Integration Idea of the Month -- September, 2001

For many students searching the WorldWideWeb for some particularly information can as frustrating as it is rewarding. This month's classroom activity demonstrates the importance of being specific about a topic when searching the web.

Curriculum Area: Social Studies/ Early Man
Grade Level: Middle School
Technology Skills Developed: Searching the Internet, Bookmarking, Inserting Pictures, Citing Internet Sources
Student Grouping: Individual and Whole Class
Time: 2 class periods
Materials: Internet, Microsoft Word

Procedure:

1. Have students begin a search for information on the partial skeleton named "Lucy" found in Ethiopia by Donald Johanson. Tell students to first try a search using the word "Lucy" and bookmark one site they found that is related to the skeleton found in Ethiopia.
2. Discuss findings with students. Did they find many sites related to the topic? Using the search word "Lucy" produced what kind of sites? What could they do to find more sites related to their topic?
   
3. Next, tell students they will now try a search that is more specific. As a class, brainstorm some possible words to use in the search. (For example: skeleton, prehistoric, fossil, Donald Johanson, Australopithecus Afarensis.) Students should combine one of these new terms with "Lucy". Have students bookmark three of the best sites they found.
4. Now have students gather their information and fill in the 5Ws and H graphic organizer.
5. Using Microsoft Word (or a similar word processor), students should type a paragraph about this famous discovery. In the document, students should include a picture (clipart or found on the web) with their paragraph.
6. Remind students to cite the sources they used (both information and picture) at the bottom of the page. For help with citing Internet sources visit http://connectedteacher.classroom.com/newsletter/citeintres.asp

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