for 28 classes

Writing a Research Report (MLA Format, Grades 5 & 6)

Completed by 26 learners

Ages 10-12

Live Group Class

This is a great introduction to writing a research report. Students will research, take notes, create an outline, cite resources, and write a research report.

Lisa Rohloff

Average rating:

4.8

Number of reviews:

(358 reviews)

Live video meetings

2x per week, 14 weeks

2-5 learners per class

45 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

28 live meetings

21 in-class hours

Homework

1-2 hours per week. Homework will vary each week depending on what we are working on. Some weeks it will be to take notes and find resources and other weeks there will be writing assignments.

Assessment

I will have kids send me their work periodically and give them my feedback to make sure they are on track. After they turn in the final paper, I’ll send very detailed feedback on what the did well and how they can improve.

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 6

In this multi-day class, students will meet twice a week to prepare a written research report. Each week we will talk about the next step in their process. Students will research a topic of their choice, write a proposal, take notes, create an outline, and write a report in the correct format and with cited resources.

Note: the schedule below may be adjusted as we progress through the semester.

Week 1
- What is a research paper?
- Writing a proposal with a working thesis statement.
- Choosing and narrowing a topic.
- Finding credible resources

Week 2
- Plagiarism
- Students will find their first resource. This will be an online article on a website.
- Recording resource information on a working bibliography
- How to take notes (Students will learn about the three different kinds of notes: summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting)

Week 3
- How to cite sources (online encyclopedias, online dictionaries, and online website articles)
- Taking more notes and researching

Week 4
- How to cite resources (dictionaries, books and encyclopedias in print)
- continue taking more notes

Week 5
- Creating categories for notes and color coding them
- Developing a clear thesis statement

Week 6
- Students will learn the proper format of an outline and will create their own.

Week 7
- Writing main body
- Writing paragraphs with in-text citations

Week 8
- Writing main body

Week 9
- Complete 3 or more pages of main body

Week 10
- Write the introduction and conclusion

Week 11
- Writing the Works Cited Page

Week 12
- Finish the rough draft and turn in to Ms. Lisa for editing and comments.

Week 13
- Extra week for working on any trouble areas. Some students might need to add more pages or have time for rewriting.

Week 14
- Finish editing and writing final copy and turn in research paper

Learning Goals

Students will learn: 
 - Choosing and narrowing a topic.
 - Taking notes.
 - Choosing credible sources.
 - Writing in academic voice.
 - Citing resources.
 - Understanding what plagiarism is.
 - Organizing notes into an outline/identify main ideas.
 - Writing an introduction and conclusion.
 - Writing the works cited page with properly formatted sources (MLA).
 - Writing a rough draft. 
 - Editing and rewriting a rough draft.
 - Grammar and spelling for academic writing.
 - Basics of MLA formatting.

Other Details

Parental Guidance

Students will need access to something with which they can create their presentation (PowerPoint or Google Slides). Students will need access to a word processing application such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word in which they can type the final copy of their report. Google Docs and Google Slides are free, but they require setting up a Google account at www.google.com. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint require a paid subscription. You can find information about getting a subscription to Microsoft products on the Microsoft.com website.

Supply List

Special Note: All of the word processing and presentation tools listed in the External Resources section are not required. Students will need on word processing tool and one presentation tool. 
     There will be worksheets handed out during the course of the class. Students can use these to keep track of their resources, take notes, and record their progress. 
   Beginning in week 7, students should have access to Google Slides to create a presentation. Google Slides is free but requires a subscription. Another good option is PowerPoint, which requires a purchase. You only need one of these.
     I recommend using Google Docs to type the final copy. It is free but requires a subscription. Another option is Microsoft Word, which you would need to purchase. You only need one or the other.

Language of Instruction

English

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Sources

Students will find books, articles, and websites (such as online dictionaries, online encyclopedias, and other relevant sites) as sources for their paper.

Meet the teacher

Lisa Rohloff

Joined April, 2020

4.8

358reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

2 Degrees

Master's Degree from University of Wisconsin-Stout

Bachelor's Degree from Ashford University

I love working with kids! I have 13 years of teaching experience, and I have taught in both traditional school settings and as a homeschool parent. I am passionate about helping kids at all levels of their reading and writing journey. It's so exciting when I see a student gain confidence as a reader/writer or when I can help a young aspiring writer achieve their dreams.

My writing experience includes writing copy for marketing materials, ghost writing for corporate executives, technical writing, writing newspaper articles, and writing instructions for digital technology applications. Managing a corporate internal newsletter was one of my favorite projects. I created the newsletter design, interviewed and wrote articles about team members, and managed the editing and submission process for all the contributors. As a hobby, I love to write short stories, poetry, and songs. I can't imagine my life without writing.

My education includes a BA in Communications and a Master of Science in Technical and Professional Communication (MSTPC). Because I have completed 2 years of my BA and all of my MS classes online, I am skilled with the various aspects of online learning. I love using what I have learned to help kids become better at reading and writing.