Lesson+Comparison

The sixth grade inquiry project is focused on teaching students about the technology they use in their everyday lives and showing them different ways to use it. As the students begin, they are somewhat experienced in developing the correct questions to ask themselves to find out what they need to know in order to do the project. They will have had some experience in researching at this level but will still need some help in developing the questions to ask. It is important at this age to show examples of how to achieve the anticipated end result. Throughout this lesson, the skill that were focused on were analytical and technological. I still feel that those are the most important skills for students to develop through this project. The scaffolding that is used throughout this project is for the students who have less experience with developing questions, analyzing, and using social networking sites. More one on one time can be taken with those students to try to give them more training in those inquiry skills.

At the sixth grade level, the student needs more communication about what is expected. They will need more direction and still need to be taught how to ask the right questions in order to get the results needed. The Media Specialist spends time each class period going over how to ask in order to receive the answer the student is looking for. In this case, the questions include, "Why is this Renaissance Leader important?"

The high school Geography and History of the World student is better equipped at asking these questions. Being older, many of the high school students have more experience in locating the information they need. Their inquiry project is more focused on going more in depth. At this level, the students are able to research, evaluate, and analyze information more independently. They are able to find the information and analyze it quickly to achieve the end result for their project. Their projects will be at a higher level of inquiry than the sixth graders. They are able to take their projects to the next level and develop their analytical skills. The scaffolding that is required at this level is more for students who need more time to analyze the information.

The high school students are able to work independently on this project. The Media Specialist's role is to provide guidance when asked and to review skills on an as needed basis. The same question is being answered in both projects, but in this one, the compare and contrasting skills are being used as well. Students are required to write paragraphs of information about why they chose one leader over another.

21st Century Standards
 1.1.1 6th, HS 1.1.4 6th, HS 1.1.6 6th, HS 1.1.8 6th 1.1.9 6th 2.1.1 HS 2.1.4 6th 2.1.6 HS 3.1.1 HS 3.1.3 6th, HS 3.1.4 6th <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">4.1.7 6th
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Follow and Inquiry-based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects, and make the real-world connection for using the process in real life.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">I used this in both lessons because each ties into real life experiences.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer questions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Both projects relied on research.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format in order to make inferences and gather meaning.
 * Students were exposed to many different types of information in order to do their research.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for accessing information and pursuing inquiry.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">The 6th graders needed to understand how to use social networking sites in order to do the project.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Collaborate with others to broaden and deepen understanding.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">6th graders worked in pairs.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Continue an inquiry-based research process by applying critical thinking skills
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">The HS students took their project to a higher level of critical thinking.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">6th graders used technology to analyze their thoughts about a Renaissance Leader.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and technology skills to create products that express new understandings.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">The HS students needed to write about why each person was chosen on not chosen for their bracket.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Conclude an inquiry-based research process by sharing new understandings and reflecting on the learning.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">HS students had to discuss with the class why their leader won the bracket.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use writing and speaking skills to communicate new understandings effectively.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Both projects relied on writing to get the ideas across.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use technology and other information tools to organize and display knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view, use, and assess.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students used technology to do project.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use social networks and information tools to gather and share information.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students used social network sites to complete project.