Cite Your Source!

This week the Fifth Graders are learning what it means to "cite your source".  We reviewed the concepts of plagiarism, bibliography, and attribution.  Students had to find a non-fiction book and paraphrase a fact from the book.  Then, they had to cite their source by filling in the template.  Some of my classes had pre-selected non-fiction books at their tables in the interest of time.  Students found the title page and the verso (opposite of the title page) to locate publishing information.
I reminded kids that the copyright date means the same thing as "year of publication".  Once they find the "little c with a circle around it", they can usually find the publisher right next to it.  I told them that publishers usually have the words "Press" or "Inc." next to their name.  Even though many middle school students use online citation makers I think it is important for students to find the information themselves and understand the basics of making a citation.  Here are some examples:

Click here for the printable.