Voices from the Misty Mountains Project

Presentation Due Date, July 17

Misty Mountains Institute participants may choose between 1) a research/creative project for
conference presentation or 2) an Appalachian historic/social/cultural infusion or teaching unit
project for their classroom. The research/creative project will be prepared for either publication or
for sharing with other community leaders through a conference presentation. This project may
involve exploring historical, literary, pedagogical, or any interdisciplinary Appalachian topic—for
example, topics associated with the Cherokee Nation, Melungeon heritage, Italian heritage, Affrilachian
heritage, LGBTQ community, Appalachian language or dialect, Celtic roots and heritage, Appalachian
stereotypes, an environmental or sociological project, a political or historical topic such as the mine wars,
company towns, Mother Jones, mill wars, Hatfields & McCoys, or any topic related to Appalachia or
local West Virginia history that will enhance the participants’ work in public education or
professional development in the community. If the participant chooses a research project, the finished
product should be in the form of a conference style presentation, from 6-8 pages with Works Cited, and
suitable for submission to the Appalachian Studies Conference, NCTE, or American Culture or another
professional conference. MLA format will be used (see Resources “Help with Quotes” on BrightSpace). If
a creative project is undertaken, it might entail a collection of original poetry, a play, a short story, a
photographic collection, short film or documentary, a quilting or craft project, a webpage or visual arts
project associated with the Appalachian region that will enhance participants’ professional work in his/her
professional field or teaching area or discipline; likewise, the project may be suitable for exhibit at the fall
Appalachian Heritage Festival or for submission to the Anthology of Appalachian Writers, published
annually supported by The West Virginia Center for the Book.
A teaching unit or lesson may feature any interdisciplinary topic suitable for Appalachian
Studies and for classroom outcomes requirements. This work might involve a single author or group of
writers or various genres or Appalachian themes, a history or social studies unit, an art or music unit, or
anything suitable for public school teaching or public school libraries, as long as the project is infused with
some component of Appalachian Studies or cultural/regional identity. The unit or lesson should be in a
coherent, organized format, provided by requirements of the participant’s county or school system. All
projects, whether research/creative or teaching oriented, should be accompanied by a 2-page Project
Reflection (due prior to presentation on July 20) that will include: 1) a description of the project, 2)
the methodology for completion, 3) the time involved in completing the project, 4) the difficulties
encountered, 5) an assessment of the quality of the project plan, and 6) the personal growth and
learning achieved from planning, executing, and completing the project and attending the WV Voices
from the Misty Mountains Appalachian Teacher Institute.
At the end of the Institute, participants will present their project products to the Institute
teachers and university/community guests at the Byrd Legislative Center. Presentations will be
accompanied by a PowerPoint or Prezi created to enhance the visual component of the presentation. The
entire presentation should be approximately 10 minutes in length, and teachers with similar projects
may work together to develop and present the project. Participants should integrate the technology into
their presentations in a way that enhances the focus of their work. Below are the project abstract format
and the project evaluative rubric for assessing the project and presentation.
 Project Abstract Posted on BrightSpace Forum
I. Title
II. Plan of Completion (May Include Plan of Execution, Schedule, Methodology for
Completion)
III. Plan of Presentation

Voices from the Misty Mountains Project Evaluation

Participant_____________________________ Evaluation Score ____________

Project Title ______________________________________________________________

1 2 3 4
Evaluative Criteria US AS MS ES
1=Unsatisfactory (US) 2=Approaches University Standard (AS); 3=Meets University Standard
(MS); 4=Exceeds University Standard (ES)
Project or topic selection, originality, appropriate linkage to Appalachian
region and cultural connections.
Comments:

Project follow-through and quality of content.

Comments:

Quality of written expression for essay, unit, creative project, and/or reflection.
Comments:

Quality of presentation and delivery.

Comments:

Quality of PowerPoint or Prezi or Technology presentation—i.e., visuals

included; text included; design, construction, and manner of presentation;
quality, choice, and selection of web materials).
Comments:

Overall understanding of history and culture of the region and the

participant’s ability to transfer that knowledge, as exemplified through the
project.
Comments: