Writing a research paper is an important skill for sixth graders to develop as it helps prepare them for more advanced writing assignments throughout middle and high school as well as in college and career. While the topics and length may vary depending on the class, most sixth grade research papers are relatively short – typically 3-5 pages or 1000-1500 words. This article will provide examples of research paper topics that are age-appropriate for sixth grade students as well as samples of outlines, rough drafts, and final drafts to serve as models.
Sample Topic Ideas
When selecting a topic for a sixth grade research paper, it’s important to choose something that is engaging for students but not overly complex. Here are some topic ideas that are well-suited for sixth graders:
Famous historical figures (Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Albert Einstein, George Washington, etc.)
Different types of dogs or cats
Endangered species like tigers, elephants, gorillas, or whales
Famous artists like Michelangelo, Van Gogh, or Picasso
Interesting landforms (mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, canyons, etc.)
Important inventions (the telephone, lightbulb, automobile, airplane, computer, etc.)
Fascinating scientific discoveries or theories
Different types of governments (democracy, monarchy, etc.)
Popular sports or athletes
Interesting states/countries and their culture, geography, landmarks
TV shows, books, or movies they enjoy learning more about
Sample Outline
Once students select a topic, creating an outline helps organize their research and writing. Here is a sample outline for a research paper about pandas:
I. Introduction
A. Thesis: Giant pandas are an endangered species native to China that eats mainly bamboo and faces threats from habitat loss and lack of natural mates.
II. Physical Description
A. Size and appearance
B. Fur coloration
C. Diet (bamboo)
III. Habitat
A. Origin (Southwestern China)
B. Main habitat type (bamboo forests in mountainous areas)
C. Current habitat loss issues
IV. Behavior
A. Time spent eating
B. Time spent resting
C. Low reproduction rates that threaten survival
V. Conservation Efforts
A. Breeding programs
B. Protected nature reserves
C. Community involvement to restore bamboo forests
VI. Conclusion
A. Restate thesis and importance of conservation
B. Call to action for supporting panda protection
Sample Rough Draft
Here is a rough draft of the pandas research paper based on the outline:
Giant Pandas: An Endangered Treasure
Giant pandas are one of China’s most beloved national treasures but are also an endangered species. Native only to southwestern China, these large black and white bears face threats to their survival from loss of habitat and low reproduction rates. As bamboo specialists, pandas play an important role in spreading bamboo seeds and maintaining forest health. Due to concerns over habitat destruction and lack of natural mating, conservation efforts like breeding programs and protected nature reserves have been established to help giant pandas.
Weighing up to 300 pounds, giant pandas have distinctive black fur on their ears, eye patches, legs, and shoulders while the rest of their body is off-white. Their diet consists almost entirely of bamboo, with an adult eating as much as 30 pounds per day. Bamboo is low in calories and nutrients so pandas spend 10-16 hours eating each day. Despite their size, pandas are solitary and mostly sedentary, often found napping to conserve energy.
Giant pandas live in temperate, mountainous forests dominated by bamboo in six mountain ranges in southwestern China. These forests have been declining due to expanding agriculture and development. Additionally, pandas have low reproductive rates with females only fertile 3 days per year. This makes it difficult for the estimated 1,800 pandas left in the wild to naturally recover their numbers.
Several conservation efforts are working to protect this iconic species. China has established over 30 protected nature reserves covering 20% of panda habitat. Breeding programs in zoos allow researchers to study panda behavior and develop assisted reproduction techniques. Community participation to restore bamboo forests helps mitigate habitat loss. Through these measures, it is hoped giant pandas can be preserved for future generations to admire.
Sample Final Draft
Here is a revised final draft incorporating feedback from a teacher:
Saving the Giant Panda: China’s National Treasure
Giant pandas are uniquely beloved bears facing threats to their survival. Native only to mountain bamboo forests of southwestern China, pandas play a vital role in spreading seeds and maintaining healthy ecosystems. These bears face dangers from human activities like habitat destruction and low reproduction rates. Conservation programs aim to help giant pandas through scientific research, protected nature reserves, and community involvement.
Weighing between 150-300 pounds (Fan et al., 2017), giant pandas have distinctive black and white fur. Their diet consists almost entirely of bamboo, up to 30 pounds daily due to its low calorie content (Yang et al., 2018). Despite their size, pandas spend much time eating and resting to conserve energy (Swaisgood et al., 2016).
Six mountain ranges in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces constitute panda habitat (State Forestry and Grassland Administration, 2019). These bamboo forests declined from expanding development and agriculture (Dong et al., 2018). Additionally, females only experience ovulation for 2-3 days annually, complicating cub survival (Zhu et al., 2010). These threats led pandas to be classified as endangered by the IUCN (2022).
China established over 35 protected panda reserves covering 20% of habitat by 2020 (Xu et al., 2021). Researchers study panda behavior at breeding centers to develop assisted reproduction techniques increasing cub viability (Zhang et al., 2015). Community involvement restores bamboo forests, improving wild panda food sources and living conditions (Li et al., 2019). Through scientific conservation efforts, it is hoped giant panda numbers can recover from the estimated 1,800 wild individuals remaining (State Forestry and Grassland Administration, 2021). Together, scientific innovation, habitat protection, and public awareness help save China’s national treasure.
Andrew Stroud