5.1 Inspiration from Nonfiction

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Use precise language to identify and describe emotions.

• Read a nonfiction essay or article, and write down your thoughts, quotes, questions and ideas after reading. 

• Write for at least 10 minutes on a topic of your choosing. 

Agenda Items

• Inspiration from Nonfiction

• Journal Writing

Assignments

• Journal Writing: Inspiration from Nonfiction - example

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5.2 Introduction to Research: Brainstorming

Wednesday January 8

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Choose a topic or theme to focus on, and write and explore for at least 20 minutes.

• Brainstorm ideas and questions that you are interested in researching.

• List at least 3 questions that can be used to search for more information about your topic.

Agenda Items

• Intro to Research Process

• Journal Write: Topic Brainstorming & Questions

Assignments

• Journal Writing: Topic Brainstorming & Questions

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5.3 Searching for Information & Evaluating Sources

Thursday January 9

• Discuss the qualities that make a source credible, accurate, reliable and unbiased.

• Match characteristics of reliable sources of information.

• Find at least one source of information that you are interested in reading, watching, or listening to.

• Use online and print resources (websites, databases, books, streaming services, etc.) to find relevant information on a research topic.

• Evaluate sources of information to determine whether they are reliable and relevant to the research question.

• Take notes on your reading, and reflect on specific details that stand out to you.

Agenda Items

• Evaluating Sources of Information

• Searching for Information

Assignments

• 5.3 Evaluating Sources Quiz tomorrow

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5.4 Refining Your Topic

Friday January 10

• Find at least one source of information that you are interested in reading, watching, or listening to.

• Take notes on your reading, and reflect on specific details that stand out to you.

Agenda Items

• Evaluating Sources Video & Quiz

• Refining Your Topic

Resources

• Research Process: Refining Your Topic LibGuide from Golden State University

• Refine Research Questions LibGuide from University of Toledo

• 10 Research Question Examples to Guide your Research Project

• Research Process: Refine Topic LibGuide from UTSA

Assignments

• 5.3 Evaluating Sources Quiz today

• 5.2 Brainstorming Notes with Reading Reflections due Sunday by 11:59pm.

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5.5 Research Topic Proposal

Monday January 13

• Develop a research topic that is focused, enlightening, critical, and impactful.

Agenda Items

• Qualities of a good research paper

• Qualities of a good research question

• Research Topic Proposal Form

Assignments

• 5.5 Research Topic Proposal form due today - rubric

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5.6 Finding & Citing Credible Sources

Wednesday January 15

• Find at least three sources of information that you are interested in reading, watching, or listening to.

• Use online and print resources (websites, databases, books, streaming services, etc.) to find relevant information on a research topic.

• Locate and use relevant, reliable, accurate and credible sources of information.

• Record citation information for each source of information.

• Use a journal or graphic organizer to take notes on interesting or important facts and ideas.

• Take notes, adding quotes, paraphrasing, and summary information from each source.

Agenda Items

• Gather Information template

• Note-taking

Assignments

• Take notes on your sources of information - research notes rubric & example notes - research notes document is due Friday January 20

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5.7 Research Notes

Thursday January 16 - Friday January 24

• Locate and use relevant, reliable, accurate and credible sources of information.

• Record citation information for each source of information.

• Use a journal or graphic organizer to take notes on interesting or important facts and ideas.

• Take notes, adding quotes, paraphrasing, and summary information from each source.

Agenda Items

• Gather Information template

• Note-taking

Assignments

• Take notes on your sources of information - research notes rubric & example notes - research notes document is due Friday January 20

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5.8 Bibliography

Wednesday January 22

• Generate a bibliography or works cited section using an online citation management website.

• Share your research topic or idea with your classmates.

Agenda Items

• Citing Sources of Information

• MyBib.com

Assignments

• Create and share your bibliography in MyBib.com

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5.9 Reflection &  Central Question

Friday January 24

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Reflect on the research process and your learning this week.

• Identify the factors that make a good research question.

• Develop a central research question that is detailed and focused.

Agenda Items

• Watch the 4 minute video that explains how to develop a central research question. After you watch the video, you may take the quiz.

• Complete the reflection and research question sections of the research notes template.

• Submit your completed notes and research question.

Assignments

• Developing a Central Question - Quiz

• Research Notes with reflection & central question - due Friday January 20

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5.10 Thesis Statement & Outline

Monday January 27 - Wednesday January 29

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Write a one-sentence thesis statement that is focused, specific and provides an overview of the main points you will cover in your essay.

• Write an outline for an essay that states the main idea of each paragraph and lists supporting details that will be used to explain each main idea. 

• Discuss progress on the research process and modify your thesis statement and outline as necessary.

Agenda Items

1. Open your research notes.

2. Write your thesis statement for your research essay in the bottom of your notes.

   • How to write a thesis statement (2 minute video)

3. Submit your thesis statement.

My Example:

Trees are essential to Houston because they help keep neighborhoods cool, they help protect the environment, and they add beauty to the surrounding area.

Here is the link to my example research notes and outline

1. Watch the 5 minute video about writing a thesis statement and outline. After watching the video, take the quiz.

2. Open your research notes.

3. Write your outline and thesis for your research essay in the bottom of your notes.

   • Outline & Thesis (5 minute video)

   • How to write an outline (1 minute video)

   • How to write a thesis statement (2 minute video)

   • Organizing Ideas in a Research Paper - chapter excerpt from Writing Research Papers, 2001 Edition

4. Submit your outline and thesis statement.

See my example outline & thesis statement

Assignments

• Developing a Central Question - Quiz

• Central Question

• Thesis Statement

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5.11 Individual Research Conference

Thursday January 30 - Friday January 31

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Discuss progress on the research process and modify your research question, sources, and/or notes as necessary.

• Discuss progress on the research process and modify your thesis statement and outline as necessary.

Agenda Items

• Finish your research notes document, including the reflection and central research question

• Sign up for an individual research conference

• Review the research notes rubric and make sure your notes are as complete as possible

During the conference, Ms. Ntoso will ask you:

• How will your research question impact your life? How is your research question relevant to society? Why is it important?

• Do you have enough information to write an essay that answers your research question in detail?

• What information are you missing? What do you need to search for?

• What problems are you having with your research? What do you need help with?

Assignments

• Research Notes with reflection & central question - due Friday January 20

• Individual Research Conference

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