Research Tips for Kids

When you have to write a research report or paper for school...

HAVE FUN! BE A DETECTIVE! BE NOSY!

• DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE to start.
• DON'T BE SCARED. (O.K., a little scared, but just a little.)
• PICK TOPICS YOU ARE IN LOVE WITH OR CAN FALL IN LOVE WITH.
• BE PREPARED WHEN YOU GO TO THE LIBRARY. (Bring your assignment, pencil and pen, paper, change for the copier and your library card!)

USE AT LEAST THREE SOURCES.

• USE THE ENCYCLOPEDIA, THE DICTIONARY, OTHER REFERENCE BOOKS.
• USE NON-FICTION BOOKS, MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS, VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES.
• DON'T USE ONLY THE INTERNET.
• BUT DO USE THE INTERNET--CAREFULLY.
• USE THE INDEX OF A BOOK, including the encyclopedia.
• MAKE SURE YOUR SOURCES ARE RELIABLE.
• DO ASK FOR HELP. (Ask the librarian, your teacher, a friend, a parent.)
• DON'T ASK SOMEONE ELSE TO DO YOUR WORK FOR YOU.

KEEP ASKING YOURSELF: WHAT DO I KNOW? WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

• SEND AWAY FOR INFORMATION (DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!)
• REMEMBER TO USE DIFFERENT KEYWORDS WHEN SEARCHING.
• LET WAY LEAD TO WAY. (KEEP BEING NOSY.)
• USE THE TELEPHONE: TO GET INFORMATION; TO DO INTERVIEWS
• DO FIRSTHAND RESEARCH (BAKE PIONEER MUFFINS; HELP SHEAR A LLAMA)
• READ THE KID'S GUIDE TO RESEARCH TO GET MORE ADVICE.

BRAG ABOUT WHAT YOU LEARNED!