5th grade college research project

Bell Ringers

Independent research projects in upper elementary, independent research projects in upper elementary ela.

Every year, I plan to give my students more choice, voice, and independent project work. Of course, we also have to deal with state testing and loads of other requirements. However, giving your students independent research projects not only helps them demonstrate learning and mastery of standards, it also gives them some choices and ability to share their own unique voice! Here are some independent research projects in upper elementary ELA that your 4th through 6th graders will love!

Genius Hour

You may have heard of Genius Hour or Passion Projects. Genius Hour is considered project-based learning, and it starts with a question. Students choose their own research question about anything really, and they study it at least an hour a week. After reading/researching about their question, their final project can be something as simple as an explanatory slideshow or building their own dollhouse. The possibilities are endless.

Genius Hour can require some scaffolding at the beginning. For example, you may ask your students to research a question related to a certain topic. If you’re reading Watsons Go to Birmingham, for example, they may ask a question surrounding the Civil Rights Movement or the 1960s. The topics can be open-ended to give the students some choice but still have an overarching theme.

Once students get practice researching and coming up with their own final project, they can choose a Genius Hour topic about anything. Some example questions may include:

• How do I promote healthy eating in elementary school?
• How do I prepare for middle school?
• What is the best place to take a family vacation, and how can I plan one for my family?
• How do you start a small business as a student?

Genius Hour gives students choice and voice in the classroom, and you’ll love learning about their passions!

Author Studies

This is one of my favorite projects to use for upper elementary ELA students! I first implemented this project with fifth graders after state testing. This is the perfect time of year for an independent study, and it reinforces reading, writing, and research concepts used throughout the school year!

This project includes almost everything you need for your students to complete a research project on the author of their choosing . It sets them up to brainstorm, research, take notes, plan, and then complete a research paper on their selected authors. I have also made sure to leave some of the note-taking more generic so that you and your students can use as little or as many pages as they need.

Start by giving students the included list of possible authors to research or let them choose their own. This author may already be a favorite or one they want to know more about! Once the author is chosen, your job is to facilitate. Remind them of resources to use for research, note-taking skills and options, and let them learn and explore!

The author study resource includes everything your students need to get started. You’ll have the author examples, note sheets, rubrics, and an example research paper to help guide your instruction and student learning!

Differentiate by having students work in groups to research an author together or study different authors within the same genre. This is also a great way to culminate literature circles by having students research the author they read!

These independent research projects in upper elementary ELA are some of my favorites to provide choice while differentiating for all learners. What research projects have you tried in your ELA classroom?

• Read more about: Upper Elementary Reading

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Grade 5 Research Project Worksheets

Related ela standard: w.5.7.

This is the grade level where we let our students loose to see what they can accomplish on their own. Students have learned the skills that they need to prepare themselves for researching and deciding on their own plans to conduct and analyze research. At this grade level we find that most teachers focus on science centered research which is very logical and forth right because most of them will be taking their focus in that direction. These worksheets ask students to use all that they have learned over the years and work towards solving relevant practices of research.

Grade 5 Research Worksheets To Print:

Is Global Warming Real? – Is this really still a valid question?

Research Plan – Get the "Sea of Information" piece?

Before You Move... – Time to find some sources to validate your point.

Plan Your Report – You should do this every time you want to write a report on anything.

Animal Kingdom – We look at the six most common sources.

Planning A Biography – Choose a famous person that interests you. Research that person's life.

Video Games – Can you learn important skills by playing video games? Or are video games bad for you?

Big Steps – Answer the first four questions. Conduct your research. Then answer the last question.

Made In... – Every day we use and purchase items without giving much thought to where they came from. Which country produces the most material goods?

Researching Careers – Deciding what career you want to have is a big decision. Different careers require different temperaments and different levels of education.

A Day in the Life – Choose one of the topics below. Circle it. Then fill out the worksheet.

Parenthood – Write an essay about what you think it will be like to be a parent. Your ideas should be supported by research.

