THINK: Start thinking about a topic you are interested in, something you might want to know more about. This can be something heavy, like police brutality, or it can be something that seems on the surface more light-hearted, like ballet. The only criteria is that you are actually curious about it.
This may seem like strange advice, but it can be helpful to go for a walk and think about topics you’d like to write about. Come home and jot down a few notes. By next class you will be expected to have some idea of a topic you’d like to research, even if it’s a bit vague.
Then WRITE:
KWL+
- What topic would you like to know more about? This can be in question form if you like.
- K- KNOW: Set your timer for five minutes. Write that whole time. It is important that you don’t pause here, so if you are stuck, write “I’m stuck!” But just keep typing. Write down everything you can about what you KNOW about this topic or question
- W-WANT: Set your timer for another five minutes. Same thing– you’ll write that whole time. This time, write what you WANT to know about the topic.
Here is where you do a little bit of research. Again, time yourself– spend 10-15 minutes on the Internet looking up your topic. - L-LEARNED: Another five minutes. Again, write the whole time. Write what you LEARNED from your 10-15 minutes of internet research.
+-STILL WANT TO KNOW: This is the most important question (but we had to do all of the above to get there!) After doing very basic internet research, what are some questions about your topic that you still want to know? It’s okay if your question has changed a little bit. Try to come up with questions that you will be able to research for a few weeks! (Hint: NO yes or no questions)
