4th Grade
Independent Study Plan
Your mission is to choose a topic related to the 4th grade core that you are interested in, research that topic, and then find a cool way to present it to students of our class. You will check in weekly with Mrs. Hall to report your progress.
STEP 1 – CHOOSE A TOPIC
4th Grade Topics to investigate:
-Math – study in depth math topic found in the 4th Grade Envision math textbook
-Social Studies, study any topic related to Utah – its land, history, people, places (check my web page for ideas)
-Science – study any 4th grade science topic (the water cycle, Utah environments, Utah plants, Utah animals, rocks and soil, fossils, weather)
-Reading - Author studies – read several books by an author and then review the books, compare and contrast the books, create character studies
- Reading -Genre studies – read several book in a genre, review the books, compare and contrast, create character studies.
-Health – choose a topic related to the health of kids in elementary school, and create a presentation to educate students of JR Smith.
-Writing – write a play or reader’s theater on any topic, cast, direct, and present play to our 4th grade class
-Art – study a master artist and create a project that you could share with the class
-Music – study a genre of music, an artist, or musical group and find an interesting way to share what you learn
-Physical Education – study the history of a sport or exercise method
If you are having a hard time choosing a topic, ask yourself the following questions:
Which topic is most interesting to me? Which topic do I know the least about? Which topic do I know the most about? Which topic will be easy to find information? Which topic is the most unusual? Which topic will be the most useful to me? Which topic will be the most interesting to my audience?
STEP 2 –ASK QUESTIONS THAT WILL HELP GUIDE YOUR STUDY
Choosing one or a few of the following questions will help guide your study: who, what, when, where, why, how, how much, how many, howlong, and how far, along with what might happen if? I wonder…..
STEP 3 – CHOOSE A STUDY METHOD
Where are you planning to get your information? (books, internet, interviews, surveys) Do you have a variety of sources?
STEP 4 – GATHER INFORMATION
You can record your information in a journal, folder, or on a word document saved to your desk top. Be sure to document where you get your information.
STEP 5 – DEVELOP A PRODUCT
Products include books, diagrams, dioramas, movies, games, graphs,posters, puppet shows, reports, timelines, debates, dramatizations, models, newspapers, poems, speeches, PowerPoint, Google Presentation, Sway presentations, Prezi presentation, and any other creative ideas.
STEP 6 – SHARE INFORMATION
If presenting an oral report keep in mind the following:
-plan the report
-practice the report
-arrange materials in order
-stand in a visible spot
-introduce yourherself
-look at the audience
-speak loudly enough to be heard
-hold the product or visuals where they can be seen
-state major points
-keep the talk short
-ask for questions
-thank the audience
STEP 7 – EVALUATE THE STUDY
• I had a well planned independent study.
• I used my time efficiently.
• I wrote a probing study question.
• I used varied resources.
• My research was extensive.
• I developed a fine product.
• My class presentation was effective
• I have good feelings about the independent study. (Johnsen &
Johnson, 1986b, p. 22)
INDEPENDENT STUDY - WEEKLY CHECK-IN SHEET
NAME: ______DATE: ______
I am currently on STEP _____ of my Independent Study.
My topic is ______
This is what I was able to accomplish this week:
Teacher Feedback:
INDEPENDENT STUDY - WEEKLY CHECK-IN SHEET
NAME: ______DATE: ______
I am currently on STEP _____ of my Independent Study.
My topic is ______
This is what I was able to accomplish this week:
Teacher Feedback: