Research Isn’t a Unit: Teaching Evidence Evaluation All Year Long [Ep. 70] Artwork

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Middle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers

Research Isn’t a Unit: Teaching Evidence Evaluation All Year Long [Ep. 70]

February 03, 2026 • Carolyn Wahl - Middle School ELA • Episode 70

Research often feels overwhelming because students are asked to read, take notes, decide what matters, paraphrase, organize ideas, and write—all at once. One of the biggest misconceptions about research is that these skills only belong inside a research unit. In reality, research is built on critical thinking skills students practice all year through everyday reading, writing, and discussion.

This episode focuses on evaluating evidence as a core research skill that already shows up in daily instruction. You’ll hear practical classroom examples and simple ways to name this thinking so students can transfer what they already know when it’s time for formal research. The goal is to make research feel more manageable by building on the critical thinking students already use across content areas.