This unit is taught in concurrence with the grade 6 writing unit on advocacy. Students will learn skills to tackle more difficult informational texts with greater agency and independence. Students work in research groups to study a debatable issue, first learning about both sides of the issue, then choosing a position to research in greater depth. Next, students will raise the level of their research to develop deeper questions and ideas and engage in more complicated conversations. Students will read more difficult texts with a critical eye, considering perspective and craft while evaluating arguments. Students will learn steps in a research project and the use of note-taking. Students will also learn the rules and policies surrounding plagiarism and appropriate use of sources and citing.