Research and Literature
by Sharron L. McElmeel

To move young readers beyond merely writing reports — that is finding any information on a topic and shaping that information into a report to fulfill a specific assignment — we might help them shape a question or questions that might lead to a search for more useful and interesting information. There are several activities that can lead young learners in the direction of researching for background information and then accessing primary sources for specific information.

The following is excerpted from: Chapter 3: Mini-Research Lessons, pages 18-19, Research Strategies for Moving Beyond Reporting by Sharron L. McElmeel (Linworth, 1997). Linworth Publishing, Inc. 480 E. Wilson Bridge Rd., STE L., Worthington, OH 43085. http://www.linworth.com.

Mini-research #3

What is the most difficult part of being a (name of career person)? What is the best part of being a (name of career person)?

Notes for the Teacher — Ask students to identify a career that they might consider having as an adult. Members of the class may identify several occupations. Preliminary information should be located in secondary sources (books, WWW, pamphlets, and so forth). Information including basic education requirements, average salary, and the career benefits should be recorded. After the background information is located, if the students are still interested in the career, they will want to learn firsthand the best and the worst parts of being in that specific career. Each student should locate a person engaged in that occupation and ask to interview her or him. Names of people to interview may come from discussion among class members or through the telephone book, referrals from union and professional organizations, and referrals from companies that employ people in that occupation. The interview could be conducted by mail or by telephone. Different situations and careers will require decisions concerning the interview method. As appropriate, review interviewing techniques and letter-writing procedures.

Mini-research #4

Each year the American Library Association presents the Newbery Award to an author and the Caldecott Award to an illustrator. Who won this year's awards? What were the titles of the books that earned the award for the author or illustrator?

Notes for the Teacher — Encyclopedias, children's literature texts, and periodicals will list the winners from previous years. Posters developed by various publishing representatives will display the winners up to the current year. The awards are announced each year in late January or early February. Very recent up-to-date information will be needed to locate the current year's winners, especially if this task is used in the beginning months of the year. Those who have access to periodical indexes will find the articles published sometime after the end of January or the first week of February likely includes the list of new winners. The Internet can also yield information through the America Library Association's Web site . The news release announcing these awards will provide the information needed. Other children's literature sites on the Internet will also have the information after a month or so. If your public library has a telephone reference service, a call to the service may also yield the answer. One should allot students the same resources as adults might use — including reference sources such as the public library services.