Research Projects, Revisited

Research Projects, Revisited

November 11, 2010Jessica Fries-Gaither

Beyond Penguins is funded by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0733024.

A – Classroom TeacherB – LibrarianC – AdministratorD – Higher EducationE - Other

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Research Projects, Revisited

Download these slides at:http://slidesha.re/researchprojects

http://slidesha.re/researchprojects

Today’s presenterJessica Fries-GaitherEducation Resource Specialist

The Ohio State UniversityCollege of Education and Human EcologySchool of Teaching and Learning

[email protected]

About Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears

•Online magazine•Professional and instructional resources•Science and literacy integration•Aligned to national standards•Multimedia

http://beyondpenguins.nsdl.org

Today’s Agenda

• The role of research in the ELA Standards• Challenges and solutions for research projects

with elementary students

Research and the ELA Standards

“Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and nonprint texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.”

-Standards for the English Language Arts

What’s most challenging about research projects?

A. Students are disorganized!B. PlagiarismC. Students aren’t motivated to

do their best work.D. Assessing student work is

difficult.E.Other


Students view research as a rigid, prescriptive process. Challenge

School Assignment

Library/Web

Report

•Contrived, artificial purpose

•Set procedure to be followed

•Reference books are only source of information

•Rigid and restrictive rules

•End result is a letter grade

Redefine/restructure research projects.Solution

•Authentic questions•Multiple sources of data

•Hands-on investigations•Observations•Interviews•Text

•Creative problem solving•Authentic, meaningful product•Grade is only part of the end result

“Students need to learn creative and multifaceted approaches to research and inquiry. The ability to identify good topics, to gather

information, and to evaluate, assemble, and interpret findings from among the many general

and specialized information sources now available to them is one of the most vital skills that

students can acquire.”- Standards for the English

Language Arts

Challenge Students have trouble organizing information.

World’s Messiest Office Cubicle Discovered in Colorado

Jeffrey Beall, Flickr

Solution

Provide an organizational tool that helps students sort information.

Manila folder with eight library card pockets attached to inside of the folder.

Labels reflect type of information to be stored in each pocket.

Notes are taken on index cards and stored in pockets.

Learn more at http://bit.ly/9SGf7o

Students tend to copy from books and web sites when taking notes.Challenge

Computer classWoodley Wonderworks, Flickr

Teach students to take “JOT notes.”

Solution

Learn more at http://bit.ly/9SGf7o

Sample index card about a yak.

JOT = just or one two

No more than three words per line!

Provide materials at appropriate reading levels for all students. Solution

•Reading levels above and below your grade•Variety of nonfiction genres and formats•Teach students to use “5 finger rule” to self-select books•Teach students to use glossaries and dictionaries•Teach students to skim

Students don’t want to use multiple sources or fact check information.

Challenge

Day 60 of 366The evil monkey, Flickr

Conduct idea circles as part of the research process.Solution

•Small group researches a topic or question•Within a small group, each student selects a book according to interest/reading level•No books repeated within a group•Students read and share information•Group completes one graphic organizer compiling their information

Graphic organizer available at: http://bit.ly/clDosr

What we learned Where we found it

Students struggle to form sentences and paragraphs from their research.Challenge

Homework RitualWoodley Wonderworks,

Flickr

Model and practice sentence building. Include time for students to practice orally before committing thoughts to paper.

Solution

Learn more at http://bit.ly/crpd39

Students aren’t motivated to do their best work. Research reports are tedious!Challenge

FinishedChris Blakeley, Flickr

Consider alternate formats. Solution

•Alphabet (ABC) books•Letters•Question and Answer books•VoiceThreads•Blog posts•Wiki pages

Second grade writing classWoodley Wonderworks,

Flickr

Student writing is “flat.” Challenge

Taking a TestPeruisay, Flickr

Use children’s literature as “mentor texts” to help students learn how to write engaging expository text.

Solution

Nonfiction Writing From the Inside OutBy Laura Robb

Assessment

What will you assess?•Completion•Writing style•Mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation)•Number of sources•Supporting materials (notes, outline, etc)

How will you assess?•Rubric

Will students self-assess during writing process?

Coming Soon!

Thursday, December 9, 2010: Citizen Science and Inquiry

If you have a schoolyard habitat or garden and would like fresh ideas about how to use it, or are simply interested in getting your students outside to experience their environment in meaningful and educational ways, this session is for you!

Presenter: Jennifer Fee

http://wiki.nsdl.org/index.php/BeyondPenguins/Seminars

Thank you!

Jessica Fries-Gaither: [email protected]

Today’s slides available at: http://slidesha.re/researchprojects

Archived recording at: http://wiki.nsdl.org/index.php/BeyondPenguins/Seminars