Skip to Main Content

Lesson 2

We will continue to explore the following question: How will I use primary and secondary sources to create an original work? We will locate primary and secondary sources for the individual we are researching.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I actively focus my attention on independent and collaborative tasks?

  • Can I work productively in various roles with others?

  • Can I pay attention to and acknowledge others while thoughtfully considering their ideas?

  • Can I generate and develop ideas, questions, and positions related to my research topic, products, and solutions to problems?

  • Can I explore a variety of credible sources to answer questions about my research topic or solve a problem, using an organized and dynamic process of inquiry?

  • Can I gather and organize relevant and sufficient evidence to demonstrate an understanding of texts and topics, support claims, and develop ideas?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will write a research question and conduct in-depth research to find primary sources related to our topic.

Step 1

You will now narrow your focus to a particular event or period in your individual’s life and write a research question about your person and topic. Your research question should be a "how" or "why" question. Write your research question on the Research Note-Taking Tool.

Below is a list of what you document on the tool:

  • Idea: Note the subtopic, idea, or question being researched. Each note’s section should focus on a different idea, and the notes on each section should be related to the subtopic, idea, or question, sometimes in support or sometimes in opposition of your position.

  • Inquiry Questions: Note questions you have developed about what you want to learn or know to help drive your search for sources.

  • Search Terms: Use terms—vocabulary, events, names, and places—to help refine and focus your searches. You can use terms found in reliable sources to help you refine your research and develop inquiry questions.

  • Source: Note an entry for a works cited page for the source. You might include a citation here as well, so you will have the information when you need to do a parenthetical citation or works cited page (i.e., author, title, publisher, website).

  • Notes: Write down notes while reading. These might include details, ideas, information, quotations, or other evidence captured during research that relate to the subtopic, idea, or question.

  • In addition, note whether the source is primary or secondary and write down quotes you could use in your original song lyrics.

Step 2

For the research, make sure to find primary sources. Also, use the Assessing Sources Reference Guide to help you find reliable information.

Activity 2: Write

We will conduct in-depth research to find primary sources related to our topic.

In your small group, begin your research. Make sure to follow your group norms and complete your group role.

Take notes for each source on the Research Note-Taking Tool, making sure to document the following:

  • title of source

  • author of source

  • URL

  • type of source

  • summary of information

  • three quotes that you could use in your song lyrics

Activity 3: Discuss

We will share interesting facts about our topics.

At the end of class, each group will share one interesting fact about their topic with the class.