A+Research+Paper+Unit+2

I have narrowed down my potential research paper topics for my students. I was trying to think of something that has a sense of mystery and intrigue; something that the students would have experienced in some way which would make it more relative. With the recent success of the //**Pirates of the Caribbean**// movies, I feel as though almost every student has a slight interest in the organized chaos that was the pirate lifestyle. Personally, I have been fascinated with pirates since I was four, when my father asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. The video camera shows me taking the position of "The Thinker," before looking up and saying, "Dad, I want to be a pirate!" So since that day I have done my own research so I could separate fact from fiction and the life of men from legend.

There is so much information on the pirate way of life I think it would be a great broad topic from which my students would have to find their own topic. So I have begun to create my unit plan that will help these students discover a suitable topic, thesis and research paper. As I mentioned on the first page of the Research Paper Unit, I will create my activities to help my students with their topics. As I create the activities and develop the Unit Plan, the parts will be updated here as they are put in a rough, then more formal, daily lesson plan. Keep checking the updates until it says complete!

Last Updated: July 12 2008 (Remember, this is a work in progress, and I am doing my best!)


 * Research Unit: Lesson Plans**

__1.Introduce Research Paper Topic__ •Read [|How I Became a Pirate] by Melinda Long and David Shannon JOURNAL: What do you think of when someone mentions pirates? What do you find most interesting? •Discuss what students know about pirates and their customs, what they know to be fact or what they know to be fiction. •Handout research paper assignment and rubric-discuss with students what will be expected as they do their research and what they will turn in •Allow students to look through the teachers resources for a topic they might like •Allow students to take the [|Pirate Powerpoint] quiz to help them make a decision

__2.INTERNET Rubric__ •Reserve Computer Lab JOURNAL: What is good research? •Introduce students to the [|INTERNET Rubric] and discuss why it should be used when doing research •Discuss the difference between primary and secondary resources •Send students on the INTERNET Rubric Webquest, they must analyze and evaluate at least 5 websites (they may work with a partner but each must turn in their own 5 Rubrics •Discuss why it is important to know where you are getting your research

__3.Blog Introduction__ •JOURNAL: What helps you keep your thoughts organized? If you have a lot to remember, how do focus and organize it all? •Short Power-point on research paper methods including -index cards for cited sources and quotations -brainstorming -outlines  -construction of introduction, body, closing paragraphs -the PREP concept •Use projector hooked to internet to show how to access our blog space (using [|Classblogmeister.com]) •Demonstrate short tutorial for students of how to navigate the page •[|Handout-Blog Updates] of what can be and what //should be// posted on the blog and when

__4.Webquest Day!__ •Reserve Computer Lab •Most of the day will be spent doing research •Instruct students about their overall goal--to find **//quality//** research that can be used in their research paper •Give instructions on where to save ideas and sources (blog preferably) to be used at a later date •Allow students entire block to research via [|Pirate Webquest] (and continue at home until sources and quotations are due)

__5.WIKI Day__ •JOURNAL: How much editing do you normally do when writing a paper? •Use projector hooked to internet to show how to access a wiki page using wikispaces.com •Instruct students on short tutorial of how to navigate page

__6.Consistant Updates__ •Check blogs of students and see their progress during the

__7.Final Product__ •Students turn in research paper with rubric attached •Students present their personal presentations (via video/lecture etc.)