Students will learn to search the library catalog using keywords, subject, title, and author searches. Using their knowledge of searching, they will locate and read books about or taking place in each of the Mid-Atlantic states. Upon reading a book associated with each state, students will locate the state on a map of the Middle Atlantic states and draw a representative symbol or picture on their map.

 

Instructional Goals:

• Students will learn to navigate the library catalog.

• Students will become familiar with the physical library.

• Students will self-select literature.

• Students will recognize the Middle Atlantic states on a map and in relation to the greater U.S.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to find and retrieve books using the library catalog.

• Students will show understanding of literature by creating a symbol or picture which connects to what they have read.

• Students will be able to identify each of the Middle Atlantic states on a map.

 

Motivational Goals:

• Build students' confidence in using the library catalog.

• Generate interest in learning about the U. S. states through reading.

• Promote students' confidence in using library resources.

• Motivate students to read independently.

 -Mystery guest: Music teacher (plan ahead to book visiting time)

-”The Erie Canal” book by Peter Spier, Herons Bend Productions, Publisher

-White board or flip board for writing down brainstormed ideas & markers

-Map of New York and United States

-”Dewey Finder” bookmarks—enough for each student and extras

-Computer, projector, and screen

-Middle Atlantic map handouts—enough for each student and extras

-Big map of United States for reference

-"My Middle Atlantic Book Tour" handout

 

Introduction:

-Students will gather in the library and will be told that a mystery guest will be arriving shortly to introduce the lesson.

 

-Meanwhile, the teacher-librarian will read “The Erie Canal” to students, showing them illustrations that coincide with the old canal song.

 

-Enter music teacher with guitar to teach them the Erie Canal song (“I had an old mule and her name was Sal...”). Students will learn and sing along.

 

-Students, after thanking the musical guest, will be asked how they might find a book like “The Erie Canal” in the library and will brainstorm ideas. Students will also brainstorm why it is important to be able to find books in the library, how that skill will help them in the future, and why they might want to find information about their state and the states nearby.

 

Body:

-Students will tour the fiction and non-fiction areas of the library. Teacher-librarian will explain how books are arranged by the Dewey Decimal system. Students will be provided with a bookmark that provides written/pictorial guidance to finding books in the library.

 

-Students will be shown basic search methods using the library catalog, including author, subject, and title searches on a projected computer screen. The teacher-librarian will model the various searches and finding the physical book in the library several times.

 

-Students will receive their own personal maps of the Middle Atlantic states. A full United States map will be shown on the projected computer screen, and students will volunteer to find and point out the Mid-Atlantic states on the larger map.

 

-Lead teacher and TL will explain to students that they will be finding and reading a book about each state over the course of the next week. Once they have read a book about each particular state, they will write down the title and author of their book (with assistance, if needed) and draw a representative symbol or picture within the corresponding state on their maps. Lead teacher and TL will answer any questions that students have regarding finding books, finding states, or about the general project.

 

-In pairs, students will work together to use the library catalog computers to search for books about the Middle Atlantic states and gather books in the library with the help of their Lead teacher and TL.

 

Conclusion:

-Throughout the following week during Social Studies/Geography block, students will have time for free reading in the library, finding additional books, and working on their map symbols.

 

-Once maps have been completed, they will be displayed in the library, students will have a celebratory gallery walk to find their map and see their classmates' work.

 

-Students, lead teacher, and TL will gather once more to find and identify the Middle Atlantic states on a full U. S. map and will share other big ideas they discovered during the lesson.

Learning Assessment Method(s):
-Lead teacher and TL will observe students' ability to use the library catalog search tools and retrieve books in the library.
-Middle Atlantic map worksheet will be collected and assessed for completeness and accuracy (correct corresponding states, appropriate symbols/pictures, author/title of books read).
-Students' participation, consideration of others, and team-work skills will be monitored throughout the lesson by both lead teacher and teacher-librarian.
-Lead teacher and TL will observe students' ability to find each of the Middle Atlantic states on a map of the entire United States.