Research Planner
Plan your research before you start reading. Fill in each box, then use your notes with the Informative Essay Planner.
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How to do it
- Write your topic and research question.
- List what you know and what you want to find out.
- Check where you'll look and plan three subtopics.
Teaching tip
The three subtopics can become the three body paragraphs of an informative essay. This sheet is aligned with Common Core W.4.8.
About this worksheet
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.
What kids practice
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.
Watch for
- 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.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full research notes guide for 4th grade.
More sheets in this set
- See it all
1. Research Notes ChartThe 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. 
3. Key WordsSentences 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.
4. Take Notes from a PassageSix 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.
5. Sort the NotesNine mixed-up notes about sharks, ancient Egypt, rain forests or the solar system to sort into three subtopics. Includes an answer key.
6. Does It Answer My QuestionA research question like "What do sharks eat?" and nine notes on the topic, to circle the ones that answer it. Includes an answer key.
7. Note CardsSix note cards to cut out, each with lines for a subtopic, a note, a source number and a page number.
8. Source ListA table for up to eight sources, with title, author or website, year, and kind of source.