An engaging lesson from WriteSteps that introduces third-grade students to an important genre of Informational Writing as outlined in the Common Core State Standards. Students review what research writing is, practice narrowing down broad topics into subtopics, and compare traditional sources to technology sources. The lesson plan for this presentation is found on our website in Third grade, Unit 6 on Research Writing. This lesson plan features a version of the presentation that includes teacher notes for guiding the activities outlined in the slide. For inspiration and more information about K-5 writing and teaching, like us on Facebook, https://facebook.com/corestandardwritesteps. We also have free Common Core resources on Pinterest, at http://pinterest.com/writesteps. WriteSteps is a comprehensive writing system includes a year's worth of Common Core lesson plans that integrate best practices like writers workshop, the 6 Traits, graphic organizers, and the Madeline Hunter lesson steps in a format that shortens the learning curve to becoming a master writing teacher. WriteSteps includes lessons for narrative, informational, and opinion writing, and offers web-based lessons, visual aids, rubrics, and other resources. To use our Common Core lessons free for 30 days at no obligation, go to http://writestepswriting.com/freetrial.aspx. WriteSteps Founder & CEO Suzanne Klein is a former K-5 teacher and writing consultant with extensive training in writing pedagogy best practices, especially writer's workshop and 6 Traits. She has taught all elementary grades including a Title I literacy program, and gave professional development workshops on Balanced Writing for the Bureau of Education Research. Klein holds a Master of Arts degree in teaching, is a National Writing Project fellow, and draws inspiration from teachers such as Ralph Fletcher, Barry Lane, Lucy Calkins, Katie Wood Ray, and John Collins.

1. Rockin’
Research
Unit 6

2. Rockin’ Research
Learning Objectives:
 What is research?
 Why research?
 How do I choose a topic?
 How do I decide what to research on my
topic?
 How do I find information for my topic?

3. What is research writing?
Text Type: Informative
Look at the word RESEARCH. Turn to the person
next to you and tell them what you think it
means.
Research is:
Gathering materials from different sources and
organizing the information in a way to educate
readers.
In other words, YOU as a researcher will become
an “expert” on a topic by using the internet, books,
magazines, and even interviewing people to
collect information. Then you will share your
findings with others to teach them!

4. Why do
research?
doctors lawyers
Take a think break and
consider what types of
jobs or careers that might
require the use of
research.
scientists teachers Give a thumbs up when
you have one.
investigators
historians Plus many
archeologists more!

5. How do I choose a topic?
Think about things that Things to consider before
you like and are selecting a topic:
interested in. o Will I be able to find
For example: information easily on
 Weather this topic?
 Famous people or o Will I be able to read
athletes what I find?
 Historical events o Will it be too hard to
 Vacation spots
understand?
o Will I learn something
new?

6. Brainstorming Time!
Make a list of 5 topics
that you might be
interested in researching.
My Topic List:
1. Volcanoes
2. George Lucas Put a star
3. Dalmatians next to
4. Australia your TOP 2
5. Native American Tribes choices.

7. Topics & Subtopics
Examples of Topics & Subtopics
 Remember a topic is a Topics Subtopics
big idea for your
research. Usually TOO *Presidents *Abe Lincoln
See why I can‟t do my research on
big in fact. presidents? There‟s just too many! So, I need
 This means we need to to narrow it down to a more specific
narrow down our topic president.
idea into a subtopic. *Animals *Bears
 A subtopic will be I‟ve narrowed down animals to bears, but
easier to research and how many of you think I can write a
research paper on bears?
easier to write. We‟re
Turn to the person next to you and tell
not writing a book; them if you think „bears‟ is a narrow
we‟re writing a enough topic.
research paper!
*Bears *___________

8. Let’s try narrowing topics into
subtopics some more!
Topics Subtopics
 Native American Tribes  ___________________
 Famous Authors  ___________________
 _____________________  The Titanic
 Violent Weather  ___________________
 _____________________  Michael Jordan
 Holidays  ___________________

9. 1. Look at the two starred topics you chose
from your list.
2. Decide if they seem like really BIG topics
or if they seem like narrow subtopics.
3. If it seems like a big topic, then narrow it
down into a subtopic like we just practiced.
4. If it seems like a narrow subtopic
already, then write a topic [big idea] next
to it.
Let‟s have a few people share!

10. How do I decide what I want to research
about my subtopic?
Once you‟ve determined a topic and subtopic, you will be
ready to start thinking about what you know, what you want
to know, and later, what you‟ve learned.
K W L
What I Know What I Want to Learn What I‟ve Learned

11. Where do I find my information?
Topic information can come from many different sources.
Where do you think you can find information?
Traditional Sources Internet & Media
 Informational  Internet– using
books search engines like
 Magazines Google or Bing.
 Newspaper Articles  Media – television,
 Interviews
CD‟s, DVD‟s

12. Compare & Contrast
Traditional Internet &
Both
Sources Media Sources

13. Keys
We‟ve learned a lot about
research today!
The strip of paper you have at
your seat is a key. It will unlock
the door to your knowledge of
research.
• Write down 1 thing you
learned about research on
one side of the strip.
• Write down a 2nd thing you
learned about research on
the other side of the strip.
Don‟t forget to include
your name!