The Librarians Role in Creating a Meaningful Senior Research Project'

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The Librarians Role in Creating a Meaningful
Senior Research Project.
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Where Im From

• Northwestern High School
• 7473 N. Elyria Rd.
• West Salem, Ohio 44287
• 419-846-3833
• Web2.northwestern-wayne.k12.oh.us
• Maria Hines nrws_hines_at_tccsa.net

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Demographics

• District Rating Excellent with Distinction
• Met AYP
• 482 Students
• 32 faculty members
• Rural school
• 62.7 to 4-year college, 21.5 to 2-year college
• 28 of juniors and seniors attend career center
• Above state average ACT scores
• 38 Free/reduced lunch

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High Schools That Work

• High expectations
• Program of study (Ohio Core)
• Rigorous academic studies
• Rigorous career- technical studies
• Work-based learning

• Teachers working together
• Students actively engaged
• Guidance
• Extra help
• Culture of continuous improvement

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House Bill 1
The third piece of the replacement of the OGT as
written in HB1 3301.0712 (subject to revision)
A senior project completed by a student or a
group of students. The purpose of the senior
project is to assess the student's   (a) Mastery
of core knowledge in a subject area chosen by the
student (b) Written and verbal communication
skills (c) Critical thinking and problem-solving
skills (d) Real-world and interdisciplinary
learning (e) Creative and innovative
thinking (f)  Acquired technology, information,
and media skills (g) Personal management skills
such as self-direction, time management, work
ethic, enthusiasm, and the desire to produce a
high quality product.   The state superintendent
and the chancellor jointly shall develop
standards for the senior project for students
participating in dual enrollment programs. (C)(2)
Each senior project shall be judged by the
student's high school in accordance with rubrics
designated by the state superintendent and the
chancellor.
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How It All Started

• High Schools That Work conference
• Rigor
• Making the senior year more meaningful
• Smoothing the transition to college or work force

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What is Senior Seminar?

• A rigorous, independent, student-centered,
  research based project facilitated by advisors
  and mentors that relates to the students
  anticipated careers and stretches the students
  beyond their comfort zone
• A research paper
• A physical product and/or service
• A portfolio
• A presentation

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Components

• Mentor Expert in the field who helps the student
  choose a topic, aids in research, reviews
  research paper, assists in the completion of the
  product, and is part of the presentation panel
• Research paper
• Product Something the student does or creates,
  connected to research paper
• Presentation 10 minutes, Q A, panel of experts
• Portfolio Professional collection of all course
  work, artifacts and evidence

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Scaffolding

• Research skills need to be taught early
• Students introduced to the bibliography/works
  cited concept in elementary
• Progressively get more detailed throughout
  middle school and high school
• Research vs. Report

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Working Together

• Librarian is an equal teaching partner
• Teacher teaches writing concepts librarian
  teaches research skills
• Librarian and teacher are responsible for grading
• Be team players

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Research Paper

• Teacher gives instructions on
• Outline
• Note cards
• Thesis statement
• Using quotes
• Writing

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Research Paper

• Librarian gives instruction on
• Creating an essential question
• Finding authoritative sources
• Annotated works cited page
• In-text citations
• Works cited page

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Essential Question

• Addresses an issue, problem or controversy
  related to the field
• Cannot be answered in a single fact or by a
  single source
• Allows student to research the topic before
  deciding on a viewpoint for the thesis

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Annotated Works Cited Page

• Forces students to critically evaluate sources
• Gives the teacher/librarian a chance review and
  revoke sources
• Minimum of 5 sources
• No Wikipedia, personal web pages, etc.
• Only 2 web sites

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The Results

• Increased emphasis on research skills especially
  in high school
• Easier transition into college
• Pride and confidence
• Lessons learned

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• Questions?
• nrws_hines_at_tccsa.net