Who+Are+You?

You have just been selected to be part of our Special Eagle Investigative Unit. We are looking for eager investigators to find a solution to that age old question: Who Are You? Since America is made of of people from many different cultures, we are asking you to do a research project using [|The Big6] problem solving process. Your investigation should revolve around the following question: //**__How do communities borrow and share from other cultures?__**// Your investigation will involve brainstorming some customs and traditions such as the type of food we eat, music, dance, celebrations/traditions,and/or sports that they play. Then you will research where these customs and traditions came from and how Americans have borrowed and adopted many of these customs and traditions. Finally you will publish your findings on our //"America the Great Melting Pot"// web page to help other students and people of our community learn more about Who We Are? as Americans.
 * Hello Third Graders!**

To help you select a particular topic that you would like to research, let's brainstorm some ideas together in the space below Blues || approved by your teacher || Origin of Reggae || Part 1: You must first define the assignment you have been asked to do. Think about what you are to do and complete the following steps: 1. Click on your group name on the navigation bar to the left. Sign In and then type in your response to defining your task on your group's top secret link. (Don't forget to use your code name.) 2. Read the responses your investigative team members have written and provide them with some positive feedback by editing and logging in your suggestions. 3. Finally read over the suggestions your team mates have provided for you, and write your revised version of your task.
 * **Brainstorming Topics For Investigation** ||
 * **Food** || **Celebrations/Traditions ** || **Sports** || **Music/Dance** ||
 * Mexican Food || Cinco de Mayo || Soccer || Latin Music ||
 * Italian Food || St. Patrick's Day || Karate || Origins of Hip Hop ||
 * Japanese Food || Kwanzaa || Track and Field || Origins of Jazz ||
 * African Food || Ramadan || Polo || Origins of Gospel ||
 * German Food || Octoberfest || Kung Fu || Origin of Rhythm and
 * German Food || Chinese New Year || Topic discussed and
 * 1 Define the Task**

Part 2: Identify the information you will need in order to complete the task. Together we will brainstorm a list of questions below to help you locate information on your topic. When we have completed our brainstorming, you are to complete a brainstorm web with your choice of topic and the questions you have chosen to investigate. Use Kidspiration to complete a web and outline to aid you in your search.
 * Question Starter || Our Questions ||
 * What? ||  ||
 * Who? ||  ||
 * Where? ||  ||
 * When? ||  ||
 * Why? ||  ||
 * How? ||  ||

What are possible sources that I could use? What sources would be the best for me? Let's brainstorm a list of resources that we could use and hightlight our top 3 in bold print and italics.
 * 2 Information Seeking Strategies**

Where can I find my sources? How can I locate information within the sources? To help locate information within your sources, let's highlight key words from your questions to aid you in our search.
 * 3 Location and Access**

Take notes using your Kidspiration Outline as you access each of your resources. Read the information first then think about what you have read. Next put what you have learned into your own words onto your outline page. Remember copying information directly from the text is called [|plagiarism] and is against the law.
 * 4 Use of Information**

During this part of your mission you will write a news article that tells what you have learned about your topic. 1. Type a rough draft of your news article on your News Draft Page. Then post your rough draft to your group's wiki page. Remember to use your code name when posting your draft. 2. Place a Praise/Polish comment under your assigned group members draft. Let them know what you liked about their article and what they could improve. Be Positive! 3. Read the comment that your group member made to your rough draft and go back to revise and edit your article. Once you have made the revisions and changes to your word document, then post your final draft to your group's wiki page. 4. When you receive a teacher's final seal of approval, you may post your article to our " America the Great Melting Pot" web page using front page. Remember to include your title and graphic that you have chosen for your article.
 * 5 Synthesis of Information**

When you have posted your final product to the web page, use the following Evaluation Sheet to think about and evaluate your work. Post your final comments of why you are proud of this article to your group's wiki page under your final draft. You might also want to include any other personal reflection like what you might do differently. 
 * 6 Evaluation**