Phase+1+Project+Plan


 * General Topic: **
 * Language Arts
 * Specific Topic: **
 * Plagiarism
 * Audience: **
 * Grades 7-12
 * Activity: **
 * WebQuest


 * Topic Overview: **
 * Plagiarism is a substantial concern for academic writers and needs to be avoided. In order for writers to avoid plagiarism, they need a clear understanding of what plagiarism is, what constitutes as plagiarism, methods/tools for avoiding plagiarism, and the consequences of plagiarism.

This assignment can be tailored to meet the needs of students in grades 7-12. Students will define plagiarism, find examples of plagiarism in education and pop culture and the consequences of plagiarism using various sources.
 * Task: **

*If this were a high school class, or even 8th grade, I would add a section/task involving citations. Currently, the 7th grade language arts curriculum at Big Spring Middle school does not include citations; students are taught this in 8th grade.

In 7th grade, research is to be “guided”. I will supply a list of sites that students will need to visit in order to complete the task for this assignment.
 * Process/Guidance: **
 * **Step 1:** Define plagiarism using dictionary.com
 * **Step 2:** Visit plagiarism.org to find some stats
 * **Step 3:** Watch YouTube video summarizing steps 1 and 2
 * **Step 4:** Visit sites regarding a popular case of plagiarism in the music industry and summarize findings
 * **Step 5:** Visit site highlighting real world cases of plagiarism and consequences; summarize findings
 * ** Step 6: ** Check out student planner for consequences
 * ** Step 7: ** Watch YouTube video on how to avoid plagiarism

I plan on evaluating my audience by having them complete a notes outline. This outline will be distributed in class prior to the webquest.
 * Evaluation: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">As a teacher of language arts, one of my responsibilities is to teach students how to be responsible writers. Part of being a responsible writer is knowing how to use the words of others to enhance our own writing. In order to do this, writers need to be aware of plagiarism, how to avoid it, and the consequences that can ensue. I’ve had the opportunity to teach 7th, 9th, and 10th grades in three different schools, and research writing is a constant part of the curriculum. This is a lesson I can use in any grade in any state.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Reflection: **