“Closing the Gap” Project

Interpersonal Relations - Mrs. Torp

Directions: Choose and complete 1 option from Section A and 1 option from Section B.

Section A – 50 Points Each:

1. “Growing Old Gracefully” Electronic Collage/Poster – Prepare an electronic version of a

collage/poster that represents your idea of what it means to grow old gracefully. Write an explanation of
the collage. Email it to me at ltorp@ccs.k12.in.us

2. Write an original poem expressing your personal views about aging and illustrate it, either with a
photograph or an original drawing.

3. Select and provide a copy of a photograph or artwork of an elderly person and a creative writing story
pertaining to the elderly for which your picture would be an appropriate illustration.

4. Select, read and provide a written review, moral of the story, and proper work citation of one of the
following:
a. a children’s book related to aging or the elderly
b. a book or literary work related to aging or the elderly

5. Interview an elderly person about their history, life, or some other topic related to your overall project.
Write your questions and their answers, along with your reactions to what you learned.

6. Write a report about an elderly person who has some significance in your life, detailing the person’s
life/accomplishments and explaining that person’s significance in your life.

Section B – 20 Points Each:

Choose 1 of the following options and write a 1-page essay about it.

1. Write an essay, completing the statement, “Senior citizens are...” Share your thoughts about your
personal perceptions of the elderly population.

2. Write an essay describing an elderly person whom you admire. Explain why you have such admiration
for that person.

3. Write an essay describing your projections of yourself as an elderly person. Describe your perceptions
of what your life might be when you are a senior citizen.

*If you have another, more creative idea of something you would like to do for your project, see me to
schedule a time to discuss your ideas.
 “Closing The Gap” Project Score Sheet
Section A (complete 1) – 50 pts.:
Collage/Poster: Conveys “aging gracefully” message 35 _____
Content (adequate number of images) 10 _____
Creativity (interesting design, use of medium) 5 _____

Illustrated Poem: Originality 10 _____

Conveys views about aging 30 _____
Appropriateness of illustration (enhances poem) 10 _____

Picture & Creative Writing Story:

Aging related picture 5 _____
Story relates to picture 10 _____
Explanation of picture in relation to elderly 25 _____
Creativity (original, interesting) 5 _____
Adequate length (thorough explanation) 5 _____

Book/Literary Work Review:

Summary of main ideas of book 20 _____
Explanation of Moral (related to aging) 25 _____
Work cited 5 _____

Senior Citizen Interview:

List of main questions (open-ended, relevant) 25 _____
Interview responses 15 _____
Written reaction to interview 10 _____

Report about Significant Elderly Person:

Typed description of person’s life history (thorough) 25 _____
Explanation of significance to you 15 _____
Ideas expressed clearly (includes details) 10 _____

Section B (complete 1) – 20 pts.:

“Sr. Citizens are…” Essay:
Typed statement (adequately thorough) 5 _____
Ideas expressed clearly 10 _____
Essay relevant to topic 5 _____

Admired Elderly Person Essay:

Typed description (adequately thorough) 5 _____
Ideas expressed clearly 5 _____
Explanation of admiration 10 _____

Personal Aging Projections Essay:

Typed description of self as elderly person 10 _____
Ideas expressed clearly/creatively 10 _____

PROJECT TOTAL SCORE 70 ___________