Greek Myths – Choose one of the Greek Gods below and research them. Fill in the diagram. Then write a descriptive essay about the god you chose.

A Moment in Time – Think like a photojournalist. What kind of image would capture the event that you researched? Draw the image in the box.

Research Checklist – This one is great to laminate and keep around all the time.

How to Organize a Research Project?

Successful completion of a research project is one of the hardest tasks for anyone in their academic career. The modern and advanced curricula all across the world focuses on building a student's research execution skills from an elementary level so that the students do not face difficulty in their academic life afterwards. Initially, students are given topics to research on and strengthen their own idea about that topic from their research. Later this practice goes on to become harder with students choosing their topics themselves and going on to complete their research papers and publishing them in peer reviewed journals and so on.

However, irrespective of its kind and difficulty level, a research project is expected to follow an organized pattern to be successfully completed. The steps included in organizing all research projects are as follows:

Selection of a Topic

First of all, think of one broad topic you already have a strong grip on and interest in. Now do some basic reading and search about the trends and aspects of the idea you selected and narrow it down to one specific point you want to do your research project on. Be clear about the topic and read as much as possible about what is already there on it. After reading, you will be able to find various hidden and less-researched aspects of your topic - choose any one of them and think what will you do and how.

Dig in and Search for Your Required Material

Now that you know what to do, try to find the maximum possible amount of data from the relevant researches done on the same topic in various ways over time. Read everything you obtain from the internet and during the course of your reading, you might find the ideas for how to do your research.

Now execute your actual research and take rough notes for your results and experiences. After all of that is done, you can write a paper easily.

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College Research Project for College Awareness and Career Week for College Week

• Easel Activity Frequently assigned

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Description.

Open the doors to the world of higher education with this college awareness research project, which will give students an overview of what is involved in attending college. This low-prep college research project aims to promote college awareness by focusing on information that would be essential in making their plan for after high school.

The information they collect will help them visualize life at college and understand the importance of higher education. This is a wonderful way for aspiring college students to bring learning to life!

College Research Activity Includes:

• ➡️24 research questions ranging from financial aid, campus life, admission, and academics.
• ➡️ Students will look for answers to different aspects of college through internet searches, university web pages, or college speakers.
• ➡️ 12 Slides for students to build college background knowledge and awareness of frequently used college terms.
• ➡️ Cut and paste graduation cap craft and future grade template

Ideas for Teachers to Complete the College Awareness Project

There are multiple ways for the teacher to provide students with choices and differentiate how to complete the college research project.

• Students can investigate different universities or colleges of their choice.
• Another option will be for the class to focus on one university and, in collaborative groups, assign the different parts of the project.
• This product can be used as a culminating activity at the end of your unit on colleges or as a kick-off activity to college week or school-wide college activities.

Career Day Worksheets for Speakers and Writing Activity

• Do you have a speaker for Career Day? A worksheet is included with questions for students to complete about the presentation. This is a great way to get students interacting and engaged.

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Elementary Assessments

9 Fantastic 5th-Grade Research Topics Students Love

Fifth graders do well learning about complex subjects by selecting 5th grade research topics that are high-interest.

In order to expedite the process of choosing a subject, we’ve gathered 9 tried-and-true 5th grade research topics that are sure to be a hit.

These topics are both interesting and full of easy-to-digest information that is certain to spark creativity in even the most reluctant fifth grader.

So be sure to include these fun research project ideas in your lesson plans soon.

5th Grade Research Topics to Get Excited About

1. producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Learning the complex way that the world around us works is a subject that is sure to catch the attention of the scientifically-minded 5th grader.

One of the more fascinating scientific processes going on everywhere you look is the flow of energy. This flow is maintained by producers, consumers, and decomposers.

A research paper detailing the differences and relationships among these three organisms will be just challenging enough that a 5th grader won’t become bored writing it.

The subject matter is broad enough that they will never have a hard time finding the information needed. 

