MS Students

Each MS student will give one presentation per semester.  MS students may choose the subjects they wish to present, with prior assistance and direction from the teacher.  Each presentation requires a written component (a report of approximately 150 words in length), a visual component (usually a poster, but students may use their imagination, with direction from the teacher), and a listening component (either a live performance, video, or CD). Students may attach a copy of the report to the visual aid, but should make a second copy to read to the class.

HS Students

The Directed Independent Study (DIS) is a scholarly presentation that should reflect significant research.  It utilizes a written component, a lecture component, a visual component, and a listening component.   HS students will give three DIS presentations each semester.  Each is worth 100 points of classroom credit, and will be graded according to a standard rubric to ensure concise, high-quality presentations. 

The presentations are as follows:

One presentation that researches each of the three recital pieces students perform during the year (one during the First Semester, two during the Second Semester)

Two presentations of a classical or jazz subject

One presentation of the student's choice, with prior consultation with the teacher

Each presentation should consist of the following:

1.  A written component:  The student will submit a written report of approximately 750 words.   It must be the student's own research and writing, not paraphrased writing or material copied from encyclopedias or internet sources.  The student will utilize three or more sources, two of which must be book or encyclopedia sources.  Plaigiarized work will result in disciplinary action handled through DSA administration.  The final report must be typewritten (double-spaced) and will be handed in at the end of the presentation.  30%

2.  An oral component:  The student will read the written report or may use it as a guide for his/her lecture.  The student should practice the lecture before presenting it to the class to keep the lecture concise and flowing.  The student should be prepared to answer questions from other members of the class after the lecture.  It is expected that the student treat this presentation as a formal lecture.  20%

3.  A visual component:  The student should prepare a visual component that can vary in many ways.  The visual aid should show care in its construction, should be detailed, and should be informative.  The student may attach a copy of the written report to the visual if he/she chooses, but it is expected that the student will not read the report directly from the visual aid.  30%

4.  A listening component:  The student will present music either in personal performance or on a CD, tape, or DVD.  The DIS presentation of the student's recital piece will be a recording of a professional artist performing the work.  For other DIS projects, various styles of the artist's or composer's music should be represented.  Students are required to have made prior arrangements to ensure that they can present their recorded material without a delay to get IPODS, computer websites, or other media, ready for the class.  Any student who wastes class time fumbling with media devices will forfeit this portion of the grade.  20%

The presentation is worth 100 points, which is approximately 15% of the student's semester grade.  Because it facilitates grading and planning, students will receive 10 points of extra credit for turning DIS projects in early.

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