What was your project about?

 I created a collaborative unit plan for a 7th grade Social Studies class and a library media specialist.  It is based on the 5As information inquiry model. I used information literacy and social studies standards. 

 

Why did you choose  the format for your project that you did?

I used Google sites to post my project to the web so that others could see it. I also want to become better at using it. 

 

What did you like about this project?  Why?

It was fun to make a lesson plan again. It's been years.  It was nice to be able to focus on the information literacy standards instead of just the content ones.  This unit would have been pretty boring without it. I also loved completing it and seeing that I had actually MADE something! 

 

What did you not like about this project?  Why not?

It was more time consuming that I initially thought it would be. I had to work on a huge paper for another class at the same time.  Also, my workplace is transitioning to a new computer system called Evergreen, and we have been training so I haven't been able to take a couple vacation days to work on homework and study like I usually do near the end of the semester.

 

What did you have trouble with? 

 Google Sites editor didn't want to let me make some of my font sizes uniform. It was very frustrating!  Also, I would remember something I had read and would want to use the idea in my project and I couldn't remember where I had seen it.

 

What could make this project easier?

Having internet access at my house. Then I could have worked on it more after library hours.

 

What do you wish you had done differently? 

I think next time I'll choose a different model - probably the 8Ws.  When I began comparing them more, I realized that I just love that model, but I wanted to use one that I hadn't had much experience with. I'd also attach the materials used for the lessons at the bottom of the Unit Plan page.  That might make things easier.  I also would probably show the students how to organize the information they find before they started to do research, even though that isn't really included in the 5As.  Either that, or I'd repeat the Accessing step again after that particular lesson, so that students could find information they may be missing.  

 

How much time did you have to spend after school working on this project?

 I didn't keep track. A lot.

 

Did you have to buy anything to complete this project?  What was it?

No.  

 

What is one thing you learned about research?

I think I might want to use some of these models, not just for a class I'm teaching, but for myself and my own assignments. 

 

What is one thing you learned about modern slavery?

NA 

 

What is one thing you learned about the country you chose?

NA 

 

Did you complete everything on the rubric?

Yes, but I wish I had used more professional literature.