Unit Plan 31 (Grade 8 ELA): Extended Research Project
8th graders plan and launch a focused research project by crafting inquiry questions, gathering and evaluating multiple credible sources, and practicing ethical note-taking. Students use technology to draft, cite, and collaborate, producing a research dossier and first polished body section.
Focus: Planning inquiry, multiple sources, note-taking, tech-supported drafting
Grade Level: 8
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Research & Process; Media Literacy)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Great research is a path, not a pile of links. This week, students launch an extended research project by framing focused inquiry questions, gathering and vetting multiple sources, practicing ethical note-taking (quote, paraphrase, summary), and beginning a tech-supported draft with citations. The deliverable is a research dossier (inquiry map, working thesis, annotated bibliography, outline) plus a first body section in polished form—positioning them to continue the project in upcoming weeks.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Conduct a short research project by generating a focused question, planning next steps, and refining the inquiry as they investigate (W.8.7).
- Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess credibility and accuracy; quote and paraphrase avoiding plagiarism; cite sources consistently (W.8.8).
- Use technology to draft, collaborate, and produce writing (shared docs, comments, version history), and to insert/manage citations and a Works Cited/References page (W.8.6).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 8
- W.8.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions.
- W.8.8: Gather relevant information from multiple sources; assess credibility/accuracy; quote/paraphrase; avoid plagiarism; cite.
- W.8.6: Use technology to produce and publish writing and to interact/collaborate with others.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can craft a researchable, focused question and map subquestions.
- I can find relevant, credible sources and record full citation info.
- My notes use clear labels (Q/P/S) and original phrasing when paraphrasing.
- My draft includes integrated citations and a Works Cited/References page.
- I can use comments, track changes, and version history to revise collaboratively.