* What do students do when they are "researching"?

• It is learning by doing. (John Dewey)• It is in doing that we learn best. (Aristotle)• Hands on, minds on. • “Real” questions engage students.

What different procedures or considerations should a teacher make for involving students

as researchers?

• Developmentally appropriate activities.• Procedures (research methods) have to be

taught.• Background knowledge must be activated

and/or developed.• Allow “think time” for students.

K-2 CommunitySpecific Projects

• Standard: Students compare and contrast everyday life in different times and places.

• Project: Oral HistoriesK- Invite Community Elder to Classroom

• 1-2 - Students conduct oral interviews • Students compare and contrast the area they

currently live in with how it changed over time.

Grades 3/4 - CommunitySpecific Projects

• Standard: Students identify the human & physical characteristics of the places they are studying.

• How do natural resources affect culture?• Why was Sacramento chosen as a major

population area and the capital of the state?

Grades 5/6 - CommunitySpecific Projects

• Standard: Students identify the human and physical characteristics and understand how those characteristics define place.

• The “Nation” and “World” Communities.• Population - Migration patterns/trends.• Analyzing census information.

Are research projects conducted differently at primary grades compared to upper grades?

• Primary - more teacher directedtopic and materials provided by teacher

• Intermediate - more student directedteacher provides topic, students provide research questions.

• Upper grades - independentstudents select topic & questions, use teacher as resource