Project-research activity in Russian language lessons for 5th-graders in studying lexis on the example of the topic “Homonyms”

The relevance of the research is justified by the necessity of developing methodical basis for project-research activity at the lessons of the Russian language at schools. The article is aimed at: 1) giving justification for introducing project-research activity into in-class work while studying the section “Lexis” in the 5th forms by approving the methods given by the author for studying the topic “Homonyms”; 2) evaluating the development of general learning skills (comparing, giving definitions for terms, giving arguments for a point) using the material of the topic ‘Homonyms”; 3) assessing the knowledge of Russian lexis of pupils from control and experimental classes, comparing the results; 4) specifying the term “project-research activity” in the aspect of the goals of Russian language learning in middle school. The theoretical relevance of the article is in providing justification for identifying project-research activity as a specific separate type of learning activity, specifying the term “projectresearch activity” in Russian language classes in the middle school, specifying general learning skills (comparing, giving definitions to terms, giving arguments for a point) necessary for conducting projectresearch activity in Russian language classes, providing description for the levels of their development on the example of studying the “Homonyms” topic in 5th grades. The practical relevance of the article is in giving developed and proven program that includes pupils’ work on researching project “Portrait of the word” in the 5th form during studying the section “Lexis”. This article discusses the possibilities of studying vocabulary at Russian language classes using project-research activity. Project-research activity in Russian language classes is understood as independent cognitive activities of the pupils, aimed at studying the Russian language, developing linguistic knowledge and skills and forming general studying capabilities. This type of activity is characterized by having a project idea, it is planned as a process of achieving the project idea through consequent research operations. The author proposes the program for studying the topic “Homonyms” within the framework of “Portrait of the word” project, and the results achieved during experimental education are discussed. The data obtained during experimental education allow making a conclusion that project-research activity can be effectively integrated into class-and-lesson system of studying vocabulary in Russian classes in the 5th form: it promotes forming knowledge and skills on the topic and general learning skills of comparing, giving definitions for terms and giving arguments for a point. The directions of future research are in developing methods of organizing project-research activity in Russian language classes both during lessons and in extracurricular activity on the material of topics ‘Morphology”, “Syntax”, “Phonetics”, etc.