Writing Manual & Sea King Capstone - Palos Verdes High School

English Grade Requirements
The first semester English grade requirements of the capstone is worth 40% of the Reading and
Writing Skills grade, 30% of the regular English grade, and 20% of the AP English grade with
the completion of forms and assignments by the required dates. This facet of the capstone may
take on various forms. One option is to volunteer through a community organization. If, for
example, your capstone is pertains to Alzheimer’s disease, you might volunteer at a retirement
home for Alzheimer’s patients. Another possible capstone course of direction is to create a
manufactured product. A student interested in woodworking might research Shaker furniture
design and then, for the capstone, build a chair in that style. Other capstones may include
learning a new skill such as playing an instrument. Whichever capstone you choose, you must
complete a minimum of 15 hours with verification from an adult who is familiar with the topic.
Students go into action as they enter the fieldwork segment of the Sea King Capstone. Essential
in this phase is selecting a capstone, which challenges the student to demonstrate a time for
reflection. During this time of reflection, the student should select a capstone never before
accomplished or a capstone, which forces the student to build upon previous skills or
accomplishments.
Fieldwork may fall into five major categories. However, students often combine types for a
stronger capstone. The following types have been successful capstones:
1. Physical: Modeling a roller coaster, computer program, fashion outfit, architectural
design, collection of pottery.
2. Written: Writing a short story, book of poetry, novelette, journal of reflective essays.
3. Performance: Choreographing a dance, musical video, magic show, instrumental recital.
4. Teaching or Leadership: Teaching a middle school class about eating disorders,
coaching a little league team, starting a tutorial group for students who are limited in
English proficiency.
5. Career-related: Volunteering at a local veterinarian clinic or hospital, viewing and
documenting medical procedures.
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