All Saints Day Research

Research Skills – Thinking Required

  1. Questioning: See assignments below.
    1. Brainstorm 2 or 3 possible questions to research about a Saint. The questions may not be “what” questions or “how many” questions that can be answered with a simple definition or number. The questions should be how, which, or why questions that will allow you tto develop a deeper understanding of the Saint.
    2. In pairs, discuss possible questions.
    3. Narrow the topic to a more specific question about the saint. (class 1)
  2. Planning:
    1. Review the Web Search In Plain English video. Create a list of words or phrases to begin an Internet search. Keep track of the words and phrases you use. Refine your list of keywords and phrases as you search. Keep track of this list in a word-processing document.
    2. Decide where to search. Remember the Deep Web.
  3. Gathering:
    1. Collect and record information from at least 2 reliable and valid sources of information. Use the 5 W’s to evaluate information sources.
    2. Create a bibliography entry for the resources you find. Use EasyBib to create a citation for each with an annotation. Place these in the wor-processing document. You will print and hand in the research question, list of keywords and phrases, plus a description of what search engine used, plus the bibliography with annotations by the end of class  2.
  4. Sifting & Sorting & Analyzing:
    1. Take notes to support your topic. Organize the notes by information sources so you can correctly provide in-text citations later.
  5. Synthesizing & Evaluating:
    1. Develop an outline of the topic (see report below) The notes and outline will be printed and handed in at the end of class 3.
  6. Reporting: Communicate findings in written report. (3 paragraph minimum) Printed and handed in at the end of class 4.

    1. Paragraph 1: Introduce the topic with a supported thesis statement. Provide background details about the saint. What was happening in the life of the saint that challenged the saint? What difference did prayer make in the life of the saint? Your thesis statement should provide a thought about how the saint inspires Catholics today. Paraphrase. Do not copy and paste.
    2. Paragraph 2: Provide specific examples to support your thesis statement. What is the impact or influence of this saint? Provide examples. What does it take to be a saint today? The examples must be supported by your research and from valid, reliable, appropriate information sources.  Paraphrase. Do not copy and paste. One sentence may be a direct copy, but must be included within quotation marks.
    3. Paragraph 3: Your personal reflection as a Catholic student at ICS: How does this saint or other saints personally influence you? Paraphrase. Do not copy and paste.
    4. Intext citations for all information used are required.
    5. Formatting
      1. Your name, the Class Name and the date at the top left of the paper.
      2. Research question in bold, centered. Times New Roman size 18
      3. Paragraphs and bibliography in Times new Roman size 12, left justified. Do not indecnt paragraphs.
      4. Place one space after periods, commas, and questions.
      5. Spell check, Grammar check.
  7. Bibliography: Place the bibliography directly below the essay. Each bibliography entry must be a hanging indent paragraph with a bullet point annotation below explaining the validity of the information source. The bibliography entries must be in alphabetical order.
    1. Use EasyBib website to create the bibliography entries in MLA style.

Assessment will be based on the 6-Traits Writing Rubric and the Research Rubric provided on the class page in Sycamore. On the 6-traits rubric, you will assessed on Ideas, Organization, Voice and Conventions.

Possible Resources

Practice Paraphrasing – Cyberbullying

When you paraphrase or restate information in your own words, it helps you to understand and to remember the information. You can paraphrase what you have heard as well as information you have read.
  1. Listen to the information about Cyberbullying on BrainPOP.
  2. Open a new text document in OpenOffice. Enter your name at the top of the document.
  3. Write a detailed summary of the information you heard in Cyberbullying. Do not copy and paste information. The summary should be in your own words. Include the following
    1. the definition of a cyberbully
    2. the effects of being bullied
    3. why people become cyberbullies
    4. what you can do if you know it is happening to you
    5. what can you do, and should you do if you know someone is cyberbullying another person
    6. use these terms in your summary:
      1. rumor (a story or statement talked about as news without any proof that it is true)
      2. depression (sadness, low spirits)
      3. self-esteem (self-respect)
      4. nausea (the feeling that one might vomit)
      5. host – on the Internet (company that provides the Internet service)
      6. evidence (anything that shows what really happened, the proof)
      7. harassment (being troubled by repeated attacks)
      8. anonymous (by a person whose name is unknown or given)
      9. impersonate (pretend to be someone else)
  4. Use complete sentences, correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
  5. Copy and paste the statement below at the bottom of your summary,

    As per the Student-Parent Handbook (pg. 35), “Cyberbullying” is one of the many forms that inappropriate behaviors can take. Therefore, those students participating in cyberbullying can be punished by the school.

  6. Place the final document in the Cyberbullying dropbox.

Paraphrase Practice – Health Topics

Grades 6 and 7

  1. When “an idea is expressed in a complicated way, it can help to think about how you would explain it to somebody else. Retelling something in your own words, or paraphrasing, also helps you to remember what you read.”  Paraphrasing (Time for Kids)
  2. Select one of the articles on Staying Healthy to read or listen to.
  3. Open a new OpenOffice text document. Enter your name and the name of the article you read.
  4. Write a paragraph summary of the information, paraphrasing the information in your own words.
  5. Write in complete sentences using correct punctuation and grammar. Spell all words correctly.
  6. Select and Copy the URL of your source information website. Go to EasyBib. Paste the URL of the information source website into EasyBib to create a bibliography entry. Add an annotation. Select and copy the bibliography entry and the annotation.
  7. Paste the bibliography entry with annotation into the OpenOffice document. Make sure it is a hanging indent paragraph.
  8. Add a bullet note under the bibliography entry with annotation indicating how you know this is a valid source of information.
  9. Go back to the summary you wrote. Cite the source of the information using a parenthetical citation.
  10. Save the document in My Documents. Name the document with your last name and Health (for example, Smith Health)
  11. Place the document in the Paraphrase Health assignment in the class dropbox on Sycamore.

*** View ICS Digital Help Web Search Strategies ***