EPAEPA

What is EPA?What is EPA?

66thth grade Elementary Performance grade Elementary Performance AssessmentAssessment

Research projectResearch project• Includes 2 -four hour days in the Library Includes 2 -four hour days in the Library

Researching books, periodicals, internetResearching books, periodicals, internet Interesting question developed by you and chosen Interesting question developed by you and chosen

under the direction of your teacher and librarianunder the direction of your teacher and librarian Written report and power pointWritten report and power point Presentation before two teachers on the third dayPresentation before two teachers on the third day

Developing a Research QuestionDeveloping a Research Question

Make a list of interesting topicsMake a list of interesting topics Pre-research the topics in the school Pre-research the topics in the school

librarylibrary Select a focus question for each of Select a focus question for each of

your topicsyour topics

Test Your QuestionTest Your Question

Does your question…Does your question…• Begin with “How” or “Why”?Begin with “How” or “Why”?• Require varied sources of information?Require varied sources of information?• Challenge you to learn new information?Challenge you to learn new information?

Can your question …Can your question …• Be organized into 3-5 thoughtful sub-Be organized into 3-5 thoughtful sub-

questions?questions?

Locating Your ResourcesLocating Your Resources

Varied resources include:Varied resources include:• Non-fiction books (Spectrum Patron’s Non-fiction books (Spectrum Patron’s

Catalog)Catalog)• Special reference sets (ie: Grolier’s Special reference sets (ie: Grolier’s

Biographies)Biographies)• Access PA Power LibraryAccess PA Power Library• MagazinesMagazines• EncyclopediasEncyclopedias• Reliable Internet Sites Reliable Internet Sites

Taking NotesTaking Notes

Choose a note taking methodChoose a note taking method• Note cardsNote cards• Outline notesOutline notes• 2-column notes2-column notes

Write the works consulted information for Write the works consulted information for each sourceeach source

Rephrase important information using Rephrase important information using bullets or key words (NO SENTENCES!)bullets or key words (NO SENTENCES!)

PLAGIARISM is illegal and unacceptable!PLAGIARISM is illegal and unacceptable!

Writing Your PaperWriting Your Paper

Organize your notes into sub-questionsOrganize your notes into sub-questions Write your body paragraphs firstWrite your body paragraphs first Choose an effective order for your body Choose an effective order for your body

paragraphsparagraphs• Chronological (time)Chronological (time)• ImportanceImportance• StrengthStrength

Develop an introduction and conclusionDevelop an introduction and conclusion Revise and Edit your paperRevise and Edit your paper

Test Your PaperTest Your Paper

Does your paper…Does your paper…• Answer your research question in 2-3 Answer your research question in 2-3

typed pages?typed pages?• Follow the required word processing Follow the required word processing

format (see packet)?format (see packet)?• Include transition words to smoothly Include transition words to smoothly

connect ideas?connect ideas?• Have an accurate and complete works Have an accurate and complete works

consulted?consulted?

Preparing Your Power PointPreparing Your Power Point

Select key ideas from each Select key ideas from each paragraph paragraph

Develop 5-7 slidesDevelop 5-7 slides• Title slideTitle slide• IntroductionIntroduction• Sub-questionsSub-questions• ConclusionConclusion• Works consulted for imagesWorks consulted for images

Final PowerPoint CheckFinal PowerPoint Check

Does your PowerPoint…Does your PowerPoint…• Have a consistent background and font Have a consistent background and font

color?color?• Have a font size that can be easily seen Have a font size that can be easily seen

from a distance?from a distance?• Use brief phrases?Use brief phrases?• Include appropriate images to enhance Include appropriate images to enhance

the content? the content?

Preparing Your Oral PresentationPreparing Your Oral Presentation

• Print out a copy of your PowerPoint Print out a copy of your PowerPoint (handout form- 3 slides per page)(handout form- 3 slides per page)

• Write any notes or cues needed on Write any notes or cues needed on the lines providedthe lines provided

• Create an engaging introduction Create an engaging introduction (hook your audience)(hook your audience)

• Use effective oral presentation skillsUse effective oral presentation skills• Practice…practice…practice!Practice…practice…practice!

Managing Your TimeManaging Your Time

Day One:Day One:• Locate sourcesLocate sources• Write works consultedWrite works consulted• Take notesTake notes• Write rough draftWrite rough draft

Day Two:Day Two:• Revise and edit written paperRevise and edit written paper• Print two copies of final draftPrint two copies of final draft• Develop and practice oral presentationDevelop and practice oral presentation• Review checklists and guidelinesReview checklists and guidelines