21st Century Research in the Middle School Library

A Project-based, Blended Learning Research Curriculum

Developed and Written by Cynthia Alexandre, MLIS

April 2016

Contents
Syllabus
Course Overview
Includes project descriptions, standards alignment, and assessment types.
Rubrics for Projects
To be completed by students and emailed to teacher at completion of project. Rubrics will be returned to
students with notes so that students can correct mistakes and make improvements.
Exit Slips
To be used during course introduction over the first two days of class.
Worksheets for Projects
To be used with projects as noted in course overview.

Middle School Library Research Class Syllabus

Mrs. Alexandre, Library Teacher
Class Description
In this research class we will learn how to conduct research while creating our own website. Some of our learning will be
done through blended learning, meaning we will receive instruction online through videos. All of our work will be
submitted through email and on our personal websites. Dont worry, although this class focuses on independent and
blended learning Mrs. Alexandre will always be available to help you!

Grading Breakdown
Project Work 80% of Grade
We will be working on 8 projects this semester. Each project will have a video for you to watch that explains what you
will be doing. Projects can be completed at your own pace and can be worked on at home and during class. As you
complete each project you will email Mrs. Alexandre your completed rubric and any worksheets for that assignment.
Mrs. Alexandre will email the rubric back to you with a grade and comments. You can then correct your assignments and
resubmit your rubric and worksheets. Your grade will be changed if you correct your mistakes there is no reason
anyone should not receive an A!
Unit
Website Creation
Website Creation
Evaluating Sources
Evaluating Sources
Citing Sources
Citing Sources
Plagiarism
Plagiarism

Projects
Points
Set-up Website and About Tab
10
Goals Tab
10
Campaign Endorsement Tab
10
Product Advertisement Tab
10
Controversial Issue Affirmative Position Tab
10
Controversial Issue Negative Position Tab
10
Place Promotion Tab
10
Biographical Obituary Tab
10
Total Project Points: 80

Behavior and Participation 20% of Grade

I expect that each student will be on task and working on their projects during class time. Talking and collaborating with
other students is acceptable, so long as voices are kept quiet so as not to distract other students. We will sometimes
watch videos to facilitate our learning; use of headphones is encouraged on these occasions. Since all work is done
online, students should be in their seats for the entirety of class. If a student would like to borrow or return a book, that
can be done with permission in the last few minutes of class.
At no time should students be on any game or social media websites. If a student is seen on a game or social media
website of any sort they will lose points for the day. Since students will have internet access for research and website
creation they will not need to use cell phones. If a student is seen using their phone they will lose points for the day.
I expect students to be respectful of their peers, the library and their teacher. This means being polite and kind to each
other, respecting the rules of the library and following directions. Students who are disrespectful will lose points for the
day.
Behavior and Participation
On task, no warnings
1st Warning (off task, playing a game, disrespectful, etc.)
2nd Warning (off task, playing a game, disrespectful, etc.)
3rd Warning (off task, playing a game, disrespectful, etc.)

Daily Points and Consequences

2
1.5
1 - Phone Call Home
0 - Write Up
Total Daily Points Possible: 2

Course Overview

Name:
Period:

Rubric #1: Setting Up Website and About Page

Item:

Website Organization
Website has appropriate title
Your Name
Website Organization
Website has picture on home
page
Website Organization
Website has intro paragraph on
home page
Website Organization
Page added with appropriate
title - About
About Page Content
Includes 5 paragraphs
About Page Content
Each paragraph is 5 sentences
long
About Page Content
Includes an introduction
paragraph
About Page Content
Includes a conclusion paragraph
Assignment Email
Sent with correct attachment
(this rubric)
This Rubric
All boxes checked

Student: Mark
X When
Complete

Points
Possible

Teacher: Points Awarded and Comments

1
1

1
1

Possible Points for Assignment: 10

Total Points for Assignment:

Name:
Period:

Rubric #2: Goals Page

Item:

Website Organization
Page added with appropriate
title - Goals
Goals Page Content
Includes 5 paragraphs
Goals Page Content
Each paragraph is 5 sentences
long
Goals Page Content
1st paragraph is an introduction
Goals Page Content
2nd paragraph discusses short
term goals (during middle
school)
Goals Page Content
3rd paragraph discusses long
term goals (high school, college,
and beyond)
Goals Page Content
4th paragraph discusses how you
are going to achieve these goals
Goals Page Content
5th paragraph is a conclusion
Assignment Email
Sent in professional format with
correct attachment (this rubric)
This Rubric
All boxes checked

