Research Skills Grades K – 5

Primary students need to understand the basics of research in grades K-5.  They need to know basic Internet skills, such as how to operate a computer, understand computer terminology, use Word or Google docs to share their learning.  They will also need to know important safety guidelines for accessing information online, and how to become a digital citizen.  As we scaffold the learning experiences for our younger students we can help them learn to take small risks within safe parameters.

To encourage your students to become safe online citizens please have them discover the Unit Study on Bullying and Digital Citizenship.  This kit will prepare them for further research skills.  (To find the password to borrow unit study kits, please log in to the Search Portal and choose Subscriptions from the menu.)

Digital Citizenship & Bullying Unit Study Kits

Digital Citizenship & Bullying Unit Study Kits

In grades K-5 the expectation is that students will have at least two sources to share in their list of references at the end of their project.  Students will learn how to create a title page, a contents list (if necessary), number their pages, insert an image (cite that image) and create a list of references at the end of their project using this chart for MLA standards.

Easy Bib has a great video lesson on citations for beginners.

Easy Bib also has simple design and will help students quickly and easily cite their sources using this web tool if they prefer using a digital tool.

Digital Citizenship Process for Reducing Risk with Social Media and Privacy

Before your students use social media have them watch the following video from Friendly Screens animation.  This will help with privacy issues.

Disney video to learn about online safety.

RightNow Media also has videos on bullying with the McGee and Me! series.  https://www.rightnowmedia.org/  For an invitation to access the RightNow Media site, please email Margaret Basaraba.

Some other materials you can find on Overdrive e Library include the following: Ellray Jakes, the Dragon Slayer! by Sally Warner and Growing Up Online by NBC News for all three sections.

Safety on the Net:

Be Safe on the Internet by Bridget Heos

Being a Good Digital Citizen:

The Defeat of the Cyberbully by Ben Halpert

What is Bullying and What can I Do About It?:

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney

Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully by Audrey Penn

Be Internet Awesome:

Be Internet Awesome: Helping kids be safe, confident explorers of the online world.

Digital Citizenship & Bullying Unit Study Kits

Digital Citizenship & Bullying Unit Study Kits

Searching images can be an interesting adventure. You need to find ones that fit your topic, are able to be used (usage rights), and do it “safely”. Google is often the first place people turn to. There are ways to make sure the images there are ones you can use (tools, usage rights, labelled for reuse…).

However, other sites can be more efficient for searching images that are free to use. Here are some recommended places to search for images.

The new BC Modernized Curriculum incorporates Inquiry as a means of helping our students move into the next chapter of learning.  The breakdown, as shared by the Galileo Foundation of Learning, shows that there are three types of Inquiry learning.  They include the Universal Inquiry Model, the Minimally Guided Model and the Discipline-Based Model.

Universal Inquiry Model

It is in the Universal Inquiry model  where students enjoy hands-on learning, actively creating and sharing their learning with the world, as opposed to passively learning the information.  As our students become junior detectives, we can take a step back and let them become the experts.  This helps them move towards the deeper content, while learning technology to enhance understanding.  Learning how to capture our students’ voices digitally will bring confidence and an ability to enhance their learning.  Watch this great video under universal inquiry from the Galileo model to gain an understanding of the teacher role and student role.

Ways to do this in our homeschooling environment:

