[LM_NET] target: ELEM research with 4 graders and their teachers

[Patrice Huckaby <HuckabyP@SHCSC.K12.IN.US>]

I am getting a lot of traffic these days from excited 4th graders who are embarking 
on their first "real" research projects.  As 3d graders, they all did extensive 
projects on a particular animal, so they have had more practice than they realize.  
Now, they are allowed to pursue their own topics.  My library patrons are PreK - 
Grade 6.  There is a limit to how much material I am going to have on such topics 
as forensic medicine, Taylor Swift, and famous race car drivers.  But these are 
some of the topics that the teacher has allowed students to select.  As I see it, 
my dilemma is this: how can I tactfully work with classroom teachers and suggest 
some reasonable criteria that students should use in picking a topic that will 
yield results when they come to this elementary library?  Topics that are worth 
putting time in on, if that isn't sounding too judgmental.
 
So far, we have talked about broadening or narrowing searches, depending upon the 
researcher's interests.  We have discussed the meaning of plagiarism and the 
importance of keeping track of and listing one's sources.  When they begin their 
next project at the start of the new year, I will tackle trying to get them to use 
other on-line resources besides Google and Wikipedia.  In anticipation of that 
activity,  how can I get teachers to exercise some control over the topics that are 
chosen?
 
I understand wanting to have students motivated; choosing one's own topic is 
certainly a good motivator.  I appreciate how important it is to have choice in 
what students study, especially when, as in this case, the process is at least as 
important as the product.  But I'd like to figure out a way to work with teachers, 
so that their students are able to use their time wisely here.  I don't have books 
in my library on Lady Gaga or Jennie Finch (actually, I did end up finding her in 
Biography Today).  Has anyone else figured out how to diplomatically handle such a 
problem, which -- when you think about it -- is really more with the teacher than 
with the student.
 
If you have an idea, please respond to me off the list.  In advance, thank you.
 
 
Patrice Huckaby, media specialist
South Central Elementary School
6595 E. Highway 11 SE
Elizabeth, Indiana  47117
812-969-2973, x7101
HuckabyP@shcsc.k12.in.us



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