Research Project Lesson Plans

Before beginning F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, create a historical context of the "Roaring 20's" with this lesson. Set up a gallery walk with the (provided) PowerPoint, which features ten topics related to the 1920's. Then begin a multi-genre research project (from Tom Romero's Writing With Passion), using poetry, drama, interviews, letters, articles, or any other genre of writing.

Get your class to use the scientific process to solve a scientific problem. They utilize the Natural Inquirer magazine to identify a research question which they write an introduction to and collect data to answer. They use graphs, photographs or charts to simulate their data while they create a Natural Inquirer style article. Note: This lesson plan could be used with any magazine.

Eighth graders complete a research project over a number of weeks that investigates the decline of a species, land/water use issues, shared environments, and how local habitat issues have an global impact. They look at various sides to solutions for environmental issues. Finally, they propose solutions to a land or water misuse example.

Students understand the basics of polymers. They use research resources, groups of 2-4 students are able to identify products in their everyday lives mades with polymers and design a research project focused specifically on one of these products. Students discover the many ways polymers influence their daily lives by discussing projects with their classmates.

Fourth graders research a famous person in Michigan history. They will use at least three different resources including technology to conduct their research. They then will use various forms of technology to create individual research projects and a class slide show presentation of their topics.

Young scholars work together to complete a research project on Harry Potter. They write a research question and develop a survey to give to their classmates. Using the results, they create a graph and draw conclusions about the data collected.

Students research influences on African American literature. They research someone who has influenced the development of African American literature and create a multigenre research project. They create a photograph poem, character sketch, personal narrative or newspaper article, diary entry or letter, and cartoon, advertisement, or song.

Third graders see how to do a research project. They understnad how to categorize information about themselves and relate it to information on sea animals for a future research project. This lesson fits in nicely with any unit on animals.

Students discuss methods of locating information on the internet. They visit a specific website about butterflies and explore its homepage and web links. As students examine the site, they take notes and organize information for a research project. Students write about th life cycle of a butterfly and then use computer software to create a move of the life cycle.

Students examine different aspects of Victorian Life in London through a variety of research projects requiring hands-on computer activities. They read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.