NZ Curriculum US2989 Research Guide

Year 12 English/Media Studies Research Skills for Independent Learning 5-Lesson Journey to Excellence

Lesson 1 Overview: Understanding US2989

WALT: Understand the requirements of US2989 standard Success Criteria: Can explain assessment criteria and choose appropriate topics Duration: 12 minutes Starter: Topic brainstorming carousel

Topic Selection Workshop

Brainstorm 10 potential research topics Rate each topic: Interest level (1-5) and Information availability (1-5) Choose your top 3 topics Peer feedback: Which topic excites you most and why?

Excellent Topic Examples vs. Avoid These

{"left":"The #MeToo movement in New Zealand\nRam raids: Causes and community responses\nWomen's pay equity in professional sports\nClimate change activism by young people\nJacinda Ardern's leadership during COVID-19","right":"My favorite celebrity\nWhy school is boring\nVideo games are fun\nSocial media is bad\nGeneral environmental issues"}

Lesson 2 Overview: Source Selection Mastery

WALT: Identify and evaluate high-quality, reputable sources Success Criteria: Can distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources Duration: 12 minutes Starter: Source reliability detective game

What Makes a Source Reputable?

Think-Pair-Share: Look at these 6 sources about climate change Discuss with your partner: Which 3 would you trust for academic research? Consider: Author credentials, publication date, bias, evidence provided

Source Reliability Hierarchy

Source Hunting Challenge

Using your chosen topic, find 5 potential sources in 8 minutes Use the reliability pyramid to rank them 1-5 Identify the top 3 sources that meet US2989 standards Share your best source with the class and explain why it's excellent

Lesson 3 Overview: Developing Research Questions

WALT: Create focused research questions that guide effective inquiry Success Criteria: Can write 3-5 specific questions that will focus research Duration: 12 minutes Starter: Question transformation exercise

Research Questions: Broad vs. Focused

{"left":"What is climate change?\nHow has Jacinda Ardern been a leader?\nWhat is the #MeToo movement?\nAre ram raids a problem?","right":"How do young New Zealanders respond to climate change activism?\nWhat leadership strategies did Jacinda Ardern use during the Christchurch shooting response?\nHow has #MeToo affected workplace policies in New Zealand?\nWhat community-led solutions have emerged to address ram raids in Auckland?"}

Question Crafting Workshop

Start with your topic and write one broad question Transform it into 3 specific, focused questions Use question starters: 'How has...?', 'What impact...?', 'Why do...?', 'What strategies...?' Test each question: Can I answer this with my 3 sources?

Lesson 4 Overview: Mastering the Research Log

WALT: Complete detailed research logs that demonstrate critical thinking Success Criteria: Can summarize sources, ask questions, and make connections Duration: 12 minutes Starter: Sample log analysis