This action research project sought to increase motivation in fifth-grade social studies students. Observations and measures of student attitudes and achievement indicated a lack of student interest in learning activities. Two categories of intervention were implemented: (1) instruction in the use of learning strategies, including graphic organizers and questioning techniques, to improve higher order thinking skills and to increase students' ability to organize and comprehend information; and (2) use of cooperative learning to increase student motivation and enhance social skills. Post-intervention data indicated an increase in student motivation. Students showed improvement in attitudes and academic performance, felt more confident in their learning of social studies, and sufficiently used the learning strategies implemented in the project. (Six appendices include survey and observation forms and classroom materials. Contains 17 references.) (EV)