Learning Activity

Rikki Tikki Tavi Curiosity Research Project

Subject Area

English Language Arts
Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

7

Overview

In this learning activity, students will conduct a short research project using digital sources on a topic from a list of possible topics, to answer self-generated questions.  Students will then write curiosity questions, research the answers, and cite the sources.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.R5

Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.7.R5

Vocabulary

  • curate

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to find valid sources and cite those sources to answer a given research topic.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • locate valid digital resources to answer given research questions.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • a great deal of information is available.
  • it is important to validate the information and to cite the source of the information.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 7

ELA21.7.11

Compare and contrast the effectiveness of techniques used in a variety of digital sources to generate and answer literal, interpretive, and applied questions and create new understandings.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.7.11

Vocabulary

  • Compare and contrast
  • Literal questions
  • Interpretive questions
  • Applied questions

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Strategies to compare and contrast the effectiveness of techniques used in a variety of digital resources.
  • Text sources can be used to create and answer questions, as well as develop new understandings.
  • Literal questions are those that can be answered using information directly from the text.
  • Interpretive questions are those that can be answered by inferring information from the text.
  • Applied questions are those that can be answered using information inferred from the text and a reader's background knowledge and experience.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Compare and contrast specific techniques identified across multiple digital sources.
  • Generate and answer literal, interpretive, and applied questions in response to reading a digital source.
  • Create new understandings in response to reading digital sources.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Different techniques are used across digital texts.
  • Comparing and contrasting the effectiveness of an author's use of particular techniques deepens their understanding of digital text structures.
  • There are three levels of questions that can be generated: literal, interpretive, and applied.
  • Generating and answering a variety of questions helps to develop new understandings.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

  • conduct short research projects by drawing on several digital sources
  • locate and curate information from the digital sources to answer self-generated research questions.

Activity Details

Student Choice of Topics (cobra, mongoose, India, British Rule in India, Life in India in the late 1800s; deadly snakes in India; death by snakebite in India; muskrat, tailor birds; coppersmith bird; Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book)

Students will choose a topic from the list of possible topics.

Students will write five curiosity questions using the Curiosity Chart.

Students will research answers to their questions and cite sources of information using the Curiosity Chart.

Students will peer-assess using a Checklist.

Students will make corrections based on peer assessment.

 

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will evaluate the curiosity research chart using a checklist rubric. 

Checklist



Variation Tips

Change the number of curiosity questions required for students who need accommodations.

Allow students to work with a partner.

This lesson could be adapted for 6th -12th students.

Extend the lesson by having students write an explanatory essay or create a multimedia project with the information.

This lesson could be used before reading “Rikki Tikki Tavi” to build background knowledge.

This lesson could be used after reading “Rikki Tikki Tavi” as an extension project.

 

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

The teacher will provide a list of possible topics (digital or print) for the students to choose from.

The teacher will provide a Curiosity Chart (digital or print) for each student.

Students will need access to computers and the Internet.

Digital Tools / Resources

Curiosity Research Chart
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j_SBlEWw8KJ1RajhcWZxNohQPqauleDMytlFAPLDlgs…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

amylack95
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