"An Internet Nose for News"

Subject(s): Reading and Language Arts, Business Computer Literacy

Learner Outcomes:

1)  Students will recognize a variety of search engines on the Internet.
2)  Students will define and use Boolean search criteria.
3)  Students will use two (2) methods to create search strategies.

Duration of Lesson:

Two 90-minute class periods

Materials:

Printed study guides that include:

• Keyword Search Terms and Thinking Skills
• Truncated Searching Worksheet
• Internet Search Assignment

Technology Tools/Courseware:
Computer for each student
Internet Access
Projection device
 

Teacher Notes:
Secure computer laboratory access.
Make sure that all students have signed county/school Acceptable Use Policy.

Procedures:

1)  Pass out study guides:  Keyword Search Terms and Thinking Skills
                             Truncated Searching Worksheet
2)  Demonstration of terms such as truncation, wild cards, and Boolean operators.
3)  Visit the Research & Writing: Info Search  and The Spider's Apprentice web sites.  Read and review search strategies that are
      explained there.
4)  Introduce specific search engines including, but not limited to: Yahoo, Infoseek, Hotbot, AskJeeves, Lycos,
   Altavista, Snap, Metacrawler, and others.
5)  Choose individual subjects of interest and search the internet using no less than three (3) different search engines.
6)  Complete the Internet Search assignment.
7)  Study the Idea Web graphic tool and the Venn Diagram graphic tool examples on TCR Connections web site.
8)  Using the information gathered in the completed Internet Search assignment complete the graphing tool worksheets.

Modifications:

Possible special education modifications include the following:

For physically impaired students:

If available, use a touch screen.
Use a trackball or IntelliMouse.

Allow for additional time when necessary.
When necessary, place students in cooperative learning groups.

Increase the size of the font.

Enrichment Activities:

• The media center and computer lab will be open during lunch daily for extended research and/or to complete this assignment.
• Students may browse other examples of graphing tools from the TCR's Big6 ToolKit.

Students will receive two grades for this lesson:
 

Creating Venn Diagrams Worksheet	Venn Diagram Search Engine Evaluation Rubric
Mind Map Worksheet	24 points (4 pts. for subject selection; 2 pts. per branch)

State and National Goals:

West Virginia IGOs:
Reading and Language Arts (Secondary): Reading Comprehension: 9.13,10.21; Reading Vocabulary: 10.34; Writing Skills: 9.41, 10.41
Business Computer Literacy:  BCL13, BCL17, BCL21,

National Standards:
Language Standards 9-12: Standard 1:7;  Standard 4:1,2,3,5,6

References:

Evaluation of Selected Internet Search Tools
Research & Writing: Info Search
The Spider's Apprentice
TCR's Big6 ToolKit
TCR Connections
 
 

 
 
 

Overview

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5