How many times a day do you "search it up" on your phone or computer? Searching has become a part of modern life, for both us and our students. However, reaching for Google when you have a question isn't always the best option. It certainly isn't the best option for any kind of academic research. Students need to learn to search effectively and find reliable, valid information. This standard is laid out in a way that slowly releases control to the students, modeling and discussing how to search along the way. You are not alone in teaching this standard-- ask your school librarian if you are uncertain of what  your school offers in terms of search tools. 

Implementing this standard does not need to be a stand-alone lesson. In most classes, a student will raise a question or mention a topic that can lead to a quick group search ffor the information. Modeling your thinking in choice of keywords, tools that you use and ways that you modify your search to improve results is what this strand is all about. 

Although NYS considers this standard "mastered" by 8th grade, high school teachers are encouraged to continue the work done in 7th and 8th grade. As student research becomes more complex, students need to learn to search databases and the web more effectively.