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KWL Research Projects

For Any Text Ms. Dickson’s Class

Teaching English on a Shoestring Budget

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Msdickson

Overview:

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.

Teacher Notes:

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.

Contents:

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

Need additional support for students working on research? The Scaffolding Support for Research

writing offers printables and templates for students of all levels:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Scaffolding-Support-for-Research-Writing-

Differentiate-for-Any-Writer-PDF-3010923

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KWL

Name of topic: ________________________________________

K W L What I KNOW What I WANT to Know What I LEARNED

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KWL Mini-Research Project

Now that you have completed the tasks for this topic, it’s time to go back to the KWL chart. Find at least

one item from the W column (What I WANT to know) to research. IF you happen to have had all your

“Want to Knows” addressed in the text, brainstorm something new.

Task:

1. Choose one item or question related to the topic to research

2. Include at least one academically appropriate source with citation, with proper formatting

3. Include at least 75 words AND at least one appropriate image that explain the research topic.

4. Create a mini poster or infographic with your research information, including image(s).

5. Make your project ready for display with a title, appropriately-sized text (larger than 14 pt),

images, and design.

Good Acceptable Unacceptable

Ample research with use of at least one properly cited academically appropriate source

Good research with use of at least one generally appropriate source. Citation may be incomplete.

Minimal or no research evident. Citation may be missing. Source may not be academically appropriate.

Includes at least 75 words about the topic and at least one appropriate image. Text is free from errors.

Includes at least 40 words about the topic. Image may not be appropriate or may be missing. Text is generally free from errors that interfere with understanding.

Includes less than 40 words about the topic. Image may be inappropriate or missing. Text has numerous errors that may interfere with understanding.

Project includes a title, appropriately large text for a poster, image(s), and attention to design elements.

Project may be missing title, image or appropriately sized text. Some attention may be paid to design elements.

Project may be missing title, image, appropriately sized text. Little or no attention appears paid to design elements. Is not ready for display.

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KWL Mini-Research Project Samples

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KWL Research Paper

Now that you have completed the tasks for this topic, it’s time to go back to the KWL chart. Find at least

one item from the W column (What I WANT to know) to research. IF you happen to have had all your

“Want to Knows” addressed in the text, brainstorm something new.

Task:

1. Choose at least one item or question related to the topic to research. You may need to expand

your initial idea to develop the project.

2. Include at least three academically appropriate sources used effectively. Proper formatting and

citation is used.

3. Thorough paper with 3-4 pages (700-1000 words) including a thesis, research that supports the

thesis, and analysis of the research.

Great Good Acceptable Unacceptable

Includes at least 3 academically appropriate sources, each used effectively.

Includes at least 3 academically appropriate sources, but may not use each effectively

Includes at 2-3 sources, but they may not all be academically appropriate or used effectively.

Includes less than 2 sources which may not be academically appropriate or used effectively

Includes ample, appropriate quoted and paraphrased text, with accurate citations.

Includes solid, generally appropriate quoted and paraphrased text, with accurate citations.

Includes some, generally appropriate quoted and paraphrased text, most of which have accurate citations.

Includes few or no, appropriate quoted and paraphrased text, which may lack accurate citations.

Includes clear, effective thesis statement. Research is included that clearly supports the thesis.

Includes a clear thesis statement. Research is included that generally supports the thesis.

Attempts a thesis statement, and main idea is present at least. Research is included that does not always support the thesis.

Thesis statement may be missing. Research is lacking or does not support a thesis or main idea.

Project is thorough. Shows ample research and includes analysis of the research.

Project is complete. Shows good research and includes analysis of research.

Project is mostly complete. Shows moderate research. Includes some analysis of research.

Project is not complete. Shows little or research. Analysis is limited or missing.

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KWL Research Project

Now that you have completed the tasks for this topic, it’s time to go back to the KWL chart. Find at least

one item from the W column (What I WANT to know) to research. IF you happen to have had all your

“Want to Knows” addressed in the text, brainstorm something new.

Task:

1. Choose at least one item or question related to the topic to research. You may need to expand

your initial idea to develop the project

2. Include at least three academically appropriate sources used effectively. Proper format and

citation is used

3. Thorough project with 3-4 pages (700-1000 words) with a thesis, research that supports the

thesis, and analysis of the research

4. Includes one or more images at the end of the paper related to the topic

Great Good Acceptable Unacceptable

Includes at least 3 academically appropriate sources, each used effectively.

Includes at least 3 academically appropriate sources, but may not use each effectively

Includes at 2-3 sources, but they may not all be academically appropriate or used effectively.

Includes less than 2 sources which may not be academically appropriate or used effectively

Includes ample, appropriate quoted and paraphrased text, with accurate citations.

Includes solid, generally appropriate quoted and paraphrased text, with accurate citations.

Includes some, generally appropriate quoted and paraphrased text, most of which have accurate citations.

Includes few or no, appropriate quoted and paraphrased text, which may lack accurate citations.

Includes clear, effective thesis statement. Research is included that clearly supports the thesis.

Includes a clear thesis statement. Research is included that generally supports the thesis.

Attempts a thesis statement, and main idea is present at least. Research is included that does not always support the thesis.

Thesis statement may be missing. Research is lacking or does not support a thesis or main idea.

Project is thorough. Shows ample research and includes analysis of the research. One or more appropriate images is included at the end of the paper.

Project is complete. Shows good research and includes analysis of research. One or more generally appropriate images is included at the end of the paper.

Project is mostly complete. Shows moderate research. Includes some analysis of research. One or more images is included but may not be appropriate or at the end of the paper.

Project is not complete. Shows little or research. Analysis is limited or missing. No appropriate image is included and image may be in the body of the paper.

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KWL Research Project

Planning Worksheet

For the project, you will select and develop a research topic, based on the KWL chart.

To ensure your topic has enough material for a fully developed research project, brainstorm related

subtopics. Make sure subtopics are different from each other, but still relate to the original idea.

Preliminary research into the topic may be necessary.

Topic

Choice #1 Choice #2

Related Subtopic 1

Related Subtopic 2

Related Subtopic 3

Related Subtopic 4

Put a STAR next to the choice with best support (strong, distinct, useful.)

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KWL Topic Development Web Not all ideas make good research topics. However, looking more broadly at a question can reveal

related ideas that, together, can make a solid research topic for inquiry and analysis. Use the Web

below to brainstorm related ideas for your KWL topic. Add additional circles and connections as

needed.

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Research Record Sheet

Use this sheet to record information as you read and research.

Source Information (Title of source, author and/ or editor, publisher and/ or website):

Key Ideas from the Source (with page number, section, or other specific to help find it again):

Possible Quotes to Use (include page number, paragraph, or section, if applicable):

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Do You Need a Citation Quick Guide

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