Organizing Internet Research: Elementary School Lesson Plan

Today, internet research and organizing internet research has become a necessary skill for elementary school students. In the past, students used print resources exclusively, but today must learn proper methods of internet research in order to keep up with the quickly changing technological world. However, print resources are still as important as internet research, which why children must learn to use both types of resources and relate information from both resources together. This lesson will teach elementary school students about organizing internet research, as well as organizing research from print materials.

Learning Outcomes

Within the content area

-Students understand how to use internet resources as well as print materials to conduct research and gather information

-Students will organize collected information into meaningful categories using organizational charts

Links to other content areas

-While they work to gather information from internet resources and print materials, students will learn about their research topic, thus enriching their knowledge of and appreciation for history and cultural diversity

-The ability to gather information and sort and organize this information is important for many other subjects, as is the ability to bring information from internet research and researched print materials together

Preparation and Management:

-Students should already know the expected format for internet research and organization after having completed research on print materials two days before.

-Students should have their internet website evaluations and printed material from yesterday's lesson on using internet resources

-pass out several copies of organizational chart to each student at the beginning of class

-at beginning of class, hand back the organizational chart and assessment students turned in a few days ago after researching print materials. The organizational charts should have been assessed and each student should have feedback on their research of print materials

-students will sit in their usual 5 rows of seats and complete internet research on their own. During reflection with partner, they will turn to a partner nearby who they usually work with during partner activities

Beginning:

"Everybody should have a ton of research materials now between the books and encyclopedias and other print materials from the library, and now the information you printed off when we conducted internet research yesterday. Today you will get some time to research your print materials and internet research materials and find information to include in the biography. We will be using the same organizational charts that we did when researching print materials. This means that once again, you should be using a separate organizational chart to record the most important information from each source. Overall, I was happy with how well the organizational charts were filled out. I left comments with your completed organizational charts, so make sure to keep the feedback in mind as you continue your internet research. I think the one thing that did need work was including detailed information in your internet research-instead of broad facts that everyone knows. For example, if I'm researching Martin Luther King Jr, if I write down simply that he gave many speeches that inspired people, I'm being way too vague. Instead, I should find a few examples of specific speeches he gave (such as the "I have a dream" speech), where and when he gave the speeches, a brief summary of what he said in the speech, and how it influenced others. You don't want to write down everything from the book, but you also need to make sure that you aren't overly vague when you take notes, or you won't have anything to draw from when you create your rough draft later."

"So now I would like you to look over your internet research materials and any remaining books and printed materials and continue taking research notes on your organizinal charts."

Have students continue research for the remainder of the class. Walk through classroom and answer questions as needed.

At the end of the class, have students turn to their partner and discuss their thoughts on the research process and difficulties they may be having.

Any remaining research is to be completed during the weekend as homework, because drafting will begin on Monday.

Assessment of student performance:

-Students should turn in one organizational chart each, and teacher will assess the charts for improvement. During this time, teacher will leave further feedback on the assignment. Students who still do not demonstrate good research and organization of notes will have a private conference with teacher during Monday's lesson.