Students use various resources to investigate the roles of fathers and men in today's society. After brainstorming and researching various male role models, students will choose a model in their own life, and then write a letter, poem, or card to that person expressing their appreciation and admiration. This lesson is designed to increase student interest by using relevant examples and offering various expressive opportunities.

LIBRARY MEDIA SKILLS OBJECTIVES
The student will understand the important roles men play in society, whether as fathers, caregivers, workers, inventors, entertainers, or leaders.

CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES:
These lessons may be incorporated into a language arts or social studies unit.

MOTIVATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
The student will:
-become interested in the research process.
-understand the importance of information skills.
-experience increased confidence in research ability.
-achieve satisfaction in research accomplishments.

Resource List
Famous Men Worksheet
Wordsearch Worksheet

 

Credits:

Alice A. Robinson Adapted for SOS by Kori Gerbig School of Information Studies Syracuse University

Sources:

School Library Media Activities Monthly June 2003; 19:10; 11-13 http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com http://www.crinkles.com

 

INSTRUCTIONAL ROLES:
This lesson may be conducted by either the classroom teacher or library media specialist.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETION:
-This lesson consists of a brainstorming activity, Internet searching skills, and a writing assignment.

*PART ONE: Motivation and Prewriting Activities
-Ask students to describe some of the duties that fathers/men perform in their lives. The teacher writes the responses on a whiteboard and helps students examine the responses to determine themes or any degree of commonality among them.

-The teacher discusses why some men find it difficult to complete all their tasks. It may be because they spend long hours at work or they consider some of the duties “women's work.”

-The teacher then asks the students to do one of the following:
Write a letter to their father/caregiver/teacher expressing what they admire about him.
a) Write a poem to their father/caregiver/teacher expressing love and appreciation.
b) Design a card to give to their father/caregiver/teacher.

-The teacher circulates the room while students work to ensure that students understand the assignment and are on task. The teacher previews students' rough drafts. Once the writing is satisfactory, students use the computer to create and print the text after the teacher has demonstrated available fonts, type size, graphics, colors, etc. that can be used to enhance student work. Students can also cut out fancy-shaped cards from construction paper and decorate the outside of the cards with magazine illustrations or pictures from the computers.

-Students may use a software program, such as *Print Shop Ensemble III or *Microsoft Publisher and clip art to create their final project. Use projects to decorate the classroom or a library media center bulletin board or give to fathers/caregivers/teachers as a holiday or special gift.

PART TWO:
-There are many books and online resources about outstanding fathers. In this lesson, students examine some of the outstanding contributions men/fathers have made to society.

-Students complete the chart by using information from print and online sources. For numbers 12, 13, and 14, they select the name of a male person and complete the information about each. Students may work in pairs.

-Students who finish early can complete the word search and answer the bonus question.

FOLLOW-UP:
-Students may work in pairs to compile information about their favorite father figure who is a role model and make a presentation to the class. They might compose a skit, present an interview (live or videotaped) portraying a day in the life of that person, design a webpage, create a *PowerPoint presentation, or use overhead transparencies or poster boards. The students are given two weeks to complete this assignment.

EVALUATION:
-The teacher evaluates the student final projects and presentations. The grade earned can be added to their final grade for the marking period.

School Library Media Activities Monthly
June 2003; 19:10; 11-13
http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com
http://www.crinkles.com