Research Notes Graphic Organizer - Example from Mrs. Shaum

Here is an example of how I would like you to fill out your research graphic organizer. You will do this for AT LEAST three pieces of information for your passion project. Remember though: if this topic is truly your passion, you will research as much as you can about it.

Resource information: author, title, webpage company, dates, etc. (Err on the side of more info, not less)	Directly Quote your research here	List main ideas using your own words	Paraphrase your research.
Website: Edutopia Author: Rebecca Alber Date: July 31, 2014 Article title: “Using Mentor Texts to Motivate and Support Writers” URL: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/using-mentor-text-motivate-and-support-student-writers-rebecca-alber	“If we want students to do something well, it helps to both tell them and show them what we expect. When it comes to writing assignments, we teachers will give students directions to write a convincing essay or draft a descriptive narrative followed by telling them how to earn a good grade on it. Many of us also hand out a rubric or criteria chart that tells all the expectations for the essay. But, with all that there is to cover and the time crunch, we may sacrifice showing them mentor texts, examples of good writing.”	Show and tell students how to do an assignment Teachers like to give directions and rubrics but don’t always give examples. We often forget to show students examples of good writing.	In the quest to “cover” curriculum, teachers often give students directions and hand them grading rubrics for writing assignments, but one of the things that is often missing from that equation is allowing students to examine examples of effective writing. If they don’t know what good writing looks or sounds like, then how do we expect them to write well? This is what mentor texts are for.

Journal Topic: What gets you this excited?

Research/Passion Project Introduction

This year you will have the opportunity to do a research project on something you really care about. I don't just want you to do research, however. The end goal is that when this project is over you will have done something you are passionate about.

My friend Cheryl Mizerny introduced passion projects in her middle school classroom and to get them started, she asked her students 3 questions:

1) What do you want to learn how to do? 2) What would you like to create? or 3) Who would you like to help?

You will chose not just a topic to research for this project, but something that involves an action to take or a new skill to learn.

For example, I have decided that I would like my passion project for 2015 to be to learn how to become a Google Certified Teacher. So, as a result of my research, the goal is to DO SOMETHING at the end of the process.

I would like to remember, however, that in the end, this is also a research project in which you will have to consult multiple sources. If your passion doesn't involve extensive research, then you will have to reserve it for another time and opportunity.

For example, now that I have my new piano, one of my goals since I was ten-years-old was to learn how to play Frederic Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu." It is a piece that has always eluded me and I would love to attempt to learn how to play it.

However, that would not be a good choice for my passion project because a) I can't practice in class b) It doesn't involve any research, only practice. Learning "Fantasie Impromptu" is more of a goal than a project.

So today in class I'm going to give you some time to write, discuss, and explore possible ideas for your passion project. Return to the three questions above and ask yourself what you would like to have accomplished when all is said and done.