  • Take advantage of all the amazing resources we have collated for you in our Learning Commons to tie into their natural questions and passions.  These materials include Capstone Publications, workbooks with inquiry-style flow, and inquiry-based picture books.
  • Work with your teacher to help outline different projects, which may allow for a deeper level of learning.  Some of the project-based learning workbooks will allow for this inquiry model, but will still require active student engagement.
  • Choose one of our science or social studies kits to find ‘wondering’ questions, activities and projects.
  • Choose homeschooling curriculum which lends itself to this pedagogy, such as  Charlotte Mason, unit studies, Montessori, classical, eclectic.  To learn more about the different types of homeschooling click on this post.
  • Choose a theme, by finding an interest for your primary student using picture books, both fiction and non-fiction. For example, if you wanted to start the school learning about apples, read some books about apples.  Learn math by cutting apples into sections and percentages.  Learn about seasonal changes that go with apples and fall. Write a recipe for apple sauce.
  • Parents/teachers keep a journal of your students’ learning.  From regular observation you note behaviour and actions, and record questions and interests. The journals provide a record of steps taken, questions asked, and parental observations. They enable the parent and the child to reflect on and discuss projects that have been done, and remind children of other interests and questions that they may have forgotten, otherwise. They also show the child that their work is important, and worthy of your investment of time and attention.
  • Environment is extremely important.  Great lighting, quality materials and suitable furnishings are essential. The space should be inviting and comfortable, encouraging your child to work on their projects. Your child must be easily able to access what they need, to feel secure in using the space, and not need to stress about making messes.
  • Contact Pippa Davies (your friendly librarian) for help using our research databases.
  • Take your students on field trips so they can explore the experts on their topic, or contact the expert via mail or Skype.
  •  As your student engages in the research process you can encourage them to journal about their research using Google docs, or  Explora and the tool, ‘My Folder’.  Encourage your student to identify one topic that interests them.  Help your student to identify with what interests them, and how it can perhaps help others in their research.  Identify what they know and what they need to know more about. Then get your student to write down three questions they need to learn more about.  Discuss search engines and databases that could be useful.  Lastly assess for content, validity of sources and sense of accomplishment and interest.

Minimally Guided Theory (MakerEd)

The second method of Inquiry is called the Minimally Guided Theory or MakerEd, as we call it in our Learning Commons.  Minimally guided means, as the words imply, that the student comes up with his or her own student-driven questions, which provoke natural curiosity and drive learning.  Students learn concepts without being taught them, per se.  So an example might be asking a student to design a bridge or a boat which floats.  They would research the topic and present their own findings, based on what they were trying to prove in their essential question.  The teacher really takes a back seat in this learning, maybe just presenting one idea and then letting the student discover and research the rest.  It can be messy, as students learn it’s okay to keep making mistakes.

Ways to do this in our homeschooling environment:

  • Find out what things your student would like to make, based on the Big Ideas in the curriculum.  Chat with your teacher to define that learning, and what it might look like.
  • Check out the amazing resources we have on the Core Competencies within our Commons to help your student find an essential question that pertains to making something, or designing something.
  • Read the book Invent to Learn which outlines the history of making and the pedagogy behind it. Or read Project-Based Homeschooling in our Learning Commons.
  • Borrow some of our MakerEd materials (Dash robots, K’Nex) from the Learning Commons to get some ideas.
  • Work with another family who has the same interests as your student, so you can learn together.
  • Tie into learning at a Learning Group:  Community Connections centre, Learning Camp, or sign up your student to join a Virtual Inquiry Book Club.

Students should understand the basics of computer terminology.  In BrainPOP have your primary student watch the following videos under the tab Computer Science:

  • Computer Mouse
  • Computers
  • Internet
  • Internet Search
  • Printers
  • Robots

What is Media Literacy?  To understand the definition and reasons why Media Literacy is important go to the MediaSmarts page on Media Literacy education

Lesson plans on Media Literacy:

Media Literacy:

Books On OverDrive eLibrary

Primary students need to understand the basics of research in grades K-5.

They will need to know how to define a problem, locate information in their school library or database of choice, select appropriate resources, organize their notes and present their work to their peers.  They will also need to understand how to accept feedback from their peers and edit their work for mistakes.  Basic introduction to preparing a cited list of references is required using MLA standards.

This website walks you through the process step by step.

Follow this KYVL child-friendly site to see the search in action.

Research template Gr 4 – 9 Use this template to help plan your projects.

Use Search engines and databases that will help your student search safely.

For the databases below, you will find the username and password at https://hcs.insigniails.com/Library/Subscriptions

We have lots of subscriptions available to assist you in your research.

