Grade 8 (Lesson 1/2017) : Musician/Singer Research

DIRECTIONS: Over the next few weeks, you will research information and complete a project based on your favorite musician/musical group/singer. Once research has been completed you will use software programs such as, Inspiration/Google Doc//etc, to organize your information into a coherent outline. Finally, using your outline, you will create a PowerPoint presentation of at least ten (10) slides. You will be presenting your outline and PowerPoint to the class on February 28, 2017. 

In addition to having a hard copy of your project with you on the day of your presentation, you will also upload your document and PowerPoint on Google Drive.

By Tuesday, January 10, 2017, you must confirm with the teacher the musician(s)/singer(s) you have decided to research since no two students may research the same musician(s)/singer(s) . 

BREAKDOWN OF ASSIGNMENTS:

I. RESEARCH: You will be using the resources, including reference books, databases, and the Internet to research the following information pertaining to your musician(s)/singer(s) : (Due Date : January 31, 2017)    

1. Birthdate/ current age
2. birthplace
3. family (names of parents/ names of siblings)
4. family (is s/he married/names of any children)
5. where s/he lives now
6. how s/he got started in the music business (if group, include how group met & formed) 
7. why s/he got started in the music business
8. who inspires/influences her/his music
9. first song released
10. first number one hit
11. how many other number one hits has s/he had
12. all cd’s that s/he has released, including titles and year in which released
13. numbers of copies sold for each cd (*Bonus points if you can locate this information)
14. future cd’s to be released/future projects (*Look at Musician’s website for this info.)
15. upcoming concert tours (*Look at Musician’s website for this info.)
16. any other interesting information related to the musician that you feel would add to your project 

II. INSPIRATION: You will be using your notes as a reference in order to o create a diagram and outline of your research. (Due Date : January 31, 2017)   


Your diagram should be set up as a visually-organized display of your research and include the following: 

1. a main topic (in this case, the name of your musician/group)
2. at least three (3) subtopics based on your research
3. additional subtopics under those three (continue creating the hierarchy of information)
4. links should be clearly defined between topics/subtopics
5. a variety of shapes to indicate visual changes in subtopics
6. BONUS FEATURES: (these will be considered for extra points)
7. Use of color to signify differences in subtopics/links 
8. Use of symbol/graphic to enhance diagram
9. Use of “Notes” to provide further information
10. Use of Hyperlink to link to a related Internet site 

III. PowerPoint: You will be using your diagram/outline as a reference in order to create a ten (10) slide PowerPoint about your favorite musician/group/singer.(Due Date : February 27, 2017)

Your PowerPoint presentation should be set up as a visually-organized display of your research and include the following:

• At least Ten (10) slides
• 1 Title Slide that includes the name of your musician/group, your name, Study Skills, Mods ____, and date
• 8 (or more) slides using the subtopics you created  as your guide for conveying your research
• 1 Works Cited slide that includes all references used to gather your research (i.e. websites, image/graphic sources, periodicals, books, and other reference materials) **MUST USE AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT REFERENCES
• At least three (3) pictures pertaining to your research (i.e. picture of musician/group, one of his/her cd covers, one of the house he/she grew up in, etc.)
• A professional-looking color scheme that enhances your content rather than detracts from it.
• Keep the slide transitions and sound effects to a minimum to avoid distraction from your content.
• BONUS FEATURES: (these will be considered for extra points)
• Use of Hyperlink to link to a related Internet site
• Use of one of the musician’s/group’s/singer's songs as the looped sound throughout presentation 

IV. WORKS CITED: As part of the PowerPoint presentation, you will need to create a slide. This slide should contain an alphabetical list of all sources used during the research phase, as well as any image sources used to create the diagram and/or PowerPoint presentation. Your slide should have the title, Works Cited, centered in the middle of the slide and your list of sources should be in alphabetical order. Note that if a source is too long for one line, the second line should be indented one tab stop. 

V. RUBRIC:

A) RESEARCH

• Required information has been researched
• a variety of resources are used to complete research    
• class time is managed efficiently to ensure all research is completed 
• bonus information is provided in research       

B) INSPIRATION

• main topic is easily identified
• at least three major subtopics are identifiable and linked to the main topic
• additional minor subtopics are designated under the major subtopics 
• links are properly established and easily followed 
• a variety of shapes to indicate visual changes in subtopics are used 
• bonus features are included

 C) POWERPOINT

• 10 or more slides are included in presentation
• Works Cited slide includes accurate listing of all resources utilized 
• at least three pictures/graphics pertaining to research are included 
• color scheme is professional-looking & enhances presentation rather than detracts from it  
• slide transitions and sound effects are minimal and not distracting
• bonus features are included   

 D) CLASS PRESENTATION

• Knowledge of material contained within PowerPoint
• Eye Contact
• Voice/Communication 
• Posture 
• Attitude