Teaching Research Skills Through WebQuests and Literature Units

The topic of research can be somewhat daunting for both parents and students alike,
but it doesn’t have to be. There are some practical ways to introduce these techniques
by using WebQuests, literature, or both. Students as young as 8 can begin to learn
basic research skills. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Gather research tools. Index cards are essential, and having different colors on
hand is helpful. Information gathered and placed on the index cards is easier to
sort by sub-topic if colored cards are used. Small, colored dot stickers can also be
used to classify information.
2. Teach children to use encyclopedias either online, in text form, or both. Learning
these foundational research tools will provide a basis for expanding into other research
texts and skills.
3. Teach the research process. This process involves the following steps:

• Choose a topic. If a WebQuest or piece of literature is used, the topic may already be determined.

•  Gather facts and information. WebQuests and literature related studies provide structured guidance for this portion of the process. For example, a WebQuest about the animal kingdom will have specific questions that need answering. These answers will then become the details that make up a research report.

• Organize facts and information. Using the aforementioned color coding process, sort the information gathered by sub-topic.
• Turn index card information into sentences and paragraphs.

•  WebQuests and literature studies lend themselves nicely to this type of writing. Each color group should

constitute one paragraph of details to explain something related to the topic.
And there you have it! Dive into a WebQuest or literature study and explore the world
of research with your children. You never know what they….or you….might learn!

New Products Available at Currclick.com

After much work, I have completed a series of WebQuests for each state, in the order in which they joined the union.  Additionally, I am working on literature units geared toward teaching basic research skills.  Two are available now, both based on Magic Tree House books, but look for Magic School Bus projects as well.

Further literature enrichment units will be available soon, focusing on the Junie B. Jones series, The Bailey School Kids series, and a number of Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume classics.

As always, if you have a request for a particular unit or project-based materials, simply let me know.

Homeschooling Stereotypes

I'm sure many of you have encountered people who instantly take a negative attitude toward your homeschooling family.  I know I have, and the reasons for the negativity seem to vary quite a bit.  So, let's see if we can get a conversation going here about the different stereotypes or other misconceptions you may have encountered.  I've listed a few that I have come across, but please add your comments.  Later, I'll start another post where we can discuss ways to dispel these misconceptions.

1. Homeschooled children lack social skills.
2. Parents are not qualified to teach their children.
3. All homeschool families isolate their children and teach only from the Bible.
4. Homeschooled kids will never be able to get into college.

These are just a few...please tell us about your experiences.