Thursday, February 26, 2009

Mrs. Deborah Gandt-----English Department


RESEARCH PAPER
ENGLISH 11 HONORS




Library Resources
Gale Cengage Learning Databases
Student Resource Center
Literature Resource Center
Bloom's Literary Reference Online
Twayne's Authors Series
Academic Integrity
Home Access Passwords are Available in the Information Center


Here is your opportunity to become a minor authority on one aspect of an American author of your choice. You will also learn formal research paper techniques that you will use for this assignment and for assignments in your senior year and in college. Save all “how-to” handouts for future use. The assignment will receive 3 MAJOR GRADES: 1) content, 2) form and 3) preliminary steps. Therefore, in addition to the finished product, it is very important to do all preliminary steps on time and according to instructions. If you do so and follow all other instructions and guidelines this assignment can be easy and enjoyable.


THE ASSIGNMENT
Select an American author who you enjoy reading but who is NOT from the usual list of white, male authors. Let’s explore the diversity of America and its literature. You should seriously consider if your ‘Independent Reading’ author fits the following categories. Your author can be:
a) either male or female
b) a novelist, short story writer, poet, dramatist, or writer of non-fiction;
c) late 20th century.


THE THESIS
As you start to learn about your author, you will develop a thesis about your author and his/her literature. You will NOT just research the author’s life. Your Independent Reading book will be your primary source. Your THESIS STATEMENT may revolve around one of the following categories:
a) the ethnic characteristics of your author’s works;
b) a common theme in your author’s works;
c) a person or event that had a major influence on your author;
d) autobiographical aspects of your author’s literature;
e) an analysis of your author’s style;
f) etc.


TO BEGIN
Get an OVERVIEW of your author and his/her literature by using the reference works on Gale Group ( Literature Resource Center , Student Resource Center).
Virtual Resource Center (Bloom's Literary Reference Online) See library resources above for direct links.
a) Make certain at the outset that your author is AMERICAN and NOT too mainstream (TMI).
b) Then check that your author is not so obscure or modern that not enough has been written about your author and his/her works. If nothing has been written, you cannot do ‘research’.
c) If your author is very famous you will find that the wealth of information (TMI) is overwhelming and you may wish to switch to someone about whom less has been written.
d) Read several pieces about your author to begin to SELECT A THESIS relevant to your outside reading novel that will be used as a primary source.

SOURCE CARDS
IMMEDIATELY upon finding a possibly useful source, even a reference book or electronic source, record all pertinent information needed for your eventual Works Cited page. Put all reference information immediately into NoodleTools, print this page and write (by hand) a corresponding number next to the Works Cited entry. Do not number on this page because you will need to remove the numbers from the final Works Cited page. Make sure the information on the card corresponds EXACTLY to the model of the same type as

Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of
of Wrath. (underligned) New York:
Penguin Books, 1939.

WMHS Book Room

Save your MLA STYLE SHEET and library sheet with the home access passwords so that you do not need to return to the library in order to complete your paper. Use the WMHS Info Center link to NoodleTools for proper format.

Older format:

The Joad's idealistic expectations

-Joads head to Ca. with high hopes

-Bus discover that for them

-"California is not a Promised Land but a man-blighted Eden."195

NOTE CARDS
Take all your notes on 3” x 5” index cards. Put only ONE IDEA on each card and ALWAYS include the page number and a CODE which corresponds to its source card. Be sure all QUOTES are EXACT but always take PARAPHRASED notes. These cards will later be rearranged by topic and finally into subtopics:
The Joad’s idealistic expectations

Joads head to Ca. with high hopes
But discover that for them
“California is not a Promised Land but a man -blighted Eden.” 195

RESEARCH PAPER
The completed paper will be 4.5 to 5 pages in length. MLA formatting rules apply to Works Cited, parenthetical documentation and formatting of title, headers, etc. One long quote and three short quotes with appropriate parenthetical documentation are required. Use NoodeTools on the WMHS Info Center blog page .

