PS+109Q


 * __PS 109Q: Science Report - Animals __**

Librarian: Maria Mihaltses, MMihaltses@schools.nyc.gov Grade Levels: 6 - 8 (some 6th, and 8th ELL students) - Resources Used: All of the purchases that were made for this grant were used, the internet, as well as some books that were checked out on animals. - Grade Levels: 7th - Lesson Goal: The standard goal of the lesson for science was for students to become familiar with animals behaviors, classifications, and habitats, and to be able to distinguish patterns that would classify one animal from another. - My ultimate goal was to familiarize our students with databases, and teach them how to use these effectively, through the use of Boolean techniques. I also wanted the students to evaluate the research process, and determine whether the databases were user friendly and effective tools for the students’ needs. - 1 page summary of lesson plan as an attachment - How do you know the goal was achieved? The goal was achieved because the rubrics set aside for this lesson were completed, and the students were able to hand in well-researched and print rich (or interactive) final science projects. The rubrics included creating a well-researched science report on animals that was informative, as well as well written. This report had to include a works cited page. The report had to be attached to a print rich presentation board or an interactive PowerPoint presentation on the animal of their choice. The students also tried using the Boolean Search techniques, and found them helpful. Although most of them did not need to use them with their topics. This was determined through conferencing with students during the research process, and then through a student survey which students had to fill out anonymously. This survey served as an evaluation of the lesson, as well as the databases used. Another tip or suggestion when implementing this in another school would be to reinforce that the databases can be accessed from any location via use of a User ID and Password, then keep these simple so anyone can remember them. For example use your school name for your user id, and then perhaps the school subjects’ name for your password. As a result my students didn’t have a hard time logging in. **__Lesson Plan: Science Report - Animals __** **__Summary of lesson plan:__** My first lesson introduced the Boolean operators, and the use of quotes, and parentheses to my target seventh grade classes. This lesson was jam-packed with very useful information students will need to use when researching reports in any subject whether searching online, or on databases. It got them thinking about their search queries for their term project, and how to get the most out of their research. My second lesson introduced databases; specifically it introduced the Science Reference Center. I taught students how to navigate this database, and use the Boolean search feature for their search queries. This lesson was extended over several days in order to give students some class time in which to research their topics. During this time I sat down with students, to conference about the research process, and the perceived usefulness of the databases. A separate small group lesson took place with an ELL group, and their ELL teacher that looked at the usefulness of the English Language Learner. The culminating lesson taught students how to create their own Works Cited/Bibliography page using APA format on the knight cite website. During this lesson I handed out a student survey that required students to evaluate the effectiveness of the research process. Students answered questions such as: Would you use this database again Why/Why not? Most students said they would use the database again because they found it easy to use, and they loved how it was geared just for them. Students worked on their projects during their science classes as well, but were encouraged to use the resources in the library during their lunch period. **__Lesson Plan:__** Boolean Search **__LEQ:__** How to formulate an effective search query for your project using a Boolean Search? **__Standard__**__:__ Information Lit. To access information effectively and efficiently **__Warm Up__**__:__ DEF: **Search query**= a question or inquiry you’re looking to research usually online. Answer the following: If you’re looking for information about the habitat of tree frogs how would you formulate your search query? What do you predict will happen if you’re too general? Ex: Frogs What do you predict will happen if you’re too specific? Ex: American Green Tree Frog habitat **__Direct Instruction:__** PPT presentation on Boolean. Boolean Operators are identified, defined, and then examples for application are discussed, and applied. **__Student Activity: (also on PPT)__** Pretend you are searching for the following. Decide which Boolean Operators would work best AND, OR, NOT, NEAR or the use of “ “ for each Share out answers. **__Wrap Up:__** What are the Boolean Operators used today, and which one would you say might be used most often? _____________________________________________________________________________________   **__Lesson Plan__**__:__ Databases (Secondary lesson will be done with ELL’s and the ELL Learner in small grp) **__LEQ:__** What is the Science Desk Reference Center, and how can we use it effectively to assist our research? **__Standard:__** Info. Literacy To access information effectively, and efficiently **__Warm Up:__** Pair Up on the computer with someone from your group. Then go to the Science Reference Center Database which is @ [|www.searchebsco.com] Username: is109q Password: Science Take a minute to look at the Science Reference Center. Look at the different categories in science, look at the menu items, and tabs to familiarize yourself with it. **__Direct Instruction:__** *What is a database? Def: **Database:** is a collection of information that is organized so that it can be easily accessed, managed, and updated. * Show students key features. For EX: Citation Tab that automatically creates a citation for the student to save Review the types of sciences. Ask: Which category would you find animals under?