Multi-Genre Research IRA Regional Conference Billings, Montana October, 2007 Presented by Joy Dewing

Contact Info Joy Dewing Joy Dewing Central Middle School, Kokomo, Indiana Central Middle School, Kokomo, Indiana

What is Multi-Genre Research? Just like regular research papers, students research one topic in depth over a period of time. Just like regular research papers, students research one topic in depth over a period of time. The difference is in the final product. The difference is in the final product. In addition to a regular research paper, students also write about their topic in other genres: fiction, historical fiction, poetry, oral presentations, webpages, newspaper articles, and more. In addition to a regular research paper, students also write about their topic in other genres: fiction, historical fiction, poetry, oral presentations, webpages, newspaper articles, and more.

What are the benefits of Multi-Genre Research? Students are more engaged in the researching and writing process Students are more engaged in the researching and writing process Students learn, in depth, about their topic Students learn, in depth, about their topic Students are excited about the process Students are excited about the process Students have more choice, and therefore more ownership of their writing Students have more choice, and therefore more ownership of their writing Multi-Genre research projects are more interesting to read (and grade!) than regular research papers Multi-Genre research projects are more interesting to read (and grade!) than regular research papers Final papers are better written Final papers are better written

What does it look like? Students select topics theyre interested in Students select topics theyre interested in Students complete research as usual: note cards, works cited page, MLA format, etc. Students complete research as usual: note cards, works cited page, MLA format, etc. Students examine published pieces written in various genres Students examine published pieces written in various genres After completing a standard paper, students use the same research to write in a genre (or genres) they choose After completing a standard paper, students use the same research to write in a genre (or genres) they choose

Does it support standards? YES!!! YES!!! Standards related to writing( prewriting, organizing ideas, rough drafts, revising and editing, final drafts, etc.) Standards related to writing( prewriting, organizing ideas, rough drafts, revising and editing, final drafts, etc.) Standards related to researching (internet and print based research, MLA or APA format, note cards, etc.) Standards related to researching (internet and print based research, MLA or APA format, note cards, etc.) Standards related to reading and interpreting nonfiction texts. Standards related to reading and interpreting nonfiction texts.

Is it research based? YES!!! YES!!! Childrens curiosity and their passion to explore the world are the greatest resources we could ever hope to draw upon in teaching nonfiction writing ~ Lucy Calkins Childrens curiosity and their passion to explore the world are the greatest resources we could ever hope to draw upon in teaching nonfiction writing ~ Lucy Calkins All of us do need to learn how to write with voice and energy when we work on nonfiction texts. ~ Lucy Calkins All of us do need to learn how to write with voice and energy when we work on nonfiction texts. ~ Lucy Calkins

Is it Research Based? Students need the opportunity to play with and switch genres. Ask students when did they have the most energy to write? Which genre seemed the easiest for their topic? ~ Amy Buckner Students need the opportunity to play with and switch genres. Ask students when did they have the most energy to write? Which genre seemed the easiest for their topic? ~ Amy Buckner In a year-long study of boys and reading Wilhelm and Smith found boys want more depth in their learning. In a year-long study of boys and reading Wilhelm and Smith found boys want more depth in their learning.

Is it Research Based? The best nonfiction writing emerges from topics the writer knows, cares, and wonders about and wants to pursue. ~ Stephanie Harvey The best nonfiction writing emerges from topics the writer knows, cares, and wonders about and wants to pursue. ~ Stephanie Harvey Individually, specific facts are fascinating, but in the format of a terminal paper – I mean term paper – they can lose their spark. They get buried in lists of general information that read more like an encyclopedia than a real juicy report or story. ~ Barry Lane Individually, specific facts are fascinating, but in the format of a terminal paper – I mean term paper – they can lose their spark. They get buried in lists of general information that read more like an encyclopedia than a real juicy report or story. ~ Barry Lane

How does it fit with my literacy and writing program? Writing Workshop Writing Workshop Balanced Literacy Programs Balanced Literacy Programs Traditional Classrooms Traditional Classrooms

How do I organize my time and lessons? Start by deciding what you want students to do, and create an assignment sheet Start by deciding what you want students to do, and create an assignment sheet Decide on your research schedule and how much time you want students to spend Decide on your research schedule and how much time you want students to spend Develop mini-lessons on various genres, as well as on research skills Develop mini-lessons on various genres, as well as on research skills

For Example: I spend 3 ½ to 4 weeks on research papers. I spend 3 ½ to 4 weeks on research papers. Leading up to the research project, begin brainstorming topics, so students have a list of ideas to start with. I allow students to select any topic they wish for their research paper. Leading up to the research project, begin brainstorming topics, so students have a list of ideas to start with. I allow students to select any topic they wish for their research paper.

