Database Safari: Finding Relevant Articles
This lesson, for 3rd graders, is part of a larger research project on African animals. The students have already been read a letter by the classroom teacher, written by Leo the Lion, King of all African animals, stating tht he is ready for retirement and in search of a successor to the throne. His letter also outlines the necessary qualifications that any applicant to the throne must have. Any animal interested in the position must form a persuasive argument in written, oral or visual form and present it to the King for consideration. Students have already been divided into groups and have chosen the animal, in whose voice they will present their persuasive arguments. This information literacy lesson is designed to help them begin the research to build their argument. It will introduce students to the concept of database, the Kids Search database, searching and saving techniques and tips for discerning relevancy of an article in relation to one's needs. This is a 90 minute lesson. If such a large chunk of time is not possible, it could be divided into two sessions.
