KWL Research Project, Works with Any Text

This activity has students researching based on a KWL Chart to fill in missing items that they wanted to know that the supplied text didn’t cover. Includes a mini-research project for small research items or short time limits, great for supplement. Also includes a full sized research project for larger research, in which students may research additional items to develop a complete project. Works with any KWL, for fiction or informational texts alike. Rubrics provided.

One of the problems with the KWL is that the provided lesson or informational text doesn’t answer all the questions a student has in their “W” or Want to Know column. Spending some time researching one or more of the remaining questions can provide a good conclusion, as well as practicing research skills, plus offers student directed learning.

For the mini-research project, students may not do enough research to determine ‘common knowledge’ on a topic, so they can be recommended or required to simply cite any research. For the full-sized research paper, students may struggle to find enough information about narrowly focused “want to know” item. The web can help students brainstorm related ideas and the planning worksheet can help them verify they have enough content in their subtopics for adequate support.

KWL Chart for any text
KWL Mini-Research Project with student instructions and rubric (mini poster)
KWL Mini-Research Project Student Samples
KWL Research Paper with student instructions and rubric (paper only)
KWL Research Project with student instructions and rubric (paper with image at the end, fun addition)
KWL Research Project Planning Worksheet
KWL Research Topic Development Web
Research collection worksheet
Do I Need a Citation Quick Guide

This item is a single file PDF and is not editable.

Need additional support for students working on research? The Scaffolding Support for Research writing offers printables and templates for students of all levels: Scaffolding Support for Research Writing


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