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Nebraska Library Commission Website

NebraskAccess Lesson Plans for K12 Educators

Review the following lesson plans to see how Nebraska media specialists have integrated NebraskAccess databases into the K12 curriculum.  Lesson plan activities are aligned with a variety of national, state, and local standards.  All lesson plans have been reproduced here in PDF format; you will need Adobe Reader software to view them.

Recently-Added Lesson Plans || Pre-2009 Lesson Plans

Recently-Added Lesson Plans

  • ABC Book of Important People and Places of Nebraska
    Grade: 4th grade | Subject: Nebraska History
    Description: Students will increase their understanding of important people and places of Nebraska through research conducted in NebraskAccess. Students will use the information they collect to to create pages for the class ABC book. Each page will contain an illustration and five to seven sentences describing an important Nebraska person or place.  

  • African American History
    Grade: 11th and 12th grade | Subject: Social Studies
    Description: Students will use at least one research database to find information on an African-American Pioneer in science, invention, discovery, or the arts. Students will prepare a 1-2 page biographical sketch of the person, along with an MLA works cited page including three resources.

  • American Heroes
    Grade: 3rd grade | Subject: Social Studies
    Description: Using information on an American hero retrieved from the Wilson Biographies database, available through NebraskAccess, and a print biography, students will create a biography box to demonstrate their learning. Students will cite their sources using source title and author. Students will evaluate their biography box and learning.

  • "An American Landmark" -- Research for Civic Oration Speech
    Grade: 6th grade | Subject: Language Arts, Reading, Social Studies
    Description: Students will use NebraskAccess to locate information on American landmarks. Students will use a graphic organizer to record and organize this information, which they will later use to write their Civic Oration speeches.

  • Bless the Beasts
    Grade: 9th grade | Subject: English
    Description: In conjunction with reading Glendon Swarthout's novel, Bless the Beasts and Children, students will use NebraskAccess to research animal rights and locate valid and reliable information on legal/illegal hunting of buffalo.

  • Dealing with Dewey
    Grade: 4th grade | Subject: Information Literacy, Non-Fiction
    Description: Students will learn about the Dewey Decimal System and will use and reinforce their knowledge by playing the Dealing with Dewey gam. As part of the game students will use the WorldCat database available through NebraskAccess to look up non-fiction books and identify their Dewey numbers.

  • Founding Fathers
    Grades: 5th grade | Subject: Social Studies -- Writers of the Constitution
    Description: Students will use the Wilson Biographies database available through NebraskAccess to research key figures (Founding Fathers) involved in the writing of the Constitution. Students will develop research questions, take notes, and create a Word document to present their information.

  • Go Shorty, It's Your Birthday!
    Grade: 7th grade | Subject: Language Arts
    Description: Students will search the Wilson Biographies database available through NebraskAccess to identify and gather information about a birthday buddy--someone who shares their birthday. Students will complete a note sheet on their birthday buddy and prepare a PowerPoint presentation to share with the class.

  • Golden Sower Author Research
    Grade: 5th grade | Subject: Reading/Language Arts
    Description: Students will use the Wilson Biographies database and the Web Sites Selected by Librarians directory, both available through NebraskAccess, to research a Golden Sower author. Students will prepare a poster with the information collected and prepare a 2-3 minute presentation to the class.

  • Using WilsonWeb OmniFile Database in World History
    Grade: 11th & 12th grades | Subject: World History
    Description: Students will use the Wilson OmniFile database available through NebraskAccess to locate at least two articles regarding political and scientific developments from 1400 to 1800 C.E. Students will record information on the people, events, and locations important to each of the two developments and accurately place them on a timeline. Students will also write short essays analyzing the long-term effects and importance of the developments.

  • What Makes an Illustrated Children's Book a Caldecott Winner?
    Grade: 3rd & 4th grade | Subject: Language Arts / Art
    Description: Students will use the Books in Print database available through NebraskAccess to identify books that have won the Caldecott Medal. Students will compare and contrast various art forms from different winning books and use graphic organizers to organize the outstanding criteria used to award the illustrated book.

  • Who's Who? In the American Revolution
    Grade: 7th & 8th grades | Subject: Social Studies
    Description: Working in groups, students will retrieve information on a famous Revolutionary War figure from the Wilson Biographies database available through NebraskAccess. Students will use the information to create a visual biography poster of their famous figure. Finally, students will present information on their figure to the class and analyze his or her importance to the American Revolution.

Pre-2009 Lesson Plans

Note: The lesson plans below have not been updated to reflect recent changes to the NebraskAccess portal and the individual database interfaces. They have been retained as good examples of creative lesson plans incorporating NebraskAccess, but step-by-step procedures will need to be reviewed and in many cases modified before use.

  • Adventures with Amazing Animal Facts
    Grade: 4th grade | Subject: Science/Reading & Writing
    Description: Students will use the "Web Sites" link in NebraskAccess to access the Nebraska Library Commission's "Best of the Web" directory.  Students will click on "Science/Technology" and then on "Animals" to access a list of web sites that contain information on animals.  Students will research their chosen animal using one or more of the listed web sites.  They will then use the information they've collected to create a technology-based product that shares their knowledge.

