Students in 6th and 7th grade are currently in the generating ideas and selecting phase of the writing process on our research unit. Each student has a person or place connected with the Civil Rights movement or the current voices still fighting for equality. We began with a documentary which gave an overview of the major events of the Civil Rights movement. Next, we choose topics and I explained the goals and overview of the project. Then, we spent time learning about MLA citations and how to choose credible sources, including evaluating youtube videos and podcasts, more current types of nonfiction, which are used frequently by our kids. Then, students found their sources. Over tech week for the play we are watching the film 42, voted on by the students. This film will act as a source for some kids or as another mentor text for others in order to see what life was like for African Americans and the whites who took their “side”, in the 1940s and 50s. We also have a member of our MJDS community who will come in as an expert on civil rights and baseball history.

In the weeks to come, 6th and 7th grade students will be splitting their time between working on book club and their research writing project. Their next step for their research project is to find direct quotes on their topic and document this is an organized and user friendly way.  Eventually we will combine our direct quotes with our own writer’s voice and opinions. After, each student will choose a focus or angle and then students will make an infographic about their topic which we will share with lower grades learning the same topics and put up at MJDS. My topic is Wes Moore and I am doing this project right along side of them. I can’t wait to see the innovation and wonder our kids put into this project.