How can you tell they’ve got it: Short Research Projects?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Generate three research questions about an assigned topic and identify two sources for each; Take brief notes from a print source, sorting key facts into provided categories; Write a short summary paragraph synthesising information gathered from two different sources. Or just try it together: When your child is given a research project at school, can they look up information from books or websites, take organised notes, and then write it up in their own words?

English Writing Composition Ages 8–11

Short Research Projects

Your child can do a short research project on a topic. They gather facts from books and websites and take neat notes.

In curriculum terms

Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic, gather information from print and digital sources, and take brief organised notes

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Generate three research questions about an assigned topic and identify two sources for each
Take brief notes from a print source, sorting key facts into provided categories
Write a short summary paragraph synthesising information gathered from two different sources

🖨 Print this page to keep the checklist — it prints beautifully.

Try this together

When your child is given a research project at school, can they look up information from books or websites, take organised notes, and then write it up in their own words?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Shared Research Projectsages 5–9Independent research extends shared research and writing projects

Main Ideas & Note-Takingages 7–10Note-taking for research benefits from summarising and recording skills

Representing numbers with objectsages 8–9Cross-subject: independent research projects may involve collecting and presenting data using charts and graphs

Writing Craft Vocabularyages 8–11Research projects require 'evidence', 'argument', 'perspective', and 'purpose' vocabulary

Short Research Projectsthis skill · ages 8–11

Unlocks

Research & Note-Takingages 10–11Gathering and paraphrasing builds on research projects

Evidence-Based Writingages 9–11Research and note-taking skills support the ability to gather and organise evidence from informational sources

Literary Evidence in Writingages 9–11Research and note-taking skills support the ability to gather and organise textual evidence for literary analysis writing

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

Revising and editingages 8–9 Vivid Word Choicesages 8–10 Writing Craft Vocabularyages 8–11 Choosing Form and Tone for Your Audienceages 9–10

All Writing Composition skills →