SENIOR HONORS PROJECT

2011-2012 Update

Senior Project: “The Origins” Senior Project was designed to be an

independent-inquiry project, where students conducted in-depth research in an academic discipline of interest.

Curriculum positioned the teacher as a facilitator and coach of the research process.

Working in conjunction with Canisus college, each participant worked collaboratively with a mentor to refine their process and product.

Students defended their findings in an in-depth essay, as well as two public exposes.

Senior Project: Curriculum Evolution

Sample #1: Indicative of Exemplary Student Work

Excerpt from “Music Therapy, Autism and the Classroom: Communicating Success through Music”

Implementing Music Therapy into the Classroom SettingSpecial Education Administrators have the sole ability to reinvent classroom

curriculum and are responsible for the educational achievements of students with disabilities. However, in a national study, it was found that such administrators did not sufficiently understand the concept and benefits of music therapy. In this study, 516 special education administrators were questioned and 64.4% admitted that they had not had “professional and/or personal experiences with music therapy” (Ropp, 2008, p.121). In fact, several individuals were not able to respond to survey questions about music therapy because they had “a lack of personal knowledge about music therapy which impeded [their] ability to respond with accuracy and integrity” (Ropp, 2008, p.156). Of the 180 individuals who answered “yes” to having professional and personal experience with music, only 15 had acquired such information due to music therapy workshops and educational experience (Ropp, 2008, p.122). In conclusion, very few special education administrator’s have proper information on music therapy.

A key way to implement music therapy into the classroom is by increasing awareness of its benefits to those who form special education curriculum. Music therapy research, goals, and objectives should be readily available to school districts. Survey members in Ropp’s 2008 study indicated that special education administration were in need of such information in order to take action on the issue. Regardless of these aforementioned statistics, 81.1% of all interviewees claimed that music therapy would be most appropriate for children with ASD (Ropp, 2008, p.126). The desire to implement music therapy for autistic individuals is present is the administrative community; the clear lack of vital information on music therapy methods is holding such action back.

Exemplary Student Work (cont.)The previous excerpt consistently demonstrates “high performance” in the areas of critical

thinking, content, and communication. Critical Thinking

The paper displays insight and originality of thought; there is sound and logical analysis that reveals clear understanding of the relevant

issues; there is an appropriate balance of factual reporting, interpretation and analysis, and

personal opinion. Content

The paper addresses a topic within the context of examining biological, personal, social/cultural/political, or paradigmatic change;

appropriate significance is assigned to the information presented and irrelevant information is rarely included;

connections between the topic of the paper and related topics are made that enhance understanding;

Communication grammar and usage contribute to the clarity; conventions, if manipulated for stylistic

effect, work; paragraphs are well-focused and coherent. uses the proper format (APA);

Sample #2: Indicative of Improved Student Work

Excerpt from “Childhood Obesity: A call for governmental oversight”Introduction:

In this country, obesity has killed more people than AIDS and tobacco related cancers combined. In fact, 5.3 million children in the world are obese, and only one in one hundred children eat a balanced diet (Patel, 2005). Obesity today has taken many lives, and now it is our obligation to aid in its decline. While children have some responsibility for their weight gain and poor eating habits, society and parents have even greater obligations to teach children healthy living habits. Parents need to take responsibility for their children’s lives and health. While many parents make a plethora of excuses for their child’s obesity, it is their obligation to act on behalf of their own children. This begins with healthy eating habits. If parents have the choice of feeding their children McDonald’s or cooking a healthy meal at home, parents need to choose what is best for their children. Not only does fast food increase calorie intake, but it also is a root cause for energy imbalances—when the amount of food consumed out-weighs the amount of energy expended. When children begin consuming more calories than they burn, obesity rates are further increased. Parents need to encourage their children to play in, out, and around the house. Staying active is absolutely critical. Today, more than ever before, children need to be exercising. Since exercise promotes a healthy lifestyle and greatly reduces obesity rates, parents must exhibit better lifestyle choices. Ultimately, it is today’s parenting that can negatively impact obesity in children

Improved Student Work (cont.)The previous excerpt demonstrates areas of “average performance” in the

categories of critical thinking, content, and communication. Yet, in each major grading category, this sample also demonstrates significant improvement from earlier in the year.

Critical Thinking Average: While there are some ideas that seem obvious or

elementary, Above Average: the paper displays insight and originality of thought.

Content Average: While some of the connections are somewhat tenuous, Above Average: the author has a good grasp of what is known, what

is generally accepted, and what is yet to be discovered. Communication

Average: While sequencing shows some logic but it is not under complete control,

Above Average: there is a clear thesis.

Moving Forward…

For the 2012-2013 school year, there will be no sections of Senior Seminar due to low enrollment.

However, we believe that this a valuable experience for our students. Therefore: The research project will be integrated into the current

college-level composition course, NUstep Writing and Thinking.

The Canisus mentors will collaborate with these students.

Students will have the opportunity to volunteer to participate in Canisus College’s “Ignatian Day.”

We will examine the possibility of making Senior Seminar college-credit bearing in future years.