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Lesson Plan

Unsolved Mysteries Project by ECSDM

Grade Levels

Intermediate, 6th Grade

Description

Students research an unsolved mystery by using the Internet as a resource. After learning the facts and theories surrounding the mystery, they create a poster that presents both information and their opinion.

Objectives

To take notes on a topic using Internet websites
To distinguish between fact and opinion
To use reasoned judgment to determine the validity of information
To write a conclusion that reflects reasoned judgment
To create a visually appealing poster

Procedure

Review fact and opinion.
Record definitions on the SMART Board by erasing the white are under each term.
Discuss the meaning of reasoned judgment.
Show students a list of unsolved mysteries.
Using the Internet site, go over the brief summary of each topic.
Students select a topic, and organize their note taking paper into main idea categories appropriate to their topic such as description, facts, events, sightings, and theories.
Students take notes.
Go over the process involved in forming a reasoned judgment.
Model a sample conclusion using the topic of crop circles.
Show students a model poster.
Students create their poster to show the facts, theories, and their conclusion about the mystery.