What do I want students to do? 3 finished products 3 finished products Students choose 1 assignment to complete from each box: Students choose 1 assignment to complete from each box: Box 1: MLA format paper – Standard paper or a Top Ten List Box 1: MLA format paper – Standard paper or a Top Ten List Box 2: Creative Writing Box 2: Creative Writing Box 3: Creative Interests Box 3: Creative Interests

Sample Research Schedule Day 1: Day 1: Finalize topic selection Finalize topic selection Assemble research folders Assemble research folders Discuss note taking and plagiarism Discuss note taking and plagiarism Day 2: Day 2: Go over requirements of paper Go over requirements of paper Review MLA format Review MLA format Begin researching Begin researching

Sample Research Schedule Day 3: Day 3: Mini lesson on literary nonfiction Mini lesson on literary nonfiction Continue researching Continue researching 3 source cards sue at the end of the period 3 source cards sue at the end of the period Day 4: Day 4: Mini lesson: biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs Mini lesson: biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs Continue researching Continue researching Make final choice for Box 1 assignment Make final choice for Box 1 assignment 5 note cards due at the end of the period 5 note cards due at the end of the period

Sample Research Schedule Day 5: Day 5: Mini lesson: alphabet books Mini lesson: alphabet books Continue research Continue research 15 (total) note cards due at the end of the period 15 (total) note cards due at the end of the period Day 6: Day 6: Mini lesson: DK books, magazines, newspapers, and brochures Mini lesson: DK books, magazines, newspapers, and brochures Continue research Continue research

Sample Research Schedule Day 7: Day 7: Mini Lesson: Pop-Up books, fiction books that include research Mini Lesson: Pop-Up books, fiction books that include research Continue research Continue research 25 (total) note cards due at end of the period 25 (total) note cards due at end of the period Day 8: Day 8: Mini lessons: Unusual Formats Mini lessons: Unusual Formats All research due at beginning of period All research due at beginning of period Organize research Organize research Begin rough draft (Box 1) Begin rough draft (Box 1)

Sample Research Schedule Day 9: Day 9: Mini lesson: getting published and making money! Mini lesson: getting published and making money! Rough drafts due Rough drafts due Revise and edit in class/ peer edit Revise and edit in class/ peer edit Day 10: Day 10: Work on final draft – Box 1 Work on final draft – Box 1 Day 11: Day 11: Work on final draft – Box 1 Work on final draft – Box 1 Day 12: Day 12: Final draft – Box 1 – due at beginning of the period Final draft – Box 1 – due at beginning of the period Begin working on box 2&3 in class Begin working on box 2&3 in class

Sample Research Schedule Day 13: Day 13: Work on Box 2 and/or 3 Work on Box 2 and/or 3 Day 14: Day 14: Work on Box 2 and/or 3 Work on Box 2 and/or 3 Day 15: Day 15: Box 2 due – beginning of the period Box 2 due – beginning of the period Work on Box 3 Work on Box 3 Day 16: Day 16: Work on Box 3 Work on Box 3

Sample Research Schedule Day 17: Day 17: Box 3 due – beginning of the period Box 3 due – beginning of the period Share final products Share final products Celebrate finishing research! Celebrate finishing research!

What does the final product look like? 1. MLA format research paper 1. MLA format research paper 2. Creative Writing 2. Creative Writing 3. Creative Interests 3. Creative Interests Others? Others?

Resources: Professional Buckner, Aimee. (2005) Notebook Know-How. Buckner, Aimee. (2005) Notebook Know-How. Calkins, Lucy. (1994) The Art of Teaching Writing. Calkins, Lucy. (1994) The Art of Teaching Writing. Harvey, Stephanie. (1998) Nonfiction Matters. Harvey, Stephanie. (1998) Nonfiction Matters. Lane, Barry. (2003). 51 Wacky We-Search Reports. Lane, Barry. (2003). 51 Wacky We-Search Reports. Smith, Michael W. and Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. (2002) Reading Dont Fix No Chevys. Smith, Michael W. and Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. (2002) Reading Dont Fix No Chevys.

