Brief Description
Students will develop original
ideas on a selected topic, expand on and augment those ideas through a
mini-research that will be recorded in a database, and create a persuasive
essay that includes citing 5 sources of various ideas and opinions on the
same topic. Originality vs. plagiarism is the focus.
Standards and Frameworks
Technology Standards
3T-E2. Use a variety
of technology tools for data collection and analysis.
4T-E2. Use technology tools
for individual and collaborative writing, communication and publishing
activities to create curricular related products for audiences inside and
outside the classroom.
5T-E1. Locate information
from electronic resources.
Academic Standards
1FL-E1. Comprehend
the main idea in authentic oral and written materials on a familiar topic.
2FL-E3. Support opinions with
factual information.
7FL-E1. Research and present
a topic related to the target language or culture, using resources available
outside the classroom.
Objectives
Academic
-
Students will compose persuasive
essays by integrating their own original ideas with those of others found
in 5 different sources and produce adequate citations to deliberately avoid
plagiarism.
Technological
-
Students will practice creating
a database of quotations for a mini-research paper in the Microsoft Access
program and compile a Works Cited page through study of relevant Internet
sites.
Pre-Requisite Technology Skills
-
Microsoft Access
-
Internet
-
A word processor
Materials
-
Computers with Office 2000 and
Internet access; a library
Accommodations for Special Needs
My ESL beginners and low intermediate
students need to be addressed in a simple vocabulary. Most of my
students are Hispanic, which affects the choice of topics for discussion.
Procedures
-
For a few days, the bellwork assignment
is to write a paragraph on the following topics:
-
Think of something you can make.
Write instructions for your friend how to do it.
-
Why do countries need borders?
-
Next year, we are supposed to
spend more time at school. Where can we find extra time? Begin
school earlier? Finish later? Eliminate early-outs? Suggest
a plan and explain.
-
What is the best diet for a teenager?
-
Why are there wars? Why
do you fight?
Students read their paragraphs
aloud and discuss.
-
The same topics are offered for
a mini-research that can be done individually or in pairs. The assignment
is to find 5 relevant quotations in 5 different sources—a book, a periodical,
a reference source, a website, an interview, a song, a poem, a newspaper
article, a cartoon, a movie, etc. The quotations will be recorded
in a Microsoft Access database, i.e. Quotations in Book Collections form.
The source from the Internet will be used to practice the cut and paste
command. The quotations will be printed out as a table.
-
The following terms are introduced
and discussed: Copyright, plagiarism, cheating, permission, citation, cut
and paste, fair use, paraphrase, Works Cited.
The following websites might
be helpful:
-
The students will be instructed
to expand on their already written original paragraphs, including a debate
with cited authors or using quotations to support their opinions, in various
forms—as a literal quote or paraphrase with acknowledgements. For
reference, the students will be advised to use "The Crash Course in Copyright"
web page.
-
The final drafts will be discussed,
in order to make sure the citation procedure is adequate, and the format
of a persuasive essay is followed. Graphic illustrations will be
encouraged, with emphasis on getting a permission from the photographer
or fair share regulations observed.
-
Students will make up a Works
Cited page using citing instructions for each source from Internet sites
and their Access database of quotations.
Assessment
Students' work will be assessed
in progress according to the attached rubric.
Teacher Name:
Katherine Engel
Site:
AMS
Date Submitted:
May 11, 2002