Live Anywhere

...where would you choose to live?

This week's Construct module will be an exploration of places around the world. This inquiry question will be the basis of our mini research project; we will define criteria for answering the question, use various sources to research, practice taking and organizing notes, and put everything together into polished PowerPoint presentations.

Module summary:

review research techniques and resources
review PowerPoint requirements and expectations
research and take notes
create a PowerPoint to share research findings

essential questions

Where do we start when researching?
What kinds of sources add depth to research?
How do we synthesize multiple sources to present an argument?

goals

Students will understand that when starting research, it is important to brainstorm questions and criteria
Students will understand that strong research includes a variety of sources - websites, magazine articles, books, documentaries, scholarly articles, etc.
Students will understand that intentional note-taking allows us to organize and make connections between information to structure an effective argument.

activities

INTRODUCE

Review "Where is This?" PowerPoint (print here if doing independently)
- Guess locations and rate - would you live here?
review syllabus and expectations for the week with Christine

EXPOSE

Review effective PowerPoint expectations in R&W Handbook
Review sources available for research
- you will need at least three different types of sources in your PowerPoint (such as websites, encyclopedias, articles, videos, podcasts)
Summarize PPT expectations and Research resources for Christine (written or verbal)

PRACTICE

Define your criteria for the ideal place to live - write out at least 5 qualifications (geography? population density? culture? etc.)
Choose a location and research independently
- create a Google Doc for storing your notes
- organize notes by your criteria (one section per your 5 qualifications)
Share findings with Christine

CREATE

create PowerPoint presentation to present findings
- title slide: MLA heading info, overarching question
- response slide: identify location with thesis statement
- 3 support slides: title, data and facts to support point, image(s)
- conclusion slide: wrap it up, offer parting thought to mull over
- works cited slide (at least 7 sources, not including images)
revise notes document to mirror your PPT: this is a document that contains further facts and details you will share verbally.
- You should have notes for each slide - bullet points to guide you when you present
Practice PPT, using notes to guide you
Present to Christine

REFLECT

Conference one-on-one with feedback about PPT
Adjust and re-submit as needed

c-tachs

Writing

Conduct short and more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research

Reading

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
Cite strong textual evidence to support analysis of explicit and implicit meaning of text