8-1 smarties

March 23, 2011

March 21, 2011

Lynching Mini-Project & Resources

Our wiki page with the project description, rubric and resources

March 9, 2011

Boolean Search

AND - OR - NOT

Today I want to teach you about doing a Boolean search on Google.

A Boolean search uses the terms AND, OR and NOT to modify the search results. If I wanted to look for information about rice AND beans, I would type that in to Google. If I want information about rice OR beans, I would type that in to Google. If I want information about rice but NOT beans, I would type that in to Google. Which search do you think would garner the most results? Which do you think would garner the least? Try it out!

Today I want you to do some Boolean searches on Google for your research paper topic. Take a few minutes to jot down the Boolean searches you will try. I will be coming around to see them, so please have these notes ready.

If you want to read more about Boolean searches, check out this site from a library.

March 8, 2011

"The" Research Paper - History Sites & Digital Archives of Primary Sources

Use the Research Resources glog to navigate to various web sites. You are gathering groceries. You do NOT have to include every grocery in your final annotated bibliography, as you may determine that the source is not useful. Right now you are just 'browsing'!

March 7, 2011

"The" Research Paper - Using the Library

Woah! The Smarties have chosen a diverse and exciting range of topics for "the" research paper. I'm very much looking forward to researching, reading and writing about these fascinating issues with you for the next few months.

Today we are going to use the library. Many teens assume that libraries are outdated and no longer helpful. Not so! The library is a great place to find trustworthy information, and can provide both secondary and primary sources. Each of you will be meeting individually with Carol P. at least once. These meetings will start today and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Today I want you to start with a search of the NFS library. Go to Destiny Quest and search key words related to your topic. Need help developing key words to use? Check out this site from the Cambridge Public School System. In Destiny Quest you can use the drag and drop "My List" function to create a printable list of books you want to check out. Bring this with you when you meet with Carol!

Once you've exhausted the possibilities at NFS, move on to your local city or county library system. Decide which library system is for you (Bucks County or Trenton) and then navigate within that site to find relevant materials. Copy and paste any potential items so that you can print out exactly what you want and bring it with you to the library. You may have to request items from another branch. The librarians can help you to do this in person, over the phone, or on the web. You will need your library card in order to do this. If you don't have one, get one! It is free and will be helpful in high school and beyond.