2. Weathering, Erosion, Deposition

It can come as a surprise to fifth graders that the ground we walk upon is still changing to this day!

The processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition are constantly occurring plus shaping the world every minute. 

Knowing that these processes literally move mountains, albeit over time, is sure to catch the attention of fifth-grade students.

Anything that has happened since the Earth was first formed definitely has a plethora of information available for a research topic, too.

A 5th grader could focus on how weathering has formed rivers and immense cave systems.

Or she may want to explore how all three processes created the Grand Canyon. 

3. Earth’s Rotation

If you’re looking for short research projects 5th-grade students enjoy, suggest this topic.

Earth’s rotation around the Sun, the Moon’s rotation about the Earth, and the rotation of the Earth on its own axis are three parts of one great research topic.

Interestingly, this rotation causes much more than just the day and night cycle!

Students will love to research the lengthening and shortening of days depending on Earth’s position.

They will also explore how rotation affects the seasons and how everything can stay in one place when the Earth is turning so fast! 

There are so many nuances to this research subject that 5th grade students will never get bored. 

This list of 5th grade research topics wouldn’t be complete with a subject related to space.

Related Post:

11 Interesting Research Topics for Kids

4. States of Matter

Solids, liquids, gases, and even plasma make splendid research topics. They are the perfect entrance into the world of chemistry for 5th graders. 

The differences between the 4 states of matter may seem obvious.

However, when students get down to the molecular level, the seemingly dull differences between liquid, water, and ice suddenly become fascinating!

Plus, what even is plasma?

Fifth graders are often shocked to learn that this lesser-known form of matter is actually the most prevalent form of matter in the universe

5. Insulators and Conductors 

The subject of electricity is sure to lend a spark to even the dullest lesson.

So it stands to reason that electricity and its many nuances would be a brilliant research topic for 5th grade.

For kids in this grade, insulators and conductors are important, accessible subjects. 

A charge transfers through the free flow of electrons in conductors.

Insulators, in contrast to conductors, prevent electrons from freely flowing from atom to atom and molecule to molecule.

To put it simply, conductors help electricity along while insulators impede the flow of electricity.

This is one of the 5th grade research topics kids absolutely love!

6. Landforms – Deltas, Canyons, and Sand Dunes

A deep dive into the different landforms of the Earth is a must in any 5th-grade lesson plan.

There is enough variety in these landforms that any single one of them would make a great research paper. 

Three easier-to-understand landforms are deltas, canyons, and sand dunes.

These formations are made from combinations of wind, water, and ice, among other things.

Fifth-grade students will love researching how even a gentle stream can create something spectacular over time. 

7. Black History Inventors

While your fifth graders may be familiar with Black History Month and the achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr., there are countless black figures who hardly get the recognition they deserve.

From cataract surgery to street lights, encourage fifth graders to explore these brilliant innovators who achieved greatness despite racial barriers.

Be sure to include this subject as one of your 5th grade research topics.

See a list of black inventors .

8. Scientists and Inventors

Humans have studied the world around them for centuries.

Fifth graders love to learn about scientists who are responsible, whether directly or indirectly, for so many of the medicines, procedures, and processes we use today.

Dive into information about great scientists !

9. Natural Disasters

If you’re seeking an independent research project 5th graders enjoy, try severe weather.

Natural disasters are arguably one of the most popular 5th grade research topics.

Fifth graders explore the different types of natural disasters, how they are predicted plus controlled, where in the world they are likely to occur, and the negative impact these disasters have on the population.

Also, consider having 5th graders research how natural disasters can be prevented and damage from them greatly minimized.

10. Animal and Habitats

Have students complete animal research projects about their favorite animals or any they find interesting.

Final Thoughts On Research Topics for 5th Graders

Now you have a ready-supply of 5th grade research topics for students to explore.

These research topics will surely excite fifth graders and motivate them to deepen their knowledge of concepts, ideas, places, and people.