Curriculum Links  

Six Steps to Success

1. Task definition - What do I have to do?

Essential question: What is my position regarding the removal of books from libraries and classrooms? Suggestion: form an opinion and make this your thesis statement!

Questions to address to make your paper interesting:

  • What are some of the reasons books are banned or challenged?
  • What reason(s) was my book banned or challenged?
  • Why would someone want to remove books from library shelves and who are these people?
  • What is the difference between "banning" and "challenging?"
  • Is it OK for a parent to restrict what their own child reads?
  • What protects our right to read and what are the limits to these rights?
  • Should libraries have materials on the shelves that are offensive to some people?
  • Might a book be appropriate for one school library and not for another?
2. Information Seeking Strategies - Of all the sources of information I could use, which are the best for this assignment? Here's a hint - select information that is correct! Use articles from magazines, newspapers, reference books (found in online databases), and reputable Web sites (evaluate to determine reliability). Use Web sites recommended by the librarians

3. Locate and access - start gathering your information digitally! In this step you will start citing your sources using NoodleBib (MLA Advanced).

Use this chart to identify the resource for proper citation.

4. Use - read and take notes. NoodleBib's digital notecards will help keep you organized.

5. Synthesize - Put it all together. Since this is a paper, the best program for this job is Word (or a similar word processing program).

6. Evaluate - How did you do? Does your product address all the elements required in the assignment? Does it represent your best work? Would you approach this research project differently in the future?


 



Jericho High School Library * 99 Cedar Swamp Road * Jericho, New York 11753
(516) 203-3600 x3209 e-mail dryder@jerichoschools.org

DRyder 3/5/10