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

National African American History Month, February 2009




Established by Presidential Proclamation, February 2, 2009

Stamp to Be Issued by the United States Postal Service
June 1, 2009

Biography of Anna Julia Cooper


See Our Book Display In The Information Center
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Ms. Maria Radman-Favre-----Macbeth Research Paper-----English Department

Student Resource Center
Literature Resource Center
Virtual Reference Collection
Bloom's literary Reference Online
Twayne's Author Series
Online Catalog
Academic Integrity
NoodleTools Citation System
Citation Machine


Macbeth Research Paper:

In a 3-4 page paper, research one of the following topics, and obtain your information by consulting websites (some are listed below), books and/or journals.
Your paper should cite (this means that inside the body of the paper you should refer to, and quote from your sources) at least three sources from which you have obtained your information.
The when you are finished you need to complete a Works Cited page. This page is a bibliography.
Look to the end of this assignment under the “How to Write a Works Cited Page” for information as to the correct format for writing it.

TOPICS
Choose one

Research the views on witchcraft, magic and superstition held by people in Shakespeare’s day.
How do you think these views influenced the play?
What superstitions are connected with the play
What are the traditional methods of counteracting the “curse” on the play?
How would this information influence your decisions about producing the play?
Websites that provide information:
http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-witchcraft-and-witches.ht

Research the social and political structure of Medieval Scotland.
What is a Thane?
What power did that title hold?
What was the traditional way for the next king to be chosen in Medieval Scotland?
What were the attitudes of the Elizabethans toward the Scottish?
What was the history of the relationship between these two countries?
What were the English perceptions of Scottish men?
Scottish women?
How did those attitudes change when James I became king?
Websites that provide information:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/thane
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/macbeth.shtml
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Scotland-History/DuncanandMacbeth.htm
or
King James I was the patron of Shakespeare’s company, which was known as the King’s Men.
· How might the writing of the play been influenced by the interests of King James I?
What were the responsibilities and expectations of a subject toward his/her king?
What are the qualities of a good king?
What are the qualities of a tyrant?
What are the qualities of a traitor?
Websites that provide information:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/james_i_king.shtml
http://scottishhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/macbeth_104057
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A4455434
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/faq/macbethfaq.html
or
Research the history of theatrical productions of Macbeth.
· Who have been the great Macbeths and Lady Macbeths, and what has distinguished their performances?
Websites that provide information:
http://www.rsc.org.uk/picturesandexhibitions/action/viewExhibition?typeid=plays-infocus&exhibitionid=8&sectionid=5
http://www.rsc.org.uk/picturesandexhibitions/action/viewExhibition?typeid=plays-infocus&exhibitionid=8&sectionid=8
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A78882

Other on-line resources:
An on-line study guide for the play produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company:http://www.rsc.org.uk/macbeth/teachers/home.html
An on-line study guide for the play produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater:http://www.chicagoshakes.com/main.taf?p=2,29
Learn more about Shakespeare’s life and times at the following websites:
http://ise.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/
http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/homepage
http://www.rsc.org.uk/learning/11.aspx
http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/elizabethanengland.html
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Ms. Candace Candreva---English Department---I Search Paper

Library Resources
eLibrary
Proquest Historical NY Times (from 1851)
Proquest Multiple Databases
SIRS
Academic Integrity


