2nd Grade Research Project – Helendale
Note: talk to your librarian about gathering resources
Note to teachers:
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this is an outline/working document; nothing is cast in stone
more direction/forms will be revised/developed according to needs
don’t need to limit to animals but easier if we are going to look for pdf’s/share
iPads
Common Core aligned but you aren’t under any obligation to follow this plan
(can pick pieces of it if that works better for you or just use iPads/computers
and use your own forms)
Lessons don’t refer to days – you might take a few days to finish 1 lesson
Basic Skills (not inclusive):
1. Determining research questions
2. Understanding role of text features
3. Using print (books, magazines) and digital resources (iPads, computers) to find
information
4. Taking notes
5. Citing sources
6. Writing informational essay
Essential Understandings: (or are these essential knowledge?)
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Authors choose to communicate specific information through various media
Information is organized for accessibility
Research expands knowledge about the world and creates further inquiry
Task Analysis: (basically the mini-lessons)
Background knowledge or level of understanding needed:
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Knowledge of how to use resources and how to search for information in
iPads, computers, books
Knowledge of text features
Development of questions
Opinion/evidence to support opinion
How to use resources to find information
How to take notes from resources
How to cite sources
Computer skills (snip/paste, knowledge of Power Point, using template)
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Going from notes to sentences
How to write opening and closing sections
Glossary, table of contents (whatever is being included in book)
How can I prevent frustrations?
What will I do with students that can apply this knowledge?
Overview of Project/Lesson 1
 Students will be in pairs to research an animal of their choice (W2.7 Participate in
shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to
produce a report) (SL2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners
about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups)
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Use iPads, computers, books to get an idea of different animals to make an
informed choice
Mini lesson on iPad use, computer resources, books
In student pairs, have students peruse materials with the purpose of choosing
an animal
Fill out animal research request sheet (W.2.1 …. supply reasons that support the
opinion, use linking words *e.g. because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons..)
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Opinion/evidence mini lesson (reasons aren’t “because I like giraffes”
but a fact such as they have XXX number of bones)
Teacher assigns student research pairs
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Procedure:
Part I: Activator (30 minutes)
1. Gather kids rug
2. Does anybody have an interesting fact about an animal that they can share
with our group?
 Ex: Did you know polar bears actually have black skin because that
helps their bodies absorb the heat from the sun?
 Teacher records interesting facts about animals on large graphic
organizer that models what the kids will be using in the lesson
3. Teacher tells kids everyone is going to become an expert on an animal so
that we can share lots of cool information with each other
4. Activity: “Speed Research” (modeled after concept of speed dating!)
 place 1 animal book on a desk or floor
 students will rotate amongst the books
 students need to look through the book and find 1 cool fact about the
animal; record on Speed Research organizer
 10 minute activity (2 minutes per book)
o Ring bell to signal time to move to another book
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o Note: think about a different signal that tells the kids “you should
be writing by now if you haven’t yet”
Gather back to rug to share cool facts
Name___________________________
Date_________________
Did You Know?
Animal Speed Research
Animal
Polar bear
Cool Fact (note)
Black skin to absorb sun
Part II: What animal do you want to become an expert on? (using books for
resources)
1. Look at completed class graphic organizer of animals we learned cool facts
about
2. What other animals might be cool to learn about
 Would a cat be a good choice? Maybe not given that we probably
know about a lot about them already
 Brainstorm other cool animals
3. Establish partners (teacher assigns)
4. Each partner will choose 2 animals; purpose is to do more research about 4
animals so that you can choose 1
 Record animals in chart
5. Partners just use books today to find information
 If you find something that sparks your interest, record on chart
 Emphasize this isn’t just trying to collect facts, but you are trying to find
out interesting things to help you decide what would be more
interested in becoming an expert on
Partners’ Names________________________________________________
Name
Animal
choice
#1
Animal
choice
#2
Animal choice
Name
Animal
choice
#3
Animal
choice
#4
Interesting Fact
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Part III: What animal do you want to become an expert on? (using iPads for
resources)
Note: this would be a different day
1. Gather kids on rug
2. Review what they did yesterday to learn more about animals
3. Today, we are going to use iPads to find out more information about your 4
animals
4. Minilesson in iPad use
 Hook iPad to SMART board for modeling
 Physical handling
 How to turn on/off
 How to swipe
 App picture will take you to the website
 Model each website
o Exploring nature
o Pebblego
o Enchanted learning
 Give kids time with iPads to research their 4 animals
 Tell kids they aren’t writing everything they learn about their animals,
but this is just to have some time to learn more about each animal so
you can choose your top 2 choices.
 Organizer – if you find a fact that really interests you, record it
Name___________________________
Date_________________
What Cool Facts Are We Finding?
Animal
Cool Fact (note)
Part IV: Selecting 2 top choices – Animal Request Sheet (40 minutes)
 Mini lesson on opinions/facts
 Minilesson on compromise – how are you going to decide amongst the 4
animals?
 Students fill out request sheet, using their chart of notes for their facts
 Teacher assigns animals to partners
Partners’ Names_________________________________
Animal Research Project Request Sheet
Our first choice is a/an____________________________________________
because:
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______________________________________________________
Our second choice is a/an_________________________________________
because:
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______________________________________________________