Lesson 2--SIRS Researcher

SIRS--Researcher (grades 6-12)-- From the leading issues list (I printed out the 3-page A-Z list!), I chose the topic of divorce with results of 25 matching subjects, 80 newspapers, 41 magazines, 18 viewpoints, 7 reference, 39 graphic media, 3 Web select sites.
Under Topic Overview is a listing of the following : Terms to Know, an Introduction, and Further Research subtopics. Further Research topics lists Pro/Con Issues, Events (legal acts), Key figures, Organization, Primary Sources. Under Primary Sources, I chose to investigate "Remarks by the President and First Lady at White House Conference on Child Care" and discovered it was Hillary Clinton speaking on October 23, 1997! An acceptable article if one is focusing on the history aspect of divorce/families. Key Figures also goes back in time to Civil War era.
On the home page of SIRS Researcher, I liked the interactive audio feature which answered the question, "Is separation and divorce harmful to children?" Ans. All human beings are resilient and are created to land on their feet. How separation and divorce are handled makes all the difference. Children's exposure to conflict, arguing, and contentious phone calls between parents is harmful to children.
Searching through the links under Research Tools was most interesting. Topic Overview is presented again, along with Time line with dates from 1624 to 2010 including links to other sites. Subjects listed more articles, Global Impact had articles on effect on families/divorce and the differences in other cultures RE: marriage. Statistics. My Analysis includes a Research Guide for the Critical Thinker: Step 1 Pick a Topic. Step 2 Develop Basic Knowledge. Step 3 Selecting a Focus and Separating Fact and Opinion. Step 4 Writing a Thesis Statement... even includes a "formula to help compose your thesis." Clearly Stated Opinion+ Specific Supporting Arguments=Thesis. Step 5 Supporting Evidence & Drawing Conclusions. Step 6 Apply Your Knowledge. Key questions step one through the entire process of gathering resources, to writing, and doing a presentation. These make very effective handouts: Just answer the questions and fill in the blanks! But, I think I will need an in-service on how to do the note organizer.
On the home page of Pick A Topic which lists 6 questions to consider when deciding on a topic, there is also Additional Resources which lists 6 more wonderful aids: Research Guide for the Critical Thinker (See: 6 steps listed above). Writing a Mini-Research Paper lists 4 steps using the above 6 steps and includes a Final Written Report Template :) ! Creating a Powerpoint Presentation is helpful. Debate Guide outlines Student Steps in the Mini-Debate Process and includes the steps in Rounds 1-4 and time allotments. Academic Writing Help cut me off as our code was not accepted. I really like the SIRS Citation Guidelines (MLA, APA, or Turabian). Examples of all is clearly shown. "Readers may duplicate as needed" which I did!
More questions to peruse on the home page include "Should laws be enacted that make divorce harder to obtain? Yes/No. "Can the recession save marriage?" and sources to click on under each. I wandered into "Can the recession save marriage?" and clicked on Wall Street Journal Dec 11, 2009, W15 c2009. People are rediscovering the value of thrift, eat at home more often, restaurant sales fell in 2008 for the first time in 40 years, debt erodes the marital bond, assets solidify it. Americans are rediscovering how important family ties are in helping carry them financially, socially, emotionally through hard times. "Origins of Modern Divorce" by Stephanie Coontz of Evergreen State College, Olympia WA , Family Process Vol. 46, No.1 March 2007: 7-16. SIRS Researcher. Web 12 Jul 2010 is a very lengthy article with 17 references!
Enough already! Now, if you want to make a copy of South Dakota Libraries Guide to...SIRS Issues Researcher handout, be sure you use a color printer because the black words will not show up on the dark red panels because all will appear solid black on black and white!