Chapter 6: Telling the Story
Citation Station Coloring Page
"Always thank the people who helped you (cite your sources!)."
Professor Hoot beside a small bird holding a Sources book, saying Thank you!
About this page
A small bird holding a book of Sources says "Thank you!" to Professor Hoot, and in that small, courteous moment lives one of the kindest rules in research, always thank the people whose ideas helped you. Citing sources sounds formal, but at its heart it is simply good manners, giving credit where credit is due. As Chapter 6 moves from writing to sharing, this page reminds children that no discovery happens alone. Every researcher stands on the wings of those who flew before, and saying thank you makes the whole flock stronger.
The research skill
A small bird reads a book labeled Sources and says "Thank you!" to Professor Hoot, who wears a graduation cap. That is citing in its simplest form: naming where an idea or fact came from. Researchers list their sources so readers can check the facts, and so the people who did the earlier work get credit. It belongs in Chapter 6 because every written report should show where its information came from. Your child will meet it soon as "Where did you learn that?" and later as bibliographies.
Try it at home
Make a family source list. Ask your child to share three facts they know, such as "Bees make honey" or "Our street has a park." For each one, ask, "Who or what taught you that?" It might be a book, a teacher, a grandparent, or something they saw with their own eyes. Write each fact and its source side by side on a sheet titled Sources, like the bird's book. Finish by choosing one source to thank, with a drawing or a short note.
Talk about it while you color
- Who has helped you learn something new, and how could you thank them?
- What do you think the two birds are saying to each other?
- Why does it feel good when someone says your idea helped them?