LIBRARY MEDIA SKILLS OBJECTIVES The student will:

-use print and electronic reference sources (atlas and encyclopedia), books, and periodicals to explore a topic related to the cultural history of Saudi Arabia.

-plot a selected topic on a large map of the Middle East.

-develop a three-minute presentation about the topic which will be videotaped for viewing by other students in the school.

CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES:

-This activity may be used with students in conjunction with a social studies unit on the Middle East, map skills and/or cultural diversity. It also can be used as a special report feature for a language arts/journalism/television curriculum within the school district.

MOTIVATIONAL OBJECTIVES: The student will:

-become interested in the research process.

-understand the importance of information skills.

-experience increased confidence in research ability

-understand the value of information skills.

-achieve satisfaction in research accomplishments.

INSTRUCTIONAL ROLES

-The library media specialist, the social studies teacher, and the media (language arts/journalism/television) teacher work on this unit cooperatively. The social studies teacher introduces the students to Middle Eastern culture and history. The library media specialist reviews the location and use of the materials catalog, encyclopedia, world atlas, and books on geography, cultures, customs, foods, and biographies, as well as searching CD-ROMs, periodical indexes, and the Internet. The media (language arts/journalism/television) teacher assists in planning the video production of the oral reports. -The combined unit may be taught over fifteen 40- to 50-minute periods. Four periods are given to introduction of the unit and gathering information in the library media center. An overview on preparing a short report for videotaping is presented by the media class during one period. The social studies students are given two periods to develop reports. The media and social studies classes have four periods to videotape the presentations in a classroom or TV studio. Both classes will view the video as a culminating activity.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETION -The social studies teacher introduces the topic of Middle Eastern culture by showing the videotape 'The Saudis' and/or displaying various articles from Middle East culture. King Abdul Aziz may be used as a starting poing. The assignment is to select a topic, research it by using the resources in the library media center, take notes, and prepare and present an oral report that will be videotaped by the media class. The students brainstorm research topics or the teacher may prepare a list of topics from which the students select. The students form groups of two to report on a single topic.

-The library media specialist will plan ahead to have specific materials available for student research including books, periodicals, and web sites. 'National Georgraphic Magazine' articles, for example, contain a wealth of information on cultural issues.

-The media class demonstrates techniques for preparing an oral report that will be videotaped. This demonstration should include storyboard techniques, how a reporter looks into the camera, how to dress, and techniques for pointing out a position on a map or showing an object related to the topic.

-A large outline map of the Middle East can serve as a background for the videotaping sessions. The students use their skills to locate and mark the area of the map on which they are reporting relative to the selected topic. Various colored markers may be used to draw the areas of interest on the map. At least three videotapes are needed to tape the presentations.

-If a media class is unavailable, the classroom teacher or library media specialist may assist students with preparation of the oral reports and videotaping.

FOLLOW-UP -The social studies students may discuss the major accomplishments of Abdul Aziz in the context of the present-day culture of Saudi Arabia and the culture of the Middle East.

-The media students may develop a standard format to use with other classes when assisting teachers in the production of videos on other subjects.

-The media students may edit the reports of the social studies class to produce an information video. This video can be used throughout the district to showcase both classes during a technology or school open house, school board presentation of students using technology, teacher collaborative workshop, or PTA/PTO program. -The library media specialist may add the videotapes to the library media center collection.