Teaching Resource
Inquiry Project - Template
A diverse template to help students craft inquiry questions to produce different types of research projects.
Inquiry-based learning is a method that focuses on student discovery rather than the student being a passive learner in the classroom. They are allowed to be in control of their own learning by asking questions over specific topics and then finding answers to those questions through research and learning activities. Inquiry-based learning is also a great way to incorporate 21st-century critical-thinking skills in the classroom.
This teaching resource is a fantastic template that can be used in a variety of ways. It can be incorporated into any class unit, or it can be a useful tool for a negotiated, flipped learning style to empower students to determine what they would like to learn. Digital Citizenship and Inquiry and Research can be difficult skills for students to maintain. This template gives students a place to document their research information and ensure they keep away from easy downfalls such as plagiarism and distracting resource types that do not contribute to their final presentation.
You can use all pages of this template, or pick and choose the ones that are relevant for your classroom needs.
These pages include assistance with:
- home learning
- success criteria
- investigation purpose
- parent interaction
- project choices
- presentation types
- locating and integrating personal interests
- community involvement
- Genius Hour references
- previous knowledge and understanding
- question promoting
- research organization
- primary and secondary resource use
- presentation planning
- drafting templates
- good referencing practice
- digital citizenship
- research hints and tips
- project tracking calendar
- reflection exit sheet.
Use the drop-down menu to choose between the PDF, editable Word, or Google Slide Deck version.
Common Core Curriculum alignment
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.6
With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.7
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.8
Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.7
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.8
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.7
Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.8
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7
Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.8
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources...
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

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English Language Arts and ReadingWritingScience Investigation & ReasoningInquiry and ResearchTemplatesInquiry TasksBlended Learning
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Resource Updates
An interactive Google Slide deck has been added to this resource.
Addition by Natalie Aug 13th, 2020
An editable Word version has been added.
Addition by Paul (Teach Starter) Feb 6th, 2020
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