Eighth Grade Research Unit Plan
Subjects: Media, Reading, Technology Duration: 5 days
TOPIC: Research Process of Student’s Choice of Subject
GOAL: The goal of this unit is to provide the students with
manageable skills for research and comprehension of non-fiction materials. This
unit plan will support the Reading Curriculum and the needs of the Classroom
Teacher as she teaches the I-Search Unit. The students will gain information
skills and apply these skills during the unit.
RATIONALE: The research process is necessary to promote life
long learners. Each step provides time management and organizational skills
that will carry over to future research in HS, College and beyond. It is important
for students to develop skills and methods to extract, understand, synthesize
and evaluate non-fiction information. In addition, students will use these skills
to become efficient and effective users of technology and library services.
Not only will students learn valuable skills for research in an academic setting,
but these skills will relate to everyday information retrieval and thought processes.
OBJECTIVES:
Day 1: Introduction and Refresher (90 minutes)
1. The students will be able to identify and differentiate the various media
center resources.
2. The students will be able to identify how to evaluate various media print
resources.
3. The students will be able to develop research questions and brainstorm search
terms.
4. The students will be able to identify and apply process for taking notes
from non-fiction materials.
5. The students will be able to select and evaluate appropriate resources and
conduct independent research.
Day 2: Online Searching & Continue Research (90minutes)
1. Students will be able to identify and compare characteristics of online research
sources.
2. Students will be able to evaluate sources for appropriate use in the research
process.
3. Students will be able to apply new skills to individual research projects.
Day 3: SIRS Database
1. Students will be able to identify and differentiate between various sections
of the SIRS Database.
2. Students will be able to apply new skills while conducting individual research.
Day 4: Website Evaluation (90 minutes)
1. Students will be able to identify how to evaluate websites.
2. Students will be able to evaluate websites.
3. Students will be able to locate & evaluate individual websites for individual
research.
Day 5: Independent Research (90 minutes)
The students will be able to apply evaluation skills and note-taking skills
while conducting individual research.
MATERIALS/RESOURCES
Day 1:
Research Planner Handbook
Dewey Layout Sheet
Activity #1 Worksheet: Research Questions
Activity #2 Worksheet: Skim, Scan, Chunk
Developing Research Questions Tip Sheet
Selecting Sources Tip Sheet
Print Materials
Note Cards
Tape
Flip Chart, Marker
Day 2:
Computers – Computer Lab Page
Online Searching Activity/Instruction Sheet and Chart
Online Searching Tip Sheet
Pathfinder Page (Online Search Tools)
Overhead Transparencies: Online Searching Motivator/Discussion, Markers
Overhead
Day 3:
Computers – SIRS Database
SIRS Database Tip Sheet
SIRS Database Activity Sheet
Day 4:
Computers – Computer Lab Page
Pathfinder Page (Website Evaluation)
Overhead Projector, Markers
Transparencies: Online Motivator, 5W’s of Website Evaluation
Website Evaluation Checklist
Day 5:
Computers
Print Resources
PROCEDURES:
Day 1: Lecture with Discussion for Overview/Intro to Media,
Interactive/Kinesthetic Discussion, Individual Activity Sheet (Thesis/Search
Terms), Group Discussion/Individual Activity/Group Discussion, Individual Research
Day 2: Individual Motivator, Group Discussion of Motivator,
Group Discussion of Search Tools, Individual Interactive Activity, Group Discussion
Day 3: Refresh Motivator, Interactive Lecture, Individual Interactive
Activity, Independent Research
Day 4: Refresh Motivator, Lecture Discussion of 5 W’s,
Interactive Activity Sheet, Group Discussion
Day 5: Independent Research
EVALUATION:
Day 1:
Activity #1 Worksheet: Research Questions – Classroom Teacher will collect
and double check activity sheet to make sure the students are on the right track
before investing too much time in research.
Activity #2 Worksheet: Skim, Scan, Chunk – Classroom Teacher will collect
activity sheet to verify students understand process.
Group Discussion
MS will circulate during individual work to assist.
Day 2:
Group Discussion
Online Searching Activity/Instruction Sheet and Chart – Media Specialist
will collect to verify each tool was used and evaluated.
MS will circulate during individual work to assist.
Day 3:
Group Discussion
SIRS Database Activity Sheet – MS will collect to verify that students
used the database correctly.
Students will save session for future use.
MS will circulate during individual work to assist.
Day 4:
Group Discussion
MS will circulate during individual work to assist.
2-7 note cards will be created at home from evaluated website with checklist.
Day 5:
5-10 note cards will be made by students and verified by Classroom Teacher at
end of class.
MS will circulate during individual work to assist.