Foraging Fodder: Organizing Research Topic: Research Organization

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

Foraging Fodder Student Data Sheet 6 - Evaluation

Keywords

research, organize, graphic organizer, big 6, strategy, source, synthesis, evaluation

Search Curricular Keywords

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

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

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