Poston

Lynnette Poston
 * Google Versus An Almanac**

English Research Lesson for 9th-12th Grade Students Students have used reference books in previous classes. I will ask questions to test their knowledge of reference books available in the library. I will present physical examples and have the students tell me what they are and what they are used for researching.
 * __Pre-Assessment:__**

TN: English Standard 3.0: Viewing and Representing: The student will use, read, and view media/technology and analyze content and concepts accurately. 1) Use electronic media (e.g., websites, databases, discussion boards, emails) and other audio-visual media to conduct research and to create and present research-based products. 1) Gauge the accuracy and reliability of any given set of resources.
 * __Standards/Goals:__**

After the discussion and Almanac vs. Google contest, TLW recognize the value of an almanac and be able to evaluate when it should be used depending on information needed with 90% accuracy.
 * __Instructional Objectives:__**


 * __Materials, Media, and Other Resources:__**
 * Teacher:**
 * Almanac (The World Almanac and Books of Facts 2004 by World Almanac Books was used for this lesson.)
 * Example Reference Books (Encyclopedia, Dictionary, Atlas, Quote Book, etc.)
 * Contest questions and answers sheet
 * Almanac Information Sheet
 * Students:**
 * Pencil
 * Almanac
 * Computer with Internet access
 * Contest Questions hand-out

I will begin by discussing reference books and how so often we do not think of going to a book for an answer to a question or for research. I will ask which they think will be quicker-the Internet or the Almanac for finding answers to a set of questions. I will explain how Google and other sites on the Internet are not always the quickest way to find information. I will also remind the students that Internet sites are also not always reliable or accurate. Who monitors them? Publisher, Editor, or Author?
 * __Set Induction:__**

1) Welcome students to the library and ask them to find a seat at the tables. 2) Discuss reference books and show examples. 3) Discuss an Almanac, what it contains, how to use it, and etc. (**Use Provided fact sheet)** 4) Have a contest on who can find something first- with a book or with the computer. a. Divide the students into two teams or more. **Must have equal numbers of teams.** b. Direct one team to the computer or computers and the other to the single or set of Almanacs. c. Give the list of questions to each team with instructions. d. Each student should have a turn looking up an answer within their team. e. See which team finds all the answers correctly first. f. If time allows, begin again by switching the teams and giving a new set of questions. 5) Go over results.
 * __Instructional Sequence:__**

After the contest, we will go over what the students learned. I’ll ask if they found the answers as easily as they thought they would on the Internet. I’ll ask the students how they felt about using an Almanac and if they were able to find the answers quickly and easily. I’ll ask what types of things are easier to find in an Almanac. I’ll ask if they were surprised by the results.
 * __Closure:__**

1) The students will have the hands-on learning experience of actually searching through an Almanac, using the computer, the actual reference book examples, and the hand-out for the tactile and visual learners. 2) The discussion and closure will assist the auditory learners.
 * __Adaptations and Extensions:__**

I will be asking questions to check for understanding during the closure. I will ask the students to tell me what they learned.
 * __Assessment:__**

After this lesson I will go over what went well and what could be improved for the next time.
 * __Reflection:__**


 * Information Literacy Reference Lesson**


 * Almanac:**

The Almanac is a reference book full of odd and unusual facts. It is published once a year. However, an almanac also contains statistics and facts from previous years. If you need specific information that is more recent than that which can be found in books or encyclopedias, the almanac can help you. Oftentimes, trivial, but interesting, facts can liven up a research report if the information is presented appropriately.

Since an almanac is not organized in alphabetical order, you need to know the key word of the information for which you are searching so that you can use the index to look up the fact you need. The index can be found either in the front or back of the book and uses alphabetical listing for the subject headings. The main subject headings are in boldface. The subheadings (related to the main headings) are indented under the main headings.


 * Google vs. Almanac**


 * Questions?**

1. In 2002, what big city is the fastest-shrinking big city? 2. What is the tallest building in Miami, FL? 3. What is the number one most rented DVD of all time? 4. How many public libraries were in Tennessee in 2001? 5. What percent of 8th graders smoked cigarettes daily in 1999?

1. How many days apart are February 10, 2005 and December 15, 2006? 2. Who was the president of the Continental Congress in 1780? 3. How many children lived with their grandparents in 1995? 4. Who was Miss America in 1962? 5. Who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1973?
 * Google vs. Almanac**
 * Questions?**

1. pg. 336—St. Louis, Mo 2. pg. 439—Four Seasons Hotel and Tower 3. pg. 257—The Fast and the Furious 4. pg. 297—285 5. pg. 92—8.1%
 * Answers:**

1. pg. 639—673 days 2. pg. 544—Samuel Huntington 3. pg. 380—3,965 4. pg. 282—Maria Fletcher from Asheville, North Carolina 5. pg. 273—Patrick White, Australia