The I-Search PaperNotes based on The I Search Paper (1988) by Ken Macrorie

Q. What is a traditional term paper/ research paper (at its worst)?
A. An exercise in badly done bibliography
B. An introduction into the art of plagiarism
C. Alien to its writer
D. A triumph in meaninglessness
E. All of the aboveThe I-Search Paper directly involves you, the writer, into both process (searching for info) and product (the writing about that search). It challenges the concept that research is the searching again for information already documented. If you have never searched for information on the topic before, there is little re about it. You will connect to the topic in a unique way that cannot be ignored.
The paper will have six components:
1.My Question (and why I decided to research this question) “I” format
2. My Search Process (the story of the hunt) “I” format
3. What I Have Learned (connect findings to the original question) not “I” format
4. What This Means To Me (how has researching this question changed you) “I” format
5. Works Cited Page (all references in alphabetical order)
6. Oral Presentation ( speech, skit, poster, video, or some other exhibition of knowledge to be presented to the class) January 2009
Examination of the six components:
1) My Question: You may research a question of interest to you. All topics must be approved by Mrs. Gandt. Some sample topics are: Greek drama/tragedy, Greek theaters, civil disobedience, concept of the Greek hero, migrant workers in California in 1930’s, agriculture in California in the 1930’s, Dust Bowl, book banning in the United States, book burning in history, family and gender roles in the early 1900’s. I suggest you select a topic of personal interest. Explain where your question originated, what you think you know about this topic and what you want to learn. CAVEAT: must have at least one graphic component. “I” format
2. My Search Process: Keep a journal of your search and this section will be easier to write. You are encouraged to use a variety of resources. Some that I suggest you consider are:§ read books magazines, newspapers, or reference texts§ watch videos or television shows§ use database reference tools§ interview people or conduct surveys§ go on a personal field tripThen you will describe the sequence of steps in your research. You may also discuss if your question changed as you researched. “I” format
3. What I Have Learned: In this section you will focus on three of four major findings or conclusions and support them with examples, stories, or arguments that will help the reader understand how you arrived at these conclusions. You will also connect your findings to the original question. You should include any analysis you did (cause and effect, pro/con, compare and contrast, or sequencing). At least two (2) references to the graphic and three (3) quotations with parenthetical notations must be included. This section is not in “I” format.
4. What This Means to Me: You will answer the question: what do you now know about searching for information that you didn’t know before? To answer this you must describe the findings that meant the most to you. You may also want to discuss how this new knowledge will affect the way you will act and think in the future. You may also want to write about the skills you developed as a researcher and a writer. “I” format
5. Works Cited: This is an alphabetical listing of all the sources you found, good and bad, using the MLA format. The library will instruct you in Noodle Tools. Keep an up-to-date journal of all sources as you use them; they are very difficult to rediscover for vital info. References must include one encyclopedia article, two databases and websites, if applicable.
6. Oral Presentation: We will discuss this as a class. You may choose a speech format, an original skit, original video, original poem or some other exhibition of knowledge to the class. Do not be concerned with this at the start; an idea will come to you. All ideas do need my seal of approval, but I do endorse creativity. January 2009.
Actual paper:‚ must be typed (and saved for portfolio purposes)‚
12 point‚
Times New Roman‚
black ink for text‚
illustrations do not count as pages of text‚
do not plagiarize or just ‘cut and paste’‚
illustrations and titles may appropriately be in color‚
must include:· title page with appropriate title (not I-Search paper), your name, date, period and English 10R, Mrs. Gandt and optional graphic·
My Question pages ( about 1 ½ typed)·
My Search Process pages ( about 1 ½ typed)·
What I Have Learned pages (3-5 typed)·
What This Means To Me pages (about 1 ½ typed)·
Works Cited page listing sources precisely according to MLA format (use NoodleTools only)
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Ms. Kimberly Marinello-----A.P. Comparative Government-----Social Studies

Library Resources
ABC CLIO World History (Modern Era)
Proquest Historical NY Times (from 1851)
cademic Integrity


