Senior Humanities
  • Daily Lessons
  • Course Overview
  • Resources
  • Senior Project Exemplars
    • 2026 Award Finalists
    • 2025 Award Finalists
    • 2024 Award Finalists
    • 2023 Award Finalists
    • 2019 Award Finalists
    • 2018 Award Finalists
    • Early Senior Theses and TED Talks

Day 1- TPOL Prep

5/15/2026

 
Schedule Reminders:
  1. Friday 5/15- Humanities Classroom for TPOL Prep periods 3, 4, 5 + Electives.
  2. Monday 5/18- Humanities Classroom for TPO Prep periods 3, 4, 5 + Electives
  3. Tuesday 5/19- TPOLs  (10:30-12 or 1-2:30) + Electives (last day of electives)
  4. Wednesday 5/20- TPOLs (10:30-12)
  5. Thursday 5/21- Junior Panel, 8:30-9:15, Final NEST Meeting 2:30-3:30, Senior Supper 6:00
  6. Friday 5/22- Graduation Rehearsal, 8:30-11:30, Graduation 3:30-5:30

TPOL Framing
This is our last chance to get together as an academic community and connect around your educational experiences and reflect as a community. This has traditionally been really valuable for students to have closure on their high school experience, and for us to get feedback on senior thesis and senior project. Please take this seriously, and come prepared for one last time to show your brilliance! You are required to participate in this!

TPOL Schedule
See the document linked in Google Classroom. THE DIGITAL LINKED SCHEDULE is ALWAYS the most updated one! Go by that one!

TPOL Preparation Today:
You may leave when ALL of the items below are signed off by a core teacher (Lori, Kyle, or Jessica).
  1. Read and annotate the seminar texts
  2. Complete the coaching handout with a group of students (3-5)
  3. Fill out Alumni Database (this is linked in Google Classroom)
  4. Turned in Action Project Guide (completed) on Google Classroom
  5. Completed and submitted the Senior Project Website form (linked on Google Classroom)

End of Year Feedback Survey- Take for your HUMANITIES teacher and for KYLE
  1. Lori’s Humanities Students- Take the survey linked here- it’s also in Lori’s Google Classroom. 
  2. Jessica’s Humanities Students- Take the survey linked here- it’s also in Lori’s Google Classroom.
  3. Kyle’s Survey is in Google Classroom- Take it now!​

4.1- Exhibition Logistics and Prep

5/11/2026

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  1. Final PROJECT + Website Form. DUE: Friday 5/15, 3:30pm. Google Form + Classroom.
​
DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. None.
Announcements:
  1. All School Exhibition is THURSDAY. If you are scheduled, please make sure you are where you need to be, on time! PROFESSIONAL DRESS REQUIRED!
  2. WEDNESDAY Periods 2-4- Be here.  You need to set up for your Exhibition, we will do critiques of exhibits, and turn in your senior project. 
  3. Fill out Alumni Database

Schedule Reminders:
  1. Monday 5/11 and Tuesday 5/12- Normal cohort times (periods 3/4) + Electives
  2. Weds 5/13- Cohorts periods 2, 3, 4. ON CAMPUS.
  3. Thursday 5/14- Normal cohort time (3/4) + Senior Exhibition Panels- Practice run-through 5th period + Electives + All School Exhibition 5-7. 
  4. Friday 5/15- Humanities Classroom for TPOL Prep periods 3, 4, 5 + Electives
  5. Monday 5/18- Humanities Classroom for TPO Prep periods 3, 4, 5 + Electives
  6. Tuesday 5/19- TPOLs  (10:30-12 or 1-2:30) + Electives
  7. Wednesday 5/20- TPOLs (10:30-12)
  8. Thursday 5/21- Junior Panel, 8:30-9:15
  9. Friday 5/22- Graduation Rehearsal, 8:30-11:30, Graduation 3:30-5:30

​Alternate Deadline Folks- 
  1. SHARE your thesis revisions with comments with your Humanities teacher.
  2. Complete your HANDWRITTEN outline for the in-class writing tomorrow.


End of Year Feedback Survey- Take for your HUMANITIES teacher and for KYLE
  1. Lori’s Humanities Students- Take the survey linked here- it’s also in Lori’s Google Classroom. 
  2. Jessica’s Humanities Students- Take the survey linked here- it’s also in Lori’s Google Classroom.
  3. Kyle’s Survey is in Google Classroom- Take it now!

