Writing Standards: Research and Inquiry Skills (CCSS.W.7.7)
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Common Core 7th Grade ELA › Writing Standards: Research and Inquiry Skills (CCSS.W.7.7)
Research scenario: You are investigating, "How do pollinators help urban gardens produce more food?" Sample notes:
- Pollinators like bees and butterflies move pollen between flowers, helping plants form fruits such as tomatoes and peppers.
- Some bird species migrate thousands of miles between seasons.
- One gardener in my neighborhood used blue pots and grew three basil plants.
Which note best supports the research question?
Some bird species migrate thousands of miles between seasons.
Pollinators like bees and butterflies move pollen between flowers, helping plants form fruits such as tomatoes and peppers.
One gardener in my neighborhood used blue pots and grew three basil plants.
The tallest skyscraper in a city can have over 100 floors.
Explanation
B directly explains how pollinators help plants produce fruit, matching the research focus. A is unrelated migration info, C is too narrow/anecdotal, and D is off-topic.
Research scenario: You are exploring, "How does plastic pollution affect sea turtles?" Sample notes:
- Plastic bags can look like jellyfish, a common sea turtle food.
- My cousin once picked up five bottles during a beach walk.
- A map showing where cargo ships travel across the ocean.
Which source would be most helpful for this project?
A travel blog about the best snorkeling spots
A weekly tide chart for a coastal town
A cookbook of seafood recipes
A peer-reviewed marine biology article summarizing research on plastic ingestion and entanglement in sea turtles
Explanation
D provides credible, in-depth scientific information directly about sea turtles and plastic. A, B, and C are unrelated or not research-focused.
Research scenario: You are asking, "How did the invention of the printing press change how ideas spread in Europe?" Sample notes:
- After the printing press, books became cheaper and more available, helping ideas spread during the Renaissance.
- Steps for fixing a flat bike tire.
- The opening hours of my town library.
Which note best supports the research question?
After the printing press, books became cheaper and more available, helping ideas spread during the Renaissance.
The opening hours of my town library.
Steps for fixing a flat bike tire.
A list of my favorite fantasy novels.
Explanation
A directly connects the printing press to the spread of ideas. B and C are off-topic or too narrow, and D does not address the research question.
Research scenario: You are planning, "What strategies can middle schoolers use to reduce food waste at lunchtime?" Sample notes:
- Some schools use share tables and compost bins so unopened items can be taken by others and scraps are diverted from trash.
- The history of space exploration in the 1960s.
- One student in our class forgot to eat an apple last Friday.
Which source would be most helpful for this project?
A hiking trail map of nearby parks
A novel about a cafeteria mystery
A school district or government guide on cafeteria waste-reduction strategies, including share tables and composting
A celebrity chef's autobiography
Explanation
C offers practical, authoritative strategies directly related to reducing cafeteria food waste. A, B, and D are unrelated to the research goal.
Research scenario: Maya is planning a short project about community gardens. Guiding question: How do community gardens affect neighborhood health and wellness? Sample notes:
- Local public-health summary reports that neighborhoods with community gardens had greater access to fresh produce and more walking.
- Map of city bus routes.
- Step-by-step instructions for building a raised garden bed.
Which note best supports the research question?
Directions for making a compost bin at home.
Summary of a local study linking community gardens to higher produce intake and more walking.
A chart of city bus routes.
A recipe for cucumber salad.
Explanation
The study summary directly connects community gardens to health-related behaviors (diet and physical activity). The other notes are unrelated or too narrow and do not address health impacts.
Research scenario: A class team wants to investigate cafeteria waste. Guiding question: What is the most effective way for schools to reduce plastic waste in cafeterias? Sample notes:
- District comparison shows less plastic trash after switching from disposable to reusable trays.
- Biography of a famous marine biologist.
- Chart explaining types of plastic used in water bottles.
Which source would be most helpful for this project?
A travel vlog about beaches around the world.
Restaurant review posts about local diners.
A flyer advertising a city recycling fair.
A recent school-district study comparing plastic waste before and after adopting reusable trays.
Explanation
The district study provides direct, comparative evidence about a cafeteria practice and its impact on plastic waste. The other sources are unrelated or not research-based.
Research scenario: Luis is studying transportation and school routines. Guiding question: How do bike-to-school programs impact student attendance? Sample notes:
- District data show schools with bike-to-school events had fewer tardies and slightly higher attendance over one semester.
- Specs and top speeds of professional racing bicycles.
- One student says they like their new helmet because it looks cool.
Which note best supports the research question?
District data showing improved attendance and fewer tardies at schools with bike-to-school events.
Specifications for a high-end racing bicycle.
A student's opinion about their helmet's color.
A map of national bike trails for tourists.
Explanation
The district data directly connect bike-to-school programs with attendance outcomes. The other notes are unrelated or anecdotal and do not measure attendance.
Research scenario: Priya wants to explore sleep and school schedules. Guiding question: Do later school start times improve middle school students' sleep? Sample notes:
- Study of three middle schools found that moving the start time 45 minutes later led to an average of 30 more minutes of sleep and less daytime sleepiness.
- Instructions for setting an alarm clock.
- Short history of pajamas through the decades.
Which source would be most helpful for this project?
A fashion blog about pajama trends.
A product guide comparing alarm clock features.
A peer-reviewed study measuring student sleep before and after a later start time.
A cooking video on making breakfast smoothies.
Explanation
A peer-reviewed before-and-after study directly measures how later start times affect student sleep. The other sources do not provide relevant research evidence.
Research scenario: A student is starting a short project. Guiding question: How do urban community gardens benefit neighborhoods? Sample notes: 1) Community gardens can increase access to fresh produce and encourage neighbors to work together on shared projects. 2) A medieval cookbook lists herbs used in 1400s Europe. 3) A description of the tallest cactus species in a desert.
Which note best supports the research question?
A medieval cookbook lists herbs used in 1400s Europe.
Community gardens can increase access to fresh produce and encourage neighbors to work together on shared projects.
A description of the tallest cactus species in a desert.
A photo gallery of rare tropical flowers.
Explanation
Choice B directly explains benefits (food access, community cooperation), which fits the guiding question. The other choices are unrelated or too narrow.
Research scenario: A student wants to learn how to judge online information. Guiding question: What strategies help students evaluate the credibility of online sources? Sample notes: 1) One blog post says a fact but has no author or date. 2) Some websites end with .edu or .gov and often provide reliable information, but readers should still check the author and evidence. 3) A tutorial on adding filters to photos.
Which source would be most helpful for this project?
A tutorial on photo editing tricks.
A local restaurant menu.
A forum thread where people debate their favorite apps.
A media-literacy guide that explains how to check author credentials, publication dates, and evidence on websites.
Explanation
Choice D teaches specific strategies for evaluating credibility, matching the guiding question. The other sources are unrelated and would not help with evaluating online information.