=Life Science. *Help students find the Boolean search feature, and review the operators *Show students how to find lexile levels. This way students can differentiate their results based on their reading levels, and limit results that are either too easy or difficult for them. This is great for ELL learners who may want to use this database instead of the ELL Learner **__Student Activity:__** Begin to search for information related to your animal using the Boolean search feature. Make sure to look for full text articles, and keep a citation of an article that you would like to keep for your research. Wrap Up: What did you find out about databases today? What did you like/didn’t like about them? **____________________________________________________________________________________**   **Lesson: Creating your Bibliography** **__LEQ:__** How to create a bibliography using the Knightcite website? **__Standard:__** To access information effectively, and efficiently **__Warm Up:__** Review: What is a bibliography or works cited page? What is a citation? Pair up on computers, and go to [|www.Knightcite.com] **__Direct Instruction:__** Model how to create a bibliographic citation for a book, encyclopedia article, and website using the Knightcite website under APA format. Key Tabs= APA Format, Book, Website etc.. Review single author v. more than one author feature, and how to find bibliographic information on various formats. Then review how to create the citation from their databases (Science Reference Center, ELL Learner), and put it all together on the Bibliography/Works Cited Page. **__Student Activity__**: Create your bibliography for your science term project on animals **Student evaluations will be given out **__Wrap Up__**: List the first three steps in creating a bibliography? Please hand in evaluations
 * 1) **__Purchases made with Library REACH Funds: __**
 * 2) The Science Reference Center Database (EBSCO)
 * 3) The English Language Learner Reference Center (EBSCO)
 * 4) Six Lenovo Laptops
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">A notebook PC security safe (Datamation)
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Lexmark X544DW wireless color printer
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Two Epson PictureMate Charm Compact Photo Printers
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Ink, paper, and accessories for all printers listed above.
 * 1) **__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Content area addressed: __**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Science
 * 1) **__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Worked with which teachers: __**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Ms. Malcolm, Ms. Cuascut
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Title of Project(s) implemented: 7th Grade Science Term Project: __**
 * 1) **__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Description of Lesson: __**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Students had to create a Science Term Project on an animal of their choice. This included creating a two to three page report, with a works cited page attached, and a print rich presentation board or PPT introducing their animal to the class.
 * 1) **__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Tips on implementing at another school: __**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Have students pick their topic of choice after they’ve become familiar with everything the database has to offer. This would cut down on the amount of time wasted by students who switched animals midstream because they were intrigued by some great diagrams, or video clip available.
 * 1) **__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Lessons learned: __**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Next time, I should buy head phones for all my computers, because these databases have the ability to read the text to the student. The English Language Learner could do this in the students’ language of choice. However it was not feasible without head phones, and a big distraction. Also I think I would introduce the database before the students had already picked their topics. This would cut down on a lot students wasting time changing or refining their topics.
 * 1) **__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Plans for usage of material next year: __**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> I plan to use all the tech equipment for any research related lessons taught in the library. I can also lend out my laptops and photo printers to teachers, so they can document lessons in their own classrooms, and create print rich bulletin boards, or student projects within the confines of their own rooms. Also since my databases have remote access they can be accessed from anywhere. I am so glad that students can have access to all the resources the databases has to offer from the luxury of their homes, especially since our local library is closed on the weekend. This was a great resource for our school especially since my library is small, and cannot support an extensive collection. Teachers in my school have already expressed interest in using them in their classrooms next year, and I’m glad all the purchases were able to support them, and all the students of our school, particularly the ELL learners who now had an online resource geared to their research needs.
 * 1) Characteristics of either Pumas, Panthers, or Cougars which are all Mountain Lions
 * 2) How much food Lions need to survive
 * 3) Habitat of Dolphins in the wild off of Florida (not to be confused with the Miami Dolphins)