Panel Meeting Today: 11:15 (4th period)- Kyle’s Room
  1. Process
    1. Moderator introduces
    2. Go down the line and introduce yourself with full name + research focus
    3. Moderator asks first question
    4. 3-4 people respond
    5. Repeat for other questions
    6. Open it up to the audience for questions on process or content of research
  2. Get together with your group.
  3. Decide who your moderator will be (they welcome everyone, intro the panel, ask questions).
  4. As a group, write 5 questions that the moderator will ask to the panel.
  5. EMAIL the following to Lori, Kyle, and Jessica:
    1. Panel topic (Humanities or STEM)
    2. Who your moderator is
    3. The 5 questions and WHO will be answering the 5 questions. Not everyone should answer every question, but everyone should speak to at least 3 questions.

Exhibition Things
  1. Schedule and Locations- Let Lori know NOW if there are issues with location or time!
  2. Professional Dress is REQUIRED
  3. Off campus exhibitions- TAKE PICTURES!  DOCUMENT THAT IT HAPPENED 

FINISH YOUR PROJECT

3.2- Exhibition and Panel Stuff

5/7/2026

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  1. Final PROJECT + Website Form. DUE: Friday 5/15, 3:30pm. Google Form + Classroom.
​
DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. None.
Announcements
  1. NEXT WEDNESDAY- Plan on being here periods 2-4, with all your exhibition materials COMPLETE. You will have periods 2-3 to set up, and then period 4 will be critiques and run through. Spanish 4, talk to Kat about what this means for you!
  2. NEXT FRIDAY- Plan on being here periods 3, 4, and 5. If you accomplish the assigned tasks early, you will be signed out and released. 
​
Senior Panels! Participation needed!
  1. Seniors to talk to Juniors: May 21, 8:30-9:15. We need a panel with varied projects to talk to juniors about how cool senior project can be, the experience of senior year,  and help them start thinking about it now they’ve returned from LINK. We want to get them on the hype train! Looking for 8ish students, we will buy you Bread pastries for breakfast. :) No prep needed, just show up and talk about your year and your thesis/project. If we don’t get volunteers, we will volunteer you!
  2. Seniors to give input to Dreher: May 14, 6th period.  This is a chance to give input about AHS to our new HOS before you leave the nest! We’d love a group of 6-8 seniors who could meet with Dreher to give him your unique student-centered input and insights

End of Year Feedback Survey
  1. Lori’s Humanities Students- Take the survey linked here- it’s also in Lori’s Google Classroom. 
  2. Jessica’s Humanities Students- Take the survey linked here- it’s also in Lori’s Google Classroom.
  3. Kyle’s Math Students- Take the survey linked here- it’s also in Kyle’s Google Classroom.

Exhibition Plans
  1. Review exhibition panels
  2. Review Senior Project Website form and due dates for things- All can be found on Google Classroom
  3. Exhibition Scheduling. You will need to be with your project from either 5-6 or 6-7. Paneling is in addition to that, if you are on one of our expert panels.
  4. All Exhibition Materials must be complete and set up by 4th period on WEDNESDAY next week for a practice run through and critique. 
  5. Exhibition Panels-
    1. We will meet MONDAY during cohort time to prepare for the panels in Kyle’s room. BE THERE at the start of 4th period.
    2. We want you to do a practice run of the panels on THURSDAY during 5th period. This is for a group of big important state level folks.

STEM PANEL- 5:30-6
  1. Hannah
  2. Maggie
  3. Arlo
  4. Sunny
  5. Hunter
  6. Chris
HUMANITIES PANEL- 6:00-6:30
  1. Naomi
  2. Kenna
  3. Maily
  4. Luca
  5. Thalia
  6. Penny

Cohort Tasks for Today
  1. DONE? Come with me to give (critical) feedback to the 10th grade energy museum! Julian asked us specifically to bring exacting standards, and not to hold back!
  2. Finish Project Work
  3. Turn in Projects
    1. Completed action project guide- make sure your documentation is robust!
    2. Complete website form with ALL required information


3.1- Exhibition Prep

5/5/2026

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  1. Final PROJECT + Website Form. DUE: Friday 5/15, 3:30pm. Google Form + Classroom.
​
DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. None.
Announcements and Quick Tasks:
  1. Missing Graduation Ticket Survey: Makenna, Oscar, Hunter, Hannah, Luca S.
  2. Missing Individual Song: Makenna, Ari, Maggie, Hannah, Sunny, Penny
  3. Erin CR’s Survey- This is in your email! Take it RIGHT NOW. These are anonymous, and are used to improve college and career systems and programming.

