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Topic: Research Organization
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Students may complete this activity ON-LINE by clicking here.
Entire Activity Download (11 pages)
Individual Downloads
Foraging Fodder Teacher Background Information
Foraging Fodder Teacher Administrative Information
Foraging Fodder Student Background Information
Foraging Fodder Student Data Sheet 1 - Define Your Task
Foraging Fodder Student Data Sheet 2 - Strategies for Gathering Information
Foraging Fodder Student Data Sheet 3 - Locate Sources & Find Information
Foraging Fodder Student Data Sheet 4 - Use of Information
Foraging Fodder Student Data Sheet 5 - Synthesis
Keywords
research, organize, graphic organizer, big 6, strategy, source, synthesis, evaluation
Key Concepts
Research, Library skills, Organization of material, Evaluating sources, Citing sources, Synthesizing a product from multiple sources, Evaluating quality of work
Process Skills Utilized
Under development
Intended Grade Level - 6-8
Activity Description
Middle school students are often required to conduct research, but often do not know how to organize and use the information they find. In this activity, students will use a graphic organizer based upon a process developed by The Big 6 Information Skills program . This technique gives teachers and students a stepwise method for organizing the research process.
Objectives
Using a graphic organizer, students will be able to:
Define a research task
Devise strategies for finding and evaluating sources of information
Locate information within sources
Plan how to organize information and cite sources correctly
Organize information from multiple sources into a product
Evaluate the quality and completeness of their work
Activity Materials
Foraging Fodder Student Data Page for each student
Research materials appropriate for the assignment
Notecards if needed
Other materials specific to the research task and product synthesis
Activity Management Suggestions
Teachers are advised to break the research process into small steps for students as they become familiar with conducting research. With this being the information age, think of all the sources students must manage when they start out to do even the most simple research assignment. The skills in this organizer should be taught in steps, perhaps an academic team of teachers can each take one part of this organizer and teach the skill in detail.
Your campus librarian is a great resource to help build research skills in students. Before taking your class to the library, meet with the librarian so he or she will know which research skills will be targeted in the activity. Consistence across a team or campus is key to teaching students to become skillful researchers.
Activity References Used
Eisenberg, M.B. & Berkowitz, R. E. (2001). The Big 6: Information literacy for the information age. Retrieved on October 8, 2005 from http://www.big6.com/showarticle.php?id=120
Contributing authors:
Margaret Durack, Librarian, William P. Hobby Middle School
Amy Park, Language Arts Teacher, William P. Hobby Middle School
Funding
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M.O.R.E. Curriculum Program Funding 2003-2008:
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Minority K-12 Initiative for Teachers and Students
Grant # R25 HL75777
