RESEARCH PROJECT OVERVIEW:
L.O. I can conduct a short research project and share my findings in a concise and engaging manner.
S.L.E. Articulate ideas clearly, creatively, and effectively
Assignment description
You will be assigned a topic related to the novel Tangerine. Your job is to research the topic, write an individual report, and be the content expert for your classmates while reading the novel.
Research/Assignment Guidelines
- Each student will be assigned a topic to research related to the novel Tangerine, conduct research (Notes and Vocabulary), and report their findings in the form of a newspaper article (Writing).
- Questions to guide your research and some starting sources are provided in the Tangerine section of Ms. Rzegocki’s teacher page.
- Consult at least two sources related to your topic; you will need to cite these according to MLA citation rules.
- Notes (2 points):
- Record the information you learn from each source. You will use these notes to write your outline and paragraphs.
- Use the provided note-taking sheet, or one of your own design.
- You will turn these in with your writing assignment.
- Vocabulary (2 points):
- Identify five key words important to know for understanding your topic.
- Fill in a blank vocabulary template: define each word, illustrate each word using an image or symbol, and write a contextual sentence for each word.
- Writing (16 points):
- Pretend you are writing a short article about your topic for the research section of The Seattle Times. Write 2-3 stoplight paragraphs that include the answers to the research questions AND help your audience better understand the given topic. Your writing will start with a brief introduction and wrap up with a short conclusion – both will be paragraphs, but not in the stoplight format.
- Create and use a complete outline for your paragraphs (outline must be included with final product)
- Make sure to cite your sources and use signal phrases to identify the sources of your information.
- No Excuses List: full heading and title, double spaced, article titles in “quotation marks”, capital letters, punctuation at the end of sentences, etc.
TOPICS AND RESOURCES
Below are some questions to guide your research on legal blindness. Please note that that you are not limited to these questions; your research and class presentation could cover other important information about legal blindness that is not on this list.
- When is someone considered legally blind?
- What is the difference between low vision and legally blind?
- How does someone become legally blind?
- What can these people do, or not do? For example, can they drive, cook, read, walk unassisted?
- How does legal blindness affect students?
- Disabled World Info
- Social Security Guide to Blindness
- Accommodations for Visually Impaired Students
- White Cane Day
- Low Vision vs. Legally Blind
Below are some questions to guide your research on sink holes. Please note that that you are not limited to these questions; your research and class presentation could cover other important information about sink holes that is not on this list.
- What is a sink hole?
- Can they be harmful? Explain.
- Why do they occur?
- Where do they occur?
- Can you stop them? How?
- The USGS Water-Science School Site
- How Sink Holes Work
- Weather Wiz Kids: Sink Holes
- Livescience: Sink Holes
Below are some questions to guide your research on Home Owners Associations (HOAs). Please note that that you are not limited to these questions; your research and class presentation could cover other important information about HOAs that is not on this list.
- What is an HOA?
- Can they be helpful? Explain.
- What are some downsides to HOAs?
- Where do they occur?
- How do they impact property owners and tenants?
- Investopedia HOA Tips
- HOA Information for Real Estate Lawyers
- What You Need To Know About HOA Rules
- HowStuffWorks: HOAs
Below are some questions to guide your research on lightning. Please note that that you are not limited to these questions; your research and class presentation could cover other important information about lightning that is not on this list.
- How does lightning occur?
- How dangerous is lightning?
- Do people survive lightning strikes? What kind of injuries might they have if they do?
- Numbers – how many people die from it? How many people are injured yearly?
- Are there places where lightning strikes are more likely?
- National Severe Storms Laboratory
- The Why Files: Lightning
- NASA: What Happens When Humans and Lightning Converge
- Weather Wiz Kids: Lightning
- National Geographic: Lightning
Below are some questions to guide your research on muck fires. Please note that that you are not limited to these questions; your research and class presentation could cover other important information about muck fires that is not on this list.
- What is a muck fire?
- Can they be harmful?
- What are the biggest problems caused by a muck fire?
- Where and why do they occur?
- Can you stop them? How?
- Florida Disasters: Fires
- Muck Fires Create Dangerous Situations in Central Florida
- Muck Fire Facts
- Muck Fires Damage Everglades Ecosystem
Below are some questions to guide your research on citrus fruit freezing. Please note that that you are not limited to these questions; your research and class presentation could cover other important information about freezing citrus fruits that is not on this list.
- How do farmers protect fruit from freezing? Are there multiple methods?
- Why do their methods work? How often do their methods work?
- How effective are their methods?
- Does a citrus freeze happen often? Where?
- How disastrous can it be when a citrus farm freezes?
- Grafting Citrus Trees
- Citrus Tree Care: Freeze Damage
- Methods of Freeze Protection
- Easy Frost Protection for Citrus Trees
- Freeze Damage to Citrus and Avocado Trees