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VITAL=20 INFORMATION

Subject(s):

Careers, Information Literacy, Language = Arts=20 (English), Media Studies, Journalism

Topic = or Unit of=20 Study:

News Reporting

Grade/Level:

8-12

Objective:

The student will utilize a hot list to = research=20 statistical data. This data will be analyzed and transferred by = the=20 student into an excel spreadsheet. The student will also create an = appropriate visual aid to support the data (i.e graph and/or = chart).=20 Lastly the student will write a newspaper story utilizing the = inverted=20 pyramid writing style utilizing the data = collected.

Summary:

This lesson is designed to introduce = students to=20 story research. They will utilize the internet to look more deeply = into a=20 story (i.e.-crime statistics, sports statistics, etc.) They will = use the=20 raw data they find and place it in a spreadsheet, then create a=20 chart/graph to coincide with their story.

IMPLEMENTATION

Learning Context:=20

Through this chapter the students will = use numbers=20 to back up their stories. They will use hard data found on the = internet to=20 support fictional stories. The focus on this lesson should be = accurate=20 data as well as contextual use of the data.

Procedure:

1. Pick from one of the story suggested = story=20 topics, either sports or crime.

2. Using the internet, find = statistics to support a story.

3. Using Microsoft Excel, = create a=20 spreadsheet of the data collected, making sure to name = corresponding rows=20 and columns.

4. Use the chart function to create a visual = reference=20 to the data you had collected. This chart will be used with your = story as=20 a picture.

5. Using the data, create a story. The story may = be=20 fictional, however the data must be real and verifyable. Data will = be=20 checked to assure accuracy.

6. When finished with the first = rough=20 draft of your story, create a page layout to include story and = chart.=20 Focus on minimalizing white space and making the layout appealing = to the=20 eye.

7. Utilize group time to look over stories and revise = as=20 needed.

8. Turn in final story layout to teacher with = attached list=20 of resources. (i.e. websites used).

Differentiated=20 Instruction:

Instructions will be given both verbally = and=20 written. Class time will be alotted for research, writing, and = some group=20 activity (proofreading). Teacher will be available on an as needed = basis.

Sample Student=20 Products:

Attachments

maggs.xls

Collaboration:

Students will work collaboratively &=20 individually. Students will work in groups of 3.

Time = Allotment:

4 class periods. 1 Hr per = class.

Author's Comments=20 & Reflections:

Students will need to learn to balance = their time.=20 The first class time should be efficient for research collection, = with the=20 second used for writing the story and creating a layout. The third = class=20 will consist of group time and the last for final = revision(s).

MATERIALS AND=20 RESOURCES

Instructional=20 Materials:

Compters
Microsoft = Excel
Internet=20 Explorer or other web browser

Attached=20 Hotlist

Pen/Paper/Highighter (for editing = purposes)

Resources:

Attachments

hotlist.doc

STANDARDS &=20 ASSESSMENT

Standards:

USA- ISTE: Profiles for Technology = Literate Students=20 (includes NETS for = Students)

=95 Grade = : Grades = 6-8

Numbers in=20 parentheses following each performance indicator refer = to the=20 standards category to which the performance is linked. = The=20 categories are:
1. Basic operations and concepts =
2.=20 Social, ethical, and human issues
3. Technology=20 productivity tools
4. Technology communications = tools=20
5. Technology research tools
6. Technology=20 problem-solving and decision-making tools

Reprinted from National Educational Technology = Standards=20 for Students - Connecting Curriculum and = Technology,=20 copyright =A9 2000, ISTE (International Society for = Technology=20 in Education), 800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or=20 541.302.3777 (Int=92l), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. = All rights=20 reserved. For more information about the NETS Project, = contact=20 Lajeane Thomas, Director, NETS Project, 318.257.3923,=20 lthomas@latech.edu. Reprint permission does not = constitute an=20 endorsement by ISTE or the NETS = Project.

Performance Objective 4: Use = content-specific tools,=20 software, and simulations (e.g., environmental = probes,=20 graphing calculators, exploratory environments, = Web=20 tools) to support learning and research. (3,=20 = 5)

=95 Grade = : Grades = 9-12

Numbers in=20 parentheses following each performance indicator refer = to the=20 standards category to which the performance is linked. = The=20 categories are:
1. Basic operations and concepts =
2.=20 Social, ethical, and human issues
3. Technology=20 productivity tools
4. Technology communications = tools=20
5. Technology research tools
6. Technology=20 problem-solving and decision-making tools

Performance Objective 2: Make informed = choices among=20 technology systems, resources, and services. (1, = = 2)

Performance Objective 3: Analyze advantages = and=20 disadvantages of widespread use and reliance on=20 technology in the workplace and in society as a = whole.=20 = (2)

Performance Objective 5: Use technology = tools and=20 resources for managing and communicating=20 personal/professional information (e.g., = finances,=20 schedules, addresses, purchases, = correspondence). (3,=20 = 4)

Performance Objective 7: Routinely and = efficiently=20 use online information resources to meet needs = for=20 collaboration, research, publications, = communications,=20 and productivity. (4, 5,=20 6)

MI- Michigan Grade Level Content=20 Expectations

=95 Subject = : ENGLISH LANGUAGE=20 ARTS

=95 Grade = : EIGHTH = GRADE

=95 Strand = : WRITING

=95 Topic = : Spelling

Expectation : W.SP.08.01 = Students will use=20 correct spelling conventions in the context of = their own=20 = writing.

=95 Topic = : Writing = Attitude

Expectation : W.AT.08.01 Be = enthusiastic=20 about = writing.

=95 Subject = : MATHEMATICS

=95 Grade = : EIGHTH = GRADE

=95 Strand = : DATA=20 AND PROBABILITY

=95 Topic = : Draw,=20 explain, and justify conclusions based on=20 data

Statistical Stories