Grade 5: Practicing Smart Research in the Digital Age
Before beginning their major history research project with Grade 5 History Teacher Mr. Mike Willis, fifth graders visited the library for a hands-on digital literacy lesson with Director of Library and Grade 5 Advisor, Mrs. Ashleigh Stepanian. Drawing on her extensive work in this field, including summer grants and participation in national research symposiums, Mrs. Stepanian guided students through the skills and habits needed to be thoughtful, discerning researchers in a digital world.
During the session, students learned how to navigate Graland’s catalogs and databases to find credible, high-quality information. They also explored the SIFT method, a research strategy that teaches students to Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims back to their original context. To put their new skills into practice, students examined a series of online articles and worked together to determine which were credible and which were not. The article titles included: “Elderly Woman Accused Of Training Her 65 Cats To Steal From Neighbors,” (False), “First-Ever Evidence That Mosquitoes Can Be Trained,” (True), and “Goats Know When People Are Smiling, And They Like To See It Happen, According To New Research,” (True).
Mrs. Stepanian emphasized the difference between Googling and researching, helping students see that strong research goes beyond quick searches to include evaluating evidence, cross-checking sources, and recognizing bias.
This lesson gave fifth graders a valuable foundation as they prepare for more advanced research throughout Middle School. Just as importantly, it equipped them with lifelong skills for questioning, verifying, and thinking critically about the information they encounter every day.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
