STANDARD COURSE OF STUDY

INFORMATION SKILLS :: STRATEGIES :: GRADES 6-8

GRADES 6-8

Focus Areas
The learners will:

begin to independently access a greater and more varied number of resources (print, non-print, electronic)
continue development of personal criteria that they can describe in detail
begin to examine and evaluate ideas and opinions using more than their immediate surroundings as a point of comparison, and to recognize bias and stereotypes independently
resources for research, learn how to access these resources more efficiently, and begin to recognize the most appropriate resources (print, non-print, electronic) for specific tasks
create products with progressively less direction, using a variety of formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia) and begin using formally accepted standards for production, including crediting sources, acceptable formats, etc.

Competency Goal 3	The learner will RELATE ideas and information to life experiences.
	3.01 Describe personal cultural heritage and environment. 3.01.1 Interview parents, grandparents, and elders to collect data on yesterday’s way of living to compare with today’s and to determine similarities and differences. 3.01.2 Utilize resources to compare the varied aspects of different cultures to ours in the U.S., listing the difference and similarities. 3.01.3 Read novels and help students relate characters and events to their own lives. 3.01.4 Read and explore resources about cultures that create American. 3.02 Collect and compare information about diverse cultures, environments, and peoples. 3.02.1 Read books on immigration. Develop a survey for classmates and/or family members on family origins. Exchange e-mail with someone from another country or region. 3.02.2 Interview people who have recently moved to the area from another country or region. (Discuss differences in jobs, travel, education, and lifestyles. 3.02.3 Compare people, economics, and places of interest in the regions of NC. 3.02.4 Have students develop a research project on immigration: include reasons for immigration, and countries of origin. 3.02.5 Have students use a variety of resources (e.g., videos, STV, online) to gather information about NC Native American tribes (e.g., food, shelter, location, life style). Identify ways of living, art forms/pottery, ethical/moral dilemmas (Trail of Tears), adapting to physical environment, and movement. 3.02.6 Compare personal heritage to that of Native Americans. Research Native American homes, culture, and influence. Put together a non-linear multimedia project. This could tie-in with Heritage Week. 3.03 Identify bias and stereotypes. 3.03.1 Use print and video cartoons to introduce and identify the use of stereotypes and bias. 3.03.2 Media coordinator/classroom teachers routinely identify and discuss bias and stereotypes in a variety of contexts (e.g., cartoons, books, commercials, TV programming, magazines, newspapers). 3.03.3 After reading the book Amazing Grace, make a list of various racial and gender stereotypes. 3.03.4 After reading historical accounts in non-fiction and fiction have students identify, discuss and analyze bias against immigrants. 3.03.5 Examine and discuss books that address issues faced by mixed-race children. Examine African-American history through Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. 3.03.6 Research books and videos on the persecution of the Jews during WWII. Compare the treatment of Jews to other minorities and examine how it relates to prejudices held today. 3.03.7 During Black History Month provide opportunities for students to identify, discuss, and write about individuals past and present who make a positive contribution to society. 3.03.8 During Black History Month research books and videos on the topics of slavery and desegregation to relate issues and topics and understand how they affect students today. 3.04 Relate cultural similarities and differences to personal heritage and environments. 3.04.1 Relate reading materials to everyday/modern language in order to make stories and novels relevant to student’s life situations. 3.04.2 Collect books about holiday traditions around the world. Read and discuss stories and identify traditions. Identify and chart similarities and differences. Use maps to locate countries. Observe and list cultural similarities and differences. Explore community resources for cultural information. 3.04.3 Recognize cultures represented in your community, state and country. Choose a story about someone from a different background. Read, listen, view, investigate and gather information about various cultures. Plan and conduct an interview with individuals from another culture. Discuss similarities and differences. Organize and select the best format to present findings to peers/others. 3.04.4 View videos and STV programs to learn about dress and customs of a culture. 3.04.5 Read books about the art forms of various cultures. 3.05 Describe how information and ideas are influenced by prior knowledge, personal experience, and social, cultural, political, economic and historical events. 3.05.1 Relate reading materials to everyday or modern language or terms to make the stories, novels relevant to students’ life situations. 3.05.2 Use familiar stories and newspaper articles to identify the role of prior knowledge and experiences. 3.05.3 Record/video students reading some of their favorite stories orally to share with peers or younger children. 3.05.4 Have students storyboard and write commercials or skits that demonstrate the effect of prior knowledge on a situation. Have students produce and direct their work, include credits. Video final product. 3.05.5 Use print and online resources to collect statistical data for math projects: Have students graphing data - prices in sales and grocery ads, estimating cost of items, total costs, sales prices, discounts). Have students research companies so that algebra students can follow the stock market. Have students use cookbooks and math skills when altering a recipe. Have students use measuring tools to learn the metric units of measurement, e.g. meter sticks.