Research Subscriptions

Research Skills Grades 6 – 9

Bibliography

Middle-grade students need to understand how to compile a bibliography regardless of whether they are presenting a book report, research report, a Powerpoint, video or artwork.  There are different formats for bibliography, and they are covered in this template.

Should your student desire to use an online tool instead EasyBib or BibMe both work well.  Please follow the MLA format.

Why do students need to be good digital citizens?

Addressing the 21st-century skill of digital citizenship is important; to help students to learn, communicate and collaborate safely and responsibly. Being a best digital citizen in the community includes having email etiquette, reporting and preventing cyberbullying, learning how to protect private information.

HCOS Subscriptions That Help with Digital Citizenship

  • CommonSense has middle school lessons and videos to help your students get started with online classes.  Check out the resources here.
  • Check out the WorldBook Student page to find wonderful research lesson plans and resources.  This online database comes with our ERAC subscription and is to be accessed in Encom, the school computer system.  Go to the top of your parent homepage and log in using the credentials given in the username/password document received from your support teacher.
  • Explora has wonderful ideas for research including My Folder where you can store all your research, and add citations.
  • Everfi Subscription: Ignition – This is an engaging and interactive resource to teach your middle-grade students the nuts and bolts of how to use technology in a safe and responsible way
    • “Ignition Digital Literacy & Responsibility educates students on the nuts and bolts of how technology works while placing them in virtual environments to tackle issues surrounding digital citizenship. The course covers everything from internet safety and cyberbullying to how to evaluate online content and properly credit creators of online content.
    • The four-hour digital literacy curriculum, designed for students in grades 6 to 9, informs students about how technology works and provides an introduction to STEM careers. In addition to the modules, students apply their learning in virtual environments, demonstrating their mastery of issues such as privacy, security, cyberbullying, conducting online research, digital relationships, and the viral nature of the web.”
    • Each module has a pre and post assessment so you can see how your students are doing.
    • Contact Beth Johnson for more information regarding signing up for any of these subscriptions.

Digital Literacy is

“the interest, attitude, and ability of individuals to appropriately use digital technology and communication tools to access, manage, integrate, analyze and evaluate information, construct new knowledge, create and communicate with others in order to participate effectively in society”.

Grades 6–9 (Ages 11–15)

Watch this definition of digital literacy and then follow up with video tutorials to be found on this page from MediaSmarts.

The following experiences with technology and digital resources are examples of learning activities in which students might engage during Grades 6–9 (ages 11–15):

  1. Describe and illustrate a content-related concept or process using a model, simulation, or concept-mapping software.
  2. Create original animations or videos documenting school, community, or local events.
  3. Gather data, examine patterns, and apply information for decision making using digital tools and resources.
  4. Participate in a cooperative learning project in an online learning community.
  5. Evaluate digital resources to determine the credibility of the author and publisher and the timeliness and accuracy of the content.
  6. Employ data-collection technology such as probes, handheld devices, and geographic mapping systems to gather, view, analyze, and report results for content-related problems.
  7. Select and use the appropriate tools and digital resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and to solve problems.
  8. Use collaborative electronic authoring tools to explore common curriculum content from multicultural perspectives with other learners.
  9. Integrate a variety of file types to create and illustrate a document or presentation.
  10. Independently develop and apply strategies for identifying and solving routine hardware and software problems.

Digital Citizenship & Bullying Unit Study Kits

Digital Citizenship & Bullying Unit Study Kits

Searching images can be an interesting adventure. You need to find ones that fit your topic, are able to be used (usage rights), and do it “safely”. Google is often the first place people turn to. There are ways to make sure the images there are ones you can use (tools, usage rights, labelled for reuse…).

However, other sites can be more efficient for searching images that are free to use. Here are some recommended places to search for images.

Middle grade students need to know how to research the Internet to find current, reliable, accurate, vetted resources.

But How Does the Internet Work?

