliography, appendices (if applicable). ||  ||
 * **INTRODUCTION** //Written in future tense approximately 1-1.5 pages// ||  ||
 * I have clearly identified my goal within its context (i.e. WHY it is important), and some background on my inspiration towards the chosen project. || ||
 * I have justified my choice of AoI focus. ||  ||
 * I have written a detailed outline of the steps taken to achieve my guiding questions, this includes a variety of resources (at least 1 print, 1 website, 1 interview). ||  ||
 * **DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS** //Written in past tense approximately 1.5-2 pages// ||  ||
 * I have described the possible techniques suitable to answering my guiding question and have justified my choice/technique. ||  ||
 * I have described my process clearly (all production steps/components) referring to my plan in the introduction. ||  ||
 * **ANALYSIS** //Divide into 2 sections research analysis and process analysis// ||  ||
 * I have reflected on the resources collected (design stage) to attain my project goal and the AoI chosen: emphasizing the value of the resources. ||  ||
 * I have considered if the AoI is well connected to the resources. ||  ||
 * I have supported my arguments thoughtfully with evidence. ||  ||
 * I have reviewed my goal: challenges and achievements. ||  ||
 * I have reviewed the process (plan and doing phase): considered the timelines, ease/challenge of 'doing': reliance upon others/experts, materials/equipment. ||  ||
 * Review if your chosen AoI is effective in your project process. ||  ||
 * //*Analysis is not description which is telling. Rather identifying factors that shaped the idea/point. It can be comparing and contrasting. It may also be understanding the significance.// ||  ||
 * **CONCLUSION** ||  ||
 * I have analysed the outcome: the strengths or weaknesses in my final outcome/project? ||  ||
 * I have considered how to improve upon the project. ||  ||
 * I have shared new insights gained about the project. ||  ||
 * **BIBLIOGRAPHY** ||  ||
 * I have completed an annotated bibliography following a format outlined in the Bibliographic Resources tab. ||  ||
 * I have correctly cited borrowed ideas in the text of my report. ||  ||
 * **PERSONAL ENGAGEMENT** ||  ||
 * I have organized my work logically and clearly. ||  ||
 * I have met deadlines and made use of my process journal. ||  ||
 * I have shown enthusiasm and commitment. ||  ||
 * I have correctly cited borrowed ideas in the text of my report. ||  ||
 * **PERSONAL ENGAGEMENT** ||  ||
 * I have organized my work logically and clearly. ||  ||
 * I have met deadlines and made use of my process journal. ||  ||
 * I have shown enthusiasm and commitment. ||  ||
 * I have shown enthusiasm and commitment. ||  ||

WRITING the SECOND DRAFT and SUBSEQUENT DRAFTS

Do not expect your first written version to suffice. Check your project with the ASSESSMENT CRITERIA and YOUR MENTOR.

Have the first draft read by, for example, a peer, a parent, or your mentor and ask for feedback. After consulting with one or all of the above persons you are ready to edit your draft. Remember that this draft should be as complete as possible and follow the structure outlined in section B of this booklet. The more editing the closer your report will likely meet the assessment rubric. FINAL COPY - DUE DECEMBER 12, 2008

The written piece should not exceed 4000 words.

=Resources and Bibliography=