Exploring Plagiarism, Copyright, and Paraphrasing

This lesson helps students understand copyright, fair use, and plagiarism by focusing on why students should avoid plagiarism and exploring strategies that respect copyright and fair use. The lesson includes three parts, each framed by a KWL chart. In the first part, focusing on plagiarism, students discuss plagiarism and look at examples to determine whether the passages are plagiarized. Part two introduces copyright and fair use. Students use a Think-Pair-Share strategy to explore questions about fair use, then read several scenarios and determine if the uses described are fair use. In the third part, students develop paraphrasing skills through direct practice with paraphrasing text book passages using an online notetaking tool. This lesson adresses plagiarism & leads students through how to paraphrase properly in order to avoid plagiarism. The Lesson includes PowerPoints, practice activities, and an online note-taker.

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Students will:

  • define plagiarism, fair use, and paraphrasing. 
  • recognize and provide examples of plagiarism, fair use, and paraphrasing. 
  • use appropriate paraphrasing strategies to replace advanced-level words with age/grade/level appropriate vocabulary.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding

Helpful Hints

Materials and Technology:

  • Student textbook from a content area such as social studies or science 
  • Internet connection and projection capabilities 
  • Identifying Plagiarism PowerPoint Presentation
  • Paraphrasing Practice PowerPoint Presentation

References

Contributors: