LESSON ONE: Identifying and Categorizing Worthy Attributes

Students define worthy attributes and place them in pre-determined categories.  In the process students analyze critical questions to ask when researching attributes of famous people.  With student assistance, teacher models the Think Question, the categorization of the example, and the development of research questions. 

GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

IL1A           Develop questions and statements of purpose to guide research

LESSON MATERIALS

§         Sources of Literature

o        None

§         Supplies

o        Large sheet of paper to keep track of students’ responses to worthy attributes and questions to ask while researching Grade level appropriate non-fiction texts on topics of nature

o        Overhead

§         Handouts provided

o        People Who Make a Difference

§         Words to know

o        none

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Each student writes at least five focus research questions.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1.        Write Think Question on the board or overhead.  Students select someone who makes a difference in the world and identify worthy attributes that make him/her stand out. 

2.        Teacher leads class discussion of a famous person. 

3.        Kagan Cooperative Strategy Round Table. Working in groups, students write responses to the think question. The teacher uses the handout format on the overhead or drawn on the board as the model.

4.        When modeling the Think Question, use someone with whom everyone is familiar such as the President of the United States.  Consider using a person everyone wants to research.  For instance, use Michael Jordan as your example if several students want to research him.  The person chosen as an example should not be researched.

5.        Divide students into five groups.  After the class brainstorms a list of worthy attributes, they write a focus question for each attribute.  Students share and compile questions from which to choose.  Before students brainstorm a list of famous people, provide a list of categories; for example, sports, religion, public service, hero, political, entertainer, role model, educator.  After categories are filled, consider the attributes.

6.        Using Abraham Lincoln as an example, students consider the following questions.  The questions can be applied to whomever they research: