Shayni
Tokarczyk ©1999 Introduction |
Your
Assignment |
First
Steps |
|
Web sites |
The
Research Process |
Work
From Home |
| Bibliography |
Final
Project |
How
Well Did I Do? |
Your
Assignment:
After the Winter Break, we will be immersing ourselves
in an integrated project that will involve locating information, selecting
appropriate sources, note taking, outlining and documenting our research.
The final project will be a book about an interesting person’s life and
their contribution that changed the world. In its final form, this
book will be cataloged and added to the Morse School Library Media Center's
collection. During this project, teachers will work together to plan
thoughtful lessons that will expand research, written language and technology
skills, as well as, learn additional ways to facilitate the organization
and completion of our final product..
Throughout the project, our focus will be on the
following guiding questions:
1. How does a person’s scientific discovery
change the world?
2. What role does failure play in achieving
success?
3. Which resources are most helpful when
doing research?
4. Why is it so important to cite sources
accurately?
5. How do I know when I've found the right
source and most accurate information?
To begin our project on Monday, February 23rd, students
will need to have decided on the selected person. Also, each student
will need a package of note cards and a three ring binder. Students
may spend time over the winter break exploring sources and beginning this
process if they choose to. Starting after vacation, time will be
spent learning and practicing necessary skills in the classroom, library
and computer lab. Additional time will be required visiting the local
library and completing work at home.
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Please sign and return to indicate that you have
discussed the details and requirements of his project.
Student Signature: ______________________________________
Parent Signature: _______________________________________
First Steps
A Visit to the Library Media Center
Your first step is to select one scientist you are interested in researching. To help you with making this decision, follow these important steps:
1. Begin your
search by looking at Webster's Biographical Dictionary (REF 920
WEB). This book lists thousands of famous people. It also includes
brief entries of their accomplishments.
(NOTE: Biographical
Dictionaries are found in the REFERENCE section of libraries.)
2. Read through the Collective Biographies (Dewey Decimal number 920) that are on reserve in the Morse School Library. We have a good variety of books that will help you find with this assignment. All these books are on RESERVE for your use throughout this project.)
3. If you need more information, try these web sites. Some of these web sites give brief entries... similar to the Biographical Dictionary.
The Library Spot...
A good place to start your research.
http://libraryspot.com/biographies/scientists/
African American History
(Biographies)
http://www.uga.edu/~iaas/History.html
Famous Hispanic Scientists
http://coloquio.com/famosos/alpha.htm
Biographical Dictionary
Online
http://www.s9.com/biography/
Biography on A&E
http://www.biography.com/search/index.jsp
Science World
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/
Invention Hall of Fame
http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/1_1_search.asp
KidsClick! Web Searches For Kids By Librarians
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/searchkids.pl?searchtype=subject&keywords=biography&title=Biography
Lives, the Biography Resource
http://amillionlives.com/Collect_gen.html
Kid's Cafe of Web Sites
http://kids.patentcafe.com/discover/index.asp
Scientists, Inventors and Explorers
http://www.juliantrubin.com/sciencebiography.html
The Research Process
Once your teacher
has approved your scientist to research, you will need time in the
library to choose books and materials. The library has also purchased
a variety of new books for this project... so stop by the library to see
all the new biographies!
Remember... You will need at least FIVE DIFFERENT sources for your information. That includes books, encyclopedias, magazine articles (if available), web sites, online databases, etc. You will also need to remember to cite each source as you find information. (For your convenience, "Cite Your Source" forms are in the library.)
Finding books in
the library:
To find individual
biographies in the library, go to Dewey Decimal number 921. Books
are shelved by the number 921, then the by the person's LAST name.
(Examples: 921 Carver; 921 Edison; 921 Franklin, etc.)
Finding encyclopedias in the library:
World Book Encyclopedia REF 031 WOR (We now have
the 2004 edition... but any other edition will be helpful for this project.
World Book Biographical Encyclopedia 0f Scientists REF 509.22 WOR (Volumes 1 - 8)
Remember to refer to your binder throughout this project. There are many tips to help you go through the entire process.
For additional help:
Check out the research guide students use at Cambridge
Rindge & Latin:
http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/Research_Tip_Sheets.asp
To help you with writing your paper go to:
http://www.bham.wednet.edu/bio/biomaker.htm
If you would like to see the entire site on "The Research
Process" from CRLS:
http://www.cpsd.us/crls/library/
Work From Home
Did you know you can access encyclopedias and other resources
from home? To do so you will need your Cambridge Public Library card.
From your computer at home, type in the Cambridge Public Library's web
site:
http://www.mln.lib.ma.us/homeacc.htm
You will then need to type in your library card number
to enter.
For this project, go to InfoTracDatabasesand select Biography Resource Center.
World Book Onlineis also a good source for information.
Bibliography
If you need help with citing sources, go to:
http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/19_making_works_cited.asp
If you need help with writing your bibliography, go to:
Final Project
Science Biography Project
Steps Due
1. Topic / Questions
3/8
_____ Topic is definitely selected
_____ Questions are listed on DB/Notecards
2. 5 Sources / Bib Cards
3/10
_____ Locate a variety of at least 5 sources
_____ Create 5 or more Bib Cards
3. Read/Notes/Sources
3/24
_____ Take 10 to 30 notes on cards
_____ Write notes on Draftbuilder
4. Organize
3/29
_____ Arrange notes in outline form
_____ Consider the essential questions.
5. Draft/Checklist/Revisions
4/16
_____ Write draft in page format
_____ Self-edit using checklist, then revise
_____ Submit for additional feedback
6. Storyboard/Illustrate/Final
5/17
_____ Print Final Copy
_____ Illustrate pages
7. Cover/Title Page/Bibliography
5/28
_____ Complete Bibliography
_____ Publish completed pages
8. Rubric/Presentation/Self-Evaluate
_____ Complete Self-Evaluation / Rubric
_____ Read book aloud to group
Research Rubric
Expert Proficient Advancing Needs Improvement
Notecards
50 +
30 +
20 +
Less than 20
Labeled
Most Labeled Some Labeled
Incomplete
Complete
Most Complete Some Complete
Bibliography
15 +
10 +
5 - 9
Less than 5
Exact format Few mistakes
Many errors Not included
Accurate
Mostly accurate Some accuracy
Content
Information Information
Content not
Not on topic
clear, accurate mostly clear,
always related to Lack of details
and very
accurate and
topic - Few details Essential ?’s
interesting
interesting
Some essential ?’s not answered
Essential ?’s Essential
?’s
Organization
Strong begin, Has a beginning
Out of order at Report is not
middle, end
middle, end
times - Some in any order
Sequential flow Adequate sequence
confusion
Conventions
Easy to read Readable
Difficult to read Unreadable
Edited for errors Few errors
Many errors Unedited
Created 1/16/04