The following lesson plan was adapted from the Common Core Lesson, Strategic Searching for Grades

6 -8. http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/lesson/strategic-searching-6-8 Title Strategic Searching Date Created March 4, 2014 Topic Information Literacy Grade Level 6 Subject English Language Arts Common Core Standards Common Core: ELA grade 6 ELA - RI.1, RI.4, RI.10, W.4, W.7, W.10, SL.1a, SL.1b, SL.1c, SL.1d, SL.4, SL.6, L.3a, L.6 NETS-S Creativity & Innovation Communication & Collaboration Research & Information Fluency Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making Digital Citizenship Technology Operations Essential Questions What steps can help you find what youre looking for when you search online? Understandings Students will understand that using a variety of search strategies is important to helping search more Students will know that Students will be able to there are a variety of search strategies to help to narrow a search use a variety of search strategies to conduct online searches create and execute a five-step 6b 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d 4b, 4c 1a

effectively and efficiently for information.

the five-step strategy for searching is an effective method for planning an online search

plan for conducting an online search

Assessment Evidence Performance Tasks: In teams of two, students will complete the five stepprocess to conduct an online search. The assessment will be graded using a Pass/ Fail checklist. Self Assessments: Students will complete a KWL Chart answering: What did I LEARN about strategic searching? Other Evidence: 1. Ticket out the door: Student will complete a 3 question quiz to assess understanding. 2. Students will apply the five-step process to complete an online search to find information needed for their i-Imagine project.

Learning Plan Inquiry Hook: How do you find something online? What kinds of things do you search for? Students will be encouraged to share examples of both their personal and schoolwork related searches.

Activity Procedure: Statement of purpose: Students spend a lot of time searching online for a variety of purposes, both in school and in their personal lives. If they structure their search, they will be more effective and efficient. Students will learn strategies for searching strategically online and a five-point plan they can use to structure their search. Define vocabulary: effective, efficient, strategy Activity Description: Give table groups chart paper with a KWL (Know, Want, Learn) table written on each sheet and a magic marker for each student. Ask students to complete the first two columns of the chart: What search strategies do I KNOW? and What do I WANT to know about strategic searching? Tell the students they will complete the third column, What did I LEARN about strategic searching? after we complete the lesson. Distribute a Tips for Strategic Searching Student Handout for each student. Project from the teacher workstation and demonstrate examples of the various strategies for the whole class. (See handout attached). Assign Performance Task 1: Give students the following scenario: Choose the city in which you plan to live in 20 years. Each year, the company you work for has an employee appreciation gathering. You are part of a group that is planning the ev ent, and

you were asked to find a park in the local area where the company can have a picnic. Money is tight, so you have to find a free or inexpensive location. Here is what you know you need: * public park * a covered area in case it rains * an area to play games * restrooms * transportation options to get to the park * park activities (are there any special events planned your group could enjoy) Your work group needs a recommendation in 15 minutes. Take 5 minutes to plan your search, using the strategies youve already learned about, and 10 minutes to come up with a suggestion. Student Performance Task: Student pairs will use a template in Google Docs to complete the following questions: Select research questions. What question(s) do you have? Write the question(s) below. Extract keywords and terms. Be broad or specific, depending on your goals. Use synonyms, and apply some of the strategies you learned. Write your keywords below. Apply search strategies. What search strategies will help you find the information you need? Write down your keywords with search strategies applied. Run your search. Search using the terms that you chose and look at the results. Remember to check out several sources. Chart your search. Keep track of what you searched for and where, so that you dont repeat work. Jot down what you searched for and where you searched for it. City you chose: Name of park you chose: URL of park: Students will also be instructed to use the poster in the room Eight Ways to Check Information from mrswilliamslibrary.com.) See attached. (Note: Students previously received formal instruction from the school librarian on how to evaluate sites). The students will be instructed to evaluate the sites for content and authority and be able to state why a site was chosen as reliable and valid. Upon completion of the assignment, students will save and share the documents with the teachers Google Docs account for grading and comments. To debrief the activity, selected student groups answers will be shared whole class. The discussion will focus on evaluating the quality of the information, the effectiveness and efficiency of the search, and lessons learned. Students will be instructed to complete the Learn section of their KWL chart and a member of each table group will post them in the room. Students will be told that their next assignment will be to use the search strategies learned to complete the online search for information to use in their I-imagine Projects. The information they will need to search for will include:

Details about the area where they will be living Education and skills needed for their career, including details about how specifically they will get their education and training. Information about the types of work tasks, routines, and responsibilities they will have in their future career. Information about awards they can achieve in their career. Instruct the students to be prepared to create their strategic plan for conducting their online search when they return to class the next day.

Reflection Methods: Students will complete the KWL Chart answering: What did I LEARN about strategic searching? They will reflect on how they will use these strategies to find the content they need to include in their I-imagine projects. Materials Facilities: Computer lab Equipment (non-tech): Chart paper with KWL chart for each table group. Magic marker for each student. Ticket out the door - a 3 question quiz. Tips for Strategic Searching student handout Equipment (tech): Computer with LCD projector connected to Internet, ARD (to project students documents whole class), Internet-connected computer for each student with Google Docs access.