Scoring Rubric: Research Grade 7
Follow these steps to complete your research project.
Choose a topic. Your topic must be related to one of the subjects you take in school. It must be broad enough to give you something to investigate, but not so broad that the amount of information available is overwhelming. When you find one that is interesting to you, look it up on Britanica or another encyclopedia to get general information about the topic to see if you are really interested. Do this for several topics. Fill out a KWL chart on three possible topics. You will need a first, second, and third choice because only one person per class may have the same topic. For each choice, record what you know and what you want to know in the appropriate box. Be sure to hand in the topic selection form by the due date posted in class.
Read about the topic so you can decide the important areas to cover in your paper.
As you read, make bibliography cards. These may be done on index cards or on an Google.docs table. Follow the format Ms. Doyle gives you. In order to meet standard for your bibliography, you must have at least 4 sources. You may have only one encyclopedia source. You must have at least one print source not including the encyclopedia. Wikipedia will not count as a source.
Make an outline. Follow the format that is shown in class. Refer to the sample outline if needed.
Take notes. Remember to:
Put a single bit of information on each card.
Paraphrase the information. (Put it in your own words)
Be clear about where the information fits in your outline.
Make note of the bibliography source and page number (if available) where you found the information.
If you use exact words from a source, put them in quotation marks. You should have very few notes like this.
You will need about 50 note cards. Example note cards
When you have enough information, organize your notes according to the sections of your outline. Decide which order makes the most sense to present your facts. If you needed to change your outline, rewrite it. Now you're ready to write your paper.
Use the information you have gathered on your subject to write in a variety of genres. Through these genres you will demonstrate your understanding of the importance of your subject.
Follow the steps of the writing process for each of your genres.
Write a draft
Have a conference – either in person or via Google docs.
Use the feedback from your conference to revise your paper.
Make sure the content is clear and self-edit.
Ask for help as much as needed then write a final draft.
You will write two required genres about your subject. You will also write one other genre from the list of choices.
Report:
Ode:
New Article (Doyle, Orcutt)
Choice genres (choose one)
News Article
Diary/Journal Entry
Letter
Four Panel Cartoon
Interview with a Scientist
Labeled Diagram of Your Subject
Final Steps
Use BibMe to make a Bibliography page.
Make a cover page. Follow the sample in Ms. D's classroom.
Type a final outline of your paper. Follow the sample in Ms. D's classroom.
Assemble your project in the following order.
Title Page
Outline
Report
Other Genres (in the same order they appear on your outline)
Bibliography