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What went wrong with those research projects?

Last Spring, I fumbled my way through a research project with my 6th graders.  It was a train-wreck, to say the least.  It lasted 2 weeks longer than expected, it was disorganized and for some reason my students did not know what I wanted from them.  Luckily, we learn from our mistakes.  Common Core emphasizes research and public speaking skills, especially in grades 6-8.  Knowing I had to attempt research projects again, I reconsidered last year's mistakes.  We are in our second week of a unit focused on child slavery.  They seemed very concerned and appalled at the number of child slaves in the world, especially those trafficked into the US.  I thought this would be a great opportunity for students to create a PSA about the topic.  I figured this would be the right time to revive the dreaded Research Project.

Thought I'd share my past mistakes and this year's fixes because I wish someone would have told me beforehand!

Problem last year: I gave students free reign on their choice topic.  This made research and expectations hard to define.

Solution this year: Focusing the project within one focus topic.  We have read multiple narrative and informational texts about child slavery.  They have a sufficient amount of background knowledge prior to starting research.  The topic and expectations are clearly defined.

Problem last year: Students did not know how to navigate through the Internet to find reliable, significant research.

Solution this year: I found a great site that lets you preselect websites for students to visit, Sqworl.com Create a free account and just add the sites you want.  I chose 6 to provide enough options, but to not overwhelm.

Problem last year: Students did not know the steps in order, they relied on me to tell them what to do next.

Solution this year: I am providing each step with details to allow students to become more independent. I used the Word doc from another teacher's PSA project and made it my own.  I've attached my step by step instructions here.

Problem last year: I asked students to keep paper copies and index cards with research.  Papers were lost, messy, or incomplete.

Solution this year: We're going digital!  All documents will be available on Google Docs, final products will be submitted online.  

Of course, we encounter glitches in every plan, but I feel more prepared this year to tackle a research project that is relevant, meaningful, and based on 21st century learning.

Ready, Set, Research!  I'll let you know how it turns out!

Refreshing New Ideas From Latest Designers

The trend of quality and finesse with unisex collection is enabling more men to embrace styles that are soft, easy and very assuring. The best part about the clothes designed by Rick owens is that it creates a niche era which is explored with new creations especially the fabric that experiments with the weave and cut. The clothes are exposed as an experiment, which displays the unconventional technique of having a unisex pattern to be utilized as a style statement for a modern outlook. 


Maintaining the grunge look in the patterns,   Rick owens looks at fashion as a whole. It is mesmerizing, youthful and intrigues a person to relate to a vision that is about art and design in fashion. The truth about knits and fashion is that there is no traditional factor to it. With so much of styles in jackets, T shirts, printed motifs and vests, the drama in all the characteristic styles is easy to follow with patterns that are unique and very interesting. Rick owens is certainly a brand name, which aims at excellence. 

When you take a look at the collections at Nicolas & Mark, you will find a newness that is refreshing and a tale that is not told before. Assuring and very pliable, the fabric used here are a style that is distinct. Marveling at the creations, you will be awed to know more about the inspiration, creation and fashion status. The clothes for men who believe in sculpting their bodies with rigorous workouts are form fit, easy on the body and very masculine. Yet the charm is subtle and not overbearing or imposing. The styles are original; path breaking and perfect for people who like to add perfection even in their choice in casual and lounge wear. 

The works of Angelos Frentzos are exclusive in style. Aiming at perfection in stitch and cut, the designer’s boutique is about excellence, which is easy to understand. New styles in fabric are explored and there is a variation with deft frills, subtle pleats and exclusive drapes. Be it shorts, a T-shirt or the casual top, there is a distinct new look in every creation. The works show a  sense of maturity rather than an experiment. It is targeted for ladies who know their style and understand how to get their focus with maturity in their clothing. Whether it is a balloon dress or a straight knee length day dress, there is a sheer softness at the hems and back which creates a sign of luxury and appeal.

Shopping for Accessories made in Italy



With all the new fall fashion hitting the stores and boutiques across the country, shoppers are fanatically searching for new a accessory collection to go with their expensive and exquisite wardrobe. To complete their attire, women require an assortment of accessories like beads, diamonds, designer jewelries, watches, sunglasses, shoes, hats, handbags and much more. With so much to shop for, the only thing that can stop you is your budget. Finding quality accessories at fair prices is not as simple as it sounds. That is why people are keen on getting accessories from specialized makers and brands well known for offering wide range of fashion products. Inexpensive and unique designer products are imported from different locations to add variety to the domestic markets. Most of the exquisite fall collection consists of different accessories made in Italy. Popular as the hometown of style, Italy produces fashion accessories for both men and women in stupendous varieties.
Italians are artists when it comes to clothes and apparels. Their clothing accessories are made of fine quality raw materials and have a sturdy finish. Leather jackets, bags and shoes are specialties of their winter collection. Every year new styles are added to the existing patterns which makes their stuffs seem fresh for the season. Leather accessories made in Italy has a huge market in Europe and several Asian countries.
Italy is home to some of the best fashion houses ever and they feature great collection of garments and women’s fashion accessories.  The place is also well known for making exquisite men fashion accessories. Designer bags and shoes are some of the most sought after accessory produced in Italy. Over half a century, celebrities and models have a history of closely following the Italian style in just about everything they carry around. Handbags from Gucci, Fendi, and Bottega Veneta are good examples of Italian accessories popularized by celebrated movie stars and fashion legends since the classic era.  When it comes to dress accessories like scarves and scaldacollos Prada, Fendi and Cavalli are some of the popular Italian brands to look for.  These clothes and accessories are fashionable enough to make simplest of the dresses look classy on you.
In almost every state in US and UK, there are stores that exquisitely deal in women’s accessories made in Italy.  Now, while shopping for imported brands, make sure that you buy only genuine quality articles. Many people end up with forged brands with their last moment shopping. There are many dealers and store owners who try to make most of the seasonal sales by selling compromised quality products at cheap rates to customers. Buyers are convinced to buy forged stuffs under the impression of seasonal discounts and other offers.

