Fifth Grade · Writing · week 14

Citing Sources and Building a Works Consulted List

Credit sources correctly using a simple citation format, distinguishing when to quote directly versus paraphrase.

Every research report ends with a Works Consulted list crediting every source used, even paraphrased ones, not just directly quoted ones. A simple format works well: Title. Author or Organization. Type of source.

Use quotation marks and name the source right in the text when you use someone's exact words, a direct quote; paraphrased facts do not need quotation marks in the text but still belong on the Works Consulted list.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Go through each of your child's three sources together and write one Works Consulted entry per source.
  • Find one striking sentence in a source worth quoting directly, and practice introducing it with the source named.
  • Explain that citing sources is not about doubting the writer -- it gives credit and lets a reader check the facts themselves.
  • Check that the Works Consulted list includes every source used somewhere in the report, with nothing missing.
Talk about it:
  • What three pieces of information go in your Works Consulted entries?
  • Did you use any direct quotes? How did you introduce them?
  • Why does even a paraphrased fact need its source credited?

Mastery looks like: They correctly build a complete Works Consulted list and use quotation marks appropriately when quoting a source directly.

Common stumbles: Leaving a paraphrased source off the Works Consulted list; quoting exact words without quotation marks, which is accidental plagiarism.

Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Writing for this learner.
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