Instructional Situation
Leon M Peterson
Chapter 5
I think of research projects when it comes to using computers, web based information, and the traditional way of looking up information, libraries. I think of middle school and high school students looking up information on a history project dealing with great leaders from around the world. Students could choose any such person like Napoleon, Rosa Parks, or Martin Luther King Jr. and write a persuasive paper on why there person is great. Setting the guidelines is what changes this simple assignment from a sixth grade level to a twelfth grade level. Starting with a sixth grade assignment the teacher would set the paper length at three pages doubled spaced with a fourth page for work cited. Introduce APA or MLA style writing and documentation. At least two different types of references for their work cited page. Pass out an example paper or give them a website that they can go to for example papers that they can read and work with when writing there own. The student’s audience would be their peers and the teacher. The paper would be a general question of why do you think that your person that you chose was a great leader? What problem, trouble, conflict around them made them who they are? Tie them together to convince your audience that your person was indeed a great leader.

The objectives of this assignment would to introduce MLA or APA styles or writing and documentation. Continue to strengthen research skills with computers base programs, Internet search engines, understanding what a legitimate web source is and what isn’t legitimate.
Materials would consist of the student’s textbook Internet and books from the library used for the research. Rationale for this type of assignment would be to strengthen the student’s writing, reading, and research skills.