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Multi-Genre Research. IRA Regional Conference Billings, Montana October, 2007 Presented by Joy Dewing. Contact Info. Joy Dewing Central Middle School, Kokomo, Indiana jdewing@kokomo.k12.in.us. What is Multi-Genre Research?.
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Multi-Genre Research IRA Regional Conference Billings, Montana October, 2007 Presented by Joy Dewing
Contact Info • Joy Dewing • Central Middle School, Kokomo, Indiana • jdewing@kokomo.k12.in.us
What is Multi-Genre Research? • Just like regular research papers, students research one topic in depth over a period of time. • The difference is in the final product. • In addition to a regular research paper, students also write about their topic in other genres: fiction, historical fiction, poetry, oral presentations, webpages, newspaper articles, and more.
What are the benefits of Multi-Genre Research? • Students are more engaged in the researching and writing process • Students learn, in depth, about their topic • Students are excited about the process • Students have more choice, and therefore more ownership of their writing • Multi-Genre research projects are more interesting to read (and grade!) than “regular” research papers • Final papers are better written
What does it look like? • Students select topics they’re interested in • Students complete research as usual: note cards, works cited page, MLA format, etc. • Students examine published pieces written in various genres • After completing a “standard” paper, students use the same research to write in a genre (or genres) they choose
Does it support standards? • YES!!! • Standards related to writing( prewriting, organizing ideas, rough drafts, revising and editing, final drafts, etc.) • Standards related to researching (internet and print based research, MLA or APA format, note cards, etc.) • Standards related to reading and interpreting nonfiction texts.
Is it research based? • YES!!! • “Children’s curiosity and their passion to explore the world are the greatest resources we could ever hope to draw upon in teaching nonfiction writing” ~ Lucy Calkins • “All of us do need to learn how to write with voice and energy when we work on nonfiction texts.” ~ Lucy Calkins
Is it Research Based? • Students need the opportunity to play with and switch genres. Ask students when did they have the most energy to write? Which genre seemed the easiest for their topic? ~ Amy Buckner • In a year-long study of boys and reading Wilhelm and Smith found boys want more depth in their learning.
Is it Research Based? • “The best nonfiction writing emerges from topics the writer knows, cares, and wonders about and wants to pursue.” ~ Stephanie Harvey • “Individually, specific facts are fascinating, but in the format of a terminal paper – I mean term paper – they can lose their spark. They get buried in lists of general information that read more like an encyclopedia than a real juicy report or story.” ~ Barry Lane
How does it fit with my literacy and writing program? • Writing Workshop • Balanced Literacy Programs • “Traditional” Classrooms
How do I organize my time and lessons? • Start by deciding what you want students to do, and create an assignment sheet • Decide on your research schedule and how much time you want students to spend • Develop mini-lessons on various genres, as well as on research skills
For Example: • I spend 3 ½ to 4 weeks on research papers. • Leading up to the research project, begin brainstorming topics, so students have a list of ideas to start with. I allow students to select any topic they wish for their research paper.
What do I want students to do? • 3 finished products • Students choose 1 assignment to complete from each box: • Box 1: MLA format paper – Standard paper or a Top Ten List • Box 2: Creative Writing • Box 3: Creative Interests
Sample Research Schedule • Day 1: • Finalize topic selection • Assemble research folders • Discuss note taking and plagiarism • Day 2: • Go over requirements of paper • Review MLA format • Begin researching
Sample Research Schedule • Day 3: • Mini lesson on literary nonfiction • Continue researching • 3 source cards sue at the end of the period • Day 4: • Mini lesson: biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs • Continue researching • Make final choice for “Box 1” assignment • 5 note cards due at the end of the period
Sample Research Schedule • Day 5: • Mini lesson: alphabet books • Continue research • 15 (total) note cards due at the end of the period • Day 6: • Mini lesson: DK books, magazines, newspapers, and brochures • Continue research
Sample Research Schedule • Day 7: • Mini Lesson: Pop-Up books, fiction books that include research • Continue research • 25 (total) note cards due at end of the period • Day 8: • Mini lessons: Unusual Formats • All research due at beginning of period • Organize research • Begin rough draft (Box 1)
Sample Research Schedule • Day 9: • Mini lesson: getting published and making money! • Rough drafts due • Revise and edit in class/ peer edit • Day 10: • Work on final draft – Box 1 • Day 11: • Work on final draft – Box 1 • Day 12: • Final draft – Box 1 – due at beginning of the period • Begin working on box 2&3 in class
Sample Research Schedule • Day 13: • Work on Box 2 and/or 3 • Day 14: • Work on Box 2 and/or 3 • Day 15: • Box 2 due – beginning of the period • Work on Box 3 • Day 16: • Work on Box 3
Sample Research Schedule • Day 17: • Box 3 due – beginning of the period • Share final products • Celebrate finishing research!
