Making the Writing And Research Connection With the I-search Process

by Julie I. Tallman, Marilyn Z. Joyce

Using the I-Search process, your middle grade and high school students will find new ways to enjoy the process of research. This innovative technique for creating research and term papers avoids the pitfalls and frustrations of traditional research methods by having students write in first person about the topics they’re interested in. With step-by-step clarity, this manual will help teachers and media specialists collaborate successfully to make the reading and writing connection click in their schools. Content
• Starting the process
• Narrowing the topic
• Using information
• Assessing progress
• Writing the final paper
• Conducting in-service training
Appendixes provide sample questions, a time frame for keeping students on track, and student instructions for reading a chapter or magazine article for research purposes. Companion CD-ROM includes worksheets, tools, and sample I-Search papers.

167 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2006

Reviews

[SaraKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting take on Macrorie's I-Search process. This process is a way to do research projects with students and decrease the amount of copy/paste and pointless time spent on it. Research projects have long been a sore spot for me and I've hated the fact that many of my students don't seem to get as much from it as I hoped. The rampant copying and poorly made bibliographies and boring presentation make this kind of project useless for all of us. The I-Search is unconventional and presents research in a student friendly way. There is more reflecting and journaling and more student choice in the topic and product. I'm excited about this and have already planned a research unit for next semester. The first person story that the students tell about their process and journey of discovery is not one that is copy/paste friendly and it is much more engaging. The choice given to students means that they will actually care about the results and remember what they learn. I read this for a class in library science, but it will be just as helpful to me as a content teacher.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas here--student choice, real-life learning, process logs that turn into a first-person paper, peer sharing and peer evaluation. I don't know how much I can implement within our standards-based timeframe, but I'm going to try.