ALEX Learning Activity

  

A Look Into the Life of John Lewis

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

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  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Nicole Tudor
Organization:-1
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 3059
Title:
A Look Into the Life of John Lewis
Digital Tool/Resource:
John Lewis
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

In the previous learning activity, students had to discern biographical information from a picture book based on the life of Senator John Lewis. In this part of the lesson, students are going to continue learning about the senator by conducting research using Gale in Context: Elementary Edition. They will demonstrate their comprehension by utilizing the content of the informational text to complete a biographical map of the senator.

This learning activity was created as a result of the ALEX - Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) Resource Development Summit.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 4
14. Demonstrate comprehension of literary and informational text by utilizing its content when discussing or writing in response to the text.
Unpacked Content
Teacher Vocabulary:
14.
  • Comprehension
  • Literary text
  • Informational text
  • Discussing
  • Writing
  • Response
Knowledge:
14. Students know:
  • Comprehension of text can be demonstrated by referring to the text in discussions or written responses.
  • Informational text is nonfiction text, and literary text is fictional.
Skills:
14. Students are able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of literary and informational text by referring to the text in discussions.
  • Demonstrate understanding of literary and informational text by referring to the text in written responses.
Understanding:
14. Students understand that:
  • They can show that they understood literary and informational text by discussing or writing about specific content from the text.
Learning Objectives:

The students will utilize the content of informational texts to complete a biography map of John Lewis.

 
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
During/Explore/Explain
Activity:

  1. The teacher will direct students to John Lewis. However, if that does not work, then they can visit the Alabama Virtual Library. 

  2. The teacher will have the article displayed via projector.

  3. Students will click the link and follow along, as the teacher breaks down the main components in the article and demonstrates the highlight tool.

  4. Students will then read the article on their own.

  5. Students will access the Biography Map that has been shared with them digitally or paper copy

  6. They will discern what information is needed to fill out the main areas of the biography map: Birth Date and location, Important Facts, Famous Quotes, Personal Accomplishments

  7.  Students can also add information and images to the Biography Map as long as they cite the source. For the article they are reading on Gale in Context, students can scroll down to the bottom of the webpage. They will select the MLA 9th edition citation, then click the 'select' button. Then students will paste the information into the Biography Map.
Assessment Strategies:

The ultimate assessment for this lesson will be the completed Biography Map on John Lewis. The teacher will collect the maps to determine if the students comprehended the text and utilized its content when writing their responses.

Informally, teachers can talk to the students and check in with them throughout the research process to make sure that they understand the objectives of the lesson.
Advanced Preparation:

The learning activity will take between 45-60 minutes.

Student needs:

Student laptop device with headphones

Writing utensils 

Notes from previous activity containing data about John Lewis, in order to draw comparisons between the two sources.

AVL resource: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/BSLNWS129343113/ITKE?u=avlr&sid=bookmark-ITKE&xid=344f0141

However, if that does not work, then they can visit the Alabama Virtual Library. They can choose the Elementary School resources. From there they will click Gale in Context.  When that page opens,  they will type  "John Lewis" into the search bar. Then that will pull up the article.

Biography Map: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFlue4qrc4/YJoL541enkevQcvS6yQNSA/edit?utm_content=DAFlue4qrc4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

 

Teacher needs: 

Links to the AVL resource:

  1. Visit the Alabama Virtual Library. Then choose the Elementary School resources. From there click Gale in Context.  When that page opens, type "John Lewis" into the search bar. Then that will pull up the article.

projector

laptop

The teacher will project the AVL resource and briefly explain why this is a relevant and safe resource.  Then they will show students what the important headings are in the article and how to use the highlight tools in the GALE article.

Then the teacher will direct students to get back with their partner from the previous activity, so they can continue to learn about John Lewis. Students will receive the Biography Map, which will be reviewed together as a class before students will fill it out.
Variation Tips (optional):

Acceleration: Students who want to further pursue their knowledge may use the more detailed entry in Gale in Context or look at the relevant newspaper links made available on the resource page.

Intervention: The article in Gale has an audio option that students can use to listen to the information. This tool can be used with students who need assistance with reading.
Notes or Recommendations (optional):

This lesson was written as a set. It is preceded by "Who Was Senator John Lewis," and followed by "A Day in the Life of John Lewis."
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: biography, informational texts, John Lewis