Celebrating Diversity at CIS

In late January, and into the month of February, the grade 8 classes will be completing and independent project in English. This research based assignment will culminate in a DIVERSITY FAIR, which will take the form of a Science Fair, with individual students having display boards that provide information on their particular diversity project. Other CIS students, teachers, and parents will be invited.

Diversity projects may take many forms, depending on the scope of the project and the wishes of the presenter. Time will be given in English class to work on the projects. Formal presentations to the class will take the place of a speech. Each student will be expected to complete a project independently. This will account for a percentage of the Oral/ Visual mark, writing mark and reading mark. It is a HUGE PROJECT and requires each student to determine the pace of their own learning.

Due to the three classes participating in the DIVERSTIY FAIR, each student is expected to choose their own topic and provide a proposal to their homeroom teacher that will outline what their project will be composed of. Each student will be expected to complete a different topic and those topics will be assigned on a first come first serve basis.

Some topic ideas are:

Ethnic diversity Legal Rights of Children

Family dynamics Child Poverty

Religion Prejudices and Stereotypes

Mental Health Concerns Media Portrayals

Physical Disabilities Child Labour

Refugees Gender Equity

Free Education Health Care Access

Within each of these topics are a host of ideas. Choose something that is meaningful to you. Keep your focus narrow, so your research time can be productive. You must meet all of the deadlines.

You will need to complete the following:

ü Project proposal

ü A presentation board that can stand on its own

ü An activity, pamphlet or short writing assignment that explains your project

ü Oral presentation of 3-5 minutes to the class

ü Display work for the DIVERSITY FAIR

Diversity Project Proposal Name:

General Topic Idea:

Specific Thesis Statement:

Description of Project: (general idea of what you are going to research, what types of things you are going to include on your presentation board, questions you would like answered, messages you want to make sure you get across to your audience)

Due Dates

· Proposal – January 30th

· Class Presentations - week of February 20^th – 24^th (parents on the 25^th?)

· Diversity Fair - February 29^th