Research Standards by grade

K Locate the title, table of contents, name of author, name of illustrator
1 Use titles, table of contents, and chapter headings to locate information.  
 Interpret information from diagrams, charts, and graphs
2 Use titles, table of contents, and chapter headings to locate information.  
 Understand the purpose of various reference materials (e.g. dictionary, [glossary,] thesaurus, atlas)
3 Use titles, tables of contents, chapter headings, glossaries, and indexes to locate information in text.
Understand the structure and organization of various reference materials (e.g., dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, encyclopedia).
4 Identify structural patterns found in informational text (e.g., compare and contrast, cause
and effect, sequential or chronological order, proposition and support) to strengthen
comprehension.

Quote or paraphrase information sources, citing them appropriately.
Locate information in reference texts by using organizational features (e.g., prefaces,
appendixes).
Use various reference materials (e.g., dictionary, thesaurus, card catalog, encyclopedia,
online information) as an aid to writing.
Understand the organization of almanacs, newspapers, and periodicals and how to use
those print materials.
Demonstrate basic keyboarding skills and familiarity with computer terminology
(e.g., cursor, software, memory, disk drive, hard drive).

5 Understand how text features (e.g., format, graphics, sequence, diagrams, charts, maps) make information accessible and usable.
Analyze text that is organized in sequential or chronological order.

Discern main ideas and concepts presented in texts, identifying and assessing evidence that supports those ideas.
Draw inferences, conclusions, or generalizations about text and support them with textual evidence and prior knowledge.
Use organizational features of printed text (e.g., citations, end notes, bibliographic references) to locate relevant information.
Create simple documents by using electronic media and employing organizational features (e.g., passwords, entry and pull-down menus, word searches, a thesaurus, spell checks).
Use a thesaurus to identify alternative word choices and meanings.
 6 Identify the structural features of popular media (e.g., newspapers, magazines, online information) and use the features to obtain information.
Analyze text that uses the compare-and-contrast organizational pattern.

Use organizational features of electronic text (e.g., bulletin boards, databases, keyword searches, e-mail addresses) to locate information.
Compose documents with appropriate formatting by using word-processing skills and principles of design (e.g., margins, tabs, spacing, columns, page orientation).

7 Understand and analyze the differences in structure and purpose between various
categories of informational materials (e.g., textbooks, newspapers, instructional manuals,
signs).
Locate information by using a variety of consumer, workplace, and public documents.
Analyze text that uses the cause-and-effect organizational pattern.

Identify topics; ask and evaluate questions; and develop ideas leading to inquiry, investigation, and research.
Give credit for both quoted and paraphrased information in a bibliography by using a
consistent and sanctioned format and methodology for citations.
Create documents by using word-processing skills and publishing programs; develop
simple databases and spreadsheets to manage information and prepare reports.

8 Compare and contrast the features and elements of consumer materials from documents (e.g., warranties, contracts, product information, instruction manuals).
Analyze text that uses proposition and support patterns.

Plan and conduct multiple-step information searches by using computer networks and modems.
Achieve an effective balance between researched information and original ideas.