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Lesson 5

We will select our Section 2 Diagnostic research partner and topic, and we will examine tips for finding relevant information during our research.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I work productively in a research team?

  • Can I formulate research questions that will deepen my understanding of my selected topic?

  • Can I explore a variety of credible sources to research a contemporary issue using an organized and dynamic process of inquiry?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Discuss – Write

We will get into our research partner groups and discuss potential ideas and directions for our research.

Follow your teacher’s directions to select your research partner and select a topic.

With your partner, review the Section 2 Diagnostic Checklist and discuss the following questions:

  1. Why is this topic interesting to you?

  2. How does it relate to the novel 1984?

  3. What would you like to further explore about this topic?

Use your answers to create two possible research questions. Write them in your Learning Log.

Activity 2: Discuss – Listen

We will work with our partners to determine the best ways to work in a group.

With your partner, write three to five norms for your group and post those largely in the center of their groups. Norms are behaviors that every person agrees to so that the group works successfully. Norms might include the following:

  • We will speak respectfully to each other.

  • We will listen to everyone’s ideas—even ideas we might personally disagree with.

With your group members, respond to the following questions:

  1. How will work be divided to ensure that all group members are equally knowledgeable and prepared?

  2. How will we hold ourselves accountable?

  3. How will decisions be made?

  4. How will we pace ourselves to make sure the task is completed on time?

Complete the sentences in your Learning Log:

  • In order to be successful with my research team, we need to…

  • In order to be successful with my research team, I need to…

  • I will need help with…

  • My biggest contribution to my team will be…

Discuss how you will conduct the research by answering the following questions:

  1. What sources will you need to find and use?

  2. What will be your process to conduct your research?

Develop a timeline for your project:

  1. How will you make sure you finish on time?

  2. What are some major goals you need to accomplish along the way?

Activity 3: Read – Write

We will review the 1984 Research Guide, and we will each find one source to consider using for our project.

Review the 1984 Research Guide.

Conduct individual research on your contemporary issue. Skim potential sources, looking for information that is most relevant. You might find an interesting idea that you were not expecting. It is okay to refine the direction of your research based on the information you find.

Select one potential source to use. In your Learning Log, respond to the following questions:

  1. In a sentence or two, what is the main idea of the source?

  2. What are three to four sentences or ideas presented in the text that represent the main idea or move your thinking on the topic forward?

  3. Based on what you have read, would you like to further explore this topic?

Complete the task for homework, if necessary. You will share what you have learned with your partner during the next lesson.