This unit of study is a collaboration between an 8th Grade social studies teacher, and a library media specialist. Students have some prior knowledge regarding the use of electronic resources to conduct research. This unit is designed to enhance their skills in using electronic resources to complete an assignment. The purpose of this unit is to build understanding of the tools necessary to conduct effective searches using search engines and databases. Understanding will be built about the criteria used to evaluate web sites. Students will be given opportunity to practice the skills necessary for locating information about a topic. Students will have the opportunity to work in groups or individually to produce a report of information about a famous women in history.
Instructional Goals:
• Students will be able to successfully find the information they need using electronic resources.
• Students will gain a better understanding of how to search web resources to obtain needed information.
• Students will develop skills necessary for evaluating web resources.
• Students will present information in a prescribed format.
Learning Objectives:
• Eighth grade students will perform a successful search of the following electronic resources (search engines, web sites, and databases) to obtain information.
• Students will cite sources used appropriately.
• With the information gained from the electronic resources , students will learn facts about famous women in history.
• Students will work successfully in a group or individually to complete their assignment.
• Students will acquire enough information to complete a report of information.
Day 1: Library teacher organized students into small groups. Students are asked if they are familiar with the game Jeopardy . Library teacher explains the rules for playing this game and asks one student at each table to keep score. The 8th Grade Social Studies teacher and the library teacher do a quick brainstorming activity with the students to list the famous women in history they are familiar with. Students are invited to briefly provide details of the accomplishments of these women. Library teacher presents power point slides with information and some photos of a famous woman in history and ask students to answer the Jeopardy questions provided. The library teacher discusses with students the impact these women have had in history and in society today, based on their contributions.
Students are asked to think about a women in history that was discussed in class or another one that they are interesting in knowing more about, and what made them famous. The library teacher in conjunction with the classroom teacher outlines the assignment. Students are given a choice of what woman they would like to research.
Day 2: Library teacher gives a mini-lesson on the value of using the internet to conduct research. The eight grade students are getting ready to enter high school, where using a variety of electronic resources will be an important skill to possess. They will be required to use multiples sources to complete assignments. Using the internet skillfully to obtain information from accurate and reliable sources will be important for this project and future work. Library teacher demonstrates how to evaluate a web site.
Day 3: This lesson consists of providing students with a definition of what a search engine is and how they function. The library teacher explains the terms, keyword and natural language and then demonstrates the use of keywords to conduct a search. Students are shown how to limit their search using Boolean search strategies. Students are asked to take notes to use when they are conducing their own research. Students are asked if they need to cite a search engine in a bibliography if it is used to collect data? Library teacher will demonstrate how to cite web sources and provides students with a resource for doing so. Laptops are now used by students to locate information using a search engine . Students are reminded to use Boolean search strategies when conducting their own search for information. Students will be given a choice to work with a partner, in a small group, or individually.
Day 4: This lesson consists of providing students with a definition of what a database is and how they function. The library teacher provides students with user names and passwords for Novel Database and demonstrates how to navigate the database. The library teacher then demonstrates the use of keywords to conduct a search. Students are asked to use key words to search for information using this database. Laptops are now used by students to locate information using this electronic resource. Students will be given a choice to work with a partner, in a small group, or individually.
Collaborator(s): Donna M. Berry and Kristine Mammolito, Social Studies teacher