What does the final product look like? • 1. MLA format research paper • 2. Creative Writing • 3. Creative Interests • Others?
Resources: Professional • Buckner, Aimee. (2005) Notebook Know-How. • Calkins, Lucy. (1994) The Art of Teaching Writing. • Harvey, Stephanie. (1998) Nonfiction Matters. • Lane, Barry. (2003). 51 Wacky We-Search Reports. • Smith, Michael W. and Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. (2002) Reading Don’t Fix No Chevys.
Resources: Trade Books • Literary Nonfiction Examples – Picture Books: • Fireflies in the Night by Judy Hawes • Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya • Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz • The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter • The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein • George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer • The Journey that saved Curious George by Louise Border • John, Paul, George, and Ben by Lane Smith
Resources: Trade Books • Literary Nonfiction Examples – Secondary: • An American Plague, Blizzard, and The Great Fire by Jim Murphy • Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman • The Endurance by Caroline Alexander • The Forbidden Schoolhouse by Suzanne Jurmain • Exploring the Titanic by Robert D. Ballard
Resources: Trade Books • Biographies, Autobiographies, Memoirs • Fritz, Jean. Homesick, My Own Story. • Fritz, Jean. Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George? • Dahl, Roald. Boy. • Say, Allen. Grandfather’s Journey. • Say, Allen. Tea with Milk. • Say, Allen. Tree of Cranes.
Resources: Trade Books • Biographies, Autobiographies, Memoirs • Giblin, James Cross. Good Brother, Bad Brother. • Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marian Sang. • Kerley, Barbara. The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins. • Krull, Kathleen. The Boy on Fairfield Street. • Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley. • Rumford, James. Seeker of Knowledge. • Borden, Louise. A. Lincoln and Me.
Resources: Trade Books • Alphabet Books: • Marsalis, Wynton. ABZ, A Jazz Alphabet • Cheney, Lynne. America, A Patriotic Primer • Cheney, Lynne. A is for Abagail • Various authors, state by state alphabet books (Sleeping Bear Press)
Resources: Trade Books • Unusual and Interesting Formats: • Lewis, J. Patrick. Monumental Verses. • Sabuda, Robert. & Matther Reinhart. Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs. • Delafosse, Claude. & Gallimard Jeunesse. Egyptian Tomb Hidden World. • Messenger, Norman. Imagine. • Carter, David A. & James Diaz. Let’s Make it Pop-Up. • Egyptology
Resources: Trade Books • Magazine and Newspaper Layouts • Dorling Kindersley books • Investigations books Heckscher, Melissa, Mark Schulman, et al. The Explorer’s Gazette: Amazing Stories of 30 Rea- Life Journeys. • Silver, Donald M. One Small Square Cave.
Resources: Trade Books • Fiction that Includes Research: • Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever, 1793. • Clary, Margie Willis. A Sweet, Sweet Basket. • Various authors. Dear America Series. • Various authors. Royal Diaries Series • Hobbs, Will. The Maze; Jackie’s Wild Seattle, et al.