5th Grade Media - the Plant Project

Carol Gehringer
Media Coordinator

Right now the 5th graders in our school are finishing their first MAJOR research assignment. Although they may moan and groan at the work, once the project is over they will be surprised at what they have learned as a result.

Here's what we've done in 5th Grade Media to prepare them since the start of school:

• Database scavenger hunt for ALL our databases
• Discuss ethical use of information and images (copyright!)
• Review basics of word processing and presentation software
• Review basics of writing a bibliography
• Learn to use a pathfinder provided by the media coordinator
• Discover research means being a detective - one might have to use more than 3 sources to  find the information needed for the assignment
• Learn that during research, a student needs to be diligent in using their time wisely: recording the information for the bibliography before going onto the next source
• Learn that a student needs other keywords for their search. If the assignment asks for the habitat, what does that mean? What other words should they use?

The students conduct their research during the first week of the project. They have time during their regular media time, as well as during their science blocks. The media coordinator assists them during research week.

This project is a collaborative effort between the 5th grade team, the technology teacher, and the media coordinator. The art teacher and Spanish teacher sometimes make their lessons revolve around the plant the students are researching.

After the students complete their assignment, they have everything on display for parents, other students, and teachers to view. Each student presents their plant to their visitors.

The students learn that research means

• they need to look at several sources
• the information doesn't just jump out at you (you have to read the text!)
• sources either add to the information you already have, OR support/confirm what you have written down

Most of all, they learn about time management, and this is probably the most important as they prepare to enter middle school.