Download Student Activity Sheet(s) for printout in PDF Format
Overview
Students learn strategies for getting immediate help with their homework,
including going online with an adult to homework help search services and
reference databases.
Objectives
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Describe offline sources of homework help |
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Review online homework help directories and databases |
ISTE® National Technology Standards
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Online Resources
Materials
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Activity sheet (1) |
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Online computer access |
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Printer access |
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Drawing paper |
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Markers or crayons |
Introduce (offline)
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Ask: What do you do when
you don't know the meaning of a word in your vocabulary homework?
When you have to find out your state flower? When you can't answer
your math homework questions? Allow students to share their
strategies. |
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Tell students that this lesson is about getting homework help they
sometimes need in a hurry. |
Teach 1 (offline)
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Distribute the activity sheet. |
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Read and discuss "Got a problem with your homework?" |
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Emphasize that offline strategies should always be tried first,
as they are likely to be the fastest and most helpful. |
Teach 2 (offline)
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Read and discuss "Still having a problem?" |
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If students are familiar with search engines and directories, point
out that some homework sites are directories organized into school
subject categories and that others are databases, or collections,
of useful information. |
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Point out that these are some of the most well known of many online
homework help sites available. Explain that features on these sites
often change and that new sites for homework help are constantly being
developed. NOTE: The intent of this lesson is not to recommend sites
to students, but to familiarize them with the general types of sites
currently available. |
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Take students to www.becybersmart.org and click on the
triangle; find the title of this lesson, and open one of its links. |
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With the students, explore the site and answer the questions on
their activity sheet. Explain that when they are outside of school
an adult or older student can help them search and read the recommended
help at any of these sites. |
Teach 3 (online)
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Allow students to print the home page of each homework help site. |
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Have students complete the instructions under, "Problem Solved!"
making sure that all the sites are represented with ad. |
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Discuss the "Be CyberSmart" tip, pointing out that each site offers
many activities and that it takes some willpower to stick to the task
of answering a specific homework question. |
Close (offline)
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Ask: What offline strategies
can you use if you need help with your homework? (Use a textbook;
ask a classmate, adult, or older student.) |
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Ask: How can you use online
homework sites to answer your questions? (Search by grade and
school subject and look up facts in online references such as encyclopedias
and atlases.) |
Extend (offline)
The following activity can be added for students who completed this lesson
in a previous grade.
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Have students return to the same homework help sites and systematically
record all their features. After students compare their results, have
them vote for "the site most likely to help" when homework problems
arise. |
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Homework Help in a Hurry