Research projects with Google Sites make sense. For one thing, you can store everything in one handy place. Kids can find directions and links. And teachers can model exemplary practices.
Let’s take a look at a simple animal research project. Created for third and fourth graders, it includes directions, websites, guidance, and modeling.
Research Projects with Google Sites Provide Directions
As you can see, this web-based research project provides paperless directions – all in one place. No more copying. No more lost packets. In addition, kids can access them from home – or anywhere.
Research Projects with Google Sites Include Websites
Website links are included. This keeps younger children safe, focused, and on task.
Research Projects with Google Sites Model the Research Process
When teachers model research skills, kids’ writing improves. However, students may forget what the teacher said. Or they may be absent. Building modeling into a Google Site lets kids look back time and time again.
Taking Notes
For this project, kids take notes online using Google Slides. The corresponding website shows kids how to write notes in brief phrases. The long list of notes encourages them to dig in.
Categorizing Notes
For the next step, kids categorize their notes. Again, the website models this.
Writing Detail Sentences
Next, they turn their notes into detail sentences. Without explicitly noting it, the website combines categories into one or two sentences. Kids naturally pick up on this.
Additionally, modeled sentences are not perfect. Instead, they may be out of order or repetitious. This provides opportunities for revision later on.
Writing Topic Sentences
Even though the box for the topic sentence comes first, the website models writing it last. Again, it’s written as a child would do it.
Drafting
Finally, the website shows how to write the topic and detail sentences as a paragraph.
Research Projects with Google Sites Model Revisions
For this project, students explore six strategies for revision. Targeted by the teacher, these strategies focus on common mistakes at these grade levels.
After all of the strategies are laid out, the website compares the first and final drafts.
Google Sites in Your Classroom
Now’s the time to build a Google Site to direct learning. In addition to research projects, you can use websites to supplement learning, encourage collaboration, direct homework, or flip your classroom. Why not try an independent learning module, webquest, or PBL, novel study, or eBook? The Google Sites possibilities are endless!