Goals

Compile resources for research paper, learn how to use the SF on-line library

 

Details

Duration: 120+ minutes

Assessments: Student writing, Research

Materials: laptops, relevant library books for research

 

Description

Benchmark #1: The working bibliography was the first step we took in getting students to think about the scope of their research.

1. Before we handed out this assignment we took a field trip to the SF Main Library. The teen librarian held a workshop about the on-line library, which was very helpful. Students used resources such as JSTOR during their research process, and if we did not visit the library, we would not have had access to the catalog.

Also, we borrowed over 200 books from the library and housed them on our classrooms so the students would have access to books during class.

2. Once students understood how to search for sources online and had access to books, they were ready to begin the research process, starting with the Working Bibliography.

The requirements for the Working Bibliography were as follows:

The working bibliography must contain 16 sources (remember that your final paper must have eight sources).
o At least 3 sources must be books that come from the library
o No more than 1 encyclopedia article, whether in print or electronic
o No more than 4 Internet sources
o At least 3 sources must be primary (remember about the SF Library databases)
o There must be a balance between US and Spanish-speaking country sources (e.g. you shouldn't have 12 sources for the US and only 4 for Cuba)

Each listing of your bibliography must have two parts:
o A citation of the source in precise MLA format
o 2-3 sentences describing how you found the source

Working Bibliography
Download (49K)

Author Reflections

This benchmark forced students to open books! It was tough to keep track of the library books, and in the end we had to hold a collection for overdue fines and lost books, but it was worth it.