TASK ON TODAY’S CHINA
Directions: Research your questions and/or specifics and create a power point presentation on your category.
POLITICAL
ECONOMIC
SOCIAL
Category # 1
Leadership Styles
• Compare two leaders of your choice and compare their styles
• How was propaganda, foreign relations, international or domestic policy different
• What is the "fourth generation of Chinese leadership"?
• What does collective leadership mean?
Category #9
Unemployment, Layoffs, Standard of Living, Poverty
• Statistics, Charts
• Types of layoffs?
• Where is it happening?
• How is it happening?
• Describe the overall impacts.
• How do wage earnings compare to countries abroad?
• Reports from National Bureau of Statistics.
• What types of jobs are being lost?
Category #17
Human Rights
• Violations?
• Describe international pressure on China to improve human rights
• Prisons/ Torture methods, historical and today.
• Describe the Charter 08 initiative.
• Describe China’s Human Rights Action Plan. What does it entail?
Category #2
Hong Kong & Taiwan Question
• How has the relationship with Taiwan improved?
• How is this impacting each country politically?
• Where is Taiwan experiencing opposition to this new relationship with China?
• How does the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan responding?
• Describe the cross-strait tie.
• How is Hong Kong politically different than the rest of mainland China?
Category #10
Economic Liberalization
• How did economic liberalization begin?
• How has it changed the standard of living for Chinese?
• How has it impacted globalization?
• How did the Olympics impact economic liberalization?
• Describe the desire for expanding Zero-tariff on American products.
• Describe the business relationship with other countries including the United States. i.e. trade
Category #18
Health Issues
• SARS outbreak.
• Describe the Melamine scare. How did this occur?
• Cancer and Heart Disease Rates, whom and where?
• Is there a difference between male and females in regards to illness or terminal disease?
• What health issues are present in cities vs. countryside?
Category #3
Political Liberalization
• How has law changed with China’s growing economy and international political importance?
• Has China become more democratic? If so, how?
• Is their participation in world organizations and mass media coverage opened up more political transparency?
Category #11
Business Growth and Commerce, MNC’s
• What type of companies (factories) are present in China and due to the economic slump, what is happening to companies, such as Smart Union?
• How is China’s trade with other countries being impacted?
• What has China HYDAC Technology (Shanghai) Ltd implemented to combat the economic strife?
• How are white and blue collar workers being impacted?
• How have Sony and Samsung losses impacted the stock markets in Asia?
Category #19
Environmental Issues
• What are the Hazards?
• How it is impacting human and animal health concerns?
• What is the Bird Flu?
• How is China addressing climate change concerns?
• Waste dumping, how is it impacting communities?
• Who is being hurt by toxic dumping? How?
Category #4
Nuclear Weapons & Defense
• How is China growing military having P/E/S impact on the country?
• How is piracy impacting China’s trade?
• What type of arsenal strength does China have?
• Under whose leadership has nuclear weapons and defense grown the most?
Why?
Category #12
Taxes & GDP
• Explain the current status of China’s tax system.
• How have taxes and GDP been impacted by the overall economic slump?
• How is the yuan impacted by taxes and GDP? What might the government due to the value of the yaun?
• How do tax refunds work in China?
Category #20
Science and Technology
• How are Energy plans changing in China?
• How is China's Energy Conditions and Policies (2007.12) improving China’s response to being less dependent on oil?
• Who is responsible for the research?
• Where, how and why is certain research being conducted?
Category #5
International- Foreign Relations, WTO
• How have Chinese politics impacted their overall cheap currency?
• How has the WTO been a vehicle for the United States to request consultations with China concerning certain measures pertaining to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in China?
Category #13
Banking Industry
• How is the industry impacted by the economic slump?
• What unique position is the government in to allow for lending?
• How are interest rates being impacted?
• How is the banking industry impacting the average Chinese citizen? Can people get approved for loans? Is lending taking place?
Category #21
Cultural Changes
• Describe leisure activities, in arts and entertainment.
• What is Beijing’s 798 District?
• What sports are popular in China?
• How has culture changed since the 4-Economic Zones have opened up China’s borders?
Category #6
How does Law and policymaking compare to another one of our countries of study, Mexico.
• Focus on party agendas, interest aggregation, issues of checks and balances.
• Where does law and policy initiate? Why?
Category #14
IMF & WTO
• What are the IMF’s predictions for China in 2009?
• What are the goals of IMF and WTO with China.
• Describe negotiations taking place made with these organizations.
Category #22
Internet Use & Cell Phone Use
• How many people are in use?
• What are the Censorship issues?
• Describe the Government and dissent conflict.
• What is China Mobile currently working on to increase their broadband networking?
Category #7
How does Law and policymaking compare to another one of our countries of study, UK.
• Focus on party agendas, interest aggregation, issues of checks and balances.
• Where does law and policy initiate? Why?
Category #15
Tourism
• How much money does the tourism industry bring in yearly in China?
• What are the current predictions for tourism for China this year?
• What are the most popular "hot-spots" to visit in China?
• How did the Olympics impact tourism?
Category #23
Urbanization and Rural Development
• Challenges?
• Growth in numbers?
• How is the current government trying to improve rural development and agriculture?
• What is happening with Residential construction in cities?
Category #8
Current Political Issues
• How is the government trying to combat drug and human trafficking?
• How are these issues being supervised by the CCP?
• What laws have the government been creating to deal with gangs?
Category #16
Economic Relations with Russia
• Where do Russia and China agree on how to solve this economic crisis?
• What goals are put in place in the World Economic Forum?
• How will these initiatives be achieved?
Category #24
Falun Gong
• Who are they?
• Why are they important in China?
• Who do they represent?
• Describe their movement.
Category #25
Marriage and Divorce Laws
• What are the definitions of marriage and divorce in China?
• What requirements have to be made in marriage and divorce?
• How has the One Child Family Policy impacted marriage in China?
• Describe the rates of marriage and divorce.

