Keyword Searching

Presented by: Margaret Karpel

Subject Area(s):

K-12: Language Arts

Grade Level(s):

5th-6th Grade

Description:

Fifth graders will work in small groups of two or three. There will be several short books for each group to choose from regarding various topics of interest.(Topics may include sports, animals, states, etc.) The students will be given time to read the books within their groups. Each group will then come up with a list of at least ten keywords from the book that are relevant in finding further information on the topics they chose. The groups will then use the computers and a search engine of their choice to find at least five URLs with pertinent information on their topic.

Goals & Objectives:

Students will learn how to look for keywords in a story that will help lead them to more information on the topic.

Students will learn how to search using search engines such as Google.

Materials:

Previously selected books by librarians (and collaborating teacher)

Pencils, paper

Computer lab

Procedures:

Introduction

Students will arrive at the library and notice that there are several books set up on tables.

Students will be asked what they are interested in learning more about (regarding subject area, if done in collaboration).

Body:

1.Go over a short paragraph with students and, as a class, choose several keywords from the paragraph.

2. Ask the students why choosing keywords may be important to finding information.

3. Let students choose a partner or two as well as a book from the previously selected and displayed books.

4. Allow students to read the book together and then work on finding keywords from that book.

5. Class will move to the computer lab and be given a short list of search engines that they may choose from in order to come up with five URLs from their keywords.(List may include, Google, Clusty, Yahooligans, Fact Monster, etc.)

Conclusion:

1. Ask students what they learned and quickly discuss any problems, strategies and/or tricks to searching.

2. Collect list of URLs and keywords so that they may be compiled for their future use (and teacher if necessary).

3. List of URLs may be used in the next lesson to teach more about validity of websites.

Assessment:

Class discussion with librarian.

Librarian observation of progress while in groups.

Collected list of keywords – make sure students are finding appropriate keywords in order to do further research.

Collected list of URLs – make sure students are finding relevant information using the Internet.

Credits:

This plan could be done with collaboration in a specific area, although it's designed to let students choose their own topics.

Standards:

National Information Literacy Standards (K-12)

Accesses information efficiently and effectively.

Recognizes that accurate and comprehensive information is the basis for intelligent decision making.

Evaluates information critically and competently.

Selects information appropriate to the problem or question at hand.

Strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.

Assesses the quality of the process and products of personal information seeking.

Participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

Shares knowledge and information with others.
Respects others' ideas and backgrounds and acknowledges their contributions.
Collaborates with others, both in person and through technologies, to identify information problems and to seek their solutions.

Information Skills and Subskills (K-16)

Definition

Identifies requirements of research task
Considers potential topics

Selection

Specifies subtopics or related keywords

Planning

Formulates a search strategy
Identifies potential information sources

Exploration

Uses indexes and search engines
Locates and accesses information resources

Collection

Evaluates quality of information and information source
Subject: K-12: Language Arts

National Content Standards (K-12)

Writing

Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process

Reading

Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process

Listening and Speaking

Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes