Executive Summary Research

Before we begin writing our interview questions, we need to make sure that we are thoroughly informed about our topic. When you made your KWL charts, I asked you to determine which questions could be best answered by your poll result, your interview, or through research. Knowing where best to look for this information will help you ask better questions and research with a clear purpose.

For those questions that require research, use http://trackstar.4teachers.org. This is a site that allows teachers to create lists of useful links to use as resources. I have created two tracks with lists of resources that I think will help you with this project. Once you are on the page, you can log into my tracks by simply entering the my track numbers.

Type in 313696 and/or 314091 to access these resources.

I hope you find these resources helpful! Happy researching. Don't hesitate to ask me any questions.

What do you like to read?

You guys will have noticed that I am trying to incorporate more independent reading into our classes lately. Many of you are having a hard time getting into it because you don't like what you are currently reading or you can't find a book you like. So, that begs the question: what do you like to read?

Feel free to post your comments telling what you like to read and why. Good books, authors, genres--talk about it all. But make sure you only use your first name and class number. No last names, please. Also, you should read the other students' comments to get a sense of what your classmates and the other classes enjoy.

Happy reading! Happy posting!

Task for the Executive Summary Poll

Here is the task for the Executive Summary Poll. We will review this task and the corresponding rubric on Friday, but I thought I'd post it for those people who are interested in getting a head start. The final copy of your poll is due Monday, March 19th.


Task: Executive Summary Poll

Over the past two weeks, you have chosen problems in this school or neighborhood that you want to explore further through your Executive Summary project. For this project, you will survey 25 or 50 people using a poll you have written on the problem, interview someone who is an expert on the problem, and eventually write a persuasive piece in which you explain the problem and recommend a solution.

The first step of the Executive Summary is writing the poll itself. We have spent more than a week drafting and revising the polls in class. You will turn in your poll for a grade. For this assignment, be sure to:

• Ask a series of questions that are all focused on one clear issue
• Write approximately 10 questions in total
• Include all four types of questions (yes/no and true/false, best answer, rank order and open ended)
• Write questions that establish there is a problem AND write questions that test out possible solutions to the problem
• Present the questions in a logical manner (i.e. the questions that establish there is a problem should be followed by the questions that test out possible solutions)
• Include questions that determine the demographics of the respondents (questions about age, grade, gender, occupation, etc.)
• Edit your poll for spelling, grammar, and clarity

Okay, so it's been awhile . . .

It has been more difficult to keep up with this blog than I had originally anticipated, but we are starting a new unit, the Executive Summary, and so I don't see why I can't try and start the blog over again.

Right now we are writing the polls on the issues we have identified in the school or neighborhood. Remember that we need to write questions that both establish that there is a problem and test out possible solutions to the problem. Your polls should include four types of questions:

• Yes/No and True/False Questions
• Best Answer Questions
• Rank Order Questions
• Open Ended Questions

Also keep in mind that the final copies of your children's nonfiction books were due today. This is the most important grade of 3rd quarter. I look very forward to reading them!

Lastly, remember that I need your Topic Selection Contracts as soon as possible.