In this lesson, which will take multiple class periods, students will be introduced to the research process and evaluating websites. The library media specialist (LMS) will collaborate with a Science teacher to design the lesson. The LMS will provide an overview of evaluating websites and will ask the students to review some examples. The students will then use the skills learned to find, evaluate, and use sources for a research paper about insects. The students work will be displayed and presented to the teacher.

Instructional Goals:

• Students will accurately find and evaluate resources about insects.
• Students will synthesize, organize, and present information from a variety of resources.
• Students will accurately cite sources.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Sixth grade students will use the tools given in the PowerPoint, discussion, and prior knowledge to find and evaluate materials from at least three different sources including websites, databases, and print resources about a particular insect.
• Students will understand the research process in terms of organizing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to contribute to the discussion and written response.
• Given specific criteria, students will accurately cite the sources used in the research both in-text and in the bibliography.

 

Motivational Goals:

• Students will be eager to ask questions or ask for help when necessary.
• Students will expand their confidence in the research process by evaluating other students’ reports and will be eager to give feedback.
• Students will be interested in conducting the research given by the opportunity to select the particular insect.

The materials needed for the lesson are:

computers, Internet, databases/books/sources for content, paper, pens/pencils

Introduction:

• Display a website (Dog Island) on the computer and allow the students to examine it, give feedback, and comments. The students’ comments will lead into a discussion about the research process and evaluating websites and what it means to evaluate a website.
• Introduce students to the research process-basic steps in research, variety of formats, etc.
  

Technique- lecture, general discussion.

• Explain how evaluating websites will be useful to them in future assignments and what to look for.
  

Technique- general instruction/lecture

• Ask them how they would start a research assignment.

Body

• Discuss how to evaluate websites and inform the students that not all websites are accurate and reliable. Go into further detail as to what to look for in a website and where it may be located including: what (accuracy), who (authority), why (objectivity), and when (currency). Provide questions associated with each component to target their thinking and organize their thoughts. Give some examples of websites, allow students to discuss in groups their thoughts on the accuracy of the websites, and then review as a whole. Students will be given a checklist to follow when evaluating sample websites and discussing in pairs. They will discuss what’s missing, what works, what doesn’t work, where the author is, does it help cite the information, etc.
  

Technique- lecture, powerpoint, general discussion, and group work.

• The LMS will show a video clip of an insect. The class can identify different kinds of insects (from previous background knowledge) and create a list for the board. Students will be given a list of insects from the discussion and will choose one to research. Students will select an insect to research and begin reviewing websites, databases, and print materials to find information. They will be using evaluation, selection, and organizational skills to gather and organize information found.
  

Technique- use of computers, pathfinder and background knowledge.

• Review the importance and how the cite materials. The LMS can show some websites that help users provide correct citations. Explain text and bibliographies (lecture).
• Students will put together a paper of information found about their insects. They will be given a rubric of what is expected of them, what to include, and how it should be organized. They will select information about the insect, what it looks like, its habits, etc., and write it up in a short paper. The students will also find an image of the insect to insert into the paper. Students will become familiar with the features of Microsoft Word as they develop their papers.
  

Technique- use of Microsoft Word, electronic resources, and other additional help.

 Conclusion:

• The class will wrap up the lesson with a discussion about what they learned and how the lesson helped them. The students can use some of the assessment methods to wrap up or follow-up the lesson.
• The insect reports can be displayed on the bulletin board and posted on the library website (with permission from the students) so others can read them. They will also have the option of giving the papers to the LMS to compile in a book to be held in the library as a resource for future students.

Learning Assessment Method(s):
� Sixth grade students were able to apply the tools given in the PowerPoint, discussion, and prior knowledge to find and evaluate materials from at least three different sources including websites, databases, and print resources about a particular insect.
� The students will add depth to the discussion, participate in group work, and understand the research process of organizing, synthesizing, and evaluating resources as demonstrated in their finished papers meeting the rubric requirements.
� The students will provide accurate citations and a bibliography for all resources used in their research.

Library Media Specialist and 6th grade Science teacher