Resources: Trade Books Literary Nonfiction Examples – Picture Books: Literary Nonfiction Examples – Picture Books: Fireflies in the Night by Judy Hawes Fireflies in the Night by Judy Hawes Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya Shh! Were Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz Shh! Were Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer The Journey that saved Curious George by Louise Border The Journey that saved Curious George by Louise Border John, Paul, George, and Ben by Lane Smith John, Paul, George, and Ben by Lane Smith

Resources: Trade Books Literary Nonfiction Examples – Secondary: Literary Nonfiction Examples – Secondary: An American Plague, Blizzard, and The Great Fire by Jim Murphy An American Plague, Blizzard, and The Great Fire by Jim Murphy Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman The Endurance by Caroline Alexander The Endurance by Caroline Alexander The Forbidden Schoolhouse by Suzanne Jurmain The Forbidden Schoolhouse by Suzanne Jurmain Exploring the Titanic by Robert D. Ballard Exploring the Titanic by Robert D. Ballard

Resources: Trade Books Biographies, Autobiographies, Memoirs Biographies, Autobiographies, Memoirs Fritz, Jean. Homesick, My Own Story. Fritz, Jean. Homesick, My Own Story. Fritz, Jean. Cant You Make Them Behave, King George? Fritz, Jean. Cant You Make Them Behave, King George? Dahl, Roald. Boy. Dahl, Roald. Boy. Say, Allen. Grandfathers Journey. Say, Allen. Grandfathers Journey. Say, Allen. Tea with Milk. Say, Allen. Tea with Milk. Say, Allen. Tree of Cranes. Say, Allen. Tree of Cranes.

Resources: Trade Books Biographies, Autobiographies, Memoirs Biographies, Autobiographies, Memoirs Giblin, James Cross. Good Brother, Bad Brother. Giblin, James Cross. Good Brother, Bad Brother. Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marian Sang. Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marian Sang. Kerley, Barbara. The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins. Kerley, Barbara. The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins. Krull, Kathleen. The Boy on Fairfield Street. Krull, Kathleen. The Boy on Fairfield Street. Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley. Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley. Rumford, James. Seeker of Knowledge. Rumford, James. Seeker of Knowledge. Borden, Louise. A. Lincoln and Me. Borden, Louise. A. Lincoln and Me.

Resources: Trade Books Alphabet Books: Alphabet Books: Marsalis, Wynton. ABZ, A Jazz Alphabet Marsalis, Wynton. ABZ, A Jazz Alphabet Cheney, Lynne. America, A Patriotic Primer Cheney, Lynne. America, A Patriotic Primer Cheney, Lynne. A is for Abagail Cheney, Lynne. A is for Abagail Various authors, state by state alphabet books (Sleeping Bear Press) Various authors, state by state alphabet books (Sleeping Bear Press)

Resources: Trade Books Unusual and Interesting Formats: Unusual and Interesting Formats: Lewis, J. Patrick. Monumental Verses. Lewis, J. Patrick. Monumental Verses. Sabuda, Robert. & Matther Reinhart. Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs. Sabuda, Robert. & Matther Reinhart. Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs. Delafosse, Claude. & Gallimard Jeunesse. Egyptian Tomb Hidden World. Delafosse, Claude. & Gallimard Jeunesse. Egyptian Tomb Hidden World. Messenger, Norman. Imagine. Messenger, Norman. Imagine. Carter, David A. & James Diaz. Lets Make it Pop-Up. Carter, David A. & James Diaz. Lets Make it Pop-Up. Egyptology Egyptology

Resources: Trade Books Magazine and Newspaper Layouts Magazine and Newspaper Layouts Dorling Kindersley books Dorling Kindersley books Investigations books Heckscher, Melissa, Mark Schulman, et al. The Explorers Gazette: Amazing Stories of 30 Rea- Life Journeys. Investigations books Heckscher, Melissa, Mark Schulman, et al. The Explorers Gazette: Amazing Stories of 30 Rea- Life Journeys. Silver, Donald M. One Small Square Cave. Silver, Donald M. One Small Square Cave.

Resources: Trade Books Fiction that Includes Research: Fiction that Includes Research: Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever, Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever, Clary, Margie Willis. A Sweet, Sweet Basket. Clary, Margie Willis. A Sweet, Sweet Basket. Various authors. Dear America Series. Various authors. Dear America Series. Various authors. Royal Diaries Series Various authors. Royal Diaries Series Hobbs, Will. The Maze; Jackies Wild Seattle, et al. Hobbs, Will. The Maze; Jackies Wild Seattle, et al.