Sunday, February 16, 2014

Research in Kindergarten?

You betcha!

     I love when someone who doesn't spend a lot of time in kindergarten walks into my room and when they see what the kids are doing, their jaw drops open and they say something like, "I can't believe that kindergartners are subtracting/writing poetry/doing research." We do so much more in kindergarten than we did even a few years ago, and visitors are often surprised at how much we challenge our little guys. It sure ain't your Grandma's kindergarten anymore!

     This happened to me a couple of weeks ago when we were in the middle of our nonfiction unit. One of the upper grade teachers in my school popped in and was amazed to see that the kids were doing independent research projects. I told her we were tackling the process in a "kindergarten friendly" way, which involves a few steps that I've tweaked over the past few years so that all of the kids can be successful. I thought I would share in case anyone is looking for a way to get started. This is what we did . . .

Step 1: Prep
           I decided that we would just focus on animals, so I came up with three facts that I thought would be both interesting and easy to research. The kids were responsible for finding out what their animal looks like, what it eats and where it lives. I gathered a whole bunch of nonfiction animal books for the kids to choose from. (This took a little bit of time because I wanted to make sure that the books I picked had clear illustrations because many had text that was just not accessible to most of my beginning readers.) Then, I got the materials ready for the first day of research. I put three small stickies with icons for each fact on a sentence strip for each student. We were ready to go
Kindergarten Research - Peace Love and Learning

Step 2: Research
     For each of the first three days, I focused my Readers' Workshop mini-lesson on looking for one of the chosen facts. Modeling with a big book, I showed the class how to find the information I was looking for and how to mark it with the matching sticky note. When I sent them off to get to work, they were so excited to find what they were looking for - we were official researchers!
Kindergarten Research - Peace Love and Learning

Step 3: Note Taking
     On each of the days that we did our research in Step 2, we carried over our project into our Writers' Workshop time. I gave the kids a tri-fold graphic organizer to write down the information they had collected that day. (I enlarged onto 12x18 construction paper so they had a big space to write in.) We discussed making illustrations true to life and the kids were encouraged to add details.
Kindergarten Research - Peace Love and Learning
 I love how this little researcher spelled "koalas" and "trees."

Step 4: Publishing
     Once all of the research was done, we took all of the facts we'd learned and wrote nonfiction books about our animals. I simply provided a cover sheet and blank pages and the kids went to town. They did such a great job! Even my reluctant writers were excited to share their new knowledge. The kids were so proud of their finished books that we visited our 5th Grade Reading Buddies to show them off.
Kindergarten Research - Peace Love and Learning

Our first Reading and Writing nonfiction units of study were a big success and the kids really have a firm grasp on how to read and write nonfiction books. If you'd like to give it a try, you can download the materials I used by clicking on the picture below.  Happy Researching!
 Kindergarten Research - Peace Love and Learning
 

17 comments:

  1. As always, thank you for teaching me how to be a better Kindergarten teacher!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great way to research in a kinder friendly way! Thanks for sharing!

    Lindsey
    Lovin’ Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
  3. **sigh** I miss the adorable spelling! Hope all is well!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. As a technology teacher I am always looking for ways I can support the classroom teacher...especially in the younger grades since my experience is with grades 3-5. This was so helpful! I will definitely be using this! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. We are getting ready to research different insects! I love your approach! Thank you! =)

    ReplyDelete
  6. As the world is going towards extent advancement, how can our kids lagging behind. They learn much more things in Kindergarten.

    Best way to prepare for SAT

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unsecured car loans do not crave any aegis or collateral. These loans are usually issued based on your banking standing, your acclaim history and your accepted application and assets statements, which actuate your abeyant to accord the loans. Check Cashing

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for posting this. It is very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Do you need Finance? Are you looking for Finance? Are you looking for finance to enlarge your business? We help individuals and companies to obtain finance for business expanding and to setup a new business ranging any amount. Get finance at affordable interest rate of 3%, Do you need this finance for business and to clear your bills? Then send us an email now for more information contact us now via financialserviceoffer876@gmail.com whats-App +918929509036 Dr James Eric Housing Finance Pvt Ltd Thank

    ReplyDelete
  10. Do you need Finance? Are you looking for Finance? Are you looking for finance to enlarge your business? We help individuals and companies to obtain finance for business expanding and to setup a new business ranging any amount. Get finance at affordable interest rate of 3%, Do you need this finance for business and to clear your bills? Then send us an email now for more information contact us now via financialserviceoffer876@gmail.com whats-App +918929509036 Dr James Eric Housing Finance Pvt Ltd Thank

    ReplyDelete
  11. This article is extremely educational lastly I got what I needed. Thank you kindly for this Information.
    transaction advisory services

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks Norton.com/setup, words are too small for the value you add through your content, This is the best guide I have seen so far on the internet. Norton Setup was easy to understand with comprehensive and easy explanation.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Peace, Love And Learning: Research In Kindergarten? >>>>> Download Now

    >>>>> Download Full

    Peace, Love And Learning: Research In Kindergarten? >>>>> Download LINK

    >>>>> Download Now

    Peace, Love And Learning: Research In Kindergarten? >>>>> Download Full

    >>>>> Download LINK rU

    ReplyDelete
  14. Peace, Love And Learning: Research In Kindergarten? >>>>> Download Now

    >>>>> Download Full

    Peace, Love And Learning: Research In Kindergarten? >>>>> Download LINK

    >>>>> Download Now

    Peace, Love And Learning: Research In Kindergarten? >>>>> Download Full

    >>>>> Download LINK sX

    ReplyDelete
  15. This information is truly helpful and I'm so glad you decided to share it with us. It's greatly appreciated!

    ReplyDelete