Creating Focused Research Questions Chronicles of a Research

STANDARDS: W. 6. 2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas,

Do-Now: Read the “What is Research? ” document silently. Then, take a moment and

AIM: How do we turn our topic into a focused research question?

Focus Your Questions: Choose a topic that you love! Narrow it down, e. g.

WARM-UP ACTIVITY: q. Create a semantic map to focus your topic q. Use teacher’s

FOCUS YOUR TOPIC: A good research detective uses a magnifying glass to focus on

FOCUSING YOUR TOPIC So, your first job is to NARROW DOWN the BIG IDEA!

TOPIC SELECTION: The History of the Whole Universe from Its Beginning to Now!

FOCUS IT! That’s about 500 years versus 15 billion years!

FOCUS IT EVEN MORE! Exploration Famous People Immigration Farming Wars

WARS War of Independence War of 1812 Mexican War Civil War

NARROW IT DOWN! Choose a famous battle. . . 1. Antietam 2. Shiloh 3.

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG Fought on July 1 -3, 1863 We did it! We focused

Forests NATURE Trees Big Trees Focus it: Redwoods!

Topics That Form Questions Are video games harmful to the developing mind? How did

How Can We Make Life Better For Everone?

How Can We Design More Engaging Entertainment?

WRAP UP REMINDER Specific is terrific! If you have too big a topic you’ll

KWL & Q CHART Complete the KWL & Q Chart. You may use your

GROUP ACTIVITY Complete the handout with a partner; Work from Broad Topic to Focused

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Creating Focused Research Questions Chronicles of a Research Detective

STANDARDS: W. 6. 2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection , organization, and analysis of relevant content. ü Recognizes characteristics of good questions. ü Determines what information is needed to support the investigation and answer the questions.

Do-Now: Read the “What is Research? ” document silently. Then, take a moment and write your own definition for the term “research”. Pair & Share

AIM: How do we turn our topic into a focused research question?

Focus Your Questions: Choose a topic that you love! Narrow it down, e. g. Pollution > Acid rain! Question should go beyond yes/no answer Focus on the “ 5 Ws” and sometimes “How? ” Use the Table of Contents; use the Index to search for questions!

WARM-UP ACTIVITY: q. Create a semantic map to focus your topic q. Use teacher’s model to guide you! q. Pair-Share with others

FOCUS YOUR TOPIC: A good research detective uses a magnifying glass to focus on small objects or ideas to develop into a thesis project.

FOCUSING YOUR TOPIC So, your first job is to NARROW DOWN the BIG IDEA! Focus on something SPECIFIC

TOPIC SELECTION: The History of the Whole Universe from Its Beginning to Now!

FOCUS IT! That’s about 500 years versus 15 billion years!

FOCUS IT EVEN MORE! Exploration Famous People Immigration Farming Wars

WARS War of Independence War of 1812 Mexican War Civil War

NARROW IT DOWN! Choose a famous battle. . . 1. Antietam 2. Shiloh 3. Atlanta 4. Gettysburg

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG Fought on July 1 -3, 1863 We did it! We focused it! Great Job!

Forests NATURE Trees Big Trees Focus it: Redwoods!

Celebrities

RESEARCH BEGINS WITH A QUESTION

Topics That Form Questions Are video games harmful to the developing mind? How did Roman technology help create super cities ? Will genetic science produce the secret to ever-lasting life?

How Can We Honor Our Leaders?

How Can We Make Life Better For Everone?

How Can We Improve Communication?

How Can We Design More Engaging Entertainment?

What Should Surfers Do in the Winter?

WRAP UP REMINDER Specific is terrific! If you have too big a topic you’ll need some hocus-pocus Be very microscopic And focus, focus!!!

KWL & Q CHART Complete the KWL & Q Chart. You may use your notes from previous class work & discussions. Make sure to complete the possible research questions

GROUP ACTIVITY Complete the handout with a partner; Work from Broad Topic to Focused Research Question