Lesson Plan: Reference Resources
Collaboration with: Mrs. Fitzpatrick (grade 3)
Information Skills Objective: 4.07 – Gather and use information
Language Arts Objectives: 3.06 – Conduct research with assigned and self-assessed projects
using a variety of resources
Time: two 45-minute lessons in the media center
Materials: pencils, worksheets and scavenger hunt papers, various reference materials,
document camera, and LCD projector
Lesson One

Preparation
o Place a copy of a thesaurus, almanac, and atlas on each of the group tables

Introduction and Review
o Media person will show students copies of a thesaurus, almanac, and atlas
o Media person will ask students which resource would be used to find various
kinds of information reviewing work done in the classroom:
 Thesaurus: Synonyms and Antonyms of words
 Almanac: Quick answers on a variety of topics of interest
 World Atlas: Collection of different kinds of Maps (elevation,
population, country or state lines, etc) of the World

Instruction
o Using an almanac and the document camera, the media person will demonstrate
to students how to find information using the table of contents and entry
headings.
o Using the atlas and the document camera, the media person will demonstrate
how to use the table of contents as well as the index to locate information. Also,
the media specialist will remind students how to read a map key.
o Using the thesaurus and the document camera, the media person will remind
students how to find information using alphabetical order and guide words.
o The media person will present the students with questions and ask student
volunteers where the answer could best be found.

Practice
o Students will work together to complete a worksheet showing that they can
identify what resource to use to answer the questions.
o Students will work together to complete a worksheet showing that they can
locate the answers to questions using the reference material discussed.

Evaluation
o The teacher and media person will monitor student progress and check the first
worksheet to be sure students know where to find certain kinds of information
before giving them the second sheet to actually locate the answers.
o Student groups having difficulty with the assignment will get immediate
assistance and feedback.
o If more assistance is needed, students will be sent to the media center in small
groups for extra help.
Lesson Two

Preparation
o Place four copies of the scavenger hunt sheets on each group table being sure
that they are all different.

Review
o Media person will show students copies of a thesaurus, almanac, dictionary,
encyclopedia, and atlas
o Media person will ask students which resource would be used to find various
kinds of information reviewing work done in the first lesson and in the
classroom:
 Thesaurus: Synonyms and Antonyms of words
 Almanac: Quick answers on a variety of topics of interest
 World Atlas: Collection of different kinds of Maps (elevation,
population, country or state lines, etc) of the World
 Dictionary: Pronunciation, Syllabication, and Definitions of words
 Encyclopedia: Collection of long information entries on a variety
of topics
o Media person will review where each of the reference resources are located in
the reference section of the library.

Instruction
o Using an encyclopedia and the document camera, the media person will
demonstrate how to find information using the spine lettering, alphabetical
order and guide words.
o The media person will explain that there are four different types of
encyclopedias found in the media center: Biographies, Animals, Scientific
Inventions, and general. A sample entry of each will be put under the document
camera so that the students may see the differences.
o Using a dictionary and the document camera, the media person will remind
students how to find information using alphabetical order and guide words.
o Media person will present the students with questions and ask student
volunteers where the answers could best be found.

Practice
o Students will work independently to complete a scavenger hunt.
 Students must identify the resource used to find an answer.
 Find the resource in the reference section and bring it to the table.
 Locate the answer to the question using the reference materials
discussed.

Evaluation
o The teacher and media person will monitor student progress as they work
through the sheet.
o Student groups having difficulty with the assignment will get immediate
assistance and feedback. The teacher and media person will give help with
locating information in each of the reference resources as needed.
o If still more assistance is needed, students will be sent to the media center in
small groups for extra help.
Sample scavenger hunts are contained on the following pages.
Name ________________________________
1
Reference Resources - Scavenger Hunt
1. How many syllables are in the word "contaminate"?
Resource:
Answer:
2. What are the five largest cities in the world?
Resource:
Answer:
3. What is a synonym for the word "ask"?
Resource:
Answer:
4. What is the capital of the state of Iowa?
Resource:
Answer:
5. Are starfish really fish?
Resource:
Answer:
Name ________________________________
2
Reference Resources - Scavenger Hunt
1. What is closer to the equator: Greenland or Australia?
Resource:
Answer:
2. Is the word "agent" a noun or a verb?
Resource:
Answer:
3. What kind of animal is a tuatara?
Resource:
Answer:
4. Who was the 18th president of the United States?
Resource:
Answer:
5. What is a synonym for the word "differ"?
Resource:
Answer:
Name _______________________________
3
Reference Resources - Scavenger Hunt
1. When was paper invented?
Resource:
Answer:
2. What does the word "debug" mean?
Resource:
Answer:
3. When and where was Beatrix Potter born?
Resource:
Answer:
4. What is the capital of the country of Peru in South America?
Resource:
Answer:
5. What is a synonym for the word "predict"?
Resource:
Answer:
Name ________________________________
4
Reference Resources - Scavenger Hunt
1. How old was Amanda Bynes when she started in show business and what was her first T.V.
show called?
Resource:
Answer:
2. What is a synonym for the word "fade"?
Resource:
Answer:
3. What ocean surrounds the country of Japan?
Resource:
Answer:
4. How many syllables are in the word "erroneously"?
Resource:
Answer:
5. What is the biggest island in the world?
Resource:
Answer:
Name ________________________________
5
Reference Resources - Scavenger Hunt
1. What country is north of the United States?
Resource:
Answer:
2. How did the clown fish get its name?
Resource:
Answer:
3. What is an antonym for the word "fact"?
Resource:
Answer:
4. What does the word "immune" mean?
Resource:
Answer:
5. What year was the video game Pac-Man first in arcades?
Resource:
Answer:
Name ________________________________
6
Reference Resources - Scavenger Hunt
1. What "odd" holiday was on July 15, 2007?
Resource:
Answer:
2. What small Asian country is south of India? (Hint: It is an island.)
Resource:
Answer:
3. What is a synonym for the word "hate"?
Resource:
Answer:
4. What is put in hollow paper tubes to make fireworks?
Resource:
Answer:
5. How many definitions are there for the word "introduce"?
Resource:
Answer:
Name ________________________________
7
Reference Resources - Scavenger Hunt
1. What does the word "origin" mean?
Resource:
Answer:
2. How many people died in the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and India?
Resource:
Answer:
3. what is the chemical symbol for nitrogen?
Resource:
Answer:
4. What country is the Yangtze River in?
Resource:
Answer:
5. What is a synonym for the word "promise"?
Resource:
Answer:
Name ________________________________
8
Reference Resources - Scavenger Hunt
1. Is a caper a type of plant, animal, vehicle or building?
Resource:
Answer:
2. What does the word "ramble" mean?
Resource:
Answer:
3. what is the all-time top animated movie?
Resource:
Answer:
4. What is the capital of the country of Australia?
Resource:
Answer:
5. What is an antonym for the word "show"?
Resource:
Answer: