Name:___________________________

December-February 2013

American Studies

Focus Question: What are the factors that contribute to the atmosphere for change?
Overview For this unit, lasting December-February, groups of students (~4) will collaborate effectively to research and write an in-depth research paper of approximately 9-12 pages [typed, 12pt Times New Roman/Cambria, 1 margins] including in-text citations of research evidence and a Works Cited page. This paper will explore ways in which groups in American Society have fought for change, including examining the historical context, opposing viewpoints, key people, previous successes or failures of similar movements, and the outcomes of a movement. In addition, connections between the past and the present should be made throughout the research process and within the research paper with a new understanding about what factors contributed to atmosphere for change and led to the movements success. The calendar below illustrates the timeline for the work, including the timeline for research, specific deadlines for notes, drafts, and revision, as well as the final paper submission and presentation. Each group will defend their research to a panel of students/ teachers/ administrators after finalizing the paper in February. Note that at the end of each week there are clear requirements which must be met so that each group can stay on track towards finishing by the final paper deadline, Monday, February 10th (just 20 classes away!). Calendar of Research Unit
Week / Dates Monday Wednesday Friday End of Week Checklist

Unit #3 : Civil Rights Group Research Paper

12.9 12.13 12.1612.20 12.2312.27 / 12.301.3

What is a Research Paper? Overview of Unit, Understanding the genre, looking at models/examples How can we take effective research notes? Notes & Initial Research

What will we research? Reviewing Your Questions, Exploring topics in history around the fight for equality How can we determine the best sources? Looking at sources, Organizing ideas, Research Winter Break December 21st- January 1st

What will we research? Exploring topics in current events around the fight for equality, Research Questions How can we continue our research? Continued Reading & Research How can we formulate subquestions from our initial research? Initial Discussion of Research, Forming Questions & Subtopics

Questions about Research Group Created Topics Selected Initial Research Question ______ Research Notes ______ Saved Sources Organized Folder for Group Group Discussion Refined Question with Sub-questions & Topics

1.6-1.10

How can groups effectively craft action plans? Action Plans & Continued Research How can we begin to draft our research writing? Initial Drafting, Collaborative Writing, Daily Check-in

1.131.17

Week 1.20 1.24

NO SCHOOL Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2.4 2.7

NO SCHOOL CONFERENCE DAY How can we finalize our research papers? Selecting & Completing Final Tasks

2.10 2.14

How can we continue to How can our research inform collaborate to further our an outline for final paper? research? Outlining Collaboratively Further Research (based on Action Plan) How can we use in-text How can we continue to citations to appropriate effectively collaborate on our reference sources? research draft? Citations & Formatting, Continued writing, Daily Continued drafting, Daily Check-in check-in around whats missing How can we apply feedback to How can our action plan & revise our writing? feedback guide our revision? Group Conversations, Revision & Writing Applying Teacher Feedback, Action Plan REGENTS WEEK JANUARY 27TH 31ST How can we finalize our How can we finalize our research papers? research papers? Selecting & Completing Final Selecting & Completing Final Tasks Tasks How can we defend our How can we defend our research paper? research paper? Panel Presentation & Defense Panel Presentation & Defense

Action Plan ______ Research Notes Group Outline Draft of _____ pages In-text citations in draft 3 daily check-ins

Group Conversation Action Plan Revision of Writing

Finalize Paper including citations, Works Cited page, and edits/proof reading Final Paper (submitted) Group Panel Presentation/ Defense

Assessment The Final Paper & Panel Presentation/Defense will be assessed using a rubric (to be distributed separately); groups and individuals will each receive a grade. Daily grades will be given based on items due (see End of Week Checklist) to both the group and/or individuals as appropriate. In addition, a skills chart (see separate sheet) will provide further assessment of the work, including how individual members are progressing towards successful achievement of the skills throughout the unit.