Research notes worksheets
Aligned with Common Core W.4.8
Printable fourth-grade research worksheets: a research notes chart, a research planner, finding key words, taking notes from a passage, sorting notes into subtopics, checking whether notes answer a question, note cards and a source list.
The worksheets
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Research Notes Chart
The five steps of research, from asking a question to listing sources, and an example of turning a sentence from a source into a short note.
Research Planner
A planner for any research project: topic, research question, what I already know, what I want to find out, where I'll look and three subtopics.
Key Words
Sentences from a source, like "Sloths move so slowly that tiny plants called algae can grow on their fur," to underline key words and write a short note. Fewer, Standard or More give 4, 5 or 6. The answer key shows key words and a sample note.
Take Notes from a Passage
Six short nonfiction passages, about emperor penguins, monarch butterflies, the Moon, tornadoes, beavers and volcanoes, each with three subtopics to take notes under. The answer key shows sample notes.
Sort the Notes
Nine mixed-up notes about sharks, ancient Egypt, rain forests or the solar system to sort into three subtopics. Includes an answer key.
Does It Answer My Question
A research question like "What do sharks eat?" and nine notes on the topic, to circle the ones that answer it. Includes an answer key.
Note Cards
Six note cards to cut out, each with lines for a subtopic, a note, a source number and a page number.
Source List
A table for up to eight sources, with title, author or website, year, and kind of source.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
Research means finding facts from more than one source and taking notes to use in your own writing. Good notes are short: key words and phrases in your own words, not copied sentences. Fourth graders sort their notes into subtopics, which become the paragraphs of an informative essay, and keep a list of the sources they used.
What comes next
The Multi-paragraph essays topic in 4th grade Writing has an informative essay planner for turning these notes into an essay.
How to teach it
- Teach in order or jump to whatever your student needs. A student may take good notes and still be learning to sort them.
- Start with a research question, so your student knows what to look for.
- Model turning a sentence into a short note by picking out only the key words.
- Sort notes into piles or columns by subtopic before writing.
- Write down every source as you go, so it's easy to find a fact again.
Common mistakes
- Copying whole sentences from a source instead of writing key words.
- Writing down every fact, even ones that don't answer the research question.
- Forgetting to write down where a fact came from.
- Using only one source.