Research reports worksheets
Aligned with Common Core W.5.7
Printable fifth-grade research report worksheets: a chart, paraphrase or copy, paraphrasing sentences, comparing two sources on one topic, quoting a source, judging whether a source is good, and a report outline with headings.
The worksheets
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Research Report Chart
Five steps of a research report, its four parts, how to paraphrase and quote, and questions to ask about a source.
Paraphrase or Copy?
Three source sentences, each with three student notes to judge as copied, a good paraphrase or a changed meaning. Includes an answer key.
Paraphrase It
Source sentences with lines to rewrite them in your own words. Fewer, Standard or More give 4, 5 or 6. The answer key shows sample paraphrases.
Two Sources, One Topic
Pairs of short original sources about hummingbirds, the Moon and honeybees, with questions about what each source says and lines for a combined note. New sheet gives a different topic. The answer key has example answers.
Quote a Source
Quotes from sources like a park ranger or a zookeeper to write into sentences that start with According to. Fewer, Standard or More give 4, 5 or 6. The answer key shows each sentence.
Is It a Good Source?
Short descriptions of sources, like a science museum's website or an ad, to judge as good or not good for a report. Fewer, Standard or More give 4, 6 or 8. The answer key gives a reason for each.
Report Outline with Headings
A one-page planner with a topic and research question, an introduction, three body sections with headings, facts and a source for each fact, and a conclusion.
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
A research report answers a question using information from more than one source. Fifth graders take notes in their own words, combine facts from different sources, quote a source when the exact words matter and say where every fact came from. They organize the report into sections with headings and check that their sources can be trusted.
What comes next
Opinion with evidence.
How to teach it
- Teach in order or jump to whatever your student needs. A student may find facts easily and still be building the habit of putting them in their own words.
- To paraphrase, read the sentence, cover it, say it in your own words, then check that the meaning stayed the same.
- Use at least two sources and look for facts they agree on.
- Talk about who wrote a source and why before using it.
- Keep track of each fact's source while taking notes. It's much harder to find later.
Common mistakes
- Copying a sentence and changing only one or two words.
- Changing the meaning while paraphrasing.
- Using quotation marks without saying who said the words.
- Trusting a source without checking who wrote it or when.