| Lesson Title: | European Database - Sorting | ||
| Curriculum Area: | Social Studies | ||
| Technology Strand: | Database | ||
| Grade Level: | 6 | ||
| Essential Question: | How can I use database information to compare European Countries? |
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Activity Summary | Students will review database terms. Students will discuss the need to put things in order and the vocabulary associated with order. |
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Curriculum |
Social Studies 1.03 Use tools such as maps, globes, graphs, charts, databases, models, and artifacts to compare data on different countries of South America and Europe and to identify patterns as well as similarities and differences among them. |
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Technology |
Database 3.04 Use database sort and search/filter strategies to organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate findings in content areas and cite sources. |
| Activating Strategies |
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Review database vocabulary (field, record, etc.) and how to move around the database. Discuss the need to find information within the database. Discuss sorting (putting things in order) and the terms "ascending" and "descending". Complete the "Do I Sort?" (page 1 of the European_Sort_Activity file) activity with students as a group. This can be done in the classroom or computer lab, using a transparency of the activity to underline keywords that indicate the need to sort (words like greatest, smallest, etc.) See answer key. |
| Technology Vocabulary: Database Vocabulary |
| Detailed Technology Instructions: Microsoft Works for Windows Database Instructions |
| Cognitive Teaching Strategies |
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After the Activating Strategy exercise: 1. Distribute "European Countries Sorting Activity" (page 2 of the European_Sort_Activity file). 2. Have students read the first question and decide which field would need to be sorted to find the answer. Show students how to sort, or have students do the sort as you read the directions to them. For all questions on the worksheet, students should record the answer to the question, put the name of the field used to sort and indicate whether the sort is in ascending or descending order. Answers should be written in the appropriate blank or students may circle ascending or descending. 3. Students should be given the opportunity to ask questions. 4. Complete question 2 together if the teacher feels students need more instruction. 5. Students should complete the rest of the activity on their own, with the teacher monitoring the activity and answering individual questions. |
| Summary Strategies |
| Discuss answers to questions. Write words that indicate sorting (most, lowest, etc.)on the transparency or markerboard. |
| Resources Click for directions on how to download files on a Windows computer. |
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European_Sort_Activity.doc (Print pages 1 and 2 for students.) European_Sort_Key.doc Sorting_Directions.doc European_Countries.wdb Microsoft Word Files European_Sort_Activity.doc European_Sort_Key.doc Sorting_Directions.doc Microsoft Excel File European_Countries.xls Microsoft Works for Windows File European_Countries.wdb |
| Re-teaching and Enrichment Activities |
| Students may be encouraged to come up with other words that are not shown in any of the questions that might indicate sorting. Have them also decide whether the word indicates ascending or descending order. Follow-up activities that will reinforce these skills are included in the lesson: European Database - Filtering. |
| Janice Bradburn and Jennifer Stone |
| Prescott Technology Center, Data last modified: 8/12/2006 |