7.+Teacher's+Page


 * TEACHER PAGE **

** The Birthday News ** ** Eighth Grade English **

STUDENT OBJECTIVES:


 * The students will locate information using appropriate sources and strategies. (PA Standard 1.8.8.B)
 * The students will organize, summarize and present the main ideas from research. (PA Standard 1.8.8.C)
 * The students will give proper credit to sources. (PA Standard 1.8.8.C)
 * The students will revise and edit their own writing and the writing of others. (PA Standard 1.5.8.E, F)
 * The students will type a final copy and create a unique cover sheet using computer graphics. (PA Standard 1.6.8.F)

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

The students should have practiced the following skills before attempting this independent project: creating a bibliography, using the internet for research, using reference books for research, paraphrasing and summarizing information,

MATERIALS:

Assignment Note Sheets, Notebook Paper, Library Research Books, Internet Sources, Laptop Computers, Bibliography Cheat Sheet

PROCEDURE:

** Early Planning: **


 * Schedule the laptop computer cart or computer lab for eight typing/research days.
 * Have the library pull relevant research books.

** Day One **


 * Daily Warm-Up: List everything you know about your birthday.
 * Have each student share their birthday story with the class and then record his/her name on the back board under the name of his/her birthday month.
 * Introduce the WebQuest.
 * Show examples of finished projects.

** Day Two thru Day Four **


 * Introduce the library reference books.
 * Have students research the following categories: “News of the Day”, “News of the Month”, “News of the Year”, “Historical News”, and “Fun Facts” using a combination of the books and the internet.
 * Remind students to create a bibliography entry for each book or site used.

** Day Five thru Day Seven **


 * Finish research.
 * Type all articles.
 * Create a bibliography.
 * Peer edit for accuracy, dates, specific details, and complete sentences.

** Day Eight thru Day Nine **


 * Insert articles and pictures into the newsletter template.
 * Proofread.
 * Assemble and Turn in Final Copy.

CLOSURE:


 * Share the best work.
 * Extension Project: Have students complete a research paper about one of the historical events that took place on their birthdays. Practice summarizing and paraphrasing before assigning the project.
 * Alternate Group Project: Create groups based on birthdays during the same year and month. Have each student create his or her own birth announcement and name history. Share research duties on the rest of paper.

EVALUATION:

Rubric based on PSSA Scoring Domains

REFLECTION: