Research papers

Hi 7th grade researchers! 
Here are some links for websites that explore controversial issues. Remember, your best bet is to start with the Points of View database to find articles, since it will give you an overview and a pro-con debate on your topic. Then you can explore other websites and books. Please remember, Wikipedia/Wikianswers/YahooAnswers/etc. are not valid sources for research! Good luck!

Middle School Debate topics:

http://www.middleschooldebate.com/topics/topicresearch.htm

Controversial issue starter links:

http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/persuasion/issues.html

Hot Paper Topics:

http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/Hot/hotindex.htm

Debateapedia:

http://idebate.org/debatabase

Food Insight: Hot topics in food and nutrition:

http://www.foodinsight.org/healthy-eating.aspx

Pro-Con.Org:

http://www.procon.org/

Social Issues:

http://www.multcolib.org/homework/sochc.html

1/25: Sobieski, Searching Tips

Hi Ms. Sobieski's classes,

Today we reviewed where to find quality information for your research. Please use the Ebsco databases, especially Points of View and Student Research center for finding periodicals. To get to Ebsco, go to Favorites and then Research Links.

Please use the following guidelines for websites:

* no Wikipedia or "answers" sites

*Check out who the author is. If you cannot find the author or they have poor "credentials" (i.e. no qualifications) you cannnot use that source. Check with Ms. Emili or Ms. Sobieski if you are unsure of the author.

*You can ALWAYS use: .gov
*You can USUALLY use: .org, .edu (CHECK THE AUTHOR)
*You can SOMETIMES use: .com (If it is a well-known site, like New York Times, National Geographic, etc.)
*You should AVOID: .net, any personal blogs or websites unless the person is an expert.

New Resource: Britannica Online

Hi there,
Hope your school year is off to a great start! Our school district has access to Britannica Online this year. This will be a GREAT resource to help you with projects and research in every subject area. In addition to having encyclopedia articles on tons of subjects, EB also contains: timelines, video clips, a dictionary/thesaurus, a world atlas, statistics for every state in the US, and news articles designed for students (this will help if your teacher requires current events write-ups!). If you have an email address,  you can create your own Workspace to collect materials and return to them later.

Teachers: EB also contains related curriculum standards for each article, vocabulary help, and a read aloud option. Click here for a guided tour : http://corporate.britannica.com/k12_us_middle_tour.pdf

To access from SCHOOL just click on this link and then select Middle School: http://www.school.eb.com/

To access from HOME: click on the same link and then enter "marsd" for the username and "marsd" for the password.

As always, see me with any questions on how to access or use this resource.
-Ms. Emili