Kindergarten Inquiry: How do animals move? - contributed by Susan Bock, Library Media Services

Duration: 1 class

Objective: Students will identify sources of information that can help them learn about how animals move. They will evaluate which sources of information are best for answering their research question. 

Summary: As a class, students will explore nonfiction text with photographs, nonfiction texts with illustrations, and nonfiction videos as sources of information. They will determine which type of information source best helps them learn about how animals move. 

Exploring Elements of Community - Paletero Man - contributed by Susan Bock, Library Media Services

Duration: 1 class period

Objective: Students will identify how elements of culture can be found in our communities. Students will practice inquiry skills. 

Summary: While reading the book Paletero Man, the librarian will lead students to identify elements of culture in the story. Students will practice inquiry skills as a group by investigating the recipe steps to making paletas.

Weather - Fall Leaf sort - contributed by Felecia Washington, Sanford Creek ES

Duration: 1 30 minute lesson

Objective:  Students learn about fall and sort leaves

Summary: Students learn about the fall season.  They learn that leaves can be different colors, shapes, and sizes.  They will collect leaves from outside and sort them by color.

Sort it Out - Physical Attributes - contributed by Stacy Darwin, Abbotts Creek ES

Duration: 1 day for lesson

Objective: Students will observe objects’ different attributes and sort them in different ways.

Summary: The main character in Sort It Out is a packrat. He loves sorting his found objects in different and surprising ways.

How Do Illustrations Help Tell a Written Story? - idea linked from Garden City School Library site, contributed by Laura Nowak, Apex Friendship ES

Duration: 3 class periods

Objective: Students will use evidence to investigate questions by analyzing illustrations.

Summary: Through paired read-alouds, students will identify how illustrations help to tell a story. Example texts include titles like This is Not My Hat and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. Other texts could be substituted to accomplish the same objective. 

Kindergarten Digital Citizenship Lessons from Common Sense Media

Inquiry Lesson: What Makes Day and Night?  - contributed by Emma Fox, Penny Road ES

Duration: 3-4 class periods

Objective: Students will reinforce classroom learning about what makes day and night, and conduct simple research to curate activities that happen in day versus night. Students will make a stop motion animation to demonstrate a day or night activity. 

Summary: Over the course of multiple class periods, students will participate in completing an O-W-L chart, experience a video read aloud from the International Space Station, engage in simple research by gathering ideas from photographs and illustrations in books, and create a stop motion video to demonstrate their learning. 

Happy Maps - a code.org lesson, contributed by Susan Bock, Library Media Services

Duration: 1 class period

Objective: Students will articulate an algorithm to  program an object's path on a grid. They will decode and run a classmate's program, and debug errors if needed.

Summary: In this lesson from Code.org, students practice coding skills in an unplugged environment. They break down a problem into a sequence of simple steps, then practice following the steps set out by a classmate. Consider pairing with a read-aloud where characters use a map, like Follow That Map! by Sheri Tan or Henry's Map by David Elliot. 

Exploring Elements of Community - Paletero Man - contributed by Susan Bock, Library Media Services

Duration: 1 class period

Objective: Students will identify how elements of culture can be found in our communities. Students will practice inquiry skills. 

Summary: While reading the book Paletero Man, the librarian will lead students to identify elements of culture in the story. Students will practice inquiry skills as a group by investigating the recipe steps to making paletas.

What Can You Do With a Rock - contributed by Christine Zaccardi, Farmington Woods ES and Alison DiOrio, Smith ES

Duration: 45 min.

Objective: Investigate the different characteristics of rocks and read a NCCBA book.

Summary: Students will wonder about and investigate rocks. They'll participate in a read aloud of What Can You Do With a Rock and then choose investigation options such as a choice board with more information to explore, a group activity identifying characteristics of rocks, or an independent rock sort. 

We are Grateful - contributed by Stacy Darwin, Abbotts Creek ES

Duration: 1 class (or more if used as the start of an inquiry unit)

Objective: Students will comprehend a text read aloud to identify cultural practices of the Cherokee people.

Summary: Students will listen to a read aloud of the text We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga and reflect of what they are grateful for in their own lives.

Mapping the Library - contributed by Laura Nowak, Abbotts Creek ES

Duration: 2-3 40 minutes lessons

Objective: Students will create a map of the library using symbols and a key/legend.

