Research and Questions - Grade 4+

Lesson Title: Researchable Questions

Subject: Library

Grade: 4+

Time: 1 day/30 minutes + 1-2 days for extension

Materials needed: Researchable Question charts, pencils

Books: Encyclopedias


Vocabulary: Researchable, broad, narrow, inch questions, foot questions, yard questions

The Point: Students will learn what makes a good researchable question. They will come up with their own researchable questions and do research in the library to come up with the answers and draw conclusions.


Day 1 – Library – 30 minutes

Talk about research. Questions to ask: What is research? What is a research question? What makes a good research question? How do we know if a question is researchable?
Talk about types of questions at the top of the chart. What is a yes/no question? What is an inch question? What is a foot question? What is a yard question? Give examples of each. A yes/no question is NOT a researchable question
Divide students in groups of 2-3. Give each group a handout. Explain to them that they will not research the questions, they are just deciding if they are researchable and what kind of question they are. As they finish the chart, they should come up with one researchable question for each member in their group.

Day 2 – Extension Activity

Review researchable questions.
Students should come up with their own researchable question, or use one of the ones they came up with last class.
Research a question using encyclopedias and other resources. Write a few paragraphs answering question using their research.







CHART. YOU'LL Want to copy this into a 3-column chart format.



Name:
LOOKING at RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. For each question, decide whether it is researchable.
A Researchable question is one that…
Needs information from sources other than yourself
Can be researched—you can find information to help you answer it
Not too broad = So general that it would take you forever to answer it
Not too narrow = So specific that it doesn’t allow for more exploration of a topic

2. Then, decide what type of research question it is.

YES/NO question: The answer to the question is either YES or NO.
INCH question: The answer is very short, and usually needs very little research.
FOOT question: The question requires some reading through the information you find to answer the question in your own words.

YARD question: This question requires some searching in a variety of sources, then combining the information you find, and drawing your own conclusions.

Example Research Question Researchable? Type of Q
Was President Abraham Lincoln assassinated?


What games were played during the ancient Greek Olympics?


Does McDonald’s or Burger King make a better burger?


How does Hawaii’s location and climate affect its economy?


How was the Mississippi Delta formed?


If George Washington had not been our first president, how might our history have been different?


What city developed the first usable subway system?


How long is the Mississippi River?


Why was Richard III considered an evil king?


What are the advantages of solar power over coal-fired electric plants?


Why is soccer such an important sport in Mexico?


When did Richard III reign?


How did the original 13 colonies become the United States?


What is the importance of genetic research in our lives?


What ways will Coca-Cola use to sell their soda in the future?


How many states make up the United States?