In Unit 2, students continue to read the anchor text, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, beginning at chapter 11. As William formulates a plan for a windmill to generate electricity and ease some of the burdens caused by the famine, students examine how he applies design thinking to solve his problem. Using a graphic organizer to collect evidence of William’s problems and solutions, students build understanding of the cyclical nature of design thinking and the way the authors develop this key idea with specific details. For the mid-unit assessment, students read a new informational article about another solution designed to solve a critical problem. Students answer selected response questions about figurative and connotative meanings of words in the text and about the way that key ideas are developed. Students also write an objective summary of the text, identifying its central idea and the details that convey it.

In the second half of the unit, students finish reading the anchor text and launch their research project. Inspired by a curated list of TED Talks, students choose a different invention designed to solve a critical problem. The research process is broken down into a series of mini lessons that teach students how to gather evidence from multiple sources, evaluate a source for credibility, and paraphrase or quote from the source with accuracy. For the end of unit assessment, students demonstrate their understanding of the research process by gathering more information from the text studied during the Mid-Unit 2 Assessment. Their tasks include refocusing their search for more relevant results, determining the credibility of possible sources, paraphrasing responsibly, and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.

Select a task that is related to one or more of the units studied in the course. Conduct research to extend our understanding of the texts and/or topics of one or more units. Express your understanding by creating a product and delivering a presentation which summarizes your research and explains our product.

Students learn about the specific goals of the Application Guidebook where they will select a task and begin conducting research for their task.

Read the unit overview and the central question of the guidebook unit conducting your own research.

In this lesson, the children learn about how critters depend on the butterfly bush and how the butterfly bush, in turn, depends on it. Common Core writing skills are integrated as they take it to the next step, and create their own page after completing research with partners. Links to materials are provided, along with printable worksheets to guide research.

In this scaffolded lesson, students will independently gather information about elephants and then compile this information with their peers. This lesson is part of a unit that will culminate with an expository writing assignment.

Students will practice locating and investigating resources to answer questions on a topic using the FINDS research process. FINDS is an acronym describing its five-step research process: Focus, Investigate, Note, Develop, and Score. A video demonstration is included along with printable materials.

Students will brainstorm adjectives to describe the American Flag and will write two descriptive sentences for homework. Students will also create star art to accompany their writing to show the relationship between words and pictures and that books include both to help us make meaning.

Research paper writing is a lofty goal for kindergarten students, but this lesson will expose them to the process without being overwhelming. Students will divide into teams to learn about ocean creatures and then write a research paper and orally present it to the class. Included are pictures and videos of the lesson in action.

In this lesson, students will choose their favorite from an assortment of Dr. Seuss books and state a reason why for their choice. Examples of student work are included. Students will also have fun dressing up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character for a culminating activity.

Links to 75 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard W.3.8: Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources, take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.

Contains plans for five lessons that develop research skills in primary students by having them create their own question and answer books. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to sites used in the lessons as well as assessment and reflection activities.

In this video produced for Teachers' Domain, Chi-An Wang, a mechanical engineering graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, describes her process when working with New Balance to design a new triathlon shoe.

A video lesson discussing how to evaluate a research question to see if it is relevant. [11:59] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.8

This tip sheet offers questions and examples of how to develop key words to use in your research.

This online book outlines a process for teaching research and writing in ways beyond the traditional, one-time, massive "research paper" Lots of food for thought. The chapters take you through the writing process and more. Click on the HTML or PDF for the topic you want to learn more about.

Welcome to Research 4 Success (R4S)! The course is designed to supplement the instruction of research and information literacy skills for students in grades 9-12. Purpose and Design of the CourseR4S consists of six learning units. The six units can be used together or they can be used individually. Each unit contains three lessons. Each lesson has resources and activities to supplement the instruction of research, inquiry, and information literacy skills.Students learn key skills using a combination of videos, digital texts, and eBooks.Students practice key skills using a combination of templates, tasks, and interactives. Students apply the skills they have learned and practice as they develop a research project under the guidance of an educator. 

To become an effective, creative researcher, and problem solver the first step is to begin with good, solid questions that will focus your topic and guide your research. Each lesson includes activities and resources selected to help students learn, practice, and apply research skills. In this unit, students will learn how to develop a research topic, practice developing research questions, and apply strategies to develop research topics and questions. 

Finding the best sources to answer a question saves time. If you are creating a term paper, video, or presentation, make sure you have the best sources possible! To be an effective, creative researcher you must first begin with quality information from multiple sources. Each lesson includes activities and resources selected to help students learn, practice, and apply research skills.Students will learn how to locate valid information, practice locating information using keyword search strategies, and apply effective search strategies to locate information.