Student: Mark
X When
Complete

Points
Possible

Teacher: Points Awarded and Comments

1
1

1
1

1
1

Possible Points for Assignment: 10

Total Points for Assignment:

Name:
Period:

Rubric #3: Bias and Campaign Page

Item:

Website Organization
Page added with appropriate
title - Campaign
Campaign Page Content
Page includes at least 3 reasons
why your candidate would be a
better candidate than their
opponent
Campaign Page Content
Page includes at least 3 reasons
why you would vote for them
Campaign Page Content
Page includes at least 3 facts
about the candidate
Campaign Page Content
Page includes at least one
picture of candidate
Campaign Page Content
Page includes at least one video
of candidate
Bias Worksheet
Worksheet completed
Bias Worksheet
Worksheet completed correctly
Assignment Email
Sent in professional format with
correct attachments (rubric and
bias worksheet)
This Rubric
All boxes checked

Student: Mark
X When
Complete

Points
Possible

Teacher: Points Awarded and Comments

1
1
1

Possible Points for Assignment: 10

Total Points for Assignment:

Name:
Period:

Rubric #4: Source Evaluation and Product Page

Item:

Website Organization
Page added with appropriate
title - Product
Product Page Content
Page includes at least 3 reasons
why your product is better than
a competitive product
Product Page Content
Page includes at least 3 reasons
why you would use this product
Product Page Content
Page includes at least 3 nonbiased reviews of the product
Product Page Content
Page includes at least one
picture of product
Campaign Page Content
Page includes at least one video
of product or 2nd picture
Web Evaluation Worksheet
Both worksheets completed
Web Evaluation Worksheet
Both worksheet completed
correctly
Assignment Email
Sent in professional format with
correct attachments (rubric and
2 web evaluation worksheets)
This Rubric
All boxes checked

Student: Mark
X When
Complete

Points
Possible

Teacher: Points Awarded and Comments

1
1

Possible Points for Assignment: 10

Total Points for Assignment:

Name:
Period:

Rubric #5: Citing Sources and Affirmative Issue Page

Item:

Website Organization
Page added with appropriate
title - Affirmative Issue
Affirmative Page Content
Page includes an introduction
paragraph
Affirmative Page Content
Page includes a middle
paragraph with 3 reasons in
support of argument
Affirmative Page Content
Page includes a conclusion
paragraph
Affirmative Page Content
Page includes a picture having
to do with the argument
Affirmative Page Content
Page includes links at bottom to
all articles read
Web Evaluation Worksheet
Worksheet completed
Web Evaluation Worksheet
Worksheet completed correctly
Assignment Email
Sent in professional format with
correct attachments (rubric and
web evaluation worksheets)
This Rubric
All boxes checked

Student: Mark
X When
Complete

Points
Possible

Teacher: Points Awarded and Comments

1
1
1

Possible Points for Assignment: 10

Total Points for Assignment:

Name:
Period:

Rubric #6: Citing Sources and Negative Issue Page

Item:

Website Organization
Page added with appropriate
title - Negative Issue
Negative Page Content
Page includes an introduction
paragraph
Negative Page Content
Page includes a middle
paragraph with 3 reasons
against argument
Negative Page Content
Page includes a conclusion
paragraph
Negative Page Content
Page includes a picture having
to do with the argument
Negative Page Content
Page includes MLA formatted
citations of articles read
Web Evaluation Worksheet
Worksheet completed
Web Evaluation Worksheet
Worksheet completed correctly
Assignment Email
Sent in professional format with
correct attachments (rubric and
web evaluation worksheet)
This Rubric
All boxes checked

Student: Mark
X When
Complete

Points
Possible

Teacher: Points Awarded and Comments

1
1
1

Possible Points for Assignment: 10

Total Points for Assignment:

Name:
Period:

Rubric #7: Plagiarism and Place Promo Page

Item:

Website Organization
Page added with appropriate
title - Place Promo
Place Promo Page Content
Page includes basic information
about the location: climate,
population, location in the
world (country, continent, etc.)
Place Promo Page Content
Page includes at least three
reasons to vacation or move to
this location (things to see and
do, benefits to living there, etc.)
Place Promo Page Content
Page includes 2 or more
pictures of the location
Place Promo Page Content
Page includes a video of the
location
Place Promo Page Content
Page includes MLA formatted
citations of websites used
Web Evaluation and Plagiarism
Worksheets
Worksheets completed
Web Evaluation and Plagiarism
Worksheets
Worksheets completed
correctly
Assignment Email
Sent in professional format with
correct attachments (plagiarism
worksheet, rubric and web
evaluation worksheet)
This Rubric
All boxes checked

