Title of Unit

Author Research

Grade Level

8th

Curriculum Area

ELA

Time Frame

2 55-minute
sessions

Developed By

K. Ward
Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

Content Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the
selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2.A

Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader
categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding
comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2.B

Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and
examples.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2.C

Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.8

Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility
and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and
following a standard format for citation.
1. Creativity and innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using
technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
3. Research and information fluency

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks
4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making

Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed
decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
6. Technology operations and concepts

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

a. Understand and use technology systems
b. Select and use applications effectively and productively
c. Troubleshoot systems and applications
d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies

AASL Standards of Learning

1.

Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.

1.1.7 Make sense of information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions, main and supporting
ideas, conflicting information, and point of view or bias.
1.2.2 Demonstrate confidence and self direction by making independent choices in the selection of resources and
information.
2. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge.
2.1.1 Continue an inquiry based research process by applying critical thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation,
organization) to information and knowledge in order to construct new understandings, draw conclusions, and create
new knowledge.
4. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.
4.1.8 Use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning.

Understandings
Overarching Understandings
Students will understand that:
-There are several types of tools out there to
use, but depending on what you want to
accomplish; changes the product.
-Researching my topic thoroughly will help
better my product at the end
-That learning about the past helps make
our future better

Essential Questions
Overarching

Topical

How do I complete
research effectively
and ethically?
Which Web 2.0 tool
is best for my
project?

Does the past really

affect my future?

*What is Galenet and

how do I use it?
*What is Galileo and
how do I use it
properly?
Which tool should I
use for my project:
prezi, weebly, or
thinglink?

Related Misconceptions
Wikipedia is a reasonable source to use
for research projects.
I can just Google my questions, and I
will always find the answer.
I dont have to be specific at all when
conducting research. Broad terms will
always get me my answers.
Knowledge

Skills

Students will know

Students will be able to

The difference between Galenet, Galileo,

Google, and Wikipedia

What ethical research is

How to find, read, and understand

information on their author

How to create using the variety of Web

2.0 tools provided to them

Use Galenet efficiently to obtain

knowledge about their topic
Use Galileo properly to gain information
about their author
Create prezis to present their project
Demonstrate Thinglink skills to show us
their authors life
Construct Weeblies to create a wellthought out product

Stage 2: Assessment Evidence

Performance Task Description
Goal

The goals of this assessment is for students to demonstrate

their ability to conduct research using print and digital
materials ethically, and then being able to put this
information into a format (Web 2.0 tool) of their choice.

Role

The role of this task is for 8th graders to put together their
skills from earlier in the year to demonstrate their ability to
conduct research properly, and to use a Web 2.0 tool to put it
all together.

Audience

The audience of this assessment is the 8th graders peers,

their teacher, and the media specialist.

Situation

Students will have one week in the library to conduct

research, and two lessons on research tools and Web 2.0
tools. They will then have 2 more weeks to conduct research,
and put together their project at home and some class time.
The final week will be the week of presentations in which
students present their final products to their peers and
teacher.

Product/Perform
ance

Students will use Prezi, Weebly, or Thinglink to create a

product demonstrating their understanding of completing
research on an author. Information included in the
presentation will include birth, death, big break, and other
such important information.

Standards

See above for Standards used

Stage 3: Learning Plan

Day 1 - SLMP will complete a short seminar on how to access and use Galenet and
Galileo. SLMP will demonstrate how to complete searches on both engines, and
will inform the students on why they use them instead of sites like Wikipedia and

Google. The students will then be given the rest of time to research their authors,
and ask questions about the search engines.

Day 2 - SLMP will complete a short seminar on how to log in, create, and use the
three web 2.0 tools that are to be used by the students for their presentations.
Students will be then given the opportunity to research or work on their projects in
the library. The SLMP and teacher will be around to answer any questions.