CyberSmart! : Lesson Plans : What's at the Library?

What's at the Library?

Download Student Activity Sheet(s) for printout in PDF Format

Overview
Students learn how libraries offer easy-to-use resources when researching a topic for a school report.

Objectives

		Discuss advantages of doing research at the library
		Evaluate the importance of various library resources

ISTE^® National Technology Standards

Performance Indicator # 9

Site Preview

No Internet site is used in this lesson.

Online Resources

Visit sites providing background information on libraries and the Internet.

Materials

		Activity sheets (2)
		Tag board, cut into bookmark strips; markers
		Online computer access (optional)

Introduce

		Ask: Where do you begin to find the information you need for a report? Students may report that they begin with the Internet.
		Tell students that there are sometimes better ways to find information than by relying on the Internet.

Teach 1

		Distribute Activity Sheet 1.
		Tell students there are about one billion Web pages on the Internet and that number is growing rapidly. Discuss how difficult it is to sort through so much information without getting lost and confused.
		Have students complete the activity sheet by writing their own opinions.

Teach 2

		Distribute Activity Sheet 2.
		As students read and discuss, point out that most public libraries have computers connected to the Internet that cardholders may use.
		Allow volunteers to share their answers to the question at the bottom of the page. Remind them to support their conclusions.

Teach 3

		Brainstorm catchy phrases reminding students to consider the library when doing research, such as "What about the library?" "Got Report? Try the Library!" "Lost in cyberspace?" and "Librarian to the Rescue!"
		Have students write the phrases on bookmarks they make from tag board strips.

		Ask: What are some reasons to go to the library to do research? (There are many different forms of information available-books that are easy to read, videos, encyclopedia and magazine articles, and the librarian can also help you find the best resources, including choosing the best Web sites about your topic.)
		Ask: Which of these reasons do you think is the most important and why?

Extend (optional online)
The following activity can be added for students who completed this lesson in a previous grade.

· Have the class, as a whole, compose and send an E-mail (or call) their community library to ask whether they can use the Internet at the library and what rules and restrictions apply.