We just finished research projects in 8th grade. I find it a good way to tie reading and writing if we use our research to write magazine articles. I allow each student to choose a topic to research, and we work on narrowing the focus of the topic so that it suits the magazine article genre. During the unit I can teach a variety of research skills including taking notes, determining importance - depending on the purpose for reading - summarizing (as opposed to plagiarizing LOL), monitoring and fix-up strategies (which is a biggie when it comes to dense nonfiction texts) and so on, by modeling. I select a topic of my own and go through pieces of the process in read aloud/think alouds and modeled writing. We also tie the unit into the use of technology a bit, by using columns and images in our final drafts. > From: [email protected]> To: [email protected]> Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2009 > 15:11:47 -0700> Subject: Re: [LIT] taking stock> > > I am wondering what > teachers are planning for research projects in middle > school. What has > worked well for you?> > We are looking for creative ways to engage the > students and cover the > standards in research. Tying in technology seems> to > motivate our students here. Please share what you plan and what has > worked > well.> > Thanks.> Lucinda> ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Bill IVEY" > <[email protected]>> To: <[email protected]>> Sent: Sunday, February > 01, 2009 8:38 AM> Subject: [LIT] taking stock> > > > Hi!> >> > As we hit the > midway point of the year, I find myself wondering what> > questions and > topics we would like to focus on in the second half of the> > year in > LiteracyWorkshop. I know I've been a little spread thin this year,> > and > something I am focusing on in the second half of the year is bringing> > more > energy to this group. In this era of tough financial times, virtual> > > professional development (such as this group can provide) is likely to> > > play an increasing role in the lives of dedicated educators, and I view> > > this group as a wonderful forum for this to happen.> >> > Alongside questions > and topics, we may also want to think about using> > other forums to > supplement our listserve work. For example, Bill Ferriter> > over on Teacher > Leaders Network recently used VoiceThread to hold a book> > chat with Kelly > Gallagher. Any and all ideas you have are welcome!> >> > Let me also take > this chance to remind listmembers of the annual poetry> > slam which takes > place in April - a chance for your students to share> > poetry with other > students from around the U.S. and around the world,> > making and receiving > comments on all poems posted. More details to follow> > once Keith and I have > a chance to discuss this year's parameters and> > process.> >> > Take care,> > > Bill Ivey> > Stoneleigh-Burnham School> >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________> > The Literacy Workshop > ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org> >> > To unsubscribe or modify your > membership please go to > > > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org.> >> > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------> > > > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG - > www.avg.com> Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.16/1926 - Release > Date: 01/30/09 > 17:31:00> > > > _______________________________________________> The Literacy Workshop > ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org> > To unsubscribe or modify your > membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org.> > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive _________________________________________________________________ Twice the fun—Share photos while you chat with Windows Live Messenger. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/messenger.aspx _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org
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