Shopping for original designer outfits by Italian designers



In today’s fashion world, designer products are high in demand. Designer wears and apparels are setting new trends everywhere in the fashion industry.  These items stand for uniqueness in design and make which makes them different from the normal products. Originally the term ‘designer’ was coined in the context of fabrics and special clothing collection. Designer clothes were nothing but clothes designed by popular fashion designers who marketed them under their own brand names.  For new age men, clothing designers were constantly trying to upgrade their fashion statement. Eventually the concept was followed by themes like designer jewelry, designer watches and so on. However, the theme has become so popular that many people in the industry are taking advantage of it. Forged brands and manufacturers are selling fancy products under the tag designer and people are easily deceived.  

While shopping for designer clothes, outfits or accessories, one should know how to indentify real materials from fake ones.  Italian designer wears are quite popular in different parts of the world, especially Italian designer pants and denims.  The demand has also led people to produce and market fake Italian products at cheap rates.  There are many outlets that offer fake products under the label of imported goods. Forgery is more common in case of menswear.  

There are several online stores and local vendors who offer menswear like Italian pants and casuals at low rates. Note that not all of these stores offer genuine Italian made products and one should look for proper brand seals while buying such products.  There are many authorized dealers as well as Italian designers who offer Italian men’s designer clothing and Italian pants for sale through independent portals. It is safer to buy from such exclusive online stores rather than buying from a general seller.

Every year top brands in the market release their special autumn, fall, summer and winter collections for all the fashion lovers.  For most of the season, Italian fashion wears are one of the most sought after designer clothing collection in cities like New York and London.  It is a known fact that Italy is popular for clothing styles but there several factors behind this. Most of the top fashion designers in the world are located in Italy. Italy is one place that offers immense opportunity to fashion designers with some real potential. There are several men clothing designers in here who has redefined men’s fashion in every imaginable way. Many designers from New York, Los Angeles, Canada, London, France, and Tokyo have relocated to Italy to pursue their fashion career in a highly charged fashion environment.  In Italy they often get better training and exposure in their jobs. This is the main reason that has encouraged so many fashion artists and designers to migrate to Italy. The country hosts some of the best fashion shows in the world wherein top designers are recognized and honored on an international level.

There are hundreds of reputable garment manufacturers in the country and most of them are well known for making men’s designer outfits.  Men clothing designers in here have successfully merged the classic designs with modern styles to create outstanding fashion products.

Made In Italy Jackets Justify The Price Tag



For a casual mood, you can just zip on the made in Italy jackets that translate your style of comfortable quotient with a magic charm that is subtle, impressive and great. For all dudes and people who believe in very casual styles, there is more to it than fashion for men. The details are well designed and it feels great to use the hidden zippers, long sleeves that comfortably hang around the wrist and utterly soft cardigan material that keeps you warm during the day and evening. The colors in blacks, beige and browns are great to blend with a bright colored innerwear, which is so fashionable.

When you are shopping for something that cool, you will need to check for options that also protect you during the mild winters or cold afternoons. The best option is tweed that allows you the choice in so many colors that are bright without being very loud. The cool jacket in one button style is one of the popular collections in Italian jackets for men. The pockets are comfortably layered and the inlays are well stitched. The fabric is a good blend that is soft on the skin and it is desirable to try out a few options before you decide on the final one.

Go online if you are in a mood to splurge on Made in Italy jackets. They are trendy and conform to a style that is inimitable. Great looking colors in jackets in the formal wear are seen in black, ivory and brown. Thread pockets have a formal charm of their own and the latest range in eco friendly ones is truly great. The cotton patchwork in jackets is also getting popular especially for a casual outing, which has the perfect warmth of an evening out. The online option works well as you can choose a size that is just perfect for you.

Selecting the Made in Italy leather jackets, you will feel great and comfortable and there are more variety added to the cart. The range in destructured jacket are getting trendy as the style is refreshing and adds a unique approach. The pockets are not symmetrically placed and you choose from thread pockets or the brass zippers, which have a glamorous charm. Large collars made of the best quality cloth and well-stitched seams add to your personality. The cotton lining inside the Men clothing jackets as well as pockets is impressive.
Made in Italy jackets are also added with the glitz and glamour with the combination of polyester-cotton and silk. Dapper and modern, the best styles are available for all.