As a parent, those poster projects drive me insane. Not the posters themselves (who knows, Harold, maybe there will be big demand for qualified poster-makers in the future!), but as you say, the lack of guidance in HOW and WHY to research.

My Grade 6er has a fine English/Science teacher this year who does address these issues. The difference in my son's work --and his approach to work -- is telling. I can see that he is grasping the 'shape' of creating knowledge. Plus he seems more engaged in his work than usual.

I am reading "Understanding by Design" (McTighe and Wiggins) right now, which rejects such "poster projects" as an activity-oriented design. In other words, activity for its own sake, and new information for its own sake, but not tied to any larger questions or ideas.