Silk Road Research


We are about to learn about exotic people and places.  This is path we will follow. (This web page is based on the PowerPoint presentation you saw in class.)


Research Requirements

Primary Topic: Research Paper and related product are required

Secondary Topic:  Product and description required

 

We'll Develop and Answer Questions Based on the Five Themes of Geography

Movement
Region
Location
Place
Human-Environment Interaction

 

Essential Questions Help Us Investigate the "Big Picture."  They:  

are open ended questions for which there are no right or wrong answers.
require complex and creative thought.
generate more questions. 


Cross-Crew Essential Question

How does movement of goods and ideas change the world?

The knowledge that each individual  gains through this project will contribute to a cross-crew dialog about the exchange of goods and ideas.

 

Each Crew Will Study a Different Part of the World

7L: Mid-East and North Africa
7M: South and Central Asia
7S: East Asia

 

Crew-Level Essential Questions

What characteristics define your part of the world as a region?
What characteristics of your part of the world are exceptions to the region?

The knowledge that each individual gains through this project will contribute to a crew-level dialog about their region.


Teams of 4-5 Students Will Research a City to Learn About the Remaining Themes:

location
place
human-environment interaction


Primary Research Topics -- Individual Team Members Will Research One of the Following:

Absolute and Relative Location
Architecture
Music
Clothing
Food


 Each Individual Will Develop an Essential Question About His/Her Primary Topic

This is a “big picture” question.  Your final three subsidiary questions (think body paragraphs) will answer this “big” question.  Examples:

What role does ______ play in ______culture?
What are the predominant forms of _______ in ________?


 Each Individual Will Develop Subsidiary Questions That Help Answer His/Her Essential Question.  

Subsidiary Questions:

are smaller questions that help you answer your essential question.

cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.

cannot be answered with just one or two facts.

must be complex enough to support a paragraph long answer.


Develop Five Subsidiary Questions 

Tip:  Think of categories related to your topic.  For Example: types of buildings, instruments, clothing, etc.

Tip:  Make connections to secondary topics. 

Religion Vegetation Government Transportation
Art Topography Geology Agriculture
Language & Literature Geographic Features Geology Innovation & Tech.
Bazaars & Markets Climate Natural Resources Environmental issues

Examples: 
Absolute and Relative Location:  transportation, environment
Architecture:  climate, environmental issues, art, religion 
Music:  innovation & technology, religion
Clothing:  Agriculture, climate, innovation & technology
Food: climate, topography, agriculture, markets, religion

Primary Topic Research

Choose a topic & get approval.

Develop one essential question about your topic as it relates to your city or country.
Your teacher will help you refine your essential question.

Develop and submit five subsidiary questions. Your teacher will help you select the three best questions.

Identify keywords for subsidiary question research.

 

Research Process

Create a fact sheet for each subsidiary question.

Notes should be take as bullets and phrases. Do not use complete sentences

Record source on works cited worksheets

Correlate fact sheet source to works cited worksheet


Expository Essay

Introduction: Develop a thesis statement that is based on your essential question

Body: Three body paragraphs. Each is paragraph is based on a subsidiary question and includes supporting detail.

Conclusion: Restate your thesis and main supporting ideas. Finish with a strong concluding sentence.


Final Paper Submission

Turn in all research documents: question sheets, fact sheets, works cited worksheets

Notes must support your research paper. All facts reported in your paper must appear in your notes.

Expository essay will include a properly formatted works cited page.


Silk Road Day: A Celebration of Learning 

Students will showcase booth products.
Students will display their expository essay and works cited sheet.
We’ll take digital pictures of research related booth products.


Web Document

Students will insert a digital photograph of their visual product into their essay.
Students will convert this word document into a web document.

 


 

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