In today's session, we will learn how to conduct short research projects using print and digital
sources. The session is designed to help you find, interpret, and use information from various
references. Understanding research and reference skills supports your reading, writing,
speaking, and listening in English.
We will discuss key terms like "keywords," "reference materials," and "context clues." You will
learn why dictionaries and thesauruses are important for understanding word meanings and for
choosing the right words when doing research.
Before we begin, think about a time you had to find information for a school project. What tools
did you use? How did you decide if the information was trustworthy?
Research and reference skills help you find information that is trustworthy and useful. They
allow you to answer questions, complete projects, and understand texts more deeply. Today's
lesson will cover:
● Understanding what research means and differentiating between print and digital information.
● Identifying and using keywords for research.
● How to consult reference materials like dictionaries, glossaries, and thesauruses.
● Recognizing context clues within texts to figure out the meanings of new words.
To start, let's define some terms:
● Research: The process of gathering information from different sources.
● Reference Materials: Tools such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, glossaries, and
thesauruses that provide information about words and topics.
● Keywords: Important words or phrases that you use to search for information.
● Context Clues: Hints found in the surrounding text that help you determine the meaning of a new word.
💻 Checking Your Sources (Evaluating Information)
It's really important to check where your information comes from! Just because you read something on the internet or in a book, it doesn't mean it's true.
Here is why and how we check our sources:
Why Check Sources? 🤔
Not all information is true: Anyone can write anything online. A person might write a funny story or a wrong fact, and you might think it's true!
Facts change: Sometimes, new research is done, and an old fact is no longer correct. You need the most up-to-date (current) information.
How to Check if a Source is Good
Check Multiple Places: If you read an interesting fact, look for it in two or three other places (like a different website or a textbook). If all the good sources say the same thing, it's probably correct.
Ask an Adult: If a piece of information seems very confusing, strange, or too good to be true, ask a teacher or parent to help you check the source. They can help you figure out if the writer is an expert or just someone writing opinions.
Look for the Author: Ask yourself: Who wrote this? Are they an expert on the topic? (For example, a science teacher is an expert on science, but a student might not be.)
🧐 Activity: Is the Information True?
The Importance of Checking Sources
Not everything you read on the internet is true! We must check our sources to make sure the information is correct and comes from an expert.
Directions:
Read the two statements below. Decide which statement is likely True (a good source) and which is likely False (a poor source). Then, explain why you made that choice.
Statement 1: The Best School Day
A website called "Awesome Facts for Kids" says that the best school day for children to learn is Tuesday, and the best color for homework paper is bright orange. The website does not say who wrote the information.
Circle one:
This is probably True
This is probably False
Explain your choice:
(Why is this statement a good or bad source? What is missing?)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statement 2: The Mighty Earth
Research from NASA (a government group of scientists that studies space and Earth) states that the Earth spins on its axis once every 24 hours, which causes us to experience day and night.
Circle one:
This is probably True
This is probably False
Explain your choice:
(Why is this statement a good or bad source? What evidence makes it strong?)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Teacher's Answer Key
| Statement | Circle Answer | Explanation |
| Statement 1 | False | The website title ("Awesome Facts for Kids") sounds fun but is not official. It is missing the author (who wrote it?) and the source of the research. It might just be someone's opinion, not a real fact. |
| Statement 2 | True | The information comes from NASA. This is a government group of scientists who are experts on Earth and space. They are a reliable source. |
Now then, it's time to make your own project, let's go over the steps to do so together!
Step 1: Exploring Print and Digital Sources
● Begin by looking at print sources such as books, encyclopedias, and magazines. For example, a children's encyclopedia may provide short, easy-to-read facts about a topic like "animals" or "space".
● Digital sources can include educational websites, digital libraries, and online articles. When you use a computer or tablet to search for information, use keywords to narrow your search. For example, if you are researching "endangered animals," you might type that phrase into a search engine.
● Always check the reliability of the source. Ask yourself: Is the website created by a reputable magazine, school, or organization? If using a book, is it published by a respected publisher?
Step 2: Identifying Keywords and Phrases
● When you read a text or hear a topic, identify important words that capture its main idea. For example, in a text about a rainforest, keywords might be "rainforest," "ecosystem,""biodiversity," and "conservation."
● Write these keywords down. This step makes it easier to search in dictionaries or online. For instance, if you come across the word "conservation" and do not understand it, you can look it up to learn that it means "the protection of something, especially the environment."
● Practice by selecting a short paragraph and highlighting words you think are key to understanding the main topic.
Step 3: Using Reference Materials
● Reference materials are your friends during research. Show students how to use a dictionary by looking up a word like "amazing." The dictionary might define it as "causing great surprise or wonder." This provides both a definition and shows the proper spelling.
● Similarly, use a thesaurus to find words with similar meanings (synonyms) and even antonyms. For instance, if you search for "happy," you might find synonyms like "joyful" or"cheerful" and antonyms like "sad."
● When writing a report or story, using these tools can make their writing more precise and descriptive.
Step 4: Practicing the Research Process Through a Mini Project
● Design a short research project: choose a familiar topic (e.g., "My Favorite Animal").
●List what you already know and what you want to learn about the animal. Come up with keywords from their list.
● Use a picture book or kid-friendly website to find interesting facts. Ask questions such as: "What does this animal eat?" or "Where does it live?"
● Write two or three facts you discover, then share them.
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