Birchwood
Elementary School
Information Literacy
Search sites for research-based projects.
Learn How to Research – plan/research/create/present
Grade Level Research
Mini-research Investigations
The following mini Online Research Investigations can be used to teach students how to use the Research Cycle by focusing in on the skills and thinking involved in one particular element of the cycle.
How are laws made in the State of Washington
What would a Mount St. Helens eruption look like?
How did geography and environment influence the Salish culture?
A Day in the life of the President of the United States
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What did his protests have in common?
Bellingham Public Schools – Online Research Projects
3rd Grade
Uncle Cyrus Needs a Job! – a research project on Bellingham’s history.
Seashore Decision – how are animals and their environment connected?
Where will you live? – how does environment influence culture?
4th Grade
Mt. Baker Safety Team – How will you plan to protect life and property in the event of a Mt. Baker eruption? USGS Mt. Baker Information
Road Trip Through Washington – an online research investigation for fourth graders exploring the regions of Washington State.
Vacation Washington – Alternate Roadtrip Through Washington Investigation using a modified task. See Teacher notes for details.
5th Grade
Where Would You Settle? – an online research investigation for fifth graders about Colonial America.
Time Traveler: Ancient Americas – Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise take students to an ancient American civilization of their choice.
Roller Coasters! – 5th graders, use this link to practice your skills in Gathering Information.
For Mountain School research- 5th grade-North Cascades National Park – use the Nature & Science link on the left side of the page to read about animals in the park.
Project Resources
World Book Online – Early World of Learning
Note: for World Book resources, username = bellingham, password=bellingham
Pics 4 Learning –appropriate gallery of pictures that are copyright friendly for students to use for research