Practicing Information Literacy Skills

Revolutionary War Heroes

Grade Level Time Frame Title of Unit Curriculum Area Practicing Information Literacy Skills
Technology and Social Studies

4th Grade
One Week

Stage 1 Identify Desired Results

21st Century Learners Standards: Inquire, Think Critically, Gain Knowledge 1.1 Skills
1.1.2 Follow an inquiry- based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects, and make the real- world connection for using this process in own life. 1.1.4 Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer questions. 1.1.5 Evaluate information found in selected sources on the basis of accuracy, validity, appropriateness for needs, importance, and social and cultural context. 1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning. 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. 1.1.8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for accessing information and pursuing inquiry. 1.1.9 Collaborate with others to broaden and deepen understanding.

1.2 Dispositions
1.2.4 Maintain a critical stance by questioning the validity and accuracy of all information.

1.3 Responsibilities
1.3.2 Seek divergent perspectives during information gathering and assessment.

1.4 Self-Assessments
1.4.2 Use interaction with and feedback from teachers and peers to guide own inquiry process. 1.4.4 Seek appropriate help when it is needed.

Connections to GPS State Standards: SS4H4 The student will explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution. 1. Explain the writing of the Declaration of Independence; include who wrote it, how it was written, why it was necessary, and how it was a response to tyranny and the abuse of power. 2. Describe key individuals in the American Revolution with emphasis on King George III, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, Patrick Henry, and John Adams.
SS4CG5 The student will name positive character traits of key historical figures and government leaders (honesty, patriotism, courage, trustworthiness). ELA4W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing. The student a. Acknowledges information from sources. b. Locates information in reference texts by using organizational features (i.e.,

prefaces, appendices, indices, glossaries, and tables of contents). c. Uses various reference materials (i.e., dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, electronic information, almanac, atlas, magazines, newspapers, and key words). d. Demonstrates basic keyboarding skills and familiarity with computer terminology (e.g., software, memory, disk drive, hard drive).

Understandings
Students will understand that: 1. Our country began its quest for independence to obtain religious and political freedom. 2. The Declaration of Independence was written by our founding fathers to state the rights citizens of our country are entitled to. 3. Our founding fathers played a significant role in our countrys development through political and leadership actions. 4. There are many resources available to help them learn in the media center: books, databases, websites, etc. Related Misconceptions: 1. The Boston Tea Party was an actual tea party. 2. The only place to find information is in the reference area.

Essential Questions
Overarching Questions:
1. Why do we need to remember the contributions of American Revolution War heroes? 2. How did The Declaration of Independence influence the first laws of our country? 3. Explain why it was necessary for these historical figures to have positive character traits. 4. Why should we use a variety of resources to explore more information about the lives of these heroes?

Topical Questions:
1. Why was The Declaration of Independence written? Who were the main authors? 2. What character traits do these figures have in common? 3. What are some of the main contributions that our founding fathers made to the building of our country? 4. What other forms of media can teach me about these historical figures? and how do I use those forms of media?

Knowledge and Skills Knowledge

Students will know:
1. Significant facts about the key players in the Revolutionary War 2. What contributions each figure made to further the progress of our country 3. The basic ideals and rights listed in The Declaration of Independence 4. There is a variety of electronic and print resources available to complete research

Skills
Students will be able to:
1. List character traits that helped make these figures successful in their quests 2. Describe the contributions of each of these figures 3. Utilize GALILEO to search for information 4. Collaborate as a class group to create a Web 2.0 summarization of the knowledge

5. Information is constantly being updated and therefore it is important to be able to discern what is considered appropriate reference material in research projects

they gained

Stage 2 Assessment Evidence Performance Task(s)

For the purposes of this assignment, the performance tasks and learning activities are focused on Information Literacy skills and facts about Revolutionary War heroes. Source Sort
1. Students will be able to login into GALILEO and navigate it to find sources that are appropriate for their Lexile Level and provide appropriate information for their assigned research projects. 2. Students will be able to find and properly use at least two different mediums to support their research findings.

Techniques in Technology
1. Students will successfully use the Pathfinder to view helpful websites. 2. Students will collect factual information from various sources to collaborate to create a Wordle about the characteristics of the historical figures. 3. Students will post interesting facts to Wall Wisher to create a Revolutionary War Heroes Bulletin Board of facts. 4. Students will view jabberize video of presidents 5. Students will write reflections about the lessons that they learned

Stage 3 Learning Activities (Due to time constraints activities will be

focused on Revolutionary War Heroes for the observation) Teachers: Will open the lesson with Art History of the Revolutionary War video Use Promethean Board to explain that the purpose of the assignment is to understand the reasons The Declaration of Independence was written, the contributions of historical figures, and that there are various resources available to them for research. Pass out self-assessment rubrics Will guide the students through the Pathfinder Will facilitate usage of Galileo Databases Will facilitate the creation of student Wordles Will facilitate use of Wall Wisher Will show jabberize video of the presidents to summarize Will close the discussion by using student response systems to review and reflect with the class Alternate review and reflection material is available at the end of this unit

Students Will watch the Art History of the Revolutionary War Follow the Pathfinder to discover information about war heroes. They will take note of important factual information about contributions and characteristics for later use. Will explore Galileo Databases to find other sources of biographical information Will create a Wordle that describes the positive characteristics of historical figures Will post the interesting facts on Wall Wisher to create a bulletin board Will watch jabberize videos and discuss the contributions mentioned in the song Will complete self-assessment rubrics (See Next Page) Will use student response systems or write a reflection about the database usage, wordle creation, wall wisher facts, and information learned about the Revolutionary War heroes Resources http://revolutionheroes.wikispaces.com/ One page with the following websites http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjfrexe61XI Art History of American Rev. http://home.comcast.net/~bswetits/Pathfinders/Grade4SS/RevolutionaryWa rBio.html War Heroes Pathfinder http://www.galileo.usg.edu/kids/links/ Galileo Login World Book, SIRS Discover, Kids Search, Britannica Elementary, Digital Library of Georgia, Kids.gov http://www.wordle.net/ Wordle Creation http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/MrsTyson Wall Wisher Bulletin Board http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n98oj2OvEw&feature=related Jabberized Presidents Student Self-Assessment printable on next page Student Reflection-printable on next page

Student Self-Questioning Guide Template

Question

Visual Cue

Yes

No

Ask the Teacher

Did I use Galileo Kids to find information about war heroes? Can I list at least two different resources for finding information? What three words can I use to describe the positive characteristic of war heroes? Did I work with my friends to add these three words to our Wordle? What three facts did I discover about my war hero? Did I post my three facts on the WallWisher Bulletin Board? Did I write at least five sentences to reflect on my lesson with Mrs. Tyson?

Student Reflection Sheet

Use the space below to write at least five sentences about your lesson today. 1. What did you learn about Revolutionary War heroes?

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2. What did you learn about finding information in the media center?

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3. Would you like to use Galileo, Wordle, and WallWisher again? Why?

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4. If you could look up information on anything using Galileo Kids, what would it be?

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5. What do you think it takes to be a hero or leader?

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