Doing a Short Research Project
Aligned to W.5.7 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
Research means investigating a question using several sources. Focus on one topic, look at it from a few angles, and build real knowledge.
Worked examples
Example 1
To answer 'Why do leaves change color?' you read a nature book, watch a short video, and check a website, then explain it in your own words.
Example 2
To answer 'How did the postal system change the West?' you read a history site, a museum page, and a map of routes.
Example 3
Start with a question you cannot answer yet. Research that only confirms what you already believed is not research.
Practice questions
- Write a research question you would like to answer.
- List two sources you could use to investigate it.
- Name two angles of the topic worth exploring.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Hacer un Pequeño Proyecto de Investigación
Investigar significa explorar una pregunta usando varias fuentes. Concéntrate en un tema, míralo desde algunos ángulos y construye conocimiento real.
Ejemplo 1: Para responder '¿Por qué cambian de color las hojas?' lees un libro de naturaleza, ves un video corto y revisas un sitio web, y luego lo explicas con tus palabras.
Ejemplo 2: Para responder '¿Cómo cambió el correo al Oeste?' lees un sitio de historia, la página de un museo y un mapa de rutas.
Ejemplo 3: Empieza con una pregunta que todavía no puedes responder. Una investigación que solo confirma lo que ya creías no es investigación.
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