Michele Pierantozzi
LS521 Sp02
2/24/02
Web Link Bibliography
I-Search Project
Rationale:
In Howard County, the I-Search Project is one of four required units in the Reading Essential Curriculum. As a new reading teacher, I had trouble planning this unit because I didn’t know where to look for help. I have complied a series of web sites to help new reading teachers plan the I-Search Project and put it into action.
Make it Happen – The I-Search Unit
2/18/02
This website explains the essential components of the I-search project. It describes the four phases: theme, search plan, follow plans and gather information, and draft, revise, edit, and publish. Each step is outlined for the reader. Also included are links to references supporting Ken Macorie’s book, The I-Search Paper. Integrating technology, using cooperative learning, and reflections from students and teachers are helpful features for a teacher planning an I-search unit.
http://www.edc.org/FSC/MIH/i-search.html
2/18/02
The I-Search Project website is directed toward high school students. The project is broken down into steps with examples and helpful suggestions for each step in the process. The information included can be modified for a middle school I-Search project.
http://www.delta.edu/sgrobins/I-searchpaper.html#top
”Hopefully
Useful” Help for the Research Paper
2/20/02
This is a helpful site for the middle school teacher from a teacher’s web site. The I-search page includes a rational and explanation of the I-Search paper. Mr. Heffner has included links to several “Make it Happen” pages and samples of student research papers. This is a great example of a useful teacher web page!
http://sheffner.home.pipeline.com/I-search_examples/i_search.html
2/19/02
Questioning.org emphasizes the importance of questioning in school research. The site is based on the work of Jamie McKenzie and his book, Beyond Technology: Questioning, Research, and the Information Literate School. Articles supporting questioning and standards based research units are included on the site. The research method used is called the Research Cycle, an expanded form of research using the I-search as one component of the process. The most appealing aspect of Questioning.org is a Module Maker. It allows the user to build a Research Module for online learning.
http://questioning.org
2/17/02
The Research Station is an excellent stop for kids and teachers on the road of research. It includes numerous stops that help the reader develop a research project from start to finish. Go to this site to learn how to select a topic, search the web efficiently, evaluate web sites, and document sources. The most useful features for the I-search project are the Station Introduction, Research Junction, and Documentation Junction.
http://writing.msu.edu/station/
Library Research Using Primary Sources
2/20/02
This site created by UC Berkeley meets one of the objectives of the essential curriculum for the I-Search project, to define and give examples of primary and secondary sources. Both are defined with clear examples. Hints on getting started, finding the right references source, and strategies for finding and using primary resources in research are other helpful features of this site.
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/PrimarySources.html
2/18/02
Does one of your students need an idea for a topic? Research Paper. Com can help! The directory is divided into five categories, Art and Literature, History, Science, Business, and Society. Each category includes various sub groupings. Subcategories are broken down into research topic ideas and suggestions. In addition, there is a link to eLibrary and Net Search below each topic. This site is geared toward older students. However, teachers can use it to help students find topics for I-search projects based on student interests.
http://www.researchpaper.com/directory.html
2/21/02
The Research Center includes a variety of information and links for teaching research. The most useful aspects of this site are citing Internet resources, ideas for research projects, and using the Internet for research. Another helpful feature of this site is a series of links to other reference sites.
http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-6423.html
Research Process Helper – For kids
2/18/02
This site is written in “kids language”. The research process is broken down into four steps, preparing for research, assessing resources, processing information, and transfer learning. Each step includes questions for students to ask themselves about the process and places to go for help. Kids will enjoy exploring the research map that links to each step in the process.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/sandra.hughes/sandra.hughes/research/default.html
How to Do Research – for kids
2/21/02
Students needing help with the research process might find suggestions on this site helpful. It is divided into planning research, researching, and evaluating resources. The most helpful suggestions are found in evaluating resources.
http://writesite.org/html/howto.htm
Info Zone Research – for kids/teachers
2/19/02
Info Zone is a series of Internet links to assist students and teachers in a six-step research process. Wondering provides ideas for topics. Seeking Information includes briefly annotated search engines and electronic encyclopedias. Choosing Information consists of help with citing sources, note taking, and evaluating web resources. Connecting information links to help with the writing process. Producing a product offers a variety of ways to communicate learning. Finally, Judging the Process includes a self-evaluation and rubric scoring guide.
http://www.assd.winnipeg.mb.ca/infozone/index.htm
2/23/02
Kids Click is a guide to good web sites for kids. To search for information, students can either type in a keyword or narrow their search by clicking on a category. Each category has subcategories that link to annotated websites related to the topic. Each annotation also includes the reading level of the page and the subject. This site is also helpful for students looking for a topic to research.
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick! /
2/17/02
Do you have a question about a research topic? Ask Jeeves for Kids! This site it a favorite among my students. Just type in a question and Jeeves confirms the question with several choices. Each confirmation question links to one web site that will provide the answer. This is a quick way to find excellent information for research.
http://www.ajkids.com/
2/19/02
Awesome Library is an awesome site for general information. It is divided into areas for teachers, parents, teens, kids, librarians, or community. The teen’s section includes categories in all areas of the curriculum, useful reference information, and fun activities. Each category is divided into subtopics. Websites related to the subtopics are linked and annotated for the researcher. Another way to search the information available on Awesome Library is to type in a keyword. This site is best for finding general information about a topic. For example, I would recommend searching for “car” instead of Ferrari”.
http://www.awesomelibrary.org/