Unit Plan 31 (Grade 6 ELA): Extended Research Project
Grade 6 research writing unit: students plan inquiry questions, gather credible sources, take organized notes, and use technology to draft, revise, and publish short evidence-based research projects.
Focus: Planning inquiry, multiple sources, note-taking, tech-supported drafting
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Research & Technology)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week students become researchers: they’ll plan an inquiry question, gather and evaluate multiple sources, take organized notes (quoting/paraphrasing ethically), and draft using technology to produce, revise, and share their work. The end goal is a short research product (1–2 pages or an infographic/slide deck) with a Works Cited and evidence that actually backs their claims.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Plan and refine an inquiry question and sub-questions; conduct a short research project that draws on several sources and refocuses as needed (W.6.7).
- Gather relevant information from print and digital sources; assess credibility, quote and paraphrase without plagiarism; keep basic bibliographic info (W.6.8).
- Use technology tools (docs/slides, comment features, keyboarding/formatting, citation helpers) to draft, revise, and publish writing and collaborate with peers (W.6.6).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 6
- Writing 6.7 (W.6.7): Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
- Writing 6.8 (W.6.8): Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess credibility; quote/paraphrase; avoid plagiarism; provide basic bibliographic info.
- Writing 6.6 (W.6.6): Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can ask a researchable question, find several solid sources, and track where my info came from.
- I can paraphrase and quote correctly with attribution and a simple Works Cited.
- I can use docs/slides tools (headings, comments, links) to draft, revise, and share my final product.