Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

A Final Trip to the PAARC

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

11

Overview

This is a final activity for demonstrating students' understanding of how to evaluate sources for credibility. After reviewing the PAARC model Slide Show and Infographic, and after having students evaluate sources in a small group, this activity is designed to be used to assess individual students' understanding of the objective. Students will follow the links to three sources and use the PAARC model to provide guidance on the credibility of the sources. Students will make notes on the provided graphic organizer and determine if the sources provided are legitimate. The chosen sources all relate to F. Scott Fitzgerald, an author widely studied in eleventh grade. Students need to keep in mind the following question: Would this source be appropriate to use in a research paper?

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

    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 11

    ELA21.11.24

    Evaluate the credibility of sources in terms of authority, relevance, accuracy, and purpose.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.11.24

    Vocabulary

    • Evaluate
    • Credibility
    • Authority
    • Relevance
    • Accuracy
    • Purpose

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Strategies to assess the credibility of research sources.
    • Features of authoritative, relevant, and accurate research sources.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Evaluate the credibility of research sources in terms of authority, relevance, accuracy, and purpose.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Before using a source in their research projects, they should evaluate the credibility of the source in terms of its authority, relevance, accuracy, and purpose.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 12

    ELA21.12.24

    Evaluate the credibility of sources in terms of authority, relevance, accuracy, and purpose.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.12.24

    Vocabulary

    • Evaluate
    • Credibility
    • Authority
    • Relevance
    • Accuracy
    • Purpose

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Strategies to assess the credibility of research sources.
    • Features of authoritative, relevant, and accurate research sources.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Evaluate the credibility of research sources in terms of authority, relevance, accuracy, and purpose.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Before using a source in their research projects, they should evaluate the credibility of the source in terms of its authority, relevance, accuracy, and purpose.

    Phase

    After/Explain/Elaborate
    Learning Objectives

    Learning Objectives

    1. Students will evaluate three sources and through this evaluation, demonstrate an understanding of purpose, accuracy, authority, relevance, and currency in determining the credibility of relevant sources for potential research.

    2. Students will determine the credibility of the provided sources by using the PAARC model.

    Activity Details

    1. Optional: Teachers may choose to review the Slide Show on the PAARC Test prior to this activity.
    2. Optional: Teachers may choose to print a copy of the Infographic. The teacher will post the Infographic to a classroom forum such as Google Classroom, and/or make a poster of the resource.
    3. Optional: Teachers may choose to allow students to use their group activity as a reference.
    4. Teachers will pass out the worksheet and explain that students are given three sources to evaluate. They will use the Infographic and Slide Show as guides to evaluate each of the links. Notes will be taken in the appropriate columns, and final evaluations of each source will be made as "yes," "no," or "maybe" in terms of validity and reliability.
    5. Students will turn in their worksheets to the teacher for final evaluation.
    Assessment Strategies

    Assessment Strategies

    Completed graphic organizers will be assessed in terms of student understanding of what details a credible or non-credible source. The completed graphic organizers will be submitted to the teacher for evaluation.

    Variation Tips

    Teachers may choose their own sources or use the ones provided.

    Approximate Duration

    Total Duration

    31 to 45 Minutes

    Related Learning Activities

    Background and Preparation

    Background / Preparation

    1. Teachers may make the Slide Show and Infographic available to students digitally.
    2. Students may use the links on the worksheet to access the sources for evaluation, or the teacher may choose to copy and print the sources for use. 
    3. If the students are accessing the link, the teacher needs to be prepared to use Chromebooks or computers.

    Digital Tools / Resources

    ALSDE LOGO