Student: Mark
X When
Complete

Points
Possible

Teacher: Points Awarded and Comments

Possible Points for Assignment: 10

Total Points for Assignment:

Name:
Period:

Rubric #8: Plagiarism and Obituary Page

Item:

Website Organization
Page added with appropriate
title - Obituary
Obituary Page Content
Page has at least 3 paragraphs
Obituary Page Content
Page includes persons full
name, dates of birth and death,
and important life
accomplishments
Obituary Page Content
Page includes a picture of the
person
Obituary Page Content
Page includes no plagiarism
student has summarized and
paraphrased from other sources
Obituary Page Content
Page includes MLA formatted
citations of websites used
Web Evaluation Worksheet
Worksheet completed
Web Evaluation Worksheet
Worksheet completed correctly
Assignment Email
Sent in professional format with
correct attachments (rubric and
web evaluation worksheet)
This Rubric
All boxes checked

Student: Mark
X When
Complete

Points
Possible

Teacher: Points Awarded and Comments

1
1

1
1
1

Possible Points for Assignment: 10

Total Points for Assignment:

Exit Slip #1
Name:_____________________________________________
Period:_____________________________________________
1.) Where can you find the library website address?

2.) How will you complete all your assignments?

3.) How will you be submitting your rubrics and worksheets?

4.) What are the basic behavior expectations?

Name:_____________________________________________
Period:_____________________________________________
1.) Where can you find the library website address?

2.) How will you complete all your assignments?

3.) How will you be submitting your rubrics and worksheets?

4.) What are the basic behavior expectations?

Exit Slip #2
Name:_____________________________________________
Period:_____________________________________________
1.) Where can you find all the documents you need?

2.) How will you submit these as you complete them?

3.) Why are good email manners important in the workplace?

4.) Does it matter if the emails you send are in a professional format?

Name:_____________________________________________
Period:_____________________________________________
1.) Where can you find all the documents you need?

2.) How will you submit these as you complete them?

3.) Why are good email manners important in the workplace?

4.) Does it matter if the emails you send are in a professional format?

Name:
Period:

Bias Worksheet
Part I
Complete this while watching the bias video.
Hint: Read the questions first so you know what you are looking for. You can pause and replay parts of the
video to get the correct answers. Type your answers below each question.
1.) What is bias?

2.) How can you tell when bias is present?

3.) Is bias good or bad? Can it be both? Why?

Part II
Complete this using the links on the library website.
1.) Go to the official website for (republican candidate). Read the About or Bio tab. Find 3 sentences
that are biased and copy them below.
Hint: Look for opinions and things that are not facts.

2.) Go to the official website for (democratic candidate). Read the About or Bio tab. Find 3 sentences
that are biased and copy them below.
Hint: Look for opinions and things that are not facts.

Name:
Period:

Website Evaluation Worksheet

Part I Website Evaluation
Lets evaluate this website based on the 5 Ws:
Who Who provided this information or made this website?

What What is the reason for this website?

Where Where did this company get their information?

When When was this website created or updated?

Why Why is this information helpful to consumers?

Part II - Bias
1.) Find 3 sentences that are biased and copy them below.
Hint: Look for opinions and things that are not facts.

Part III Thinking it Through

1.) Based on your evaluation and bias findings, is this website one you should use? Thinking about bias,
can you use any of the information on the website?

Name:
Period:

Plagiarism Worksheet
Part I
Complete this while watching the plagiarism video.
Hint: Read the questions first so you know what you are looking for. You can pause and replay parts of the
video to get the correct answers. Type your answers below each question.
4.) What is plagiarism?

5.) How can you avoid plagiarism?

6.) Fill in the chart below: Italicized words below are answers students will fill in from informational video.

Summarizing
Must reference the original
source
Taking the original work
and breaking it down (a
summary is shorter than
the original work)
Must use your own words

Paraphrasing
Must reference the original
work
Taking the original work
and saying it in your own
way (can be longer or
shorter than the original)
Must use your own words

Quoting
Must reference the original
work
You can use the authors
original words, but you
must put quotes around
them
Make sure you cite this
source!
Adapted from: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/930/02/