  • Ancient Greek Influences in Science and Math
    Grade: 6th grade | Subject: Language Arts, Social Studies, and Library Media
    Description: Students will use Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated, available through NebraskAccess, to look up biographical information on Greek scientists and mathematicians.  Students will use the information they find to create Greek scientist/mathematician trading cards, which will be placed on a timeline.

  • Author Trading Cards
    Grade: 7th grade | Subject: Reading
    Description: Students will use Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated, available through NebraskAccess, to locate relevant and accurate information on authors.  Students will publish their findings in baseball card format.

  • Award-Winning Books Grade:  5th grade | Subject:  Literature/Language Arts
    Description:  Students will use NebraskAccess to locate, access, and evaluate information on award-winning books.  Students will learn about the Coretta Scott King, Golden Sower, and Newbery book awards.

  • Bears, Bears, Bears!
    Grade: 4th grade | Subject: Reading & Science
    Description: Students will use synopsis and review information found in Books in Print with Reviews, available through NebraskAccess, to compare similarities and differences between types of bears. 

  • Beginning of the Year Biographies
    Grade: 6th grade | Subject: Reading/Language Arts
    Description: Students will look up and record biographical information about a juvenile author using Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated.  Students will prepare a 2-3 minute presentation on their author to share with the class.

  • Boolean Search Using WilsonWeb's OmniFile Full Text Database
    Grade: 9th grade | Subject: English/Speech
    Description: Students will conduct at least three searches on their pre-approved speech topic in the Wilson OmniFile Full Text database, using different combinations of search terms and Boolean operators each time.  After each search students will record their exact query, the number of records retrieved, and the relevancy of their results.  Once students have identified a potentially useful source they will email a citation to themselves and print the article.  At a later date students will be expected to compose speeches based on the information retrieved during this exercise.

  • Composer Scavenger Hunt
    Grade: 7th and 8th grades | Subject: Music
    Description: After receiving instruction on searching the Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated database, available through NebraskAccess, students will search it in order to answer questions on the Composer Scavenger Hunt worksheet.

  • Cyber Scavenger Hunt Grade:  7th and 8th grades | Subject:  None specified
    Description:  After familiarizing themselves with NebraskAccess by completing a Cyber Scavenger Hunt, students will use NebraskAccess resources to research a topic of their choice.  Students will practice evaluating information resources by completing Website Evaluation Questionnaires for five sites they identify through their research.   Students will report findings using one of several suggested publishing options.  This lesson plan includes challenge and remediation options.

  • Database Orientation: WilsonWeb
    Grade: 9th grade | Subject: English
    Description: Students will use Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated to look up, print off, and email themselves information on an assigned leader.  After reading their information, they will compare their leader to Joseph Stalin using a Venn diagram.  This lesson is designed to teach the benefit of using a database instead of a Web site as a research source.

  • Designing an Ecologically Sound City
    Grade: 6th grade | Subject: Science/Environmental Education
    Description: Students will use the Nebraska Library Commission's "Best of the Web" directory of Internet resources, accessible via the "Web Sites" link in NebraskAccess, to locate and access information that will help them design an ecologically sound city.  Their city plan will need to address laws, utilities, waste disposal, industry, and housing.

  • Ecosystems
    Grade: 4th grade | Subject: Science
    Description: Students will research ecosystems using information available via the NebraskAccess Web Sites link and Books in Print with Reviews.  After collecting all required information students will complete a brochure on their ecosystem. 

  • Explorers of the 20th Century for 5th Graders: A Follow-Up to the Unit on Explorers of the Americas
    Grade: 5th grade | Subject: Social Studies
    Description: Students will use Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated, available through NebraskAccess, to retrieve biographical information about their chosen explorer in order to find and record required facts.

  • Extra! Extra! Read All About Them!
    Grade: 4th and 5th grade | Subject: Reading/Information Literacy
    Description: Students will access Fact Monster, a kids' reference web site available via the NebraskAccess Web Sites link, in order to research a person of interest.  Students will evaluate the information available and choose accurate and relevant facts to include in a newspaper article about their subject. 

  • Famous Inventions/Inventors
    Grade: 7th grade | Subject: Science
    Description:  Students will research an inventor and his/her inventions using both the Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated database and a web site.  In the process, students will learn about the differences between web sites and databases and will be taught how to evaluate web sites.  After completing their research students will write a report, create a 3-slide PowerPoint presentation, and present their research orally.

  • Famous Scientists
    Grade: 7th and 8th grades | Subject: Science
    Description: Students will research a famous scientist using electronic sources such as web sites and the Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated database.  In the process, students will learn about the differences between web sites and databases and will be taught how to evaluate web sites.

  • Genre Study
    Grade: 2nd grade | Subject: Literature
    Description: Students will use Fiction Connection, available through NebraskAccess, to identify two books from each of seven introduced genre categories.  Students will demonstrate their ability to identify the literary elements of common genres by filling out customized genre bookmarks for the books they've identified and read. 

