5th Grade Internet Research

What is a Research Paper? A research paper is like a report. Before you write it, you use books, articles, the internet, and other sources to find information about your topic. You gather information from these sources and use that information in your paper to tell your readers about your topic. Here are the steps you will need to take to complete your research!

Thanksgiving For example: 1) Choosing a Topic Pick a topic: You may have a list of approved topics to choose from, or you may have to choose on your own. Try to choose something you are interested in. For example: Thanksgiving

What about Thanksgiving do I want to write? 2) Narrow Your Topic “Thanksgiving” is a very broad topic. Try make your topic smaller and more specific by asking a question like: What about Thanksgiving do I want to write? Smaller Topic: The History of Thanksgiving

When was the first Thanksgiving? 3) Essential Questions Now you should come up with a question you can research about your topic: When was the first Thanksgiving?

When was the first Thanksgiving? Key Words are the most important words related to a subject, which you type into a search engine to find the information you want. Keywords need to be clear and precise. You can use synonyms and/or alternate words. 4) Key Words: When was the first Thanksgiving? Key words

This is How We Break it Down: Thanksgiving First Thanksgiving When was the first Thanksgiving? Key Words: First + Thanksgiving Sports basketball Who is the inventor of basketball? Key Words: inventor + basketball Theme/Topic (general) Focus (more specific) Research or Essential Question Key Words

Let’s try it together: Key Words: Key Words: Theme/Topic (general) Focus (more specific) Research or Essential Question Key Words

Step 5: Search Engine To find Web sites on a specific topic, we will need to use a search engine. A search engine works like a library catalog. There are many different kind. Can you name a few? A search engine helps you to find other Web sites. We will be using the search engine called “Safe Search Kids”. It is a search engine created by Google made especially for kids. You will need to type your key words into the search engine to begin your search. First Thanksgiving

Step 6: Evaluating Sites: The search engine will then search the Web and show you a list of sites that contain information that matches your key words. Search engines usually give descriptions of the sites they list. You should read the descriptions to find which site best matches your topic. This is the kind of list, with descriptions, that a search engine will show you. Let’s take a closer look at the results pages! Key Words   15,900,000 results! More results pages

Step 7: Choosing the Best Web Site When you read a description of a Web site that sounds useful, click on the name of the site. That Web site will automatically appear on your computer screen. You can then read what is there to see if it has the information you are looking for. Sometimes you need to look at several sites before you find the one that is best for your research. This site would be really useful for my report on “The First Thankgsiving”!

Getting down to the research: The Internet Reliability Since anyone can post anything to the web, you have to be careful about choosing your sources. Good Bets are: Education websites (.edu) Government websites (.gov) Some Non-Profit websites (.org) Teacher approved sites Websites maintained by someone you know – like your teacher.

Wikipedia

Now Let’s Practice using the first 7 steps! Here is our topic: Presidents 2) Narrow down your topic (focus): 3) Create a research/essential question. Pull out KEY WORDS: 5) Enter your key words into the search engine: “Google Kids”. 6) Evaluate your Sites 7) Chose a reliable source. **Can you find one fact from the website you chose? Write it down!

Now Let’s Practice using the first 7 steps! Here is our topic: Presidents 2) Narrow down your topic (focus): 3) Create a research/essential question. Pull out KEY WORDS: 5) Enter your key words into the search engine: “Google Kids”. 6) Evaluate your Sites 7) Chose a reliable source. **Can you find one fact from the website you chose? Write it down!

Now Let’s Practice using the first 7 steps! Here is our topic: 2) Narrow down your topic (focus): 3) Creating a research/essential question. Pull out KEY WORDS: 5) Enter your key words into the search engine: “Google Kids”. 6) Evaluate your Sites 7) Chose a reliable source. **Can you find one fact from the website you chose? Write it down!