Today’s agenda:
Journal Prompt: What is the most difficult thing about writing a research report? What areas do you think you need to work on? What areas do you think you do well in?
When you finish your journal prompt, please organize your binders. Some of them are disasters! If your binder is organized you can read silently.
Then we will move on to the business letter.
Don’t forget that your research reports are due Wednesday.
Today we took up the report questions and discussed how graphics can be used effectively to support the information in a report.
We learned that the purpose of a report is to provide information and in the case of an analytical report, to offer recommendations. Your report will be a combination of analytical and informational because at the end, you should be providing a list of local resources for your readers.
Remember, your first heading will be A. Summary, this is not an introduction, but a summary of the information readers will find in your report. Get right to the point.
Then students worked on creating their report outline.
Tomorrow we will be writing our rough drafts.
We continued to work on the report questions and they were due at the end of class along with a completed outline for the report. Remember, although we are writing the report in class, you are responsible for finishing the research on your own time. You must have at least 4 different sources.
Tomorrow make sure you have your research notes because we will be working on the rough draft in class.
Today we learned about plagiarism and tips for preventing it.
We then moved on to some questions about the structure and purpose of reports.
Tomorrow you will be creating an outline for your research report.
Today you will be working in the computer lab in 208, continuing your research from yesterday. You can still access the databases, but you can also check out the links I posted yesterday. Good luck!
Today we will be going down to the library to begin our research for our reports. Before you can log on to a computer you will need to fill out and submit the research proposal sheet (see me for that.)
Before you begin your research, read through this information about establishing a website’s credibility.
You will also need to take research notes while you work. If you prefer to work just on the computer, I will attach a link for the research note sheet here. You can download it and save it to your S drive.
I’ve also bookmarked a bunch of sites that may help you. Here is the link to my list.
Today’s Agenda:
1) Decide on a topic for research report.
2) Practice taking research notes. Extra handouts for absent students available in the handout box at the bck of the classroom.
3) Tomorrow we research!
Here’s what we did today:
We began by talking about the difference between editing and revising. Revising is a really important step in the writing process. It’s not just about fixing spelling mistakes; it’s about reorganizing ideas, adding new ideas, clarifying points, providing examples and so on.
I showed the class a sample of a section of the report that was pretty badly written (I wrote it!). You looked for a strength, a weakness, and a suggestion, and then you revised the paragraph.
I then handed out the peer editing sheets and we began editing each other’s drafts and providing suggestions for improvement. We will continue with this tomorrow and then you will have an opportunity to revise your reports. The good copy will be due on Monday.
Today and tomorrow will be work periods for your book club report. Your rough draft of for your book club report is due at the end of class on Friday.
Today is our last book club meeting. Due to an unfortunate incident with the filing cabinet, I couldn’t get the top drawer unlocked in time to mark your portfolios from the last meeting. So I will assess it when I assess this week’s meeting. Tomorrow we will be in room 208 (come to class first) to work on your portfolio reports.