Kim Adams

PTA Assignment
Professor Doug Busman

Research Project
Grade: 4th

Purpose: This ELA performance task assessment is both formative and

summative. It was created for fourth grade students to assess their ability to
utilize research strategies to compile a research project of their own. This
assessment will span over five days (Monday through Friday), where
students will have tasks each day that will aid them in getting to their final
presentation at the end. The presentation will be a 5-7 minute reflection on
what they have learned about their chosen topic. They will also complete a
written reflection, so that if they are nervous to present and accidentally
forget some of their information, they can still be assessed based on their
written work. This will allow for differentiation for students who need it. This
assessment will give students a meaningful task to complete. Before this
project, students will have studied multiple research-based texts as well as
discussed what research looks like. After this project is complete, students
will move on to writing their own research articles to be published in a
classroom magazine. This assessment, both formative and summative in
nature, will allow the teacher to see how each student is doing in regards to
understanding how to research and present their findings in a cohesive
manner.

Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.7
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through
investigation of different aspects of a topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.8
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant
information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize
information, and provide a list of sources.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and
strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.

1
Learning Targets Knowledge Reasoning

I can begin to create my project by Day 1

selecting a topic to focus on.

I can use different sources (books and Days 1-2

the internet) to find information.

I can construct a research project based Days 2-4

on my findings.

I can evaluate my classmates projects Day 4

through peer-editing and collaboration.
I can revise my project so it is the best it Day 4
can be.
I can summarize what Ive learned in my Day 5
research by presenting my project to my
class.

2
 Overview of PTA - Calendar

On the first day, the teacher will introduce the

project. Students will have the opportunity to go
to the library/computer lab to come up with a
topic that they are interested in researching.

Monday: Day 1 They will complete a worksheet where they list

at least three topics theyre interesting in
possibly doing this project on, so if they are
struggling with one they may select another.
Early finishers may begin to research on this day.

Day 2 will be spent in the library/computer lab,

where students will begin to research their topics
(or continue if theyve begun). Research
assistants (volunteers and education students
from local universities) will come in to help
students think critically about their topics and
Tuesday: Day 2 find worthwhile material to use for their projects.
The research assistants will work one-on-one and
in small groups with the students and mark their
progress so the teacher can see how each
student is doing and where assistance is needed.
Early finishers will begin the presentation
component of the project (explained further on
day 3).

Students will work on continuing their research

as well as beginning to compile it into a 5-7
minute presentation. They may use either Prezi,
Wednesday: Day 3 PowerPoint, or a poster as a visual aid. They will
be in the computer lab again this day and will
work on putting together their presentation.

The focus of this day is on peer-editing and

revision. Students will work together in groups of
2-3 and complete a worksheet where they will
Thursday: Day 4 give feedback on each others presentation
materials. Students will then have time to reflect
on this and write down how they are going to
improve their presentation before the
celebration tomorrow.

3
 This day is the celebration of learning. Students
will each present their research projects in front
of the class. They will fill out worksheets giving
Friday: Day 5 feedback to the presenters and letting them
know what they learned about their topic. This
will allow students to reflect on different topics
and give feedback about what they learned.

Verbal Directions to Give Students Each

Day
Each day, start by explaining to students what they will be doing that day. They also
have a checklist in their workbook that goes through the expectations for each day
of the project. Giving the students directions verbally will allow them to have
cohesion and make sure that everyone is on the same page before allowing them to
work mostly independently.

Day One:
We have been learning a lot about how to research and reading different research
texts lately. To show what you know about how to research effectively, were going
to be working on a project throughout the week. Today you will get your workbooks.
Your workbooks will be very important for this project, so make sure youre reading
the directions in the workbook closely. We will be working mostly independently
throughout the week, and we may be working at slightly different paces, so just
worry about yourself and what youre working on. We will be in the computer lab or
library each day and youll have our entire ELA time to work on this project each
day. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Day Two:
For the first half of todays class, we will be working on researching our topics we
selected yesterday. You must use at least one book and at least one website to find
information. You also need at least three sources total, so keep that in mind when
researching. For the second half of the class, we will have some visitors here with us
to help us with our projects. You will each have a research assistant working with
you to make sure you have a clear topic and check in on some other aspects of your
project. If there is not a research assistant working with you yet, you should just
continue to research until one comes to you. If you have any questions, please raise
your hand and let me know.

Day Three:
Today we will be focusing on any other research we still need to do and we will
create our visuals for our presentations on Friday. You may choose to create a Prezi,
PowerPoint, or poster to use as a visual for your presentation. Remember what you
know about visuals in presentations: you dont include every word youre going to
say, but instead use bullet points. You may make your visual as creative as youd
like, but make sure it focused on your topic. Please raise your hand if you have any
questions. You may get started.

4
Day Four:
Only one day until our celebration! Today you will work with one other classmate to
peer-edit each others presentations. Youve peer-edited in class a lot before, so I
know youll do a great job providing specific and meaningful feedback. You have a
worksheet in your workbook to complete while peer-editing. Youll also need to write
a reflection on the peer editing experience to explain what changes you need to
make to your project before tomorrow. Use any extra time after peer-editing to
make your project the best it can be and create notecards to use during your
presentation if youd like.

** Directions not needed for day five as its the learning celebration.
Simply introduce each student and allow him or her to present their
projects.

*** Workbook Pages are attached as pdfs ***

M y 4 th Grade

R e s e a r c h
P r o j e c t

N am e: ____________________