1. Reference and Research
Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High
December 13, 2006
Presented by HML’s Literacy Team

2. Benchmarks Synthesis and Drawing Conclusions Validity and Reliability
Locate, Gather, Analyze and Evaluate Information

3. Synthesis and Drawing Conclusions
December’s Benchmark
Synthesis and Drawing Conclusions
What should I be teaching students?
Theme/moral of a story
How to summarize
How to combine information to make a logical judgment
How to make interpretations based on what is suggested or implied
How to connect two different texts

4. How can I do this in my class?
P.E.: Look at performance records of two teams or two players. Based on the information, predict the future successes of each.
Business/Performing Arts: Review jobs you would be interested in and essential information pertaining to each job. Then make a decision about what jobs are best suited for you and why?
Content Area Subjects: In a paragraph, summarize what you read in class using only main points.
Technology: Have students summarize, using only main points, the processes/steps they took in making their latest creation (in order).
Language Arts: Theme, theme, theme!! Character development. Compare poetry to other text!!
Social Studies: Draw conclusions about important historical leaders: their strengths, weaknesses, etc.

5. TTT
Use any or all of the information found in your Team Trojan Techniques Notebook!

6. Sample Question

7. Sample Question

8. What should I be teaching my students?
Locate, Analyze, Evaluate Information
What should I be teaching my students?
Explain the meaning of the word “Research” and the basic steps: locating and gathering info, analyzing the info, evaluating the reliability and relevance of the info, drawing a conclusion (synthesizing) the information--
The differences between fact and opinion—how opinions can falsely be stated as facts
How to analyze charts, graphs, maps, etc.
The difference between what is important and what is interesting.
How to summarize key points!

9. How can I do this in my class?
PE: Have students research who they think will make it to the Super Bowl and back it up with data.
Content Areas: Take all facts and ideas read in more than one source on the same topic and summarize the big ideas.
Business/Technology: Research new equipment using several sources of information, hypothesize about the place of technology in the future, etc.
JROTC: Look at recruitment numbers, current military enrollment, future projections, etc.

10. Sample Question
Using what you have learned from “The Police Beat,” explain why the duties of a newspaper editor are important. Use details and information from the article to support your answer.
EXAMPLE OF A TOP-SCORE RESPONSE:
Newspaper editors are responsible for making sure reporters have written the essential elements and details of a story. Editors must be certain there are no holes in the reporter’s story and may assist the reporter with the writing of their story to make sure it does not violate style rules. Most important, it is the job of editors to check the accuracy of information in a story before it goes to print in the newspaper.
Benchmark Content Focus Content Difficulty LA.A analyze/evaluate information High

11. Sample Question
You have been asked to write a science report summarizing the information found in the article “Electric Tomatoes.” In your report, include a brief summary of the main points of the article and why the information presented might be helpful for future research according to the article.
READ THINK EXPLAIN EXAMPLE OF A TOP-SCORE RESPONSE:
Scientists have discovered that when one part of a plant is injured, it releases protein as inhibitors which protect the entire plant. They realized that some kind of signal was being sent from one part of the plant to the rest of the plant and initially believed that this signal was chemical in nature. Then, biologist David Wildon conducted an experiment with electrodes and plants, which led him to believe that an injured leaf sends an electrical signal as a danger alert to the rest of the plant. In Wildon’s future research, he plans to learn more about this electrical signal. This research is important because it may help us understand other mysteries about plants, such as how they receive their information about when to grow and flower.
Benchmark Content Focus Content Difficulty LA.A analyze/evaluate information High

12. Sample Question

13. What should I be teaching my students?
Validity and Reliability
What should I be teaching my students?
Difference between primary source (an original source) and a secondary source (gathered and interpreted info.)
Examples of primary sources: diaries, interviews, speeches, etc.
Examples of secondary sources: newspapers, textbooks, websites, etc.
What makes a text reliable/valid?
Is it fact or opinion?
Where does it come from?
Who wrote it?
Is it accurate? Up to date?

14. How can I do it in my class?
PE: Bring articles from the sport’s section of the newspaper and analyze the validity of the information presented.
Business: Analyze websites for reliability of information presented.
Content Areas: Research papers on famous authors, historical events, science projects, etc.
Performing Arts: Analyze reviews in the paper for bias, validity, etc.
Technology: Evaluate new technology for effectiveness, utility, etc.

15. Sample Question

16. Sample Question

17. Your Turn!
Now you try it!