Literacy 4-6

Direct Instruction: Keyword Search

Add to Workspace

Overview

Teaching students how to create and use strong keywords for Internet searching is critical for helping them know how to find accurate, relevant information. Developing strong keywords requires using Background Knowledge to define a question or topic then to identify important, specific words related to the question or topic. As they search, students must also brainstorm synonyms to narrow and revise their keywords until an answer or goal has been reached.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch as students play Taboo to practice choosing keywords. The teacher identifies the strategies of finding synonyms and giving precise descriptions, has students practice the strategies then guides student reflection on the strategies.

  • Teachers can have students use graphic organizers or play word games, like Taboo, to practice describing key aspects of an object and brainstorming synonyms to build their Vocabulary. Further lessons may include advanced strategies, like using "and," "or," and "not," to combine keywords to further narrow searches.

    • Design It into Your Product

  • Products can build in synonym providers and sample keyword lists for commonly searched topics to support students as they develop their keyword search skills.
    • View References

    Resources

    Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.

    Developing Internet Search Skills

    Activities to teach effective searching skills

    Metacognition & Self-Regulated Learning

    Subtopic that includes research on metacognitive processes that help learners plan what and how to learn on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Online Research

    Video describing how to use operators while searching

    Search Terms

    Lesson plans from Google about identifying and choosing search terms

    Strategic Searching

    Lesson plan for strategic searching

    Teaching Better Online Search Skills

    Why and how to incorporate searching into lessons

    Ways to Teach Savvy Search Skills

    Tips for teaching searching skills

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Literacy
    Verbal Reasoning
    Vocabulary
    Cognition
    Long-term Memory
    Metacognition
    Short-term Memory
    Working Memory
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Emotion
    Student Background
    Adverse Experiences
    Literacy Environment
    Physical Well-being
    Primary Language
    Safety
    Sleep
    Socioeconomic Status

    More Instructional Approaches Strategies

    Authentic Audiences & Purposes

    Writing can become personally meaningful when students have an actual audience and a real purpose for communicating with that audience.

    Direct Instruction: Comprehension Strategies

    When teachers provide explicit instruction in comprehension strategies and model when to use them, students learn how to flexibly apply them to make meaning of texts.

    Direct Instruction: Genre-specific Writing Strategies

    Explicitly teaching strategies for different genres, like narrative or persuasive writing, helps students write for different purposes and audiences.

    Direct Instruction: Spelling

    Formal spelling instruction improves not only students' spelling skills but also their reading skills.

    Direct Instruction: Vocabulary

    Seeing and using new words repeatedly and in many contexts is critical for Vocabulary acquisition.

    Direct Instruction: Web-based Reading Strategies

    Research shows that, along with traditional [reading comprehension ][1][strategies][2], students use unique strategies to read the non-linear, hyperlinked structure of online texts.

    Direct Instruction: Writing Strategies

    Explicitly teaching strategies for planning, writing, and revising texts improves students' writing quality.

    Family Engagement

    Students are more likely to come to school when families feel like a valued part of the community.

    Guided Inquiry

    In guided inquiry, teachers help students use their own language for constructing knowledge by active listening and questioning.

    Independent Reading

    Independent reading promotes literacy by emphasizing student choice with teacher support in selecting books, as well as by making time for free reading.

    Mindfulness Activities

    Through short but regular mindfulness activities, students develop their awareness and ability to focus.

    Multimodal Instruction

    Instruction in multiple formats allows students to activate different cognitive skills to understand and remember the steps they are to take in their literacy work.

    Pre-reading Questioning

    Helping students think about what they know about the topic of upcoming work helps activate their Background Knowledge or reveals gaps.

    Provide Writing Models

    When students read models of the type of writing they are doing, they can identify effective elements to incorporate in their writing.

    Reading Conferences

    Through one-on-one conferences, teachers can provide individual support to each student to deepen comprehension and interest in reading.

    Visit

    Explore

    Stay Up to Date

    © Copyright Digital Promise     |     Digital Promise Home     |     Contact Us     |     Terms of Use
    Creative Commons LicenseExcept where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License