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6th Grade Resources

• A.2.3.5 Synthesize Info Within TextThe student uses a variety of reference materials to gather information for research projects (e.g., indexes, magazines, newspapers, journals, and card and computer catalogs). The student synthesizes and separates collected information into useful components.
  • Using Multiple Sources Modern Library & Research Skills: Internet & Electronic Research Skills
  • Reference Modern Library & Research Skills: Library Skills: Discovering New Worlds
  • Organizing Research
  • Organizing Research
• A.2.3.8 Strong vs Weak ArgumentChecks information obtained from research, in such ways as differentiating fact and opinion, identifying strong vs. weak arguments, and recognizing that personal values influence the conclusions an author draws.
  • Responding to Edgar Allen Poe
  • Fact vs. Opinion
• A.2.3.8 Validity & Accuracy of InfoChecks the validity and accuracy of information obtained from research.
  • Responding to Edgar Allen Poe
  • Determining Your Information Needs Modern Research Skills for Secondary Students: Research 101: Mastering the Library
  • Research
  • Internet Research

7th Grade Resources

• A.2.3.5 Locates, Organizes, Interprets InfoThe student locates, organizes, and interprets written information for a variety of purposes.
  • Organizing Your Information: Index Cards Modern Research Skills for Secondary Students: Research 101: Mastering the Library
  • Finding & Retrieving Information: Periodicals Modern Research Skills for Secondary Students: Research 101: Mastering the Library
  • Finding & Retrieving Information: The Reference Section Modern Research Skills for Secondary Students: Research 101: Mastering the Library
  • Researching the Brooklyn Bridge
  • Choosing a Format Business Basics: Business Writing
• A.2.3.5 Synthesize Info Across TextThe student synthesizes and separates collected information into useful components.
  • Organizing Research
• A.2.3.8 Strong vs Weak ArgumentThe student checks validity of research information i.e., strong versus weak arguments.
  • Evaluating Your Information Modern Research Skills for Secondary Students: Research 101: Mastering the Library
  • Persuasive Ideas
• A.2.3.8 Validity & Accuracy of InfoThe student checks validity and accuracy of research information (i.e., fact versus opinion and how authors’ personal values influence conclusions).
  • An Author’s Conviction
  • Fact vs. Opinion

8th Grade Resources

• A.2.3.5 Synthesize Info Within TextThe student locates, organizes, and interprets written information for a variety of purposes. The student synthesizes and separates collected information into useful components.
  • Organizing Your Information: Index Cards Modern Research Skills for Secondary Students: Research 101: Mastering the Library
  • Five Steps to Researching a Paper Modern Research Skills for Secondary Students: Research 101: Mastering the Library
  • Organizing Research
  • http://alex.state.al.us/lesson_view.php?…Students organize the traits of main characters using a graphic organizer.
  • http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/Specia…Greek Mythology: Inquiring Minds Who Want to Know: Students create tabloid with information gathered from research on mythology
• A.2.3.8 Strong vs Weak ArgumentThe student uses a variety of reference materials to gather information for research projects (e.g., indexes, magazines, newspapers, journals, and card and computer catalogs) and checks for strong versus weak arguments, fact versus opinion, and how authors’ personal values influence conclusions).
  • Fact vs. Opinion
  • Persuasive Ideas
  • Types of Literary Characters Just the Facts: Understanding Literature: The Elements of Fiction
  • http://www.adl.org/education/curriculum_…Lesson plan: students explore different vantage points from which history can be viewed;
  • http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum…Lesson Plan:Students complete worksheet after exploring fact and opinion.
  • http://www.learnnc.org/lessons/Xpedition…Students explore points of view offered on the Internet and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of news articles and website
• A.2.3.8 Validity & Accuracy of InfoThe student uses a variety of reference materials to gather information for research projects (e.g., indexes, magazines, newspapers, journals, and card and computer catalogs) and checks the validity and accuracy of the research information.

One teacher in the article has his students analyzing candidate video footage on the campaign and in the debates. Using text-mapping tools, students examine and analyze candidate’s rhetoric and their positions on various issues. Students then engage in lively debate. A terrific forum in which to engage your students is in an online discussion where some students may feel more comfortable voicing an opinion.

Another teacher in the article has his students analyzing how candidates “frame and package information on their Web sites, and learning to question and verify claims made in the ads, using Factcheck.org and other Web sites that gauge the accuracy of campaign materials and news reports.”

“It’s a real advantage to be able not just to be a passive consumer of media,” Mr. Block said, “but to take some of the skills and theory from class and apply them to what you’re watching.”

“That kind of critical thinking, some experts say, reflects the skills that students will need to compete in a global economy. According to a report released last month by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, there is a growing need for workers who have “the ability to respond flexibly to complex problems, communicate effectively, manage information, work in teams, and produce new knowledge.” (See Education Week, Sept. 17, 2008).

Some other ideas from the article include using “[i]nteractive maps…with states coded in red or blue according to which party’s candidate they voted for in previous elections, show in graphic terms how the Electoral College picks the president. Using poll results that are updated regularly up to the election,” students can make predictions of who might win.

Many of the Web resources with classroom applications for election-related lessons have the potential for developing” the desired 21st Century Skills. For example the Living Room Candidate initiative calls for students to view campaign ads and “work across elections to see thematically how some of the same issues emerge election after election.”

SSS Standards addressed using technology and the 2008 election the research and reference content area of FCAT aare:

Benchmark LA.A.2.3.8: The student checks the validity and accuracy of information obtained from research, in such ways as differentiating fact and opinion, identifying strong vs. weak arguments, recognizing that personal values influence the conclusions an author draws.  

Resources for the 21st-Century Lessons on the Election:

Media Construction of Presidential Campaigns

Access, Analyze, Act

Get My Vote

eLECTIONS

FACTCHECK.ORG

MOUSE

Teachers, how could you use the wordle application in your instruction?

Create your own at www.wordle.net

I created this word-cloud at www.wordle.net.  Just type words of your choice and it creates a cool word-collage cloud.  You can play around with customizing the text color, layout, and font.