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Exploring Information Sources – What is a source? – A place where information comes from – Types of sources – Books, people, and the internet are examples – Why sources matter – They help us find facts and understand history – Sources help us learn – We use sources to discover new things about the world | This slide introduces first graders to the concept of sources of information. Begin by explaining that a source is where we get information from, like a person telling a story or a book with pictures and words. Highlight different types of sources such as books, websites, and people like teachers and family members. Discuss the importance of sources in learning, emphasizing that they help us find out true facts and understand the past. Use simple examples to show how sources can teach us about the world, like how a cookbook can teach us to make cookies, or a history book can tell us about dinosaurs. Encourage the children to think of questions they have about the world and what sources they could use to find the answers.

Exploring Information Sources – What is a source? – A place where we find out things – Types of sources – Books, people, internet, watching – Choosing the right source – Some sources have better info for different topics – Best source for a task | This slide introduces the concept of sources to first-grade students. Begin by explaining that a source is like a treasure chest where we find knowledge or learn something new. Provide relatable examples such as finding a recipe in a cookbook or learning a game from a friend. Highlight that not all sources are equal; some give us better information for certain questions. For instance, a cookbook is best for recipes, and a weather website is good for the forecast. Encourage students to think about what source they would use for different types of information, like learning how to take care of a pet or finding out about space.

Types of Sources: Which One to Use? – Primary sources: Direct evidence – Like a diary from someone at an event – Secondary sources: Descriptions – Like your history textbook – Tertiary sources: Summaries – Like an encyclopedia entry – Choosing the right source | This slide introduces first graders to the concept of different types of sources. Primary sources are original materials that have not been altered or distorted in any way, such as diaries, photographs, or interviews, which provide direct evidence about an event. Secondary sources are one step removed from primary sources and include interpretations or analyses based on primary sources, like textbooks. Tertiary sources compile and summarize information from primary and secondary sources, such as encyclopedias. When discussing this slide, emphasize the importance of choosing the right source depending on the question or topic being researched. Use simple examples that are relatable to first graders, such as using a diary to learn about a family member’s day or a textbook to understand a historical event.

Choosing the Right Source – What info do I need? – Where to find this info? – Is the source trustworthy? – A source is trustworthy if it’s from someone who knows a lot about the topic. – Check if info is current – Up-to-date means the information is new or recent. | This slide is aimed at helping first graders understand the importance of selecting the right source when looking for information. Start by asking them what information they need for a topic they are curious about. Guide them on where they can find this information, such as books, websites, or asking a teacher or family member. Discuss how to identify if a source is trustworthy by considering who is providing the information and their knowledge on the subject. Lastly, explain the concept of ‘up-to-date’ by comparing it to something they know, like a fresh apple versus an old one. Encourage them to always check for the most recent information to ensure accuracy.

Choosing Good Sources – Library books on your topic – Find books about what you’re studying – Teacher-approved websites – Use websites that your teacher says are okay – Ask experts your questions – Talk to grown-ups who know a lot about the topic – Why good sources matter | This slide aims to teach first-grade students about the importance of selecting reliable sources when looking for information. Start by explaining what a source is and why some sources are better than others for learning. Emphasize that books from the library on a specific topic are usually well-researched and trustworthy. Highlight that websites can also be good sources, but they should be ones that the teacher has checked and approved. Encourage students to ask questions to adults or experts, such as parents, teachers, or guest speakers, to get accurate information. Explain that using good sources helps us learn the right things and not get confused by wrong information. For an activity, you could have students pick a topic and identify which sources they would use to learn more about it.

Activity Time: Source Scavenger Hunt! – Split into teams for a hunt – Find sources around the classroom – Choose a question to answer – Think: What can help answer our question? – Share your source and reasons – Explain why the source was helpful | This activity is designed to help first graders understand the concept of using different sources to find information. Divide the class into small teams and have them look for items in the classroom that can provide information, such as books, labels, charts, or calendars. Each team should pick a question they want to answer and then find a source that helps them answer it. After the hunt, each team will share with the class what source they used and discuss why it was a good choice for their question. Possible questions could be about the weather, date, school rules, or a historical figure. This will help students grasp the idea of sources being tools for learning and discovery.