Reference and Research

Understanding Reference & Research Benchmarks

Compiled by Debi Rice, Ed. S.

What is Reference & Research?

Locates, gathers, interprets, and evaluates Information

Analyzes validity and reliability of primary source information

Synthesizes information from multiple sources to draw conclusions

Analyze and evaluate information Fact and Opinion Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Assumptions:

#1: Kids already know how to choose appropriate resources after doing a “google” search and generating a possible list of references. (gather & evaluate information)

#2: Kids know how to extract relevant information from appropriate articles/references. (analyze information from primary and secondary sources)

Assumptions (cont.)

#3: Kids already know how to organize and synthesize information they are getting from multiple sources. (synthesize information from multiple sources)

#4: Kids already know how to interpret information they have gathered. (interpret data)

#5: Kids already know how to “write up” information.

Teacher and student frustration:

We assume: our students are already experts in locating, organizing, evaluating, synthesizing, and interpreting information from multiple sources.

The reality: our students are still novices or at the developing stage.

Reference & Research Expectations

Distinguish between a strong & a weak argument

Determine which quote(s) from an article support an idea.

Choose a statement that provides the best evidence about the significance of an event.

Choose a statement that provides the best evidence that a discovery is significant.

Reference & Research Expectations (cont.)

Check the validity of information Determine a statement that provides evidence

of an author’s point of view Conclusions of a researcher Identify the least accurate statement Locate and interpret information Locate and synthesize indirectly stated

information within a text Draw conclusions/make inferences

What Can Teachers Do?

Teachers should model how to obtain information for students.

Use primary and secondary informational sources in class.

Since students have less experience with informational text, provide more practice with this type of text.

What Can Teachers Help?

Provide students with more post-reading activities related to analyzing and synthesizing content.

Model how to do written summaries.

Provide students with a wide variety of references.

Taking Steps

Formulate questions for students to answer that require them to synthsize information and draw conclusions from the text.

Give students practice in identifying evidence in text that supports their answers.

These activities must be done in every content area.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Using these question formats on all activities and assessments will help students become accustomed to responding in the same way they will be asked to respond on the FCAT or on an AP test.

SUPER RESOURCES SUPER RESOURCES Reference & ResearchReference & Research

Primary/Secondary Source Guide:Primary/Secondary Source Guide:

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/PrimarySources.html

Steps In Preparing The Research Paper: Student GuideSteps In Preparing The Research Paper: Student Guide

http://www.scarborough.k12.me.us/high/projects/rcircle/main.html

Graphic Organizers:Graphic Organizers:

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/lesson-plans/lesson-6293.html?wtlAC=Imo702

References

Florida DOE FCAT Item Specifications PowerPoint handout entitled FCAT

Reading Performance Tasks by Dr. Wetzel, January 2009

PowerPoint entitled Reference and Research by LAA247