Summary: Students will identify symbols that could be used to represent various places in the library (circulation desk, computers, etc.). Students will create a map of the library to help younger students understand how to navigate the space.

How Do Illustrations Help Tell a Written Story? - idea linked from Garden City School Library site, contributed by Laura Nowak, Apex Friendship ES

Duration: 3 class periods

Objective: Students will use evidence to investigate questions by analyzing illustrations.

Summary: Through paired read-alouds, students will identify how illustrations help to tell a story. Example texts include titles like This is Not My Hat and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. Other texts could be substituted to accomplish the same objective. 

Moon Man - contributed by Sharon Hart, Forestville Road ES

Duration: 3-4 class periods

Objective: I can identify the characters, setting, and other elements of a story.

Summary: Students will use the story Moon Man by Tomi Ungerer to complete a character analysis, use creativity tools to produce or identify the settings and finally be able to share the beginning, middle, and end of a story.

1st grade Digital Citizenship Lessons from Common Sense Media

Bat Research Unit - introduction to eWISE - contributed by Betty McCloud, Carver ES

Duration: 5 class periods

Objective: Students will practice using the steps of the research process. 

Summary: Students will work through the eWISE process, focusing on a different component each week. The unit will culminate with them sharing their information via a Chatterpix project. 

Be a Paleontologist - contributed by Tracey Watson, Sanford Creek ES; Garth Tolley, Wake Forest iSTEM ES; Heather Reid, Weatherstone ES; Rachel Anderson, N. Forest Pines Drive ES

Duration: 3-4 class periods

Objective: Students will be able to research a specific dinosaur in pairs and based on the information they find will be able to share three to five facts about what their dinosaur size, diet, age, appearance, location may have been. Students will create a video where they pretend they are paleontologists that have discovered dinosaur bones.   End project can be done with Flip, Google Slide, or Chatterpix that shares this information.

Summary: 1st lesson: Research together a specific dinosaur

2nd Lesson: students pick dinosaur and research in pairs

3rd lesson: Model our class findings in  a digital format

4th Lesson: Students create their own  digital presentation

We are Grateful - contributed by Stacy Darwin, Abbotts Creek ES

Duration: 1 class (or more if used as the start of an inquiry unit)

Objective: Students will comprehend a text read aloud to identify cultural practices of the Cherokee people.

Summary: Students will listen to a read aloud of the text We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga and reflect of what they are grateful for in their own lives.

Fossils - contributed by Stephanie Powell, Turner Creek ES

Grade Level(s): 2nd

Duration: 45 min (1-2 sessions)

Objective: Students will use research strategies to find information.

Summary: After reading Fossils Tell Stories (or a fossil book of choice), students will investigate to learn more about fossils using EWISE with print and digital resources.

How Do Illustrations Help Tell a Written Story? - idea linked from Garden City School Library site, contributed by Laura Nowak, Apex Friendship ES

Duration: 3 class periods

Objective: Students will use evidence to investigate questions by analyzing illustrations.

Summary: Through paired read-alouds, students will identify how illustrations help to tell a story. Example texts include titles like This is Not My Hat and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. Other texts could be substituted to accomplish the same objective. 

Meet the Author/Meet the Illustrator - contributed by Stephanie Powell, Turner Creek ES

Duration: 2-3 class periods

Objective: To build appreciation for authors and illustrators and their craft.

Summary: Students will explore authors/illustrators and their writing/illustrating style. (Can be connected to eWISE to model the research process).

2nd grade Digital Citizenship Lessons from Common Sense Media

⭐Investigate and evaluate with Lateral Reading - contributed by Susan Bock, Library Media Services

Duration: 1 class period

Objective: Students will use guided practice to use lateral reading as a research skill  to fact-check information. 

Learning Targets:

🎯I can use a variety of sources to investigate my research questions.

🎯I can read laterally to verify whether information is accurate.

Summary: Students participate in a read aloud of The Animal Toolkit: How Animals Use Tools (2022) by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. The librarian will model questioning the information we read and using lateral reading skills (viewing the author's website, bibliography page in the book, related videos about the topic) to verify information and judge the reliability of a text. 

Coding the Frog Life Cycle - contributed by Summer Pittman, Knightdale ES

Duration: 3-4 class periods

Objective:  Students will create the frog life cycle by coding it in code.org

Summary: Students will recall information they are learning from EL about frogs.  Students will discover books in the library about frogs.  Students will use code.org to code the life cycle of a frog based on what they have learned in EL and resources in the library about frogs.