Conference Check Ins
Get in small groups and discuss the following:
  1. Check In- How is everyone doing? 
  2. EXHIBITION TALK! What is each of you exhibiting? How will you make it engaging/interactive for the audience? Where in the school would you like to be located, and why?

Exhibition Plans
  1. Review exhibition panels- we will prep for these next week.
  2. We will give you time to do AHS Senior Project Website stuff on the 15th. If your project and exhibition are already DONE, you can (and should) do this now!
  3. We will have locations for All School figured out by the start of next week
  4. JESSICA’S COHORT: NEW FILM FESTIVAL DEADLINES: Due to schedule changes, the committee will be meeting after school today. You must have at least a sample cut by the end of the day today for the festival review committee. You will have the chance to submit the finished film by midnight tomorrow, but please export something from your film that gives the committee a sense of what you are working on. DROP IT IN THIS FOLDER BY 4PM. 

To Do:
  1. Exhibition Plan Doc- Edit with your information, so that floor plan crew can start figuring out the plan.

STEM PANEL- 5:30-6
  1. Hannah
  2. Maggie
  3. Arlo
  4. Sunny
  5. Hunter
  6. Chris

HUMANITIES PANEL- 6:00-6:30
  1. Naomi
  2. Avery
  3. Kenna
  4. Maily
  5. Luca
  6. Thalia
  7. Penny

To Do Lists
  1. Open your Action Guide, review the notes from your check in with your cohort leader.
  2. Go onto your to-do list document
  3. Update your lists for this week.
  4. Make sure you have ample documentation (pictures, notes, screenshots, emails, links) for what you accomplished last week.

Work Time
Get stuff done!  Your project should be really close to finished (if not entirely done) by the end of this week.

2.2- Thesis Reflection In Class Essay

4/28/2026

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  1. Thesis Reflection. DUE: Tuesday 4/28, 12:07 pm (extended time 2:35pm). ​Google Classroom.
​
DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. None.
Senior Thesis Reflection
  1. Share your REVISED THESIS with Lori. This is the one where you commented on your revisions
  2. Open two tabs, and two tabs ONLY in your browser- one with your revised thesis, and one with a blank Google document, labeled “Name- Thesis Reflection”
  3. Take out: your handwritten outline preparation, your original thesis copy with Lori's comments and the rubric, and the Thesis Reflection assignment.
  4. WRITE! WRITE!

Extended Time?
  1. At the end of 4th period, turn in your Thesis Reflection on Google Classroom
  2. Come back 6th period to finish your Thesis Reflection

Project Cohorts

  1. Make to-do lists, and do the things.
  2. Conference with Lori if not conferencing on Friday

Folks Who are DONE with their Senior Project:

​Meet with Lori today to divide the following tasks:
  1. Senior Project Website Creation
  2. All School Exhibition Program + Poster
  3. Senior Exhibition Organization and Planning

2.1- Thesis Reflection Prep

4/27/2026

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  1. Action Project Guide. DUE: Friday 4/24, 12:07pm. SHARE with Cohort Leader.
  2. Thesis Revisions. DUE: Monday 4/27, start of class.  ​See instructions on Google Classroom for how to turn these in.
​
DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. None.
HUMANITIES

Senior Thesis Reflection
  1. Purpose: For you to articulate your learning about writing and research, and show us the internal working of your project.
  2. Review requirements for the reflection
  3. Make available printed outline template
  4. Revisions can be shared by midnight tonight with your Huma

Prep Work
  1. READ your paper in its entirety one more time.
  2. REVIEW the feedback your Humanities teacher gave you.
  3. ANNOTATE your draft, according to the instructions on the Thesis Resubmission and SHARE WITH HUM TEACHER by MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
  4. PREPARE for tomorrow’s in-class reflection essay according to the instructions. You are allowed ONE sheet of paper with bullets and an outline, or a completed outline on the handout we give you in class today.

PROJECT COHORTS

​Announcements
  1. 3 WEEKS TO EXHIBITION! 
  2. 4 WEEKS TO GRADUATION!
  3. WEDNESDAY OFF-CAMPUS. Please get prior approval. Teachers will be here for office hours or work space.