Competency Goal 3

The learner will RELATE ideas and information to life experiences.

3.01 Describe personal cultural heritage and environment.

3.01.1 Interview parents, grandparents, and elders to collect data on yesterday’s way of living to compare with today’s and to determine similarities and differences.

3.01.2 Utilize resources to compare the varied aspects of different cultures to ours in the U.S., listing the difference and similarities.

3.01.3 Read novels and help students relate characters and events to their own lives.

3.01.4 Read and explore resources about cultures that create American.

3.02 Collect and compare information about diverse cultures, environments, and peoples.

3.02.1 Read books on immigration. Develop a survey for classmates and/or family members on family origins. Exchange e-mail with someone from another country or region.

3.02.2 Interview people who have recently moved to the area from another country or region. (Discuss differences in jobs, travel, education, and lifestyles.

3.02.3 Compare people, economics, and places of interest in the regions of NC.

3.02.4 Have students develop a research project on immigration: include reasons for immigration, and countries of origin.

3.02.5 Have students use a variety of resources (e.g., videos, STV, online) to gather information about NC Native American tribes (e.g., food, shelter, location, life style). Identify ways of living, art forms/pottery, ethical/moral dilemmas (Trail of Tears), adapting to physical environment, and movement.

3.02.6 Compare personal heritage to that of Native Americans. Research Native American homes, culture, and influence. Put together a non-linear multimedia project. This could tie-in with Heritage Week.

3.03 Identify bias and stereotypes.

3.03.1 Use print and video cartoons to introduce and identify the use of stereotypes and bias.

3.03.2 Media coordinator/classroom teachers routinely identify and discuss bias and stereotypes in a variety of contexts (e.g., cartoons, books, commercials, TV programming, magazines, newspapers).

3.03.3 After reading the book Amazing Grace, make a list of various racial and gender stereotypes.

3.03.4 After reading historical accounts in non-fiction and fiction have students identify, discuss and analyze bias against immigrants.

3.03.5 Examine and discuss books that address issues faced by mixed-race children. Examine African-American history through Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.

3.03.6 Research books and videos on the persecution of the Jews during WWII. Compare the treatment of Jews to other minorities and examine how it relates to prejudices held today.

3.03.7 During Black History Month provide opportunities for students to identify, discuss, and write about individuals past and present who make a positive contribution to society.

3.03.8 During Black History Month research books and videos on the topics of slavery and desegregation to relate issues and topics and understand how they affect students today.

3.04 Relate cultural similarities and differences to personal heritage and environments.

3.04.1 Relate reading materials to everyday/modern language in order to make stories and novels relevant to student’s life situations.

3.04.2 Collect books about holiday traditions around the world.

Read and discuss stories and identify traditions.
Identify and chart similarities and differences.
Use maps to locate countries.
Observe and list cultural similarities and differences.
Explore community resources for cultural information.

3.04.3 Recognize cultures represented in your community, state and country. Choose a story about someone from a different background.

Read, listen, view, investigate and gather information about various cultures.
Plan and conduct an interview with individuals from another culture.
Discuss similarities and differences.
Organize and select the best format to present findings to peers/others.

3.04.4 View videos and STV programs to learn about dress and customs of a culture.

3.04.5 Read books about the art forms of various cultures.

3.05 Describe how information and ideas are influenced by prior knowledge, personal experience, and social, cultural, political, economic and historical events.

3.05.1 Relate reading materials to everyday or modern language or terms to make the stories, novels relevant to students’ life situations.

3.05.2 Use familiar stories and newspaper articles to identify the role of prior knowledge and experiences.

3.05.3 Record/video students reading some of their favorite stories orally to share with peers or younger children.

3.05.4 Have students storyboard and write commercials or skits that demonstrate the effect of prior knowledge on a situation. Have students produce and direct their work, include credits. Video final product.

3.05.5 Use print and online resources to collect statistical data for math projects:

Have students graphing data - prices in sales and grocery ads, estimating cost of items, total costs, sales prices, discounts).
Have students research companies so that algebra students can follow the stock market.
Have students use cookbooks and math skills when altering a recipe.
Have students use measuring tools to learn the metric units of measurement, e.g. meter sticks.

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