Research Can be Like a Box of Chocolates!

Giving students choice on research is like opening a box of  chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. My students have chosen their topics, and I am so impressed this year with their overall choices.  The topics go way beyond the typical ones I have seen in past years. For animals their thinking goes above and beyond habitat, food, shelter etc. Beyond their favorite sports team: the roster, favorite player, winning/losing record etc.  Once again if I allow the box to be opened they pull out more than I ever expected.  I can't believe the connections they made with their learning from our content areas this year as well as Wonderopolis topics and watching their amazing videos. Here are a few of the topics, and some of the reasons why they chose their topics.

Based on Wonderopolis video and wanting to learn more
about why they are  endangered as well as how can they help.

One of the students wanted to extend their learning about
hurricanes from fourth grade research.  They want to interview a
friend who is in meteorology.  Also he connected with the
recent disaster in Japan.

One student chose Greek Mythology because she wants to learn more about the  topic
 since she is reading the Percy Jackson series. Then wants to use her new
facts to write her own book similar to Percy.

This topic surprised me when I read the reason why: My dad is a rocket scientist,
and I want to learn more about his career.  Can you imagine the dinner
conversations at this house?