Computer Skills Curriculum
Database Lesson Plan
Title: Introduction to Databases
 Other
Curriculum Objectives that can be addressed by this lesson plan
English Language Arts 2.1, 2.2, 4.1; Social Studies: Skill Goal I, Skill Goal
II; Computer Skills: (Gr. 4) 2.4; Information Skills 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2
Grade: 4
Competency 2.4: Describe the difference between a print database and a
computer database.
Measure 2.4.1: After a visit to the media center, list examples of
both print and computer databases (e.g., dictionary, on-line catalog, print
encyclopedia, CD-ROM encyclopedia).
Materials Needed: Pre-activity: index card per student, student
textbooks, other class objects. Activity: dictionary, encyclopedia,
newspaper, card catalog; information or video on or a working example of an
electronic version of a dictionary, CD-ROM encyclopedia, on-line newspaper,
or automated card catalog.
Time: Two class sessions: one for pre-activities, one for activity.
Terms: Database, Print Database, Computer Database
Activities
Pre-Activities:
With the Students
- 1. Discuss the concept
of a collection of items: the class is a collection of students, the
classroom is a collection of desks and chairs, the class file cabinet or
bookcase is a collection of papers or books, the teacher’s gradebook is
a collection of student names and grades.
- 2. Have the students
make a collection of items by
- a. each student in
one of four groups placing one of their textbooks in a group stack.
Have the students discuss the number and type of items in their stack
and then compare it to the stacks made by the other groups.
- b. each student
completing an index card with the following information: name, age, eye
color, number of siblings, favorite pizza topping. List the items on
the board or overhead. Have the students suggest sub-collections for
the siblings and pizza topping categories. Have them raise their hands
for the sub-group they have on their index card and record on the board
or overhead the number of hands for each sub-group. Lead the class in
discussing collections within collections (i.e., pizza topping
collections within the class group of information on the cards).
- 3. Introduce the term
database as the name for a collection of items.
With the Media Professional
- 1. Review the pre-activities
for the students.
- 2. Identify the
examples of print and computer databases available in the media center.
Plan to obtain information or videotapes on computer databases of the
selected print examples of dictionary, encyclopedia, newspaper, and card
catalog. Discuss any other computer databases available in the media
center.
- 3. Discuss the
activity to be conducted in the media center to introduce the students
to the examples of both print and computer databases.
Activity:
- 1. (In the media
center with the Media Professional) With an example of a dictionary,
encyclopedia, newspaper, and group of card catalog file cards on a
table, discuss the concept that each is a collection of items. Have the
students compare how these collections differ from the collections they
made in pre-activities. Lead the students in recalling the term
"database" for these collections.
- 2. Show the students
examples (pictures, videotapes, or actual products) of the computer
database for each of these print databases. Discuss how each can be
used; demonstrate any actual products available. Example: Ask the
students for a topic they would like to look up in the encyclopedia.
Have two students find the topic in the print encyclopedia. Use a CD-ROM
encyclopedia to look up the same topic. Discuss the difference in the
information found.
- 3. Ask the students
what other collections in the media center they think should be made
into computer databases. Discuss their ideas and show pictures of or
demonstrate any other computer databases available.
Measure
After the visit to the media center, have the students list examples of
both print and computer databases. This could be a list on a paper handout
with two columns, a labeling of paper cut-outs of a book and of a computer,
or a labeling on a printed handout. For example, on a handout, label with
example name the print databases on the spines of a shelf of books and label
with example name the computer databases on the screens of computers.
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