CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7
The Standard
Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6—12
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students turn a broad topic into a focused question they can investigate. They gather relevant evidence from several reliable sources, take notes, and explain an answer. As they learn, they develop narrower follow-up questions that open new lines of inquiry.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can write a focused, researchable question and select sources that address it from different angles. Their notes separate quotations, paraphrases, and source details. Their final explanation uses evidence from multiple sources and identifies a strong next question.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often choose questions that are too broad, too narrow, or answerable with one fact. They may rely on the first website, copy sentences, or collect facts that do not address the question. Follow-up questions may repeat the original instead of narrowing or extending the investigation.
How to Assess It
- Give students three brief sources about school start times. Ask them to write one focused research question, cite two relevant details from different sources, and add one follow-up question.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place three printed sources at stations; students rotate, record one useful fact from each, then sort notes under question headings.
Ask, "Should our school limit homework?" Students draft a research question, trade papers, and revise it after peer feedback.
Play Question Ladder: teams turn a broad topic card into three increasingly focused questions, earning points for clarity and researchability.
Have students investigate cafeteria waste using a school document, an interview with cafeteria staff, and a trusted local news source.
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Printable WHST.6-8.7 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.7
The 8th Grade version of this standard.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.7
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the i...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.7
Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and i...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.7
Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
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