  • Going to the Promised Land: Dust Bowl Migration (Photograph Database Research)
    Grade: 6th-8th grade; 9th-12th grade | Subject: Social Studies/Visual Arts
    Description: Students will use the Nebraska Library Commission's "Best of the Web" directory of Internet resources, which is available via the "Web Sites" link in NebraskAccess, to access the Library of Congress American Memory Web site.  Students will search the American Memory photographic database and select 7-10 photographs that they feel tell the story of the Dust Bowl refugees migrating to California.  After annotating the photographs, students will incorporate them into a PowerPoint presentation.

  • Hey, Hey, The Blues is All Right!
    Grade: 5th grade | Subject: Music
    Description: Students will use Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated, available through NebraskAccess, and the All Music Guide web site, to find information about a famous Blues musician.  After collecting information about their chosen musician, students will use it to create a PowerPoint presentation to share with the class.

  • Lewis and Clark Expedition Fact Books
    Grade: 4th and 5th grades | Subject: Social Studies
    Description: Students will use Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated and WorldCat, available through NebraskAccess, to gather biographical information about members of the expedition and locate books about the expedition.  Students will use the information they collect to fill out their Lewis and Clark Expedition Fact Books.

  • Life Beyond Google
    Grade: 7th and 8th grades | Subject: Information Literacy/Reading & Writing
    Description: Students will learn how to use the NebraskAccess online databases to locate valid and reliable information.  Online databases, such as those available through NebraskAccess, will be presented as a preferred alternative to generic search engines like Google.  Students will be required to search NebraskAccess online databases in order to complete a guided practice worksheet.

  • Literature Database Scavenger Hunt for 5th Graders
    Grade: 5th grade | Subject: Information Literacy/Language Arts
    Description: After receiving instruction in its use, students will search the Books in Print database to answer questions on their Literature Scavenger Hunt worksheet. In the process, students will develop a better understanding of when and why they might want to use the Books in Print database instead of the School Library Online Catalog.

  • LPS Nonfiction and Research Follow-Up CRT Project Grade: 11th and 12th grades | Subject: English
    Description: This assignment is designed to address information literacy standards, particularly those related to the effective comprehension and use of nonfiction and informational material.  It incorporates both individual and small group work. 

  • Native American Tribal Leaders and Their Tribes Collaborative Unit Grade:  2nd, 3rd, and 7th grades | Subject:  Social Studies/History & Reading/Language Arts
    Description:  Seventh graders will locate information on a famous Native American leader and the leader's tribe using Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated and Wilson OmniFile Full Text Select. Seventh graders will share this information with second and third grade students in cooperative learning groups.  Seventh graders will help the younger students create a PowerPoint slide show to present to all members of the class. 

  • Naming a School to Honor a Notable Nebraskan
    Grade: 4th grade | Subject: Social Studies/Reading/Language Arts
    Description:  Students will use Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated to identify and research notable African American and Native American Nebraskans.  Students will record biographical information about their notable Nebraskans.  After analyzing the information they have collected, students will write a five-sentence paragraph recommending and justifying why the new school should be named after one of their notable Nebraskans.

  • Nebraska Biography Brunch
    Grade: 4th grade | Subject: History/Social Studies/Public Speaking
    Description:  Students will identify and research individuals who have made a significant contribution to Nebraska history, past or present, using a variety of resources including Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated and Wilson OmniFile Full Text Select.  Students will research and create a period costume to wear at a Biography Brunch.  Students will prepare a one- to two-minute monologue that they will deliver to invited Brunch guests (parents, teachers, administrators, etc.)

  • Rainforest Animal 'vs' Nebraska Animal Grade: 4th grade | Subject: Science/Reading
    Description: Students will use NebraskAccess resources to research habitat, food preferences, and instincts of rainforest animals and animals native to Nebraska.  Students will create a poster/chart comparing and contrasting facts about their animals.  Students will present their final projects to the class.

  • State Research Assignment
    Grade: 5th grade | Subject: Social Studies/Language Arts
    Description: Students will use the Information Please Kids Almanac, available via the Web Sites link in NebraskAccess, to research a state.  Students will use the information they collect to create a PowerPoint presentation about their state, which they will then present to other fifth grade students from different classes.

  • States Research
    Grade: 5th grade | Subject: Social Studies (Geography)
    Description: Students will use the Nebraska Library Commission's "Best of the Web" directory of Internet resources, which can be accessed via the "Web Sites" link in NebraskAccess, to go to the Information Please Kids' Almanac.  Students will use the Almanac to find specific information about states.  Students will use information obtained about one state to create trioramas which they will share with the class.

  • Using NebraskAccess to Determine Individual for Biography Reports
    Grade: 5th grade | Subject: Research/Writing/Presenting
    Description: Students will be introduced to the idea of using a database instead of the Web to find reliable information on an individual.  After receiving instruction on searching Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated, students will search it themselves to identify potential subjects for their research.

  • Who were the Explorers?
    Grade: 5th grade | Subject: Social Studies
    Description: Students will use Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated and "Web Sites Selected by Librarians" to look up additional information on explorers presented in their social studies text.  Students will record relevant information on note cards and create a poster presenting the information.