Middle School Research Project & Skills Bundle - PDF & Digital

Don't just assign a research project - teach your students HOW to research with this no-prep bundle of research skills activities! You'll be able to easily teach vital aspects of the research process, from citing sources to paraphrasing information to avoiding plagiarism, with this time-saving set of resources perfect for guiding students through their first middle school research project.

This resource includes:

• Vocabulary notes
• Quiz
• Primary vs. secondary source comparison
• Evaluating sources checklist
• Plagiarism notes
• 2 pages of sample plagiarism scenarios
• Paraphrasing notes
• 2 pages of paraphrasing practice
• Step-by-step guides to citing a book and website in MLA format
• Animal research project
• Answer keys
• Project rubric
• Google & Easel versions

You'll be able to teach:

• What a source is
• Primary vs. secondary sources
• How to evaluate a source for credibility
• Basic strategy for citing sources
• What plagiarism is & how to avoid it
• What a good paraphrase looks like
• How to write a research paper
• How to make a bibliography

Before assigning a research project, I use the activities in this bundle as a pre-research week of lessons, providing direct instruction about the different types of sources, the importance of citations and bibliographies, the consequences of plagiarism, how to write a good paraphrase, and more. Students practice their skills on classwork and homework assignments, and the notes on plagiarism spark some lively discussions! As a result, we have a shared vocabulary during the research process - and the projects I receive at the end are that much better.

If you've ever taught research before, you know the research process can seem overwhelming to students who have never done it before, and the digital world has made plagiarism easier than ever. By teaching students how to research effectively and give credit to sources, you set them up for success in middle school, high school, college, the workplace, and life!

Follow me to be notified of new products and updates!