When assigning research projects to your class, pass out folders in which students can keep all of their research work. After students have chosen the topic to research, have them begin a KWL chart in their folders. The K is where they write everything they already KNOW about the topic they have chosen, the W column is where students write what they WANT to find out, and the L column is where they write what they LEARN. This will help to keep your students on track during their research. They can look back at what they wanted to learn and make sure they have researched each of the topics under that section of their chart.