Staten+Island+Tech+High+School

__Staten Island Technical HS ____: __ **__Opposing Viewpoints Research __** Librarian: Jody Cavaliere, JCavali@schools.nyc.gov

Grade Levels: 9-12


 * 1. __ Purchases made with Library REACH Funds: __**
 * 4 iMac computers
 * computer accessories
 * 175 customized library pens
 * 2. __Content area addressed: __**

9th Grade Controversial Issues Research Paper – This unit included:
 * 9th grade TRAILS pre-test
 * Focus on Information Evaluation Lesson
 * 9th grade TRAILS post-test

12th Grade Literary Analysis Research Paper – This unit included lessons on:
 * 12th grade TRAILS pre-test
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Choosing a work to analyze
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Finding credible sources for literary criticism
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Citations
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">12th grade TRAILS post-test

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">3. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Worked with which teachers: __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">9th grade English/Writing teacher Mr. Patrick Misciagna
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">12th grade English teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Murphy

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Lesson Goal: Students will be able to evaluate the objectivity of the information accessed with regard to writing a paper on current scientific social issue. How do you know the goal was achieved? This lesson is easy to use and can be easily changed to cater to different needs. A variation of this lesson is used for a junior research project on controversial issues and policy making. If there are a limited number of computers, stations can be created and students can be designated a certain amount of time with each different type of resource.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">4. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Title of Project(s) implemented __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Opposing Viewpoints Research
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">British Authors Literary Analysis Research
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">5. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Description of Lesson: 9th grade Opposing Viewpoints __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Each year, Mr. Misciagna requires his students to write a research paper on a current scientific controversial issue. Students are required to submit a paper as their final product. Every 9th grader receives this class; students are taught for half the year (1 semester)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Resources Used
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Encyclopedias
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Books
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">SIRS Researcher (subscription database)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Opposing Viewpoints (free database through the New York Public Library)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The pens, with the library website information, were used as motivational prizes for highest TRAILS scores – the students loved them!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Destiny Home Page – Links were placed under a section for the teacher so that students would have easy access to online resources
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Grade Level: 9
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The sources used for the paper are appropriate and students use the information with the knowledge of the point of view.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">TRAILS scores will be used to determine if there is improvement in the category of “Information Evaluation”
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Students will share findings during the lesson and present their evaluation.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">6. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Tips on implementing at another school: __**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Ideally, more time in the library would be beneficial. Points of focus could be a lesson on information literacy prior to taking the TRAILS assessment and a follow-up day after the lesson for just research.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">7. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Lessons learned: __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The curriculum for the class runs on a tight schedule, so in order to implement TRAILS, I run the TRIALS codes and they are distributed in class to the students. On their own, students are required to take the pre-test before our research class and the post-test upon completion of the project. Students sign up for their TRAILS codes in class with the teacher; in this way, we can keep track of scores for results and comparisons. This enables the information to be gathered and does not require the use of class time.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">This lesson is so much more effective with the additional computers. I started with 12 computers. I was able to purchase 4 computers with the grant funds, and the school then purchased an additional 8 computers. An additional 10 netbooks were used in order to enable every student to work on their own computer.


 * They were able to experience hands-on usage of the databases and ask questions as they worked. In this way, students can become comfortable with credible electronic resources.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">8. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Plans for usage of material next year: __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The materials will be used the same way next year for these classes as well for every other class that requires computer use.

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Additional Information **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">: <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">For the purpose of the REACH presentation, the focus will be on the 9th grade research; however, the grant focus also addressed Literary Analysis Research for 12th grade English classes with respect to college readiness. This unit consisted of 5 different library visits. Lesson 1: Information Literacy and TRAILS pre-test <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Lesson 2: Selecting a work to analyze. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Lesson 3: Finding credible literary criticism. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Lesson 4: Citations <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Lesson 5: Information Literacy and TRAILS post-test <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Staten Island Technical High School Vincent Maniscalco, Principal Writing Intensive Mr. Misciagna
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The students using the library during open access periods now have double the number of computers to use. The existing computers were Dell and the new purchases are Macs, so the students are now exposed to two different platforms for computer use. They are becoming proficient in different operating system. These additions have truly expanded the resources available to the school.

**//<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Final Argument //** The rapid advance of scientific knowledge has raised ethical dilemmas that humankind has never before had to address. Questions about the moment when life technically begins and ends or about the morality of genetically designing babies are now relevant and timely." (Gazzinga, The Ethical Brain).

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">For **<span style="color: #1d1d1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">this essay, take a clear position on ONE of the issues related to a controversial area concerning science today **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">(see list below) Develop your argument on this issue using plausible reasons and convincing support while anticipating opposing positions and objections. Use ONE of the following controversial areas in order to select a specific topic/issue (speak with your instructor regarding a topic that is not on this list): **__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Lesson Plan: 9th Grade Opposing Viewpoints __** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Aim: How do we evaluate the objectivity of information in order to take and defend a position on a controversial issue? <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">As students are entering the library, they will be given an opposing viewpoints worksheet. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Do Now: Look at the sample situation from TRAILS (Tool for Real-Time Assessment of Information Literacy Skills). Choose one answer and write why. (See worksheet). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Motivation: Discuss the question. Key questions – What is the difference between bias and opinion? Were there any facts in the passage? Were there different types of bias in the statements? What could be some motivating factors? <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Content: What is objectivity? Students will discuss, in their groups for two minutes, aspects that need to be considered when determining objectivity. They will record their answers on their worksheets. Each group will provide one answer which the rest of the class will also record. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Answers should include but are not limited to: Who wrote the information? <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Is there a certain affiliation involved? <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Are multiple points of view represented? <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">If online, where are the sites linking to? <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Are there advertisements? Who are they targeting? <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Go over the outline of the paper and have students write their topic. Discuss how the arguments they will research should lead to a clear thesis. Direct students to the library home page where there is a section for their class. Show students Cornell’s information evaluation and RADCAB. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Show sampling of sources. Encyclopedias, Books <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">**SIRS database – Main Focus** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Opposing Viewpoints database <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Practice: Students will research and have the chance to ask questions regarding their research. Students will use the worksheets to guide their initial research. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Summary: Students will write down one piece of information they found in their research. They will state whether they believe it to be an example of fact, opinion, or bias. Students will share their findings. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">Common Core Learning Standard Focus: W.9.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Abortion
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Animal rights
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Euthanasia and Doctor-Assisted Suicide
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Genetics issues and Cloning
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Stem Cell Research
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Environmental Health (e.g., pollution, climate change)
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Drug issues (e.g., legalization, prevention)
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Evolution versus Creation/Intelligent Design in the Classroom