Research Report — From Question to Published Paper

Research is the characteristic elementary work. The question is the control — unanswered, it stays open; answered, the report closes the cycle. Indirect aim: the intellectual discipline of sourcing, citing, arguing; preparation for academic writing across the curriculum.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Language
• Learning area: Writing
• Level: Ages 8-10

Objectives

• Formulate a research question from personal interest
• Gather sources from at least three types (book, interview, website)
• Draft, revise, and publish a five-paragraph research report
• Cite sources with a simple bibliography

Materials

• Research folder with planning sheet
• Source-notes index cards
• Report paper and binding materials
• Citation template (title, author, year, source type)
• Class research archive

Instructions

1. Choose a real question the child cares about. 2. Gather sources: one book, one interview (Going Out), one website. 3. Take notes on index cards, one idea per card, cite source. 4. Sort cards into three main points. 5. Draft: introduction with question and thesis, three body paragraphs, conclusion. 6. Revise with a peer; check every claim against a source. 7. Write a bibliography listing all sources. 8. Bind and file in the class research archive.

Educator tip

The interview (Going Out) is often the richest source and the one most children resist. Help them script two questions and dial the number — after that, they fly.

Assessment

Observe source variety, note-taking discipline, structure of the final report, and the citation accuracy.

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