Update on Research Paper

In December students were told to have a topic for the academic fair that they could write a research paper on.  In January each student told me the topic that was chosen.  Each student was given an important dates and Information packet that tells exactly what is expected of them.  During science I went over the packet in detail and Important Dates with each class and answered all questions.  During another science class we went over what a rough outline is and what it should look like.  It was explained to students that their 4-5 subtopics would be their "What" I am looking for as I am researching. The rough outline was due Feb.1

Ms. Noonan then began using their weekly library time to go over how to record their sources, and how to search and use Internet sites.  She gave each 5th grade student  a packet called The Big 6 Skills and went over this packet and went over it and told students they are to record their sources in this packet to help them write their bibliography page, and a sheet of good sites for students to use.

 Ms. Tresselt stepped in and took a class period to teach each class how to use notecards.  This time fell around Feb. 17th the first notecard check.  Students were told for this check to have a couple cards per subtopic and told them the next check they should have a good 5 per subtopic.  That brings us to the second notecard check March 3rd.  This check is used to make sure students are researching their topics along this process.
After spring break, I am going to have all notecards brought in and teach the students the next step, which is taking all the notecards for each subtopic and organizing them in the order they would like them presented in their papers.  Once they are organized, then all the student has to do is combine those facts, into paragraphs and write their rough draft.  It is like writing 5 mini expository essays which they know how to write already.The rough draft would be due then April 11.  Then students have until April 20th to tweak it and hand in their final copy April 20th.   April 7th will be a bibliography check, students will use their packets and Ms. Noonan will explain how to just copy the information they wrote in their packets as a page.

We are adding another 2 class periods on how to write and organize notecards.  Ms. Tresselt will be going over this again and we have added an additional card check on March 17.

Please let me know if you have any questions.