Website Rubric

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Layout	The Web site has an exceptionally attractive and usable layout. It is easy to locate all important elements. White space, graphic elements and/or alignment are used effectively to organize material.	The Web pages have an attractive and usable layout. It is easy to locate all important elements.	The Web pages have a usable layout, but may appear busy or boring. It is easy to locate most of the important elements.	The Web pages are cluttered looking or confusing. It is often difficult to locate important elements.
Content	The site has a well-stated clear purpose and theme that is carried out throughout the site.	The site has a clearly stated purpose and theme, but may have one or two elements that do not seem to be related to it.	The purpose and theme of the site is somewhat muddy or vague.	The site lacks a purpose and theme.
Interest	The author has made an exceptional attempt to make the content of this Web site interesting to the people for whom it is intended.	The author has tried to make the content of this Web site interesting to the people for whom it is intended.	The author has put lots of information in the Web site but there is little evidence that the person tried to present the information in an interesting way.	The author has provided only the minimum amount of information and has not transformed the information to make it more interesting to the audience (e.g., has only provided a list of links to the content of others).
Copyright	Fair use guidelines are followed with clear, easy-to-locate and accurate citations for all borrowed material. No material is included from Web sites that state that permission is required unless permission has been obtained.	Fair use guidelines are followed with clear, easy-to-locate and accurate citations for almost all borrowed material. No material is included from Web sites that state that permission is required unless permission has been obtained.	Fair use guidelines are followed with clear, easy-to-locate and accurate citations for most borrowed material. No material is included from Web sites that state that permission is required unless permission has been obtained.	Borrowed materials are not properly documented OR material was borrowed without permission from a site that requires permission
Links (content)	All links point to high quality, up-to-date, credible sites.	Almost all links point to high quality, up-to-date, credible sites.	Most links point to high quality, up-to-date, credible sites.	Less than 3/4 of the links point to high quality, up-to-date, credible sites.
Work Ethic	Student always uses classroom project time well. Conversations are primarily focused on the project and things needed to get the work done and are held in a manner that typically does not disrupt others.	Student usually uses classroom project time well. Most conversations are focused on the project and things needed to get the work done and are held in a manner that typically does not disrupt others.	Student usually uses classroom project time well, but occasionally distracts others from their work.	Student does not use classroom project time well OR typically is disruptive to the work of others.
Group Cooperation	Partners show respect for one another's ideas, divide the work fairly, and show a commitment to quality work and support for each other.	Partners show respect for one another's ideas and divide the work fairly. There is commitment by some members toward quality work and support of one another.	Partners show respect for one another's ideas and divide the work fairly. There is little evidence of a commitment toward quality work in the group.	Partners argue or are disrepectful of other's ideas and input. Criticism is not constructive nor is support offered. The work is mostly done by one or two people.

Website MUST HAVES

Your website must have the following information:

• About Page: this page will give information about you, your group mates, and what your project it
• Why you're creating this website
• Updates

Your website could have the following information:

• Twitter updates
• Comment boxes
• Ways for people to donate to your cuase
• Ways for people to promote on social media

Website for Capstone Project

What is the purpose of your website?

Why do you want people to visit your website?

What do you want viewers to be able to do on your website?

What information do you want them to find?

How do you want to make your website unique?

College Admissions Research

This assignment is due by the end of class on Thursday, December 13.

1. Choose a major/area of interest to study in college. This can be dance, history, pre-med, business, Spanish, military science, etc. You won't be committed to it for the rest of your life, so don't stress about picking one.

2. Choose a four-year college or university in the United States that has your major/area of interest.

3. Research the admission requirements to get into the school and the program.

• GPA
• SAT/ACT scores
• Deadlines
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement/essay
• Special courses required
• Other information

4. Look up scholarship and financial aid opportunities at the college/university.

5. Create a presentation with those requirements to share with the class on Thursday.

Raise your GPA

How to raise your GPA:

http://www.back2college.com/raisegpa.htm

Guide to Life After High School

What makes the ASU Prep high school experience worth having??

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dEFiamhrRUdtNE5OMWNhSi1HaThaemc6MQ

NEXT activity.

Please click the link below for the reading.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2hqmfa6llt4m7pm/GTAHSsophomore.pdf

Read the section Think about your future (first 2 pages). Answer the following questions in your journal or on a piece of paper:

What is my favorite subject and why?
What is my least favorite subject and why?
What kind of assignments do I enjoy?
What are my hobbies, and what is my favorite part about those hobbies?
What activities am I involved in and why?
How will college better prepare me for a career than high school alone will?

Read the section Prepare Academically (page 3).
As a group, discuss the following questions. Each group member must share an answer for each question.
After group discussion, write your answers in your journal.

What good study habits do you currently have?
What study habits do you need to improve?
How has your writing improved since beginning high school?
What are some areas of writing that you are currently trying to improve?
Describe one way you currently challenge yourself academically.

Read the section Attend a College Fair (page 4).
As a group, discuss the following questions. Each group member must share an answer for each question.
After group discussion, write your answers in your journal.

Have you been to a college fair? If so, describe your experience.
What does the NACAC host a college fair in Arizona? If you're not sure, check the website: www.nacacnet.org
What should a student expect and do at a college fair?

Read the section Research Standardized Tests (page 4-5).
As a group, discuss the following questions. Each group member must share an answer for each question.
After group discussion, write your answers in your Capstone journal.

What do you already know about standardized tests and college entrance exams?
What questions do you have?
What resources are available to you for answering your questions?
What are you doing or have you done to take or be prepared for college entrance exams?

Read the section Learn about Paying for College (page 5-6). 
As a group, discuss the following questions. Each group member must share an answer for each question.
After group discussion, write your answers in your Capstone journal.

What are the similarities and differences between scholarships and grants?
What are the similarities and differences between scholarships and loans?
Besides scholarships, grants, and loans, how do you students pay for college?
How can you estimate the amount of financial aid you will receive?
Why is it important for you to begin thinking about financial aid now?

Read the section Consider your financial life after college (page 7).
As a group, discuss the following questions. Each group member must share an answer for each question. 
After group discussion, write your answers in your journal.

Why is it important to consider a budget when you have a regular income?
Plan a budget for your current situation. Consider allowance, money from part-time jobs, or other sources of income.
Consider the expenses you regularly have as well as upcoming expenses you expect.

Effort Grade Rubric and Capstone Class

Good afternoon!

Please come in and begin reflecting in your journals or on a piece of paper. Take a look at the Effort Rubric you were handed. Answer the following questions?

What do you think is fair about this rubric? Why?

What do you think is unfair about this rubric? Why?

What grade to you expect to get based on this rubric? Why?


For the rest of the year, we have a number of goals we must accomplish in our Capstone class. Think about these goals and how YOU would like to see our class accomplish them. Write down how you think we should best achieve these goals.

• Developing habits of successful social entrepreneurs:
• Organization - teaching students how to organize and balance their academic and non-academic lives
• Time management - teaching students how to manage their time efficiently in order to be successful
• Responsibility - teaching students to become responsible for their choices and their consequences
• Professionalism - teaching students to approach their schoolwork with professionalism
• Developing our Capstone project
• Marketing
• Developing a business plan
• Pitching plan(s)
• Measuring success
• Independent college research
• Driving interest in global perspectives
• Developing a college portfolio
• Including setting and achieving goals for college