Research Learning brings the “information age” to life by helping students to design an independent learning project proposal and write a 5-8 page research-based persuasive paper formatted in MLA style. The course starts at the beginning – with inquiry. What does the student want to learn more about? Inquiry questions drive the research learning process. Students then learn to use library databases, the internet, and local experts to find and evaluate a variety of information resources, conduct original research, compile notes and data, cite their sources, prepare an annotated Bibliography, take a point of view, create a thesis, write to and for a specific audience, and document their learning growth—all skills that promote high school success and college readiness.

Course Materials: A public library card

Standards met: Addresses the Writing (Types of Writing, Elements of Composition, Spelling, Grammar and Usage, and Research) and Speaking, Listening and Viewing (Media Literacy) strands of the Minnesota Language Arts Standards.

Credit: 0.5 credit

Honors Opportunity: Yes

Prerequisites: 10th grade Language Arts course