Exploring Influential African Americans through Inquiry - contributed by Leigha Morris, Barwell Road ES

Duration: 2-3 class periods

Objective: Students will use digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. 

Summary: Students will work to generate questions to help them research influential African Americans. They will use a variety of resources to gather and organize information, and engage in peer and whole-class discussion to share what they learn. 

Frogs - contributed by Felecia Washington, Sanford Creek ES

Duration: 3 lessons

Summary: Students research frogs and create a digital presentation showing the body, fun facts, habitat, diet, and lifecycle of a frog. This lesson is done in collaboration with the Frogs EL module. Students will use their frog notebook notes to complete their Google slide. 

3rd grade Digital Citizenship Lessons from Common Sense Media

Exploring Influential African Americans through Inquiry - contributed by Leigha Morris, Barwell Road ES

Duration: 2-3 class periods

Objective: Students will use digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. 

Summary: Students will work to generate questions to help them research influential African Americans. They will use a variety of resources to gather and organize information, and engage in peer and whole-class discussion to share what they learn. 

Hour of Code: Poem Art, a Code.org lesson - contributed by Lori Cavaco, Cary ES

Duration: 1 hour

Objective: Code an original poem

Summary: Students will animate a poem with code to illustrate the mood of the poem. Students will read and detect the mood of a poem, then find corresponding effects and images to help illustrate the poem's mood. Finally, students will use events (code) to illustrate a shift in mood or animate the introduction of new images in a poem. 

Curriculum Connection - Indigenous People, contributed by Felecia Washington, Sanford Creek ES

Duration: 3 lessons

Objective: Students will explore indigenous Indian cultures to see how they have influenced North Carolina culture 

Summary: Students will create a google slide about an Indigenous Indian tribe to explore its cultural heritage

Indigenous People of NC, contributed by Sharon Hart, Forestville Road ES

Duration: 2-3 sessions

Objective: Students will research 2 indigenous tribes studied in NC

Summary: After learning about indigenous tribes in NC, students will work cooperatively to create storyboard that presents their findings. 

Animal Adaptations/Animal Defense lesson ideas: 

⭐Investigate and evaluate with Lateral Reading - contributed by Susan Bock, Library Media Services

Duration: 1 class period

Objective: Students will use guided practice to use lateral reading as a research skill  to fact-check information. 

Learning Targets:

🎯I can use a variety of sources to investigate my research questions.

🎯I can read laterally to verify whether information is accurate.

Summary: Students participate in a read aloud of The Animal Toolkit: How Animals Use Tools (2022) by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. The librarian will model questioning the information we read and using lateral reading skills (viewing the author's website, bibliography page in the book, related videos about the topic) to verify information and judge the reliability of a text. 

Who Would Win: a 4th grade research unit based on animal defense mechanisms - contributed by Julie Jenkins, Willow Springs ES

Duration: up to 9-45 minute class periods depending on pacing and needs of students.

Objective:  Students will be able to create a Who Would Win style competition and present that outcome of that competition to the rest of the class.

Summary: Students will explore Who Would Win books with a partner.  They will then choose two animals that belong to the same biome to compete. Student 1 will research one animal and student 2 will research the other.  Then they will come back together to design and express their learning in a presentation that will be shared with the class.

Animal Defense Mechanisms Extension - contributed by Laura Nowak, Apex Friendship ES

Duration: 3-5 days (more if you choose to allow students to do a more detailed final product)

Objective: Students will be able to create an animal and explain its defense mechanisms that help it survive and thrive in its habitat.

Summary: Having finished their EL Module on Animal Defense Mechanisms, students will take what they learned and apply it to create a new animal. Students will research what is required to survive in the habitat they choose and will then give their animal defense mechanisms to help it survive in the habitat chosen.

Animal Defense Animation with Adobe Express - contributed by Summer Pittman, Knightdale ES

Duration: several class periods

Objective: Students will use Adobe Express to create a project that shows an animal's habitat, facts about the animal, and its defense mechanisms.

Summary: Students will choose an animal and research its habitat and animal defense mechanism. They will use a project template in Adobe Express to create an animated snow globe to share their learning. 

Animal Communication Research: Amazon monkey calls - contributed by Lori Cavaco

Duration: 3-4 class periods

Objective: Students will practice using research skills to learn about real world topics.

