Hornsby,+Becky

=**Lesson Plan: Evaluating Internet Websites**= =**Becky Hornsby**=


 * Introduction:** This information literacy lesson plan serves a dual purpose by addressing the need for instruction in identifying good sources of information, and the need for instruction on evaluating materials and websites. These were 2 of the skills on which the 6th grade teachers at Head Middle Magnet School strongly agreed needed attention. The MNPS Academic Standards indicate that the students are to study early civilizations. This lesson plan will teach the information literacy skills already mentioned as they pertain to researching information about Ancient Greece.

Answer the questions below. Your answer:
 * Pre Assessment**: Students will take this quiz prior to coming to the library.
 * How to Evaluate Information: Web Sites **
 * 1) ** A good Web site will have the date when the site was last updated. **

True

False Your answer:
 * 1) ** A domain name tells you where the information on the site was found. **

True

False Your answer:
 * 1) ** A poor Web site will not show any date that tells when the site was updated. **

True

False Your answer:
 * 1) ** A good Web site has information you can trust. **

True

False Your answer:
 * 1) ** It is illegal to put information on a Web site that is NOT True. **

True

False

Bottom of Form QuizCenter © 2000 - 2002. This quiz was generated at Quiz Center on [|DiscoverySchool.com]. All rights reserved.

1. Identifies potential sources of information and selects the best. 2. Evaluates material according to purpose, bias, currency, authority, and accuracy. 3. Identifies specific components of URL’s and understands the differences between various domains.
 * Standards**: From MNPS 6th grade information literacy standards.


 * Instructional objectives**:
 * A**-TLW be 6th grade students in their Social Studies class.
 * B**-TLW identify good sources of information from the Internet. TLW practice steps to evaluating websites as possible resources.
 * C**-In groups of 3, students will successfully evaluate 2 websites. They will use a checklist to determine if the site is appropriate for their needs. Evaluated sites will be added to the link’s page of the library website.
 * D:** Students will show mastery by completing 85% of the evaluations correctly.

computer for each group of students. Paper Pen Large screen. Worksheets. Dry erase board and markers. Sample of reference books and non-reference books. The sites to be reviewed will be on a word document that will be available on screen for all students.
 * Materials**:


 * Set Induction**: Review true and false quiz. Librarian and students will look at materials on the table that are possible resources. (encyclopedia, comic book, dictionary, child’s report, etc). Discussion: //Which of these is reliable and could be used for a school report? How do you know? How could you tell? The same is true for websites. We have to work even harder to tell if something on the Internet is a good source of information because it can look good, and professional, and scholarly, and still not be true. So put on your thinking brains, you have to be smart!”//

1. //Tell me topics you might research on Ancient Greece. (Examples: food, architecture, history, famous people)// 2. Write answers on the white board. 3. //We need to add some links about Ancient Greece to our library webpage. We are going to look at some websites that may or may not help us research our topics. First let’s look at the website address.// Parts of the URL will be discussed: domain name, hints about authorship, type of organization, etc. 4. Students and librarian will evaluate 2 websites using the evaluation form attached. Will include: author, currency, purpose, accuracy, bias. 5. In groups of 3, students will evaluate 2 websites on their own using the evaluation form. 6. After 15 minutes the students will stop. One member of each group will present the findings. //Should the site be added to the links page or not? Why or why not?// 6. //What did you find? What stood out? Did you find a really great site? A lousy site?// 7. Answer any questions and collect evaluation sheets.
 * Instructional Sequence**:


 * (Attached: 2 possible evaluation sheets)**[[file:attach2_eval_form.pdf]][[file:attach2_alt_eval_form.doc]]


 * Websites to be evaluated:**
 * 1) http://edsitement.neh.gov/monthly_feature.asp?id=65
 * 2) http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/htmlver/
 * 3) http://www.museum.upenn.edu/Greek_World/Index.html
 * 4) http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/KidsInfoBits?subTopic=World%2BHistory&vrsn=127&locID=tel_k_antioch&failover=0&topic=History%252C%2BGovernment%2B%2526%2BSocial%2BStudies&c=1&searchTerm=Ancient%2BGreece&ste=5&tbst=tsrch&tab=1&bConts=7
 * 5) http://eawc.evansville.edu/grpage.htm
 * 6) http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/
 * 7) http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/Greece.html
 * 8) http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/index.htm
 * 9) http://ancienthistory.mrdonn.org/AncientGreece.html
 * 10) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ancientgreece/main_menu.shtml
 * 11) http://home.freeuk.net/elloughton13/greece.htm
 * 12) http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/ancientcivilizations.htm
 * 13) http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/aegean/
 * 14) http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3435400038.html

Review criteria for evaluating and discuss how they can apply this to their research. Emphasis on needing to use sites with care and thought.
 * Closure:**

This lesson is designed to meet the needs of learners of all types. The websites and examples provide for visual learners. The discussion and explanations provide for auditory learners. The hands on work evaluating the websites provides for the kinesthetic learners. For students with learning difficulties the librarian or teacher can team that child with a student who will work well with him or her; the teacher can also stay near the student to provide additional assistance. Advanced learners can be given additional sites to evaluate or can write a description of the website for later posting. There are 2 evaluation sheets that can be used depending on the students; one is simpler, one a little more advanced.
 * Adaptations:**

The evaluation sheets will be used to assess how well the students understood the lesson. Some of the evaluation sheet questions are somewhat subjective so assessing how well they did will be based on evidence of effort, thoroughness, teamwork, and the actual answers and comments they wrote about each site.
 * Assessment:**

This lesson would only work for students that already had some knowledge about using the Internet and finding websites. A whole other lesson or more would have to be devoted to searching the Internet well. Sources: DiscoverySchool.com, Cybersmart!Education Company, and MidLink Magazine.
 * Reflection:**