What does Research Mean to a 9-10 year Old

Every year my fourth grade students do many guided research projects. They research a famous Pennsylvanian, Pennsylvania facts, and many other small topics. Their year culminates with a large biome research project. The students love the idea of creating their own biome book. They spend hours researching, selecting pictures and drawing. However, one thing I hear over and over again is, "I can't find - insert a specific word. I can't find anything on the tundra climate! I can't find anything on animals of the savannah."

Students expect to go on to Google, type in a word and magically everything they need will appear. Granted, I too would like that to happen when I am researching. So, much of my research instruction at this point is helping my students reword their search. As much as they hear me say, "Research means searching and searching again", they don't really believe it. This year, while searching biomes myself, I discovered a school in the midwest whose 5th graders had done biome research. The teacher's web page had some basic information as well.

Knowing how beneficial it is your students to connect with one another I connected the 5th grade teacher. We agreed to set up a SKYPE date where our students could discuss biome research. Suddenly having to search and search again seemed natural as the students discussed the various sites they used for research. For example, one student suggested using botanical sites for more information on specific plants.

My students loved talking about biome facts and research with our new friends. They were even recharged to re search.