This lesson involves teaching third grade students how to research specific topics and questions, using a variety of resources. The sources being used will be available in stations that the students will visit in groups of four. One station is set up for the Internet; one station is set up for Encyclopedias; one station is set up with books on France. The topics being researched are all associated with France, a country that the students are learning about in their Social Studies class. The third grade teacher agreed to collaborate and actively participate in the project. Students will be given worksheets, which they will be required to fill out according their research. Students will also be required to cite the sources used for each answer on their worksheets. Finally, the students will post the information found in their research to a VoiceThread. The URL will be made available to all students and their parents. Students will be required to leave at least one valuable comment on each of the other groups VoiceThreads as well.
This lesson will motivate students to participate in the research task initially due to the hook of presenting various options the students can choose from. Ultimately, the students pick their own topic! These tactics will generate interest and grab students’ attention. To sustain motivation, the tasks are chunked into manageable parts. Tasks are also relevant and coincide with curriculum currently being studied. The fact that the students are working in groups will also be a driving factor, as they will want to work hard to contribute information and ideas with group members. Ms. Reese, the librarian, Mrs. Jones, the library aid, and Mrs. Smith, the third grade teacher, will all be periodically checking on student progress and offering feedback and guidance. This serves as an extrinsic motivation since these professionals are the people “grading” the students. The VoiceThread portion is also motivation because the hard work of the group will be on display for peers and families to view!
Instructional Goals:
o Students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for Social Studies material learned in classroom
o Students will learn the value of technology as a teaching, learning and informational tool
o Students will gain knowledge about France and important aspects of the country, landmarks, people and culture
o Students will learn to work together and acknowledge the value of collaboration
o Students will learn to conduct themselves professionally online
o Students will be able to understand the importance of presenting their best work online, as selected families and peers will have access to the VoiceThread URL
o Students will learn the usefulness of being able to view other student projects/work and discuss it
o Students will learn to use various resources to obtain certain valuable information needed to complete the research project
o Students will learn the importance of citing all resources for all information obtained
o Students will gain confidence in their researching abilities as they use various sources
Learning Objectives:
o Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of VoiceThread by effectively by answering aloud two research worksheet questions each on their particular group thread
o Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of VoiceThread by leaving one valuable comment per other groups’ threads
o Students will be able to collaborate in groups of four by each demonstrating personal responsibility for the group work and effort
o Students will be able to research effectively, using different resources to complete the worksheet research portion of the project
o Students will be able to cite resources in which information was located by writing each resource down on the worksheets after the answer and on the VoiceThread
o Students will be able to conduct themselves professionally on VoiceThread by speaking clearly, slowly and professionally
Materials: signage, research worksheets, pre-set stations with various resources (Internet, Encyclopedias, Books), Computer (with VoiceThread program available and microphone)
Introduction: Grab Their Attention and Explain the Assignment There will be five signs hung on the walls of the library with various pictures. One picture is of a paintbrush; another picture is of a bike, yet another picture is of the Eiffel Tower, etc. There are five signs total. The librarian will instruct the students to look at the pictures and pick one in their minds. Without talking, the students are instructed to go and stand by the picture they feel represents them or interests them in some way (with a limit of 4 per group). After they are all in groups, the librarian, aid or teacher will reveal to them what their chosen sign represents and the topic they will be researching. I think this technique will pique their curiosity and immediately have their attention. Giving them a choice and having them walk around also should get their attention.
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Body: The Research The assignment is relevant because the pictures coincide with their Social Studies lesson about France. The pictures are all of famous landmarks or things associated with the country that they will be presently learning about. Also, from the library standpoint, the students will be learning research and citation skills. Both of these skills are critical to long-term academic success.
After the students are in their groups, they will be given a worksheet with eight questions to answer (see attached). There will be different versions of worksheets based on the particular research topic. They will be required to answer all questions and cite the resource in which the information was located. This gives students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with various resources found in the library. It also stresses the importance of citing information.
It is important to set realistic goals and to check periodically on students’ progress and understanding. I think this concept applies to my lesson plan in that the assignment will be clearly laid out and explained. There will also be people available to check on student progress and assist with any issues throughout the lesson. The librarian, library aid and third-grade teacher have all collaborated and agreed to be present to assist with questions, issues, feedback and general guidance. They will also be asking questions amongst the group members to reinforce concepts as well.
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Conclusion: VoiceThreads Upon completion of the worksheet, and with the assistance of the teacher, librarian and aid, students will complete a VoiceThread about their assigned topic and what they learned about it through research. There will not be a detailed lesson in how to use the VoiceThread program as the students have previously used the program in other projects. The pages will be created ahead of time for convenience. The lesson should not get too cluttered. The students will only have to read aloud answers to two questions in the microphone on cue. After all groups have completed their VoiceThreads, the students have the privilege of seeing their own work in an interesting format, hearing themselves talk. This also allows students to learn about all the other groups topics as well. The URL will be sent home for parents to enjoy and see how valuable the library instruction is! The satisfaction will be for these aforementioned reasons- seeing the final product of their hard work and efforts and sharing it with others.
Upon completion of the task, students will gain confidence in their ability to successfully use the library, its resources and cite sources. I also believe that giving valuable feedback and acknowledging a group's successes, when deserved, will also contribute to the level of confidence.
As a homework assignment, students must visit the other group VoiceThreads and leave one valuable comment per group. Comments left on the VoiceThreads will be reviewed and evaluated by the librarian.
This lesson will be completed in stages. The first portion will include the introduction and body. This will take place in one class period of 45 minutes. The second portion includes the VoiceThread recording. This will be done the following week in the next fixed schedule meeting.
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Learning Assessment Method:
• General observation as evidence of learning
o Measures:
students level of particpation and engagement
o Performed by all three involved- librarian, library aid and third grade teacher
• Worksheets as evidence of learning
oMeasures:
the level of correct and accurate citations
correct information that answers the question effectively
students familiarity with a variety of resources
o Librarian will be in charge of “grading” worksheets
• VoiceThreads as evidence of learning
oMeaures:
ability to articulate reserarch information
ability to correctly and accurately cite sources
ability to conduct themselves professionally on the Internet
ability to use technology as an educational tool
oPerformed by librarian, library aid and third grade teacher