📖

Citation Station Introduction

Informative Writing: Research Foundations

Day 45of 180
Week 9of 36
35Minutes
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Learning Objectives

1

Understand the importance of giving credit to authors in research

2

Learn basic citation principles

3

Recognize what constitutes plagiarism

4

Practice ethical research practices

Proverbs 11:3

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Proverbs 11:3 (WEB)

Demonstrates the biblical value of honesty in research and giving proper credit

📦 Materials Needed

  • Notebook
  • Pencil
  • Sample research materials
  • Index cards
  • Colored markers

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and introduce the concept of research integrity through a storytelling approach about giving proper credit

💭 Review Question: What does it mean to be honest in your schoolwork?
2Teaching (15 min)

Explain citation basics: why we cite sources, what information to include, and the difference between borrowing ideas and stealing them

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Authors work hard to create their work
  • Citations show respect for other people's ideas
  • Plagiarism is using someone's words or ideas without giving credit
  • Proper citation helps readers find original sources
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How would you feel if someone used your work without asking?
  • Why is it important to give credit to authors?
  • What might happen if you don't cite your sources?
3Activity: Citation Creation Station (10 min)
hands-on

Students practice creating basic citations for different types of sources

📝 Instructions:
  1. Provide sample books, websites, and articles
  2. Demonstrate how to create a simple citation
  3. Have students practice creating citations
  4. Compare and discuss different citation formats
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-made citation templates

Challenge: Create citations for multiple source types independently

4Closing (5 min)

Review key points about research integrity and citation

📝 Review Questions:
  • What is plagiarism?
  • Why do we cite sources?
  • How can we show respect for other authors?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be honest in our research and to always give credit where it is due. Guide us to use our minds and words with integrity. Amen.

Coming up: Next week, we'll practice putting our citation skills into a research project!

Proverbs 11:3

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Proverbs 11:3 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Citation Integrity Circle: Students pass a ball and each share one way to show research integrity

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Students are learning the foundational skills of ethical research and proper source attribution

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Discuss citation as a form of respect
  • Model proper citation in your own work
  • Encourage curiosity about original sources
🤔 Common Struggles:

Understanding the difference between paraphrasing and direct quotation

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to recognize when to cite a source and basic citation skills

Extension Activities

  • Create a class citation guide
  • Research a favorite author's work and practice citing their sources
  • Design a 'Citation Detective' game to identify when citations are needed

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