ALEX Lesson Plan: Do You Have a Babushka?

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This lesson provided by:
Author:	Amy Uptain
System:	Russellville City
School:	Russellville Elementary School

Lesson Plan ID:

375

Title:

Do You Have a Babushka?

Overview/Annotation:

This lesson will familiarize students with the author Patricia Polacco. Students will use appropriate resources to gather information about Polacco, categorize the information, and record it in a graphic organizer (concept map).

Content Standard(s):

IL(K-12)	3. The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.
ELA(3)	3. Use a wide range of strategies, including using context clues and predicting outcomes, to comprehend third-grade recreational reading materials in a variety of genres.
ELA(3)	12. Demonstrate retrieval skills needed to research a topic.
TC2(3-5)	1. Use input and output devices of technology systems.
TC2(3-5)	8. Collect information from a variety of digital sources.
TC2(3-5)	9. Use technology tools to organize, interpret, and display data.

Local/National Standards:

Primary Learning Objective(s):

The student will be able to retrieve information about Patricia Polacco from selected sources. The student will be able to classify information into prescribed categories on a concept map.

Additional Learning Objective(s):

Approximate Duration of the Lesson:

31 to 60 Minutes

Materials and Equipment:

One concept map per student

Technology Resources Needed:

Computers with internet access

Background/Preparation:

Procedures/Activities:

1.)Teacher will introduce the word "babushka" and elicit student guesses about the word's definition. Teacher will share pictures or Russian artifacts (matroishka dolls, Ukrainian eggs, etc.) and discuss how one's ancestry/culture affects one's life.

2.)Divide students into groups of three or four with one experienced computer user in each group.

3.)Students will access the Internet to retrieve information from the Alabama Virtual Library's databases.
(Article from Gale Literature Resource Center (Alabama Virtual Library))
Article includes biographical information, a complete bibliography of Polacco's works, and a lengthy narrative about Polacco's experiences and inspiration as an author.

4.)Each group will read the information about Polacco and complete a concept map.

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Assessment Strategies:

The teacher will assess each group's concept map. This assessment could be based on the accuracy of the details in relation to their categories.

Extension:

Pictures from the Internet could be used to represent details on the concept map. Students could write a summary paragraph of the author's life based on the details from the concept maps.

Remediation:

Each area below is a direct link to general teaching strategies/classroom accommodations for students with identified learning and/or behavior problems such as: reading or math performance below grade level; test or classroom assignments/quizzes at a failing level; failure to complete assignments independently; difficulty with short-term memory, abstract concepts, staying on task, or following directions; poor peer interaction or temper tantrums, and other learning or behavior problems.

Presentation of Material

Using Groups and Peers

Assisting the Reluctant Starter

Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior

Be sure to check the student's IEP for specific accommodations.

Variations Submitted by ALEX Users: