Utilizing a Research Center for Classroom Engagement

How? Take a look at your current unit of study. Reflect on what the theme of the unit is, along with the standards students need to master. This theme should be the focus of your Research Center. 

What to put in your Research Center- Use a variety of media! Research Centers should be a place where students can explore their curiosity about the unit, ask and answer questions, and go to for inspiration and motivation.

1. Computers : Often times, we will place our classroom computer/laptop in our Research Center for use as students explore the unit of study. Be sure to do a mini-lesson with the class about reliable online resources for the purposes of research. You can explicitly walk students through the process of using computers, setting up the expectations step by step. In true GLAD form, modeling is key.

   

2. Books : Utilize your local library! Ask a parent volunteer to check out unit-related books at the start of each unit. This way, students will have new books to explore and use to research. If you have a school library, you can ask students to check out a book related to the unit to add to the research center. Whenever students are ready for team or independent research, they can read through the books in the research center to help them learn new facts. Students can then apply this knowledge to their Learning Log or any other GLAD strategy.

   

3. Realia : You can use realia to engage your students during direct instruction. For example, use realia during the Graphic Organizer or Pictorial Input Chart to build excitement and comprehension with the academic vocabulary. You can pass around realia during the 10/2 discussions you set up to increase academic discourse and student voice. After you are done using realia to teach your direct instruction, place them in the Research Center for students to explore further! Many students like to use realia during note-taking time to help them add sketches and write about the topic at hand. Using a variety of realia is a fantastic visual aid for students.

4. Living Documents : Use your GLAD strategies! Place strategies such as the  Observation Charts, Inquiry Chart, Big Book, and Picture File Cards in the Research Center. Students can refer to and use these strategies for their team and individual research. Whether adding information or ideas directly to a chart or using post its, the impact of living charts creates student ownership.

5. Class pets, plants, stuffed animals: If you have a class pet, stuffed animals, or plants, place them in the Research Center during science units. Students can make observations, ask questions, and make predictions about units of study related to the topic. This is a great way to help students build explicit connections to text and real life examples. As a teacher, you can incorporate this into your input charts. For example, if you have a tomato plant growing in the Research Center, do a Pictorial Input Chart of this same plant. In this way, you are building students' background knowledge through your Research Center and getting them excited to learn about the unit of study. 

6. Picture File Cards : We all know the power of using visuals to teach. Providing students with access to Picture File Cards related to the unit of study is a powerful way to help the information they are learning acquire much faster. One way to do this is to make a copy of the pictures from your Input Charts and put the second copy in the Research Center. Students can take these picture file cards back to their desk as needed throughout the unit to support them with reading and writing. If students get stuck with the writing process, you can have the student choose a picture from the Research Center and use that as a foundation for their writing. What do they know about the picture? What did they learn about? Students can also sketch information that is activated by these visuals. In this way, Picture File Cards serve as visual scaffolds into the reading and writing process for students.

   

Try it out!

A well-equipped Research Center can transform the learning experience by fostering curiosity, engagement, and collaboration among students. By integrating a variety of media—such as computers, books, realia, living documents, and visual aids—teachers create a dynamic environment that encourages exploration and creativity. These resources not only support individual and group research but also enhance comprehension and retention of information. By thoughtfully curating materials and incorporating hands-on elements like class pets or plants, educators can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. Ultimately, a vibrant Research Center serves as a catalyst for inspiration, empowering students to ask questions, seek answers, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.

Watch it in action!