Use biographical resources to to build background knowledge about the Founding Father you've chosen:

2. Locate and read two biographical reference articles from a BCPS-licensed database or a reliable, authoritative Web site.
Try the databases and Web sites below:

• Digital History
• National Archives
• Biography.com
• Spotlight Biography from the Smithsonian

If you choose to use a general search engine like Google to locate a biographical reference article on the open Web:

• Add the keyword biography to your Founding Father's name in your search string.
• Evaluate the sources in your search results before using them.
  • Five Criteria for Evaluating Webpages
  • How to evaluate a Wikipedia Article

General Tools

• Secondary Research and Investigation Guide
• 21st Century Literacies Resources

Research & Reading TIps & Tutorials:

• Skimming and Scanning
• Cut and Paste: Internet Plagiarism - NBC Learn video -Growing number of students are involved in Internet cheating: cutting and pasting writing they find online into their own papers. Now, educators are using Internet programs to detect plagiarism and identify cheaters.

Note-taking Tips, Tutorials, & Tools:

• Note-taking Tips & Tutorials from the BCPS Independent Research Course
• How do I manage the information I collect? - Note-taking tools & tutorials from the BCPS Independent Research Course

Database Tips & Tutorials:

• HELP for World Book Advanced
• History Reference Center Video Tutorial
• Gale Student Resources in Context Tutorials and Tips
• Video - Gale Databases vs. Google:

Use these BCPS-licensed databases to search for websites, articles, and media about a contemporary American issue that would be of interest to your Founding Father:

• No logins are needed to use databases at school. See your Library Media Specialist for user names and passwords required for home access.

School Library:

Do a keyword search in your school's DESTINY catalog to find nonfiction and reference books about your topic.

• Destiny Basic Search

• Destiny QUEST Search

Use indexes or tables of contents to locate information related to your topic and questions. Check the indexes of print encyclopedias for articles about your topic.

Baltimore County Public Library:

• Use resources on the the BCPL Got Homework? website to locate more information about you topic.

• Do a keyword search in the BCPL Kids Catalog to locate books about your topic.

• BCPL Card and Catalog Help

• Chat online with a real live librarian at Ask Us Now!
  Be sure to have your research questions handy.