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 Real People
Real Lives

Teacher Guide

 

TEACHER TIPS
and TOOLS

How to implement engaging research, including mini skills lessons, and professional resources
TARGETED LEARNING STYLES

 Visual

TIME FRAME:


1 period to choose biography book
(2-3 weeks to read book at home)
2 periods - biographical research
(1-2 weeks to prepare display at home)
1 period for sharing
1 day Reflection essay - home

*If using activities in "Judging the Reliability of Sources" section, additional class periods may be needed.

 UNIT:

   English Grade 7 - The Nuts and Bolts of Nonfiction

FOCUS:
Enduring Understanding or Essential Question

   What life lessons can we learn from reading about the lives of others?

MSDE Voluntary State Curriculum: Reading Standards/Core Learning Goals

BCPS English Language Arts Curriculum Indicator

  
  • Students will read, comprehend, interpret, analyze, and evaluate informational texts.
    • Analyze important ideas and messages in informational text
      • Identify and explain the author's text's purpose and intended audience
      • Distinguish between a fact and an opinion
      • Explain how someone might use text
    • Read critically to evaluate informational text
      • Analyze the text and its information for reliability
      • Analyze the author's argument or position for clarity and/or bias
MD FlagMSDE Library Media VSC
 

2A
1. Match resources to topic of interest or need.
3. Define and refine an information need by formulating compelling/effective questions.
3A
1. Use print resources efficiently and effectively.           
2. Use non-print resources efficiently and effectively.
3. Use computer/online/digital resources efficiently and effectively.
6. Evaluate the content of specific computer/online/digital resources to determine accuracy and relevance of content.
7. Use appropriate graphic organizers or note cards to record relevant information. 
8. Use own words to capture concepts and avoid plagiarism.
9. Record appropriate bibliographic information to cite sources.
5A
2. Apply critical thinking and problem solving strategies.
6A
1. Make decisions to facilitate effective communication of ideas.
7A
1. Exhibit respect for the intellectual property rights of others.

 National English Language Arts Curriculum Content Standards

   1. Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
7. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.
8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

National Information Literacy Content Standards (ALA)

 Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.
Standard 6: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.
Standard 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

National Technology Education Standards for Students (ISTE)

 2. Demonstrate knowledge of current changes in information technologies and the effect those changes have on the workplace and society. (2)
3. Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse. (2)
4. Use content-specific tools, software, and simulations (e.g., environmental probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to support learning and research. (3, 5)
10. Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources concerning real-world problems. (2, 5, 6)
Last update: July 2004
Created by Joyce Caldwell and Phyllis Fullem
Additional contributions by Leslie Green and Angela Tirschman
BCPS Research Module, Copyright 2004, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. This Research Module may be used for educational, non-profit school use only. All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. The Baltimore County Public schools does not guarantee the accuracy or quality of information located on telecommunications networks. We have made every reasonable attempt to ensure that our school system's web pages are educationally sound and do not contain links to any questionable materials or anything that can be deemed in violation of the BCPS Telecommunications Policy. The linked sites are not under the control of the Baltimore County Public Schools; therefore, BCPS is not responsible for the contents of any linked site, links within the site, or any revisions to such sites. Links from Baltimore County Public Schools
Copyright © 2004 Baltimore County Public Schools,
Towson, MD 21204
All rights reserved.
Documents and related graphics may be duplicated for educational, non-profit school use only.
All other uses, transmissions and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly.
Contact Margaret-Ann Howie, Esq. 410-887-2646