How to Write a Research Paper for Kids | Episode 2 | Making a Plan

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In this lesson, students learn the importance of planning before writing a research paper, using bats as a topic example. They are guided to choose specific categories to research, such as where bats live, what they can do, their appearance, and their diet, while also jotting down what they already know and what questions they have about each category. This planning process helps organize their thoughts and sets a foundation for effective research in the next episode.
  1. What are some categories we can use to learn more about bats?
  2. Why is it important to write down what we already know before we start researching?
  3. How can planning help us find the information we need about bats?

How to Write a Research Paper for Kids – Episode 2: Planning

Today, we’re going to learn how to write a research paper about bats! But before we start writing, we need to make a plan. Planning helps us organize our thoughts and figure out what we already know and what we want to learn.

Choosing Categories

First, let’s think about the big ideas or categories we want to research. These categories will help us stay organized. Here are the categories I chose for my research on bats:

  • Where bats live
  • What bats can do
  • What bats look like
  • What bats eat

These categories will guide us as we gather information. Before we start researching, let’s write down what we already know and what questions we have about each category. Remember, this is just a plan, so we don’t need to write in full sentences yet.

Where Bats Live

I think bats live in caves. I want to find out if this is true and if there are any bats living near me in Georgia.

What Bats Can Do

I know that bats can fly, but I’m curious about how fast they can fly.

What Bats Look Like

I believe bats are dark brown and black, and I know they have fur. I wonder how big a bat can get.

What Bats Eat

I think bats eat bugs, but I’m not sure. I’ll need to research this to find out.

Now I have a plan to help me get started with my research. Planning makes it easier to find the information I need. Stay tuned for Episode 3 to see how I use my plan to research my topic!

  • What do you already know about bats? Can you think of any interesting facts or stories you’ve heard about them?
  • If you were going to research an animal, what categories would you choose to learn more about it? Why do you think those categories are important?
  • Have you ever made a plan before starting a project or activity? How did it help you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  1. Bat Habitat Exploration: Take a walk in your neighborhood or a nearby park with an adult. Look for places where bats might live, like trees or caves. Draw a picture of what you see and write a sentence about why you think bats might like to live there. Share your drawing and sentence with the class.

  2. Bat Abilities Experiment: Create a simple paper bat using construction paper. With the help of an adult, measure how far your paper bat can “fly” when you throw it gently. Try different ways of throwing it and see which method makes it fly the farthest. Write down your observations and discuss with a friend how this might relate to real bats and their flying abilities.

  3. Bat Diet Investigation: With an adult, research online or in books to find out what bats eat. Create a simple chart with pictures or drawings of the foods bats eat. Then, look around your home or school to see if you can find any of these foods. Discuss with your classmates why these foods are important for bats and how they help bats survive.

Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:

**How to Write a Research Paper for Kids – Episode 2: Planning**

I’m writing a research paper about bats, but first I need to make a plan. I’m going to think about two things: what I already know about bats and what I want to teach others, as well as what I don’t know yet that I’d like to learn.

I’m going to start by choosing different categories to research. These are big ideas that I think are important for people to know. I want to research and write about:

1. Where bats live
2. What bats can do
3. What bats look like
4. What bats eat

These categories will help me stay organized as I research. Before I begin looking for information, I’ll write down anything I already know about each category and any questions I’d like to answer when I do my research. This is just a plan, so I don’t have to write in full sentences yet.

**Where bats live:** I think bats live in caves. When I research, I’ll see if this is true. I’m also wondering if bats live near me in Georgia.

**What bats can do:** Well, I know that bats can fly. I’m wondering how fast they can fly, though.

**What bats look like:** Hmm, I think bats are dark brown and black, and I know they have fur. I wonder how big a bat can get.

**What bats eat:** I think bats eat bugs, but I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to research this too.

Now I have a plan to help me get started. Check out Episode 3 to see how I use my plan to help me research my topic!

This version maintains the original content while removing informal language and ensuring clarity.

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