How do students learn to be effective researchers?

Students will create a reference checklist to use throughout the year to help with research when responding to compelling questions.

Students will read an informational text explaining how to research and why it is important to analyze the information found through research. They will also read how to present the information once it has been analyzed.

Using this information, students will create a checklist using a template and important points from the reading. They can complete this by cutting and pasting, handwriting, or completing a Google Slide activity.

Teachers can also opt to use the provided follow up questions to increase rigor. These questions can be used for early finishers, as a written assignment, or a starters for class discussions.

This activity aligns with 5th Grade Studies Weekly Week 3.

What's included:

• Teacher instructions.
• Student instructions.
• Informational text.
• Checklist template.
• Important points worksheet.
• Follow up questions.
• Answer Key.
• Link to Google Slide Activity.

How is this product useful:

• Low prep for teachers.
• Hands on activity keeps students engaged.
• Good reference for the rest of the year's research.
• Great information to help students research.

Students recognize the difference between primary and secondary sources:

This activity will help students practice determining primary and secondary sources. This skill is important across a variety of subjects.

When given a source, students will determine if it is a primary or secondary source. Based on their determination, they will be directed to draw a detail to complete a picture. This allows students to add their own creativity to their work. It also makes it easy for the teacher to determine understanding of the concept presented.

Provided follow up questions increases rigor. These questions can be used for early finishers, as a written assignment, or to lead class discussion.

This activity can be used individually, with a partner, as part of a center, or with a group.

Aligns with 5th grade Studies Weekly Week 2.

What's included:

• Teacher instructions.
• Student instructions.
• Sources sheet.
• Drawing sheet.
• Answer Keys.

How is this product useful:

• Low prep for teacher.
• Easy to check.
• Practice important skill.
• Students can add creativity.
• Helps with future research.

Determine between fact and opinion:

Being able to determine between fact and opinion is an important skill especially when it comes to researching a topic. Students will practice this skill and color an image based on which statements are facts and which are opinions.

This activity can be used for individual students, partners, groups, or as centers. The digital version is easy to assign and self checking.

Rigor is added through the follow up questions. These help students reflect on the importance of recognizing if statements are facts or opinions. These can be assigned to early finishers, as a written assignment, or used as class discussion starters.

Answer Keys are provided.

Aligns with 5th Studies Weekly Week 2.

What's included:

• Teacher instructions.
• Student instructions.
• Statement worksheet.
• Color sheet.
• Follow up question sheet.
• Digital product link.
• Answer Keys.

How is this product helpful:

• Low prep for teachers.
• Easy correction (digital version is self-checking).
• Engaging activity.
• Can be used in groups or centers.
• Follow up questions add rigor.

Students will look at Social Studies through a different lens:

Students will research the different occupational uses for social studies specifically in from the lenses (the fields) of:

• historian
• geographer
• political scientist
• social scientist
• economist
• anthropologist
• archaeologist
• health scientist

Students will use their research to write a supporting question from the point of view of their assigned lens. This is great practice to find the usefulness of social studies along a variety of fields. Students will be given a compelling question dealing with indigenous peoples in the United States from which to craft their supporting question.

Students will also be able to put their own stamp on their infographic by adding creative touches. This is true for both the print and digital version of this activity.

Follow up questions are great for early finishers, written assignment, or class discussion.

This product aligns with 5th Grade Studies Weekly Week 1.

What's included:

• Teacher instructions.
• Student instructions.
• Infographic template.
• Lens options.
• Link to Google Slides.
• Link for research site.
• Follow up questions.

How is this product useful:

• Low prep for teacher.
• Requires higher level of thinking to write question.
• Some student creativity.
• Print or digit options.
• Can be used as a display.

Young people can make a difference:

There are many young people who have completed inquiries and were moved to action. These young people showed that you are never to young to make a difference.

Students will be assigned a young person who has made a difference (provided). They will research their young person and create an infographic to display for the class. Students can add their creativity when completing their infographic. When this is completed, they can then answer the follow up questions to add rigor.

The follow questions can be used for early finishers, as a written assignment, or to facilitate class discussions.

This activity is also provided as a digital activity, Google Slides. This is easy to assign through Google Drive or Google Classroom.

Teachers can share provided links for reliable research sites.

Aligns with 5th Grade Studies Weekly Week 4.

What's included:

• Teacher directions.
• Student directions.
• Options of young people to assign.
• Infographic template.
• Follow up questions.
• Links for research sites.
• Links to Google Slide Activity.

How is this product useful:

• Easy prep for the teacher.
• Tap into student creativity.
• Good research practice.
• Print or digital option.
• Can be used as an interesting display.