In this lesson plan and corresponding buILder, middle school students will work with their SLMS, English Language Arts and Social Studies teachers to research a current events topic. The students will use both print and electronic resources for their assignment, and will receive instruction from the SLMS about website evaluation techniques. Examples of appropriate and reliable sources will be provided, as well as examples of inappropriate or inaccurate sources.
Instructional Goals:
Middle School students will:
Learning Objectives:
Middle School students will:
Motivational Goals:
Materials:
Computers Databases OPAC Specific websites
Newspapers, Journals
Assigned topic
Fact or Opinion worksheet [see Supporting Files] Assignment checklist and rubric [see Supporting Files] Six Steps to Website Evaluation worksheets Keynote or Powerpoint Presentation Software
Introduction:
Day 1. The school library media specialist (SLMS) and the Social Studies/ELA collaborate to create a lesson that will incorporate ELA Standards, Social Studies Standards and Information Literacy Standards to create a current events project for the sixth through eighth grade students. The instructors will introduce the assignment to the students by providing each student a copy of a locally printed newspaper, journal, or other news related items. The instructors will then explain what information is found within the paper, the difference between fact and opinion, why it is reliable, and then explain how that information and other similar information can be accessed through the computer’s databases and buILder. The students will practice the difference between fact and opinion by completing a worksheet. The students will then receive their assigned current events assignment topic. The students will also be informed that they may come down to the library/computer lab during their study halls and lunch groups to work on their projects.
Body:
Day 2. The school library media specialist (SLMS) and the Social Studies/ELA will present the assignment to the students, with a checklist and rubric of what the students are expected to do throughout the assignment. The SLMS will instruct the students on the importance of locating reliable and up to date information for their current events assignment. The SLMS will provide the Six Steps to Website Evaluation worksheet for every source the student will use and go over each step.
Day 3. In the first few minutes of class the SLMS will go over the assignment and remind the students to use their handouts from the previous class. The students will then log into their computers and begin the S.O.S. for Information Literacy buILder provided by a bookmarked link on their internet web browser. The students will then have the remainder of their class time to work on the buILder.
Days 4-6. The students will take the information learned from the instructional period and the buILder and begin their research.
Day 7. The students will compile their information into a paper and keynote presentation.
Day 8-9. The students will hand in their completed report along with checklist and rubric. The students will then present brief oral reports along with keynote presentation on their research and the process.
Conclusion
Day 10. Ask the students to evaluate the process and discuss their usage of the databases and the buILder through discussions of the assignment. The SLMS, ELA and Social Studies teachers should work together to grade the student assignments. The instructors will then evaluate the assignment and determine which areas worked well and which areas will need improvement for future current events assignments.
- Teacher and teacher-librarian observation of the students
- The middle school students correct completion of the project will reflect their understanding of proper searching techniques, ability to distinguish reliable websites, ability to navigate databases, and ability to follow instruction
- The correct completion of keynote presentation
- The middle school students correct completion of the fact or opinion worksheet
National Information Literacy Standards (K-12)
Accesses information efficiently and effectively.
Evaluates information critically and competently.
Uses information accurately and creatively
Strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.
Recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society.
Information Skills and Subskills (K-16)
Definition
Selection
Planning
Exploration
Collection
Organization
Presentation