Project Tunes/Critiques
Who wants to be critiqued this week? Let’s get some groups together and figure out when these will happen

Work Time
  1. To Do Lists + Documentation- If you haven’t already…create a document titled Your Name- To Do Lists. Make a to-do list for this week.
  2. Create TO-DO List
  3. Do things on list.
  4. Document the things on your Action Project Guide
  5. Conference #1 if you haven't yet.
  6. Continue to work on the Action Project Guide as you hit milestones and figure things out.

1.1- Senior Project Cohort Introduction

4/20/2026

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  1. Action Project Guide. DUE: Friday 4/24, 12:07pm. SHARE with Cohort Leader.
  2. Thesis Revisions. DUE: Monday 4/27, start of class.  ​See instructions on Google Classroom for how to turn these in.
​
DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. None.
Slides from Class Today

Logistics
  1. Logistics: Where do I have to be, and when? See calendar here.
  2. Assessment: How do I pass? What are the different tasks I will have to complete?
  3. Cohorts: How do they work?
  4. Deadlines: When are things due?

Conference Check Ins
As a small group discuss the following questions:
  1. Check-in: How are doing? What is your stress level like? Are you excited about your project?
  2. Share project ideas!
  3. What is 1 thing you are stuck on or struggling with?  Spend 2-3 minutes discussing your dilemmas and respond to each other. Help each other out!
  4. What ideas do you have for your exhibition? Where? What? Dreams?
  5. Is there anyone who wants a project tune or critique? When? What makes the most sense for you? A critique, tune, dilemma? Who in your group knows they need a project tune next Tuesday?  Who needs one next Friday? (you each will need to do a project tune at least once during so if you feel like you really need help early on in the process, sign up!)

Cohort Leader Conferences
Before you begin working on  your action project guide, please sign up for a conference with your cohort advisor for either today or tomorrow of this week. (Lori’s students will be Wednesday or Thursday, as she is absent on Friday)

The goal of the first conference will be to go over your completed action project guide and make sure your goals are viable and meet the basic requirements. Every other week we will discuss your goals for the week and your progress with those goals.  

Complete Action Project Guide
Work on this, it’s due no later than the start of Friday.  SHARE WITH YOUR COHORT LEADER- do NOT turn in on Google Classroom!

Day 8- TED Talk Critiques

4/9/2026

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  1. Thesis Revisions. DUE: Monday 4/20, start of class.  ​See instructions on Google Classroom for how to turn these in.
​
DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. TED Prep Day 1. LAST DAY TO TURN IN: Tuesday 4/7, start of class. Google Classroom.
Reminders:
  1. Check the TED Talk and Paneling Schedule. One more time.  Make sure you know paneling and presentation times!  All will be done in Lori’s classroom for you guys.
  2. Help During TED Talks- If you need help with thesis revisions during TED Talks please EMAIL ME to schedule an appointment. I have time available, but need to know when you want to meet.
  3. GO TO ELECTIVE CLASSES. This will be expected through the end of the year.
  4. Professional Dress is REQUIRED. Don’t fail your TED Talk because you couldn’t get it together to dress nicely.  See us if you need help or particular items of clothing!  NO JEANS.  NO TENNIS SHOES. SHOWER.

TED Talk Critiques
  1. Review the protocol
  2. Figure out order of critique
  3. Do it!

Revise TED Talk Slides and Outline
Take your feedback, make it better!  Make notecards, refine slides, etc. 

Day 7- Talk Through (Critiques?) + Prep Time

4/7/2026

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  1. Thesis Outlines. DUE: Monday 4/6, start of class. 
  2. TED Talk Slides and Notecards. DUE: Thursday 4/9, start of class. 
  3. Thesis Revisions. DUE: Monday 4/20, start of class.  ​See instructions on Google Classroom for how to turn these in.
​
DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. TED Prep Day 1. LAST DAY TO TURN IN: Tuesday 4/7, start of class. Google Classroom.
Announcements
  1. Check the TED Talk and Paneling Schedule. One more time.  Make sure you know paneling and presentation times!  
  2. For Off Campus Work on Wednesday. Both the library and the Smiley Building have some rooms available for private small groups- use them for practicing your TED Talk!
  3. THURSDAY- Be ready for critiques. Slides and notecards should be DONE by Thursday.  
  4. GO TO ELECTIVE CLASSES. This will be expected through the end of the year.
  5. Professional Dress is REQUIRED. Don’t fail your TED Talk because you couldn’t get it together to dress nicely.  See us if you need help or particular items of clothing!  NO JEANS.  NO TENNIS SHOES. SHOWER.

