LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Goal 3

The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.

Objective 3.06

Conduct research for assigned and self-selected projects (with assistance) from a variety of sources (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).

Resources aligned to this objective

Motor car and galimoto: An intercultural lesson in pragmatism, creativity, and perseverance
In this lesson for grade three, students read the book Galimoto, about a young boy in Malawi, Africa, and his quest to gather wire in order to make a toy car. Students discuss the literary elements of the book, study the language used, and complete their own quests to gather wire and create their own galimotos.
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)
By Edie McDowell.
Snowflake Bentley: The book and more!
By using the picture book, Snowflake Bentley, students are introduced to the Caldecott Award and exposed to an interesting biography.
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 English Language Arts and Information Skills)
By Cherl Hollada, Libby Morrison, and Susan Pope.

Resources on the web

Where I come from
Students take research into their heritage a step beyond the construction of a family tree, traveling through cyberspace to find out what's happening in their ancestral homelands today and explore their sense of connection to these places in their past. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
Provided by: EDSITEment
Webcams in the classroom: Animal inquiry and observation
In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students observe animal habits and habitats using one of the many webcams broadcasting from zoos and aquariums around the United States and the world. Based on the observation of webcams, this lesson plan engages students... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Science)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Teaching language skills using the phone book
This lesson from ReadWriteThink uses a phone book to address literacy skills. Through multiple activities built around the everyday text, students will not only learn how the book is arranged, but what the contents are and also how it is used. In the process,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
A suitable job for a woman
In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students identify the model for the character, Amelia Martin, by discovering information about four women: Abbie Burgess, Louisa May Alcott, Ida Lewis, and Clara Barton. Students will: act as reporters and interview... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–6 English Language Arts and Theater Arts Education)
Provided by: ArtsEdge
Storytelling in the social studies classroom
This lesson invites students to tell their own stories and explore the stories of other Americans. Practiced skills include reading, researching, visually representing, writing, and presenting. After engaging students in discussion about great storytellers,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Theater Arts Education)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Searching for gold: A collaborative inquiry project
After the teacher demonstrates to students how to navigate online resources and gives a brief lesson on research skills, students study the Gold Rush using a collaborative inquiry strategy. In several self–selected small groups, students research... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Research building blocks: Notes, quotes, and fact fragments
In this ReadWriteThink lesson, students acquire and use research skills. They learn the importance of finding the words in sentences and paragraphs that contain the facts they need for compiling their research. They then move to putting those notes into... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Peace poems and Picasso doves: Literature, art, technology, and poetry
Students learn think-aloud strategies in this lesson that challenges them to think about peace in their communities. After the teacher reads Somewhere Today: A Book of Peace, Peace Begins with You,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Visual Arts Education and English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Multipurpose poetry: Introducing science concepts and increasing fluency
Students discover information about insects as they work in cooperative groups to prepare choral poetry readings and present factual information on an assigned insect. The teacher begins the lesson by engaging students in a discussion about what they know... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
More Amazing Americans: A WebQuest
In this EDSITEment lesson plan, students use the “Meet Amazing Americans” website created by the Library of Congress to explore the lives of some celebrated Americans. Working in small groups, they complete a WebQuest, identifying facts and... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)
Provided by: EDSITEment
Looking at landmarks: Using a picture book to guide research
In this lesson, students research famous landmarks from around the world presented in Ben’s Dreams, a picture book by Chris Van Allsburg. Students develop research skills by using reference materials such as nonfiction books,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Literature as a jumping off point for nonfiction inquiry
Students explore the topic of water in this lesson that is conducted after reading Tuck Everlasting. After reading the book, students discuss examples of the themes that are present in the book. Then, the teacher challenges... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Learning about research and writing using the American Revolution
This lesson combines historical research and acrostic poetry. After listing all they know about the American Revolution, students work in groups to answer the questions they have about this historical period. Then, after reading If... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Exploring world cultures through folk tales
In this lesson, students read folk tales from Japan, Wales, and Africa and illustrate the stories for purposes of retelling. Students also research the countries and share a brief synopsis with the class. This lesson provides helpful resources for the assignment... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Did you say spiders?
This lesson supports students' natural curiosity about spiders and builds upon their prior knowledge. Students work cooperatively using response journals and online resources to inquire into the world of spiders, gather information about various types of... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Cyberspace explorer: Getting to know Christopher Columbus
In this lesson, students participate in a cyber scavenger hunt to find information about explorer Christopher Columbus. After the teacher engages students in a discussion about their knowledge of the explorer, the class suggests other questions they would... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Biographies: Creating timelines of a life
Studying biographies is of interest and value to young learners. This lesson from ReadWriteThink supports students' exploration of sources to create a timeline about the life of a person. The experience requires students work together and research and resolve... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Behind the scenes with Cinderella
This lesson from ReadWriteThink begins by having students compare a version of the Cinderella folk tale from France with a version from the United States to help students make connections between the characters, setting, and plot. The lesson then focuses... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink