Research Process

1. Pick up the Research Round-up organizer from the blue box on top of the counter. If you are absent, you can open the link below to access the document. Make a copy and keep it in your Google Drive.
   
   

2. Use multiple reliable sources (at least three) to research your pop-up book subject (person). I strongly recommend that you use Martin Meylin Media Center Research Links to conduct your research. The following resources should be used first: Discovery Education, Encyclopedia Brittanica, Gale in Context:Middle School, Gale eBooks, OneFile, TrueFlix (use this link when here at Martin Meylin), and World Book Online.
   
   

3. As you review possible sources before completing the Research Round-up organizer, open the attached Google assignment and evaluate the first three (3) or four (4) sources you find. Be thorough in your evaluation.
   
   

4. Once you have found and evaluated reliable sources for your biographical research topic, complete the Research Round-up organizer you picked up from the blue box on top of the counter, using the spaces on the back as necessary. Note: The picture at the top of this column is an example of how the organizer should look as students work.

5. As you research and find reputable sources, create a document that you use for all of your full citations (bibiliography). This way, you won't have to try to remember where you found information. Make sure your citations follow the MLA formatting (example can be found here).
   
   

6. Keep your organizer in your binder or ELA folder. Mrs. D'Agostino will be checking on your work throughout the process.

Now that you have researched your subject (person) for the pop-up book, it's time to organize the information.

1. Pick up a copy of the blank "Sample Web" from the blue box on top of the counter. If you are absent, a link to the document is included with this assignment. Open it and print it out.

2. Using the information from your Research Round-Up organizer, fill in the topics and supporting details. As you add facts from your Research Round-Up organizer, use a separate color to identify each source. This will allow you to know at a glance which source a fact comes from and help you in using the proper in-text citation when you get to the paragraph writing phase of the process.
   
   

3. If you find that you are unable to fill in all parts of the web, you will need to conduct more research on your subject. Return to the Research Round-Up organizer and visit additional sources for your information.

4. Finish the web map and keep it in your binder or ELA folder. You will need it for the next step in the process.

5. Select "Submit Assignment" and the "Create" tab. Type two complete sentences detailing two significant pieces of information you learned about your person.

You've used a graphic organizer (web) to identify the most important topics and supporting details for the subject of your pop-up book project. Now, let's work on the written story for your book.

1. Pick up a copy of the "Biographical Report Drafting Notes" packet from Mrs. D'Agostino. If you are absent, the link to the PDF is included with this assignment. You will need to open it and print in order to write on the document.

2. Take out your "Research Round-up" document and biographical web organizer.

3. Follow the directions on the packet to write your first draft of the individual paragraphs for your pop-up book.

4. Don't forget: Any time you state a fact or use some of your research, you must include the source in parentheses. Make sure your resources are listed in your bibiliography. Sample bibiliography is attached to this assignment.

5. When you are at the Polylogue (direct) station for rotation, Mrs. D'Agostino will check on your progress, share her example, and answer any questions you may have.

6. Complete all four paragraphs.

7. Share your work with a peer and ask for suggestions as well as any editing help.

8. Give your packet to Mrs. D'Agostino for a final check before you begin work on the pop-up book itself.