Library Research Projects

Orientation for 6th Graders

Incoming 6th graders come to the library with their Core classes to get acquainted with the middle school library program and all it has to offer. They learn the library layout by completing a Scavenger Hunt and Library Bingo Game with a partner and then each class gets its first Book Talk of the year. 

This year, the Orientation Book Talks featured books with strong central characters. For all Book Talks we, Teacher Librarians, surround the class with great titles, talk about some that were great reads in our opinion and ask kids to talk about any good reads they see displayed as well. Students are also given time to wander and read book jackets so everyone has a chance to find the book that is right for them for this book project.

Science- Reproductive Traits

 

Thy take notes on "playing cards" and try to collect as many cards for their team as they can. The class plays a game at the end of the week. Teams get points for unique information; in addition students are only able to play cards that include a source. (i.e. "According to (resource) the praying mantis.....") Investigation in the library and sharing what they have learned with the class by playing the game at the end of the week introduces sixth graders  to the enormous variety of reproductive traits that exist in the world.

 

 

 

Science- Climate Change No CAP/Know CAP

6th grade science classes also come to the library to read articles about Climate Change. Each group is given a particular sub-topic around climate change. Each student has t o find an article featuring their topic and then check to see if it is reliable based on the CAP test. Their article must pass the CAP test (current, author/authority and purpose). Students give evidence to show that their article is current, that the author is an expert or has interviewed experts in climate science and use the expert data in their article, and that the article was written to inform (not to persuade or provoke). Once the group’s articles are collected, students review one another’s work to decide which of their groups is the best and most credible. They keep their ranking secret and the last day groups review each other’s work and rank the articles to see if their ranking matches the group’s self-assessment. 

 

Core- Speeches

6th grade classes come to the library to find and research a topic for their speeches. Students begin by perusing databases searching for something they are interested in. Then they learn how to take bulleted notes in their own words, cite their sources, break their topic into subtopics, and some get practice checking for the reliability of online resources as well. These notes are then used to write a persuasive or informative speech that they present to their classes back in the classroom and sometimes at the Speech Festival for the entire grade level. 

 

Core- Medieval Narrative Research

7th grade Language Arts classes come to the library to gather information about Medieval times. They use the information and facts collected to write day-in-the-life narratives or stories of characters from the Middle Ages. Research includes practicing using nonfiction print materials by strategically searching using the Table of Contents and Index for interesting facts that would make their stories more vivid. In addition to print resources, students also learn to navigate several databases (generously paid for by Parents’ Club and the state of California) to add to their research. Finally, students learn to cite both print and digital resources in NoodleTools (a digital tool that keeps track and correctly formats their works cited). Students can continue researching using our Pathfinders linked to the project title above.

Science- War on Waste

Science 7 classes explore various types of industrial waste (food, single-use-plastic, clothing…) and why this waste is a problem. With the librarian they then learn how to use varied print and online resources to explore subtopics of one type of waste that interests them, and once a topic is chosen, students investigate potential solutions to these waste problems. Finally, students focus on one of these solutions and do a deep dive; it is always inspiring to see these 7th graders discuss the potential ideas for solving our climate crisis with such eagerness and hope! Students are responsible for giving an “elevator pitch” of their solution to classmates during class the following week.

Health- Mental Health Toolbox

7th grade Health classes come to the library to research strategies known to have a positive impact on mental health. Each student has time to review these topics: meditation, mindfulness, yoga, exercise, sleep, gratitude practice, affirmations, goal-setting, friendship, volunteerism and cultural practices.They select their top three and are placed in a group. These groups of four investigate the foundational information as well as the topic as a whole and its impact on mental health.  Then each student looks for a specific strategy in that category that they would like to investigate further. Students are paired up and these pairs of students research the specific strategy they selected, examine its effect on wellness, as well as how specifically to do this practice. Each pair then develops a lesson plan and each pair is scheduled to teach this lesson in the first 5-10 minutes of Health class over the next few months. While watching, the rest of the class assembles a Mental Health Tool Box that includes the strategies they found most helpful.

Science - Energy Advisors

7th graders come into the library with their science classes to investigate renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. They interrogate the methods of extraction, the process of creating the energy source, the impact on the environment and how the different sources of energy are used around the world. Students will work with groups to look closely at a particular country and then develop recommendations for improving the use of renewable resources. The team will create a pitch and use the evidence they collected in their research to help make their case.

Core- Renaissance Debates

7th graders work in teams of 4 to research various characters from the European Renaissance. Students are tasked with collecting evidence using post-it notes and posters; they collect facts proving both sides of a debated issue related to this historic person. For example: Was Joan of Arc a Heroine or a Heretic? Facts and evidence are collected for both sides until the final day when the posters are cut in half and two students are assigned each side of the topic to debate. Pairs get a little more time to collect evidence for their side of the debate and organize their information before debating their opponents.

History- Bill of Rights

Students in 8th grade history classes consider the Bill of Rights and how these amendments still relate to our lives today. Students use online databases to find 3 articles that could be used as evidence of one of the Bill of Rights in contemporary news. Then students decide on one to read more closely. Students summarize and reflect on their chosen article and then students review one another’s work before turning it in to their teacher.

Science- Geologic Timescale

8th grade science classes come to the library for Geologic Timescale research. Students investigate a particular geologic era with their partner and discover things like: What flora and fauna existed on earth at that time? What was the extinction event that ended or began that era?  If students need to continue researching at home, they can use the Research Pathfinder on this topic for helpful information. Students will create presentations in a Google Slideshow and present to their classes. Everyone completes notes while listening to the presentations and ends up with an accordion book of Geologic Time.