Student Conferences

Sandy Guild, a high school librarian in Pennsylvania, conducts research conferences with students as they work through the inquiry process. Two of her conversation guides are outlined below with the standard questions she raises.

Background Reading

• What best describes the kind of relationship you are investigating:
  
  • Cause and effect
    
  • Application of a concept
    
  • Influence
    
  • Comparison
    
  • Other
    
• What is the most exciting discovery you have made so far?
  

On the back of this paper, draw a simple concept map using the results of your background reading. Include major people, places, concepts, and relationships that you have been able to identify.

• Using the concept map as a guide, briefly state what your thesis question is currently.
  
• What is confusing in the research you have conducted so far?
  
• [Adding to her list] What is reassuring in the research you have conducted so far?

Conferencing about Questions, Arguments and Sources

• State the focus of your paper and list the topic areas that relate to it.
  
• On the back of this sheet, draw a simple concept map of your developing thesis. Be clear what kind of relationship(s) organize(s) your thesis.
  
• What new questions have you developed as a result of your research in supporting your thesis?
  
• What part of your argument is weakest?
  
• What resource so far has been the best for information? Why?
  
• What information are you looking for that you have not been able to find?

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