To search on the Internet and find reliable sources students may do either of these options:

  • Search using Explora Primary if K-7 and Explora High School if gr 8-12.   Or WorldBook (for more information check out our Subscriptions Portal)
  • Search using Advanced Google.  Do NOT use Google  (unless looking for a needle in haystack queries) as your results will be overpopulated.

The first option using Explora, or WorldBook allows students to find great resources without having to do as much evaluation of websites as all have been vetted by academics.  However, students will still need to identify relevant articles.

They can choose to search within the federated search option within our learning commons portal Insignia or they can choose to search within each database by clicking on the database URL.

  • Here is a simple tutorial for students using Explora.
  • If students decide to search the Internet via Advanced Google watch this tutorial which shares some simple steps.

Algorithms tell the search engine what to show you. They look at:

  • What they know about you. Search engines will personalize your results based on things like your location and your past search history.

  • The number of times search keywords and phrases appear on the page and their location on the page (e.g., is the search term in the headline?)

  • The number of times other websites link to the webpage

  • The authority or importance of those websites that link to that page (the website of a government agency gets more weight than a personal blog)

  • The number of links, shares, and social media mentions that the webpage has

  • The amount of time the webpage has been up

Searching Using Social Media

Many of us get our news from social media and your social media will shape the information you see in your feeds.

Some of the main factors that social media algorithms look at include:

  • Relevance: Does it match the type of content you typically click on?

  • Engagement: How many likes, clicks, comments, and shares has the post received? How often has it been hidden? How much time do people spend looking at the post?

  • Who Shared It: Is it a close friend or family member, or a company? Do you look at the sharer’s profile or engage with their posts more often than others in your feed?

Effective Search
  • Use good keywords and quotation marks to refine your questions.
  • Be aware of adverts on the website page as this might indicate a paid site.
  • Check the source URL for relevancy (gov. edu.ca etc)
  • Do you select sources that challenge or confirm your existing perspective?

Lesson plans!

Website Evaluation and Lesson Plans

Teach your students the following lessons shared here:

GCSC Library tutorial from Youtube.

Students need to understand why media literacy is so important as they read online.  From news to social media students need to be able to judge what they are reading and ascertain validity, reliability and bias.

Under BrainPop find the following Media Literacy breakdown into:

  • activities,
  • understanding news media,
  • how to use primary sources,
  • reading a newspaper,
  • fact and opinion,
  • critical thinking,
  • and social media.

You will need to activate Flash Player to get the video clips working.

Digital Literacy and Tech Tools

There are so many tech tools out there that sometimes it can get pretty overwhelming to decide which ones to leverage into our learning experiences.  Which ones are user-friendly?  Which ones are really cutting-edge? Which ones will engage my learner?

We have curated some of the best digital literacy and tech tools out there, here on this list for you.  We hope you explore these tools, and discover how they can help your students access, manage, integrate, analyze, and evaluation information; construct new knowledge; and create/communicate with others more effectively!

Collaboration and Engagement Tools

Creation and Editing Tools

Games and Quizzing

Global Engagement Tools

Presentation Creation and Engagement Tools

Showcasing and Networking Tools

STEM Resources

Video, 360° and VR/AR Creation and Editing Tools

Plagiarism should be avoided at all times!

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, to “plagiarize” means:

  • to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own
  • to use (another’s production) without crediting the source
  • to commit literary theft
  • to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else’s work and lying about it afterward. ”

To learn about how to avoid plagiarism, see plagiarism.org

Plagiarism Tools

Researching in the middle grades requires active usage of our inquiry databases like Explora, WorldBook, and search engines like Advanced Google.

When using Google make sure you show your students how to use the Advanced Search option to refine their results.  Have your Google filter set as Strict in your settings.

Use search engines and databases that will help your student search safely.

Research Tools

Here is a template to help your students walk through the step by step process.  Below are some important tutorials to help your students understand the research process.

Here is a 6-step process for acquiring and organization information for your research assignment: Recipe for Research.

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