Reminders from Libby (do this during class today if you haven’t!
  1. Seniors: complete the Senior Yearbook Survey if you haven't yet--this includes your senior quote and senior portraits!
  2. Seniors: complete the Senior Celebration Booklet Input Survey--this gives what you'd like to have included on your 1/2 page in the Senior Celebration Booklet
  3. Seniors: complete the Graduation Staff Speaker/Music Survey to nominate faculty speakers and make suggestions about your class song, which will play at the end of the Graduation ceremony

Initial Feedback and Critique Scheduling
Get into the assigned groups. Do the following:
  1. Have each person talk through their presentation in turn.  They should address:
    1. What are you thinking about for your presentation?  Where are you right now?
    2. What are you feeling good about right now- where are the strong points?
    3. What are you concerned about?  Where do you need help?
    4. Show the group your slides, talk them through what they mean.
    5. What kind of help do you need?  Are there questions you have that the group could help you with?
  2. After the student talks through their presentation, the group will give informal verbal feedback on their slides and their presentation ideas.
  3. The presenter should commit to an area of focus for upcoming work time.
If you are ready with notecards and slides to do a formal critique, that is a possibility! Let me know, and we can quickly review the protocol with your group, and get your critique done today.​

TED Talk Critiques
  1. Review the protocol
  2. Figure out order of critique
  3. Do it!

Day 6- Slides and Notecards

4/6/2026

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  1. Thesis Outlines. DUE: Monday 4/6, start of class. 
  2. TED Talk Slides and Notecards. DUE: Thursday 4/9, start of class. 
  3. Thesis Revisions. DUE: Monday 4/20, start of class.  ​See instructions on Google Classroom for how to turn these in.
​
DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. TED Prep Day 1. LAST DAY TO TURN IN: Tuesday 4/7, start of class. Google Classroom.
​Announcements
  1. Check the TED Talk and Paneling Schedule. One more time.  Make sure you know paneling and presentation times!  All will be done in Lori’s classroom for you guys.
  2. For Off Campus Work on Wednesday. Both the library and the Smiley Building have some rooms available for private small groups- use them for practicing your TED Talk!
  3. TUESDAY- Still looking for a volunteer! Also, folks going Friday should be ready to critique each other on Tuesday.
  4. THURSDAY- Be ready for critiques. Slides and notecards should be DONE by Thursday.  
  5. GO TO ELECTIVE CLASSES. This will be expected through the end of the year.
  6. Professional Dress is REQUIRED. Don’t fail your TED Talk because you couldn’t get it together to dress nicely.  See us if you need help or particular items of clothing!  NO JEANS.  NO TENNIS SHOES. SHOWER.

Starter:  Send an invitation email to your TED Talk to the following people.  Make sure your email includes a polite salutation, the time and date of your TED Talk, your research question, and a brief description of what they can expect at the TED Talk
  1. Family
  2. LINK Mentor (if your talk is at all related to the field you interned in)
  3. Any other teachers/students/professionals you would specifically like to attend
  4. CC your Humanities teacher on this email

Fill out Public Schedule
  1. Put your most revised and perfected version of your research question here!  If you need to revise it based on thesis feedback, DO IT NOW!
  2. This will go out to the general public, so proofread carefully!

Q&A Prep and Tips
  1. Share out some of the types of questions you anticipate the panel asking you.
  2. Let’s go over how to answer questions-- the do’s and don’t’s! 
    1. DO:  Be specific
    2. DO: Thank the panelist for their question
    3. DO: take a moment to think back to your research and offer examples and evidence
    4. DON’T: Say “I don’t know” if the question is within the scope of your research question!

Work Time
Finish the things!
  1. Finish outlining, if you haven’t already done so.
  2. Make your slides
  3. Make your notecards
  4. Work on thesis revisions
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  • Daily Lessons
  • Course Overview
  • Resources
  • Senior Project Exemplars
    • 2026 Award Finalists
    • 2025 Award Finalists
    • 2024 Award Finalists
    • 2023 Award Finalists
    • 2019 Award Finalists
    • 2018 Award Finalists
    • Early Senior Theses and TED Talks