LEARN NC

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

From the education reference

teacher research
Intentional and systematic inquiry by a teacher or teachers in order to improve classroom practice. Teacher researchers begin with a question about classroom life, design and implement a research plan, collect and analyze data, and adjust practice to better meet the needs of students.
research cycle
Research method that emphasizes information problem-solving and positions students as information producers (versus information consumers). Students repeatedly revisit stages in the research cycle as they refine data gathering processes.
alternative teacher certification
Certification of teachers by means other than traditional four-year college and university education degree programs. Candidates for alternative certification hold a degree in the subject matter they will teach and meet abbreviated pedagogical coursework requirements, often during the first two years of teaching.
Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium
A consortium of state and national education agencies and organizations focused on the preparation, licensure, and professional development of teachers. INTASC is guided by the belief that student learning standards should drive the preparation and development of teachers.

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Role plays from research on Native Americans
In Teaching about North Carolina American Indians, page 10.3
Introduction Dramatic role plays make history come alive. Research has a purpose! Students select a North Carolina American Indian to research. (I find students feel more connected if they do the selecting. Drawing names from a deck of 3x5 cards adds...
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 and 11 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
By Linda Tabor.
Around the world in one semester!
This lesson is a semester-long project that focuses on countries that speak the target language. Students will research a chosen country and do an oral presentation for the class. They will then research and present a current event weekly for the remainder of the semester.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Second Languages)
By Crystal Humphrey and Michelle Chrismon.
Opening an Hispanic restaurant
This lesson focuses on vocabulary and currency associated with food, restaurants, and menus. Students conduct research to create an authentic menu with a companion recipe books. The lesson culminates in short presentations and food samples.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Second Languages)
By Susan Canipe.
Analyzing Statistics S.S. Europe and Russia
Students will gather statistical information on countries in Europe and Russia from almanacs. The information will be recorded in a chart. Students will then take the information and make line or bar graphs. Students will analyze the information by answering higher level thinking questions.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Information Skills and Social Studies)
By J. Brown.
Introduction: Rethinking reports
A little creativity can make research a rewarding learning experience for students and teachers alike.
By David Walbert and Melissa Thibault.
Literature biography project
Students will learn to develop the various processes used in researching and writing a biographical research paper, including brainstorming, note taking, outlining, creating a bibliography, and writing the final draft.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Information Skills)
By Sandra Dail.
Beginning teacher success
"Beginning Teacher Success" is designed to support beginning teachers with assignments and reading materials to guide and scaffold learning the best teaching practices.
Format: course/online course
Election time database
After using various methods of researching information, students will create a database and use it to answer questions about the current election. At the conclusion, students will create a poster or PowerPoint presentation of their findings.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Computer/Technology Skills, Information Skills, and Social Studies)
By Lee Yahnker.
Decisions, decisions: A career exploration
In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 1.10
In this lesson for grade seven, students complete personality profiles to explore career options, then conduct internet research to learn about specific careers. Students write evaluative essays about the careers they choose.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Guidance)
By Jen Presley.Adapted by Kenyatta Bennett and Sonya Rexrode.
There's more out there than just Democrats and Republicans!
Students will use the internet to research minority political parties and interest groups. Students will create a PowerPoint presentation (or other type of presentation), write a paper, and create a commercial advertisement for their group using a propaganda technique.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 Social Studies)
By Abby Stotsenberg.
Career research and acrostic poetry
In CareerStart lessons: Grade six, page 1.6
In this lesson for grade 6, each student will research a chosen career and will use the information to create an acrostic poem.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Guidance)
By Holly Grout, Deborah Smith, and Natalie Summers.Adapted by Jennifer Brookshire and Julie McCann.
Comparing & contrasting real & make-believe bears
Student pairs create a Venn Diagram in their Bear Research Journal listing things that are the same and different about real and make-believe bears.
Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts and Mathematics)
By Susan Lovett.
Beginning biography research
Encyclopedia research skills will be taught using biographies of famous people. This is one lesson in a collaborative unit taught by both the classroom teacher and the library media coordinator.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 English Language Arts and Information Skills)
By Joan Milliken.
Animal folktales: Legends, superheroes, and pourquoi tales
In Rethinking Reports, page 2.2
By writing a narrative about an animal rather than a traditional report, students can learn about literature, develop writing skills, and still fulfill science and research objectives.
By Melissa Thibault.
Differences across the curriculum: Part 1
Part of a set of lessons offering an integrated approach to exploring diversity with eighth graders, this lesson serves as a pre-reading activity for the drama version of "The Diary of Anne Frank." Students will learn how diversity creates bias which leads to conflict, where students confront their bias and practice tolerance.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Lynn Carter.
Simplicity: A literature-based Paideia seminar
Students will apply their knowledge of how developments in the history of the United States, as well as the world, can impact the lives of people today. The lesson is based on the picture book entitled The Simple People, written by Tedd Arnold and illustrated by Andrew Shachat. (Summary: The simple people enjoy the simple life until one of the character's inventions is used to make life more complicated. As a result, everyone forgets the simple things in life.) After a Paideia seminar discussing the book, students will select a modern invention, research the history of its development and how it impacts society, and create a multi-media presentation.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 English Language Arts and Social Studies)
By Krista Hannah.
Bringing current science into the classroom
In Bringing current science into the classroom, page 1
How your students can experience current environmental research without leaving the classroom.
Format: article/best practice
By Michele Kloda and Dana Haine.
Reading, writing, and research: Online course syllabus
Reading, Writing and Research: Integrating Literacy across the Curriculum helps participants develop skills for implementing oral and written communication instruction in their professions.
Format: syllabus
Clarification writing: What could I add to the NC Zoo?
Students will apply their knowledge of clarification writing and address "What Animal or Plant Would You Add to the NC Zoo." Students must research their plant or animal to determine if the zoo ecosystem could support the species. In addition, the student must provide reasons and explanations to support their choice. This is a follow-up activity to a unit of study on ecosystems/biomes.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts and Information Skills)
By Connie Johnson.
Tour of the solar system
Students, in groups, will research, design, and create a PowerPoint presentation on the planets. The class will then take a “tour of the solar system.”
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)
By Jennifer Mott.