Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
1. create a list of guiding questions to begin their research.
2. contribute opinions and thoughts to the class.
3. define plagiarism and cite a famous case of such.

Agenda:
1. Warm-Up: Students will answer the following question in their notebooks: Did you complete your summer reading assignment? If so, how'd it go? If not, why not?

2. Discussion of Summer Reading Assignments: Please bring in your completed summer reading assignments on THURSDAY (no class tomorrow due to our early dismissal). If you do not have your summer reading assignment completed, you will have until October 31, 2008, to finish it. See Ms. Beener for the summer reading assignment. It will count for 400 points toward your first marking period grade. Summer reading turned in before October 1st will receive full credit; summer reading in turned in before or by October 15th will receive 3/4 credit (300 points out of 400); summer reading turned in after October 15th and before October 31st will receive 1/2 credit (200 points out of 400). No work by October 31st = NO CREDIT!

3. Choosing of Senior Project topics: Students will have the opportunity today to create a rough draft research proposal for their Senior Project Research Paper. Topic choice is open but subject to teacher approval. Suggestions for topics:
a. A national or global issue of significant importance and backed by substantial and credible research.
b. A literary period (see syllabus for list of literary periods available for study).
c. A philosophical movement (see Ms. Kingsbury for details).
d. A career choice.
In order to have topics approved, students must create a list of 15 guiding questions that they have about this topic.

Example: My topic is Students' Rights. My guiding questions are:
a. Do students really have rights?
b. What was life like for students in the past?
c. Are students' rights provided in the US Constitution?
d. Do we really have rights or do we just think we do?
e. What are some famous cases involving students' rights?
f. Are their students today whose rights have been taken away?
g. Who can help students stand up for their rights?
h. What kinds of things get students in trouble?
i. Why don't young people seem to have the same rights as adults?
j. Is the Supreme Court involved in any way?
l. What is my personal experience with students' rights?

Your ultimate task is to write a 12-15 page research paper, so be sure to choose a topic which will keep your interest, as well as mine! Your topic and list is DUE AT THE END OF CLASS - 50 points for this very important work!

Homework: Writing/Research Assignment: What is the definition of plagiarism? Write the answer in your notebook. Find an example of a famous case of plagiarism. Print out the article and bring it with you to class OR write a summary about it in your notebook.