Databases: Performing Searches and Filtering Data

The learners will receive direct instruction and practice searching online databases with keywords as they perform a category search, apply a simple filter, and explore how database searches can help solve information needs in this engaging and interactive digital lesson.

Teacher-Facing Resources

Type:Lesson

Estimated Time:11 minutes

Grades:1-4

Score Type:Automatically Graded

Available Languages: English, Spanish

Vocabulary: category search, database, field, filter, keyword search, research

Primary Objectives:

Student learns about using a keyword for an online search.
Student learns to perform a keyword search in an online database.
Student learns about categories in databases.
Student learns to perform a category search in a database.
Student learns to apply a simple filter in database software.
Student learns to perform an OR filter in database software.
Student learns to use a database search to solve information needs.

Secondary Objectives:

Student learns about Pluto, inner planets, outer planets (gas giants), dwarf planets.

Subjects:

Data Collection for Decision Making

Technology Education > Digital Literacy > Student Use > Data Collection for Decision Making

Database Applications

Technology Education > Information Technology > Software Applications > Database Applications

Internet

Science > Concepts and Processes > Tools / Instruments > Software Tools > Internet

Listening / Pay Attention

Language Arts > Communication > Media Literacy / Viewing > Comprehension > Listening / Pay Attention

Listening to Nonfiction

Language Arts > Communication > Listening Strategies / Context > Listening to Nonfiction

Look for and make use of structure

Mathematics > Process Standards > Common Core > Look for and make use of structure

Technical / Specialized

Language Arts > Communication > Listening Strategies / Context > Content Specific > Technical / Specialized

Vocabulary Development

Language Arts > Communication > Listening Strategies / Context > Vocabulary Development

The database lessons incorporate information about our solar system by following two robots from the fictional company S-SPACE (Solar System Planets Are Cool Enterprises) on their mission to find the perfect location to build a S-SPACE City. This lesson’s setting is Pluto. You might want to show and discuss facts about Pluto with students before they take the EasyTech lesson. Your discussion should include the fact that in 2006 scientists reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet because its gravitational pull is not strong enough to clear its orbital path of other debris. Therefore, our solar system now has only eight official planets instead of nine.
For this lesson, keep in mind that the Filter dialog box is accessed differently in various database programs. For example, students can use the Records menu to open the Filter dialog box in Microsoft Access 2003 and earlier versions, and then click the Funnel button to run the filter. In contrast, the Records menu is not available in Open Office or Microsoft Access 2007; instead, the Funnel button is used to open the Filter dialog box. In Access 2003, you can add the Advanced Filter/Sort button to the toolbar to make opening the Filter dialog box easier. Make sure you tell students how to open the Filter dialog box on your school’s computers.
This lesson describes filters using the OR operator, which will show all records that include any of the named criteria. You might want to introduce the concept the AND operator, which will limit the results to only the records that meet all named criteria.

To help students understand filters, have students create cards similar to the cards used in the EasyTech lesson that show colors and shapes. Then, working in pairs or small groups, have students demonstrate the results of “filters” you describe out loud. If time does not permit card creation, have teams gather a set of 8 to 10 books from around the classroom. Then, tell students to filter their book selections by criteria you tell them. For example: • Show all books that have soft covers. • Show all nonfiction books. • Show books that are fiction OR written by an author with a last name that starts with the letter M. To make the game more challenging, use OR or AND operators in some of your filter requests.

ISTE

S.5.b

Students collect data or identify relevant data sets, use digital tools to analyze them, and represent data in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making.

CSTA

1A-DA-06	Collect and present the same data in various visual formats. (P7.1, P4.4)
1B-DA-06	Organize and present collected data visually to highlight relationships and support a claim. (P7.1)
1B-DA-07	Use data to highlight or propose cause-and-effect relationships, predict outcomes, or communicate an idea. (P7.1)

CCSS

ELA-Literacy.L.1.6	Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using frequently occurring conjunctions to signal simple relationships (e.g., because).
ELA-Literacy.L.2.6	Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).
ELA-Literacy.L.3.6	Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal spatial and temporal relationships (e.g., After dinner that night we went looking for them).
ELA-Literacy.L.4.6	Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., quizzed, whined, stammered) and that are basic to a particular topic (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation).
ELA-Literacy.SL.1.2	Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
ELA-Literacy.SL.2.2	Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
ELA-Literacy.SL.3.2	Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
ELA-Literacy.SL.4.2	Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Math.Practice.MP7	Look for and make use of structure.

Aligned to National and State Standards

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