RUBRIC REQUIREMENTS
EXCELLENT
100-90%
GOOD
89- 80%
SATISFACTORY
79-65%
Graphics used appropriately; greatly enhance the topic and aid in comprehension; are clear, crisp and well situated on the page. Appearance is stellar.
Graphics used appropriately most of the time; most graphics selected enhance the topic, are of good quality, and are situated in logical places on the page.
Graphics used inappropriately and excessively; graphics poorly selected and don’t enhance the topic; some graphics are blurry and ill-placed.
Reflects essential information to category; is logically arranged; concepts succinctly presented; no misspellings or grammatical errors. Information is accurate, pertains to category questions and overall research goals.
Reflects most of the essential information; is generally logically arranged; concepts presented without too many excess words; fewer than three misspellings or grammatical errors.
Contains extraneous information; is not logically arranged; contains numerous spelling and grammatical errors.
Easy to read/ appropriately sized; no more than three different fonts; amount of text is appropriate for AP audience; boldface used for emphasis.
Most text is easy to read; uses no more than four different fonts; amount of text generally fits intended audience.
Font too small to read easily; more than four different fonts used; text amount is excessive for intended audience.
The sequence of information is logical. Menus and paths to most information are clear, direct and accurate.
The sequence of information is somewhat logical. Menus and paths are confusing and flawed.
The sequence of information is not logical. Menus and paths to information are not evident.
All sources are properly cited within the project according to MLA style.
Most sources are properly cited within the project according to MLA style.
Few sources are properly cited within the project according to MLA style.
Clear evidence that higher level thinking skills were used in the creation of this project
Some evidence that higher level thinking skills were used in the creation of this project.
Little evidence that higher level thinking skills were used in the creation of this project.
Subject knowledge is evident throughout the project. All information is clear, appropriate, and correct.
Subject knowledge is evident in much of the project. Most information is clear, appropriate, and correct.
Some subject knowledge is evident. Some Information is confusing, incorrect, or flawed.
Communicates ideas with enthusiasm, proper voice projection, appropriate language, and clear delivery.
Communicates ideas with proper voice projection. Adequate preparation and delivery.
Some difficulty communicating ideas, due to voice projection, lack of preparation, or incomplete work
TASK Project must be submitted on Moodle by 7am Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. Presentations begin Thurs.
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Monday, February 2, 2009

Señorita Lewis-----Español-----Brochure

Click to Enlarge
Base de Datos
Culturegrams
eLibraryInforme
World Book Online
Student Resource Center
Academic Integrity

Thursday and Friday, February 5th and 6th, 2009

Señorita Lewis-Countries of Latin America
Spanish 4
Q3 Project

Objectives: To develop a knowledge and understanding about Latin American geography through the research and presentation of each, individual country.

Procedure: Create a brochure as specified below.

Requirements:
Front Cover must be colorful and represent the country in one way or another.
Information must be written in Spanish.
Information must be cited.

Content:
Where is the country located? What is the capital?
At least 7 statistics or “Fun Facts”
A moment/day of importance in their history.
One or two important figures (people).

Web Sites:
Flags of Central and South Ameria

Due Date:

Friday February 13, 2009
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