Take your fourth grader to the local library to see the plentiful research materials available. Local libraries are brimming with information, and there is almost nothing that you can not find there. Libraries provide research materials like maps, encyclopedias, almanacs, periodicals and computer access to the Internet. Show the student the various parts of the library or get professional guidance and make an appointment to take a tour of the library with the librarian as a guide.
Show the student how to find local resources for research. For example, a student doing research on a particular city could contact that city's tourism office for information.
Supplement what the child has learned in school about the Internet by introducing him to reliable websites, such as those belonging to specific businesses, local libraries, government offices or universities. Reinforce that not all sites can be considered reliable places for research because they just represent individual opinions and not fact.
Introduce the different parts of non-fiction text to students. Use the text to point out how headings, different forms of type, pictures, captions and charts are used in non-fiction text to deliver information. Once students are aware of the way non-fiction books work, give them questions to answer using a sample text as their resource. This will allow them to practice retrieving information for research.
Teach note-taking skills. Taking notes is an important part of research because it helps students to keep track of significant information that is found throughout their reading. The first step to taking successful notes is to know what topic you are researching. Then use the five Ws to guide your research: who, what, when, where and why. Use note cards to keep track of information, allowing only one idea per card. This method will help in the latter stages of research when the student needs to organize her information.
Reinforce the art of summarizing. That is a key skill for research so that students can avoid plagiarizing an author's work. A good strategy for students to use is to read the information,then close or put away the resource and tell another person what they read. This helps students to avoid copying information word for word and helps them to identify the key points in their research.
Challenge your student and reinforce the research skills at the same time. Ask a question of the day or question of the week and give your him time to come back with the answer for you.