Virginia SOL 6.R.1.A
The Standard
Formulate appropriately narrow questions about a research topic and refocus the inquiry when appropriate.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students turn a broad topic into a focused question that can guide a manageable research project. They adjust that question when sources reveal gaps, limits, or a better direction.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can write a clear question that fits the available time and sources. The student can explain when new information requires narrowing, expanding, or changing the question.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may choose questions that are too broad, too narrow, or answered with one fact. They may collect unrelated sources instead of revising the question when research leads in a new direction.
How to Assess It
- Give students the topic “school lunches.” Ask them to write one focused research question, then revise it after learning that food waste is increasing.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups broad topic cards and sticky notes, then have them build a question ladder from broad to focused.
Ask students to explain which question about social media would produce useful evidence for a three-page report and why.
Play Question Sort by having teams classify sample questions as too broad, too narrow, or research-ready.
Use a local issue, such as park litter, and have students shape a question for a short report to the city council.
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Printable 6.R.1.A Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6.R.1.A, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 7.R.1.A
Formulate questions about a research topic, broadening or narrowing the inquiry as necessary.
- 9.R.1.A
Formulate and revise questions about a research topic, broadening or narrowing the inquiry as necessary.
- 12.R.1.A
Formulate and revise questions about a research topic broadening or narrowing the inquiry as necessary.
- 11.R.1.A
Formulate and revise questions about a research topic broadening or narrowing the inquiry as necessary.
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