Summary: By the end of the unit, students will strengthen their research skills by formulating a research question about animal communication and investigating information to answer their questions. 

Animal Adaptations - Except Antarctica (Canvas page can be imported into your own Canvas course. Log in to Canvas first and open Commons, then click on the link to this lesson)- contributed by Susan Bock, Library Media Services

Duration: 1 class period

Objective: Students will investigate one of the North Carolina Children's Book Award nominees for 2023 and relate it to their learning about animal adaptations.

Summary: Students will read (or engage in a read aloud) of the book Except Antarctica. They will then use links to articles in Britannica to learn more about each of the animals in the book. They can explain what sorts of adaptations would help each animal survive in Antarctica, or identify the adaptations the animal has that allow it to survive in its habitat.

Animal Defense, contributed by Felecia Washington, Sanford Creek ES

Duration: 3 lessons

Objective: Use facts from student’s Amazing Animals EL Research to create a digital presentation

Summary: This unit can be  done in collaboration with the  EL teacher during their Animal Defense unit.

If done at a different time- you will need extra time for students to research their animal. Students will create a digital presentation using Google Slides to show their animal, its habitat,and defense mechanisms 

4th grade Digital Citizenship Lessons from Common Sense Media

⭐Investigate and evaluate with Lateral Reading - contributed by Susan Bock, Library Media Services

Duration: 1 class period

Objective: Students will use guided practice to use lateral reading as a research skill  to fact-check information. 

Learning Targets:

🎯I can use a variety of sources to investigate my research questions.

🎯I can read laterally to verify whether information is accurate.

Summary: Students participate in a read aloud of The Animal Toolkit: How Animals Use Tools (2022) by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. The librarian will model questioning the information we read and using lateral reading skills (viewing the author's website, bibliography page in the book, related videos about the topic) to verify information and judge the reliability of a text. 

Climate Analysis - contributed by Kayse Silvestri, Holly Springs Elementary

Duration: 45 minutes (3 class periods)

Objective: Gather data about the average temperature from a student-selected city within the United States over a period of ten years. 

Summary: Students will create a data set by compiling archival temperature data. They will use digital tools to record data and create a visual representation of the data, and then interpret the data based on their knowledge of weather, climate, and climate change. 

Design a Rainforest Diagram using Adobe Express - Dom Traynor Creative Tutorials - Adobe Express, contributed by Summer Pittman

Duration: 2-3 class periods

Objective: Students will demonstrate knowledge of a rainforest ecosystem by creating a digital diagram. 

Summary: Students will use Adobe Express to design a digital poster that shows the plants and animals that live in the different layers of a rainforest. Students will rely on knowledge from their classroom EL unit, or supplemental research they do in the library as they design their diagram. 

Cultural Holidays and Observances Research - contributed by Courtney-Bianca Mack, Olds ES

Duration: 2-3 class periods

Objective: Students will identify and describe various cultural holidays celebrated around the world. Students will understand the significance and traditions associated with selected holidays. 

Summary: Students will work in small groups to research a cultural holiday, develop a poster or presentation, and present their learning to the class. 

Exploring Influential African Americans through Inquiry - contributed by Leigha Morris, Barwell Road ES

Duration: 2-3 class periods

Objective: Students will use digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. 

Summary: Students will work to generate questions to help them research influential African Americans. They will use a variety of resources to gather and organize information, and engage in peer and whole-class discussion to share what they learn. 

Curriculum Connection - Indigenous People, contributed by Felecia Washington, Sanford Creek ES

Duration: 3 lessons

Objective: Students will explore indigenous Indian cultures to see how they have influenced American identity 

Summary: Students will create a google slide about an Indigenous Indian tribe to explore its cultural heritage and see how America was influenced by that culture.

5th grade Digital Citizenships Lessons from Common Sense Media

Weather - Fall Leaf sort - contributed by Felecia Washington, Sanford Creek ES

Duration: 1 30 minute lesson

Objective:  Students learn about fall and sort leaves

Summary: Students learn about the fall season.  They learn that leaves can be different colors, shapes, and sizes.  They will collect leaves from outside and sort them by color.

Sort it Out - Physical Attributes - contributed by Stacy Darwin, Abbotts Creek ES

Duration: 1 day for lesson

Objective: Students will observe objects’ different attributes and sort them in different ways.

Summary: The main character in Sort It Out is a packrat. He loves sorting his found objects in different and surprising ways.