K-12 US · K–2
Research Skills for Students for Grades K–2
This guide helps US primary classrooms teach research skills for students with clear objectives and classroom-ready activities. Structured approaches to narrowing questions, gathering evidence, and synthesizing findings in K-12 research projects. Use short texts, picture prompts, and guided discussion. Keep vocabulary concrete and revisit the same media literacy habits weekly. Use it to plan a single lesson or a short unit arc in K–2 — then explore how Split a Cookie (SaC) modules reduce prep time for teachers and substitutes.
Last reviewed 2026-07-05
Learning objectives
- In Grades K–2, students turn broad topics into researchable questions — aligned with research skills for students instruction in primary classrooms.
- In Grades K–2, students maintain a source log with notes — aligned with research skills for students instruction in primary classrooms.
- In Grades K–2, students synthesize multiple sources in writing — aligned with research skills for students instruction in primary classrooms.
Classroom activities
- Use picture cards to sort "helpful" vs. "needs checking" sources after a read-aloud connected to research skills for students.
- Open with a 5-minute "Research Skills for Students" warm-up using a short age-appropriate clip or headline, then chart student questions on the board.
- Run a paired source comparison: give primary classrooms two short texts on the same event and ask which is more trustworthy and why.
- Send home a one-sentence family prompt: ask an adult how they check news on their phone.
SaC curriculum fit
Issue Tracker exports support research portfolios where students document alerts and credibility scores over time.
Standards alignment note
Districts across the United States align Grades K–2 media literacy instruction to state ELA, social studies, and library standards. SaC resources support local adoption — they do not replace state-specific scope and sequence requirements. Review your state framework when mapping K–2 outcomes.
Related resources
Other grade bands — Research Skills for Students