English teacher and Teacher-Librarian will work collaboratively on this lesson. This lesson will allow students to research various unexplained mysteries and decide if the mystery is true based on their research. Students will use print, electronic and internet resources to gather proof of existence or non existence. Students will gather enough information to present their research project to the class. This final presentation will be both oral and visual and will include citations.

Instructional Goals:

·         Students will become experts in the area of one unexplained mystery.

·         Students will be able to find print resources on their unexplained mystery.

·         Students will be able to find authoritative websites and images on their unexplained mystery.

·         Students will be able to gather information and data from resources that show proof for existence or non existence of their mystery.

·         Students will be able to present their unexplained mystery creatively to the class.

 

Learning Objectives: 

·         Students will access and collect data in three different ways within the library; the online catalog, browsing the Dewey Decimal section, and the internet to gather information on their unexplained mystery.

·         Students will describe their mystery, and find information that either proves or disproves their mystery and will use a minimum of three sources.  

·         For each source used (minimum 3), students should be able to gather several pieces of data that either proves or disproves their mystery.

·         Students will use criteria from the teacher and librarian to determine if a website is authoritative.

·         Students will learn how to effectively take notes, and how to cite sources using MLA style.

·         Students will present their data gathered, and from their data gathered will be able to form their own opinion on the existence of their mystery.

 

Motivational Goals:

·         Students will become interested and excited to learn about their mystery and the mysteries others have chosen.

·         Students will gain confidence in using the online library catalog as well as finding internet sources.

·         Students will feel comfortable and gain confidence using citations.

Promote the importance and excitement of the research process so that students feel confident and have the desire to research on their own and for other classes.

See supporting files for complete lesson plan

See supporting files for complete lesson plan

See supporting files for complete lesson plan

Teacher-Librarian and Middle School English Teacher