Throughout this project, you will investigate a topic, gather information from reliable sources, and use your findings to write a formal research paper.
Research involves more than simply looking up information and reporting what you find. You will learn to ask meaningful questions, evaluate sources, organize information, and explain what you have discovered in your own words.
Each class has a different research assignment and a different project to accompany the research paper:
Seventh-Grade GT — Art Cars. You will complete your assigned research and create an art car project connected to your topic.
Eighth-Grade GT — Masks. You will complete your assigned research and create a mask project connected to your topic.
Eighth-Grade Advanced — Choice Board. You will complete your assigned research and select a project from your class choice board.
Your research paper and accompanying project are both important parts of the assignment. Review the directions for your class carefully so you understand what you are expected to research, write, and create.
Although the topics and final projects differ, everyone will follow the same basic research process.
1. Explore your topics. Review the list of available topics for your class and identify those that interest you.
2. Select a topic. Choose a subject you would like to investigate and submit your selection using the Topic Approval Form. Do not begin your research until your topic has been approved.
3. Review your outline. Your research outline identifies the information you will need to investigate and explains how your paper should be organized.
4. Conduct your research. Gather information from credible sources, take notes, and keep track of where you find your information.
5. Write your paper. Organize your findings into a formal research paper with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
6. Revise and submit. Review your writing for accuracy, organization, grammar, and proper documentation of sources.