Cecil County Public Schools -
"Building a Foundation for Lifelong Learning" CCPS header

BEPAC Central Office Personnel Policies/Procedures Press Room School Board School Information Superintendent » Administration Page

ESOL Grades & Reporting Grades to Go PowerSchool Parent Portal Policies/Procedures Pre-K / Kindergarten / ECD School Calendar School Menu Special Education Student Education Planning Guide Title I Policy (PDF) Transportation » Parents Page

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Athletics Digital Databases Dress Code (PDF) Policies/Procedures Student Education Planning Guide School Menu Web-Based Lessons » Students Page

Grades to GO! (HS Only) PowerSchool Parent Portal

Step 1: Pre-Search

This step allows students to access and build upon prior knowledge from classroom instruction or experience and to review key vocabulary in order to narrow a broad range of information into a workable topic that will form the basis of the thesis statement or essential question in the next step of the research cycle.

Cognitive Skill Level	Develop Background/Vocabulary : Knowledge
Indicators Addressed	Social Studies	6.0.C.1 Identify a topic that requires further study.	6.0.C.1.A Identify a topic that requires further study by identifying prior knowledge about the topic.
		6.0.C.2 Identify a situation or issue that requires further study.	6.0.C.2.A Identify a situation or issue that requires further study by defining the situation/issue.
			6.0.C.2.B Identify a situation or issue that requires further study by identifying prior knowledge about the situation/issue.
	Skills for Success	Thinking Skills 2. 2 The student will evaluate information, issues and positions critically.	2.2.A.a The student will identify key issues in complex situations.
			2.2.A.c The student will examine basic concepts and assumptions underlying an issue or position.
		Thinking Skills 2.4 The student will solve problems systematically and rationally.	2.4.A.a The student will understand the situation or context within which the problem is embedded.
			2.4.A.b The student will define a problem.
	*Library Media*	1.1 Define the need for personal or curricular information.	Proficient Define the scope of personal or curricular information needs and reflect on prior knowledge.
			Exemplary Define the scope of personal or curricular information needs and reflect on prior knowledge by independently identifying topics of interest and their relationship to prior knowledge.
	MD Tech Literacy for Students	6.0 Demonstrate ability to use technolgy and develop strategies to solve problems and make informed decisions.	6.0.8.A.1.a Use technology to help identify the type of problem and the data needed to answer that type of problem.
Instructional Examples	Middle School
	High School

Use the links below to explore instructional aspects of this step in further depth:

Develop Background / Vocabulary

Building Foundation Knowledge

Background Knowledge with Universal Design for Learning

Critical Issue: Building on Prior Knowledge and Meaningful Student Context/Culture

To be added : Student Research Workbooks

Social Studies Research / Pre-search / Question / Plan / Gather / Sift & Sort / Synthesize / Evaluate / Produce

Related Links

Step 1: Pre-Search