Countries

Computer Applications- Country Study
 * Rosa Parks Middle School Media Center **
 * The purpose of this research guide is to assit you in starting from the most general resources, for instance Encyclopedia Britannica, and then moving onto resources that have more specific information. When you are searching the general sources, jot down key words or key events so that you can use these terms later in other types of reference materials.**

** Information Literacy Skills: **

 * ** Students will demonstrate the ability to locate and use information resources, equipment and other technologies effectively and efficiently. **
 * ** Students will demonstrate the ability to review, evaluate and select media. **
 * ** Students will demonstrate the ability to learn and apply reading, research and critical thinking skills to organize, and synthesize information in order to communicate new understanding. **
 * ** Students will cite the sources they used to gather information for this project. **

**// AGOPP Research Process //**
** is a research strategy designed to assist students as they seek answers to research based problems. The acronym, AGOPP, represents the five steps students would use to implement this strategy successfully. Any or all of the steps can be completed by individuals or by groups. **


 * A …..Ask Questions **
 * G …..Gather Information **
 * O …..Organize Information **
 * P …..Prepare/Produce Information **
 * P …..Present Information **
 * Identify your research problem or question. **
 * Read about the issue. **
 * Analyze the problem and develop questions. **


 * Gather keywords bases on questions. **
 * Choose the best source of information (books, internet and periodicals).Search for the information. **
 * Record notes and bibliographic information. **

**Books** The Media Center has several books that cover a variety of countries. Don't forget the World Book Encyclopedias, too! Use the Online Patron's Catalog for specific call numbers. The Dewey Decimal range for books covering Geography are as follows:
 * **Decide which sources are best for your topic.**
 * **Identify key words and phrases.**
 * **Determine which resources will provide background information and which resources will provide more specific information with supporting details.**
 * **Use text features to identify essential information from text.**
 * **Skim and scan for information that answers your question.**
 * **Verify the "worthiness" of the information.**
 * **Record relevant information--summarize and paraphrase--avoid plagiarism.**
 * **Record bibliographic information.**
 * 940's -- Europe
 * 950's -- Asia & Middle East
 * 960's -- Africa
 * 970's -- North America
 * 980's -- South America
 * 990's -- New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea, Pacific Polynesia, Atlantic Ocean Islands, Arctic Islands and Antarctica

**Online Subscription Databases (See Edline for the list of passwords & logins for home use)** Click on the continent where your country is located || Enter your country in the box ||
 * **CultureGrams--Either click on the map to navigate to your country or click on the drop-down box in the upper left corner and select your country from the list.**
 * The Kids Edition is here.** || media type="custom" key="9523116"
 * **Encyclopedia Britainnica can provide general information about your country.**
 * World Atlas**
 * Explore Countries** || media type="custom" key="9523088"
 * Explore Countries** || media type="custom" key="9523088"

Internet Sites:
CIA World Factbook Lonely Planet Country Reports Travel For Kids National Geographic Exchange Rate

State Department Travel Advisories-- Countries under current warnings are listed in the center of this page. To view information on any other country, select your country from the drop down menu on right.

Summarize your findings. Draw conclusions and inferences. Use a graphical organizer or note cards to arrange the information.

How to cite an article from CultureGrams:
"Brazil." //CultureGrams Online Edition//. ProQuest, 2011. Web. 6 Jun 2011. 

How to cite an article from Online Encyclopedia Britannnica:
"Chile." //Compton's by Britannica//. //Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition//. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 6 June 2011. .

Use **Noodletools** for your Works Cited page and Electronic Note Cards.


 * Click image to link to the Noodletools website. Your user name is your login for the computer network at school. The password is the same as the one for when you login to the computers at school.
 * The first time you use Noodletools, follow these directions:

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 * When citing from a print book source, use the citation template distributed in class or print it from this document: [|2010 Bibliographic Cite wksh book revised.docx]




 * ** Select the most important information ** **.**
 * ** Prepare and rehearse your speech!! **
 * //** Prepare a "Works Cited" page. **//

Present the product to your audience. Evaluate your process and product.


 * //According to Write for College, "Plagiarism is the presentation of another writer's ideas or words as if they were your own, without acknowledging the source" (297).//**

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