Third graders will be doing a research project on an Adirondack animal of their choice. The students will use a builder on Adirondack animals to guide them and follow directions during the research project. A rubric will be available to the students at the end of the lesson so the classroom teacher and teacher librarian can assess their research project. The builder is located at:
http://www.informationliteracy.org/builder/2290
The lesson will develop students’ information literacy skills and provide them with an interactive way of learning new information.
Instructional Goals:
1. Third grade students will be able to read, evaluate, and follow instructions during a research project.
2. Students will be able to evaluate and assess their research skills as indicated by a rubric.
Learning Objectives:
Adirondack Animal Builder
Trash and Treasure worksheet
http://www.informationliteracy.org/builder/2290
Rubric
Introduction: The classroom teacher will
introduce the Adirondack animals project. After
spending a week learning about different kinds of animals
that live in the Adirondacks, students will get ready
to start their research projects. The students
will be given the following guidelines:
1. Pick one animal you would like to research.
2. A rubric will be used to evaluate the research project.
3. There will be four weeks to work on the research project.
Body: Students will use the computers in the computer
lab in order to access the builder. The teacher librarian
will discuss the purpose of builders. Students will be
instructed to link to the Adirondack Animal Research
builder at:
http://www.informationliteracy.org/builder/2290
The classroom teacher and teacher librarian will
monitor students as they access the site. Students will
follow the instructions in the task section of the builder
and tell the classroom teacher which animal they have
selected for the research project. After reading the
research tips in the builder, students will print the
Trash and Treasure note taking worksheet.
Students will then follow the links to selected
websites that provide information about their
animal. Using the Trash and Treasure worksheet,
students will take notes on their animal. The teacher
and teacher librarian will read over the notes students
have taken and make suggestions for improvements.
Body (Continued)
The classroom teacher will inform students how to set
up a research paper. Students will be required to
include the following in their research report:
1. an introductory paragraph
2. a paragraph describing:
3. a concluding paragraph.
After writing their rough draft,
the students will edit their papers. Upon completion of the
final draft, students will access and print the Adirondack
Animals Research rubric.
Conclusion: Students will work with the classroom teacher
or teacher librarian to complete the rubric. They will assess
and evaluate their research skills.
A rubric will be used to assess:
Did the students follow all of the directions?
Did students provide information about:
where their animal lived
what it eats
specific characteristics of the animal?
Did students include an introductory and concluding paragraph?
AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner
Learners use skills, resources, & tools to:
1. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.
1.1 Skills