high school collaborations

Biography, presentation, research and showing evidence: We wrapped a list of biography books so the students could not see the covers. We partnered them and they chose a book (not knowing who it was on). The students then had 15 minutes to research from the print book and biography in context database to collect evidence of different traits about the person. They then together had to create a Google Slides presentation to present to the class why their selected was worthy of the Crowning Character Award. The class then voted on who should win the title and the winning presenters got a crown and doughnuts.

Career and college research: I feel like if anything can get students excited, perhaps it is looking at what they want to do with their lives in the future. I show the students wonderful sources from Destiny Discover, South Carolina Career Information System, School Links, and websites. One of the guidance counselor joins us on the day we explore School Links. It is a true collaboration between three groups, and it is something I would love all juniors to research. Students learn to use Noodle Tools for citing their sources, and it gives them a hyperlink back to source which has been a problem in the past.

History IB - writing IA research papers. I share the research process from the Furman University library website. This collaboration extends over 3-4 lessons spread over several weeks. It includes the following steps: developing your topic, brainstorming keywords, creating a search strategy using a search strategy worksheet https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mZUrg8OIRNLJDOJLupX7Ev3vcAAwUf5Q0MCA8FUb72U/edit?usp=sharing , improving searches using Boolean terms, advance searches, & filters when searching in the DISCUS databases, understanding the difference between different types of sources such as popular and scholarly, and finally using Noodle Tools to cite the sources and/or take notes and link to the paper in Google Docs. Typically our collaboration culminates in a visit to the Furman Library (not this year due to the pandemic). Thus, I incorporate the research process from the Furman University website.

Research on heroes and biographies: Sharing DISCUS databases which include Biography in Context – high school and elementary levels, Bloom’s Literature, Britannica, and Masterfile. Using the Lexile option, students also search for books and eBooks on their topics in Destiny as well as using Lexile filters in the databases.

Orientations: Completed with every English class encouraging reading and using both of the catalogs, Destiny and Sora! Freshman and sophomore students new to the high school also complete a QR scavenger hunt for their orientation completing a Google Docs form that the media specialist grades in their Google Classroom. Students find books on their Lexile if they choose or any book they like to complete various assignments in their English classes.

Orientation continued: MHS also transitioned orientations to be virtual so it could be completed on eLearning days and featured how to access eBooks. Because of the change for everyone we completed the virtual orientation to all grade levels through English classes.

Banned Books Lesson

Memoir Lesson: Worked with English teacher helping students select memoirs from the Media Center. The students enjoyed having the time along with Media Specialist and teacher guidance to select a book they were looking forward to reading.

Book Club project: Had English classes check out books for a class book club project. They were able to get reader guidance to select titles that interested them, and they were introduced to the new genre labels to help guide them as well. With smaller classes right now, it's easier to provide individual reader guidance to the students.

Website/Source Evaluation: worked with students on evaluating websites to use for research. They learned the evaluation criteria and then evaluated two websites, one good for research and one not so good for research. There group then shared their decision for each website and why it was good to use, or why it was not good to use. Talked about how this is particularly important during eLearning and virtual, but more importantly because fake information is all around us.

Book trailers--English 1

Greek Gods/Goddesses--English 1

YABA promo--any English class who wants to offer the extra credit

MC orientation--we used to do this with Goose Chase previously

Library class:

--we do a big NF/activism project that could go with the social justice English unit

--choose your own adventure stories

--about to to a magazine unit (design a cover, plan an interview & article, research periodicals)