Writing a Research Report (MLA Style, 7th and 8th Grade)
In this 16-week course, students will research a topic of their choice, take notes, create an outline, and write a 5–7-page report in MLA Style.
Lisa Rohloff
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(348)
What's included
28 live meetings
21 in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Homework will vary. There will be writing assignments each week, but the size of the assignment depends on what we are covering that week. For example, one week they will be asked to write an outline, while another week they will write part of their report.Assessment
Students will be given written feedback on a weekly basis as they turn in assignments. At the end of the 16 weeks, students and parents will be given a written review of how well they did. The review will include what they did well and suggestions for improvement or other classes to take.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 8
Students will meet twice a week to prepare a written report and an oral report. Each week we will talk about the next step in their process. Students will research a topic of their choice, take notes, create an outline, and write a report in MLA format. After their report is written, they will give an oral report to the class. This will include a short presentation that they prepare. Sutdents will need a presentation tool such as PowerPoint or Google Slides for their oral report. Students should be able to read and write English at a 7th grade level or higher to be successful in this class. Note: the schedule below may be adjusted as we progress through the semester. Week 1: - What is a research paper? - Writing a proposal with a working thesis statement. - Choosing and narrowing a topic. - Finding credible resources Week 2: - Plagiarism - Students will find their first resource. This will be an online article on a website. - Recording resource information - How to take notes (Students will learn about the three different kinds of notes: summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting) Week 3: Jan 31 & Feb 2 - How to cite sources (online encyclopedias, online dictionaries, and online website articles) - Taking more notes and researching Week 4: Feb 7 & 9 - Narrowing a thesis statement - continue taking more notes Week 5: Feb 14 & 16 - Creating categories for notes and color coding them Week 6: Feb 21 & 23 - Writing an outline Week 7: Feb 28 & Mar 2 - Writing 1-2 pages of main body (total will be 4-6 pages) - Writing paragraphs with in-text citations Week 8: March 7 & 9 - Writing main body (3 pages completed) Week 9: March 14 & 16 - Complete 4or more pages of main body Week 10: March 21 & 23 - Write introduction and conclusion Week 11: March 28 & 30 - Writing the Works Cited Page - Begin working on presentation Week 12: April 4 & 6 - Finish rough draft and turn in to Ms. Lisa for review and comments. Week 13: April 11 & 13 - Create a presentation to give on last week of class. Week 14: April 18 & 20 - Give presentation
Learning Goals
Students will learn:
- Choosing and narrowing a topic.
- Taking notes.
- Choosing credible sources.
- Writing in academic voice.
- Citing resources.
- Understanding what plagiarism is.
- Organizing notes into an outline/identify main ideas.
- Writing an introduction and conclusion.
- Writing the works cited page with properly formatted sources (MLA).
- Writing a rough draft.
- Editing and rewriting a rough draft.
- Creating a slide deck to go with an oral presentation.
- Preparing an oral presentation.
- Giving an oral report.
- Grammar and spelling for academic writing.
- Basics of MLA formatting.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students should be able to complete all assignments independently, but some review of assignments by parents is always helpful.
Supply List
Students will need: - paper and pen or pencil - Final reports must be typed, so student will need Word, Google Docs or some other tool with which to do this. - Students will create a presentation to go along with their oral report. So, they will need PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, or some other tool that allows them to create a presentation. - I will post any worksheets or samples in Outschool the weekend before students will need them for class. - 5 to 7 resources for their report. These sources can be books, encyclopedias, online sources, etc.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.8
348reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from University of Wisconsin-Stout
Bachelor's Degree from Ashford University
I love working with kids! I have 13 years of teaching experience, and I have taught in both traditional school settings and as a homeschool parent. I am passionate about helping kids at all levels of their reading and writing journey. It's so exciting when I see a student gain confidence as a reader/writer or when I can help a young aspiring writer achieve their dreams.
My writing experience includes writing copy for marketing materials, ghost writing for corporate executives, technical writing, writing newspaper articles, and writing instructions for digital technology applications. Managing a corporate internal newsletter was one of my favorite projects. I created the newsletter design, interviewed and wrote articles about team members, and managed the editing and submission process for all the contributors. As a hobby, I love to write short stories, poetry, and songs. I can't imagine my life without writing.
My education includes a BA in Communications and a Master of Science in Technical and Professional Communication (MSTPC). Because I have completed 2 years of my BA and all of my MS classes online, I am skilled with the various aspects of online learning. I love using what I have learned to help kids become better at reading and writing.Reviews
Live Group Class
$490
for 28 classes2x per week, 14 weeks
45 min
Completed by 16 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-15
3-9 learners per class
