Type-III Independent Investigation Timeline - Based on an 18 week project - Adjust as needed

Sep 2, 2026

A structured Type III independent investigation timeline guiding students through an 18-week project cycle, from topic exploration and schema building to planning, resource research, note-taking, interviewing experts, and drafting a thesis. The plan then supports synthesis, prototype development, final product creation, testing and revision, and culminates in peer review and presentation to an authentic audience. Built-in checkpoint stages use evaluation rubrics to monitor progress and ensure evidence-based inquiry.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatDOCX

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Getting Ready

Topic Shopping (Weeks 1-2)

Schema Building (Weeks 3-4)

Plan

Task Defining (Weeks 5-6)

Find

Locate Additional Resources (Weeks 7-12)

Research and Taking Notes

Draft Written Work (Weeks 13-14)

Create

Develop Your Final Product (Weeks 15-16)

Test Your Creation (Weeks 17-18)

Share Your Project

Investigation Celebration

Type III Independent Investigation Timeline (Based on an 18 week project. Adjust as needed.) Throughout our investigation: Students will periodically have Progress Meetings with the teacher (can indicate how often) Students are expected to spend roughly 2-3 hours a week working at home. Getting Ready Consider Topics; Build Schema! Topic Shopping (Weeks 1-2)Open your mind to curiosity; Consider all ideas! Share & Discuss (SPAF, Type III Rubric or other evaluation tool) Topic Shopping is a Type I Exploration. Take time to explore your Enrichment Activities, lots of magazines, different school databases, etc - as you explore your interest areas Keep track on your Topic Shopping worksheet until you decide on your topic Schema Building (Weeks 3-4)Build background knowledge; Explore your topic widely! Locate a few resources to build background knowledge and narrow your focus Read/watch/listen/play! Keep track of resources on a Note until you start your Project Wizard Check-Point #1: Getting Ready PLAN Your Steps Identify investigation questions; Get organized! Task Defining (Weeks 5-6) Develop an Essential Question Develop supportive Bloom’s Taxonomy inquiry questions to guide your research Organize project in the Project Wizard: title, description, dates, intended product & audience Mini-Conference with teacher to discuss your Plan Check-Point #2: Plan FIND Your Resources Gather important information; Cite sources; Dig deep! Locate Additional Resources (Weeks 7-12) Use Renzulli Learning Advanced Search (and our classroom database options) Focus on resources that help to answer your inquiry questions Consider chosen Product - Fill your Project Inventory with appropriate media along the way Locate an Expert to interview Research: Take notes in the Project Wizard (Weeks 7-12) Focus on your inquiry questions Taking Notes (what is your method?) / Quote, Paraphrase, Original Thinking Find Evidence to support your Essential Question Track used resources in your Notes by creating Citations Prepare for/Conduct an Interview with an Expert Questions drafted & shared with teacher prior to scheduled interview Options: email, phone, video-conference, in person Interview Reflection is due upon completion of your interview Draft your Thesis Statement Mini-Conference with your teacher to discuss ongoing research and Thesis Commercial Break mini-project - selling your project (Suggested activity) Revisit (SPAF, Type III Rubric or other evaluation tool) - How are you doing? Check-Point #3: Find How many resources & Notecards do you expect? CREATE Your Prototype Review your learning; Draw conclusions from notes; Produce new or original work! Draw Conclusions, Draft Written Work (Weeks 13-14) Organize/Synthesize/Analyze the information you have gathered Incorporate Interview information into projects Develop an outline to organize your thoughts and defend your Thesis Develop a written essay or collection of paragraphs Plan your Product: thumbnail, storyboard, draft Revisit (SPAF, Type III Rubric or other evaluation tool) - How are you doing? Develop Your Final Product (Weeks 15-16) Type II Activities - What do you need to know how to do? Technology mini-workshops Components of project and product handout Finalize your Citations Check-Point #4: Create TEST Your Creation Does it work; Can it be better? Test Your Creation (Weeks 17-18) Look for “holes” in research Write your process paper (if required) Evaluate your work with (SPAF, Type III Rubric or other evaluation tool) Share your work with classmates Peer-review / Post-it Compliments Go back and find additional resources and revise as needed FInalize (SPAF, Type III Rubric or other evaluation tool) SHARE Your Project Presenting to an authentic audience! Learn From Each Other, Share Learning, Tell Your Story INVESTIGATION CELEBRATION Date/Time: ________________________ Impress friends & family and have fun at the Investigation Celebration!!

FAQs

How do students start a Type III independent investigation timeline?

Students begin with Topic Shopping (Weeks 1-2) to explore ideas and select a topic, followed by Schema Building (Weeks 3-4) to gather resources and narrow focus.

What happens during the planning checkpoint?

During Task Defining (Weeks 5-6), students develop an essential question and supportive inquiry questions, organize the project in the Project Wizard, and hold a mini-conference with the teacher.

What are the main steps for producing and finalizing the project?

Students draft conclusions and written work (Weeks 13-14), develop the final product (Weeks 15-16), test and revise (Weeks 17-18), then share with classmates and an authentic audience during the Investigation Celebration.

Sep 2, 2026

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