Creating a Famous Virginian's Database

Target Curriculum: History and Social Science

Target Grade: 5 - 5

SOLs: C/T.GR5.3  
Time: Three to four weeks depending on computer access and extension activities

Objective:
The student will identify and research prominent individuals from Virginia’s history .
The student will enter data into a database about an important historical figure and conduct searches of the database for SOL preparation.

Purpose:
Identify prominent individuals of Virginia history; research and determine their important contributions.

Materials:
List of Virginia Important People, trade books
Virginia People Template
CD Rom encyclopedias
Claris Works - Database
(Optional: printer, scanner, Internet access)

Procedure:
Preparation:
Teacher :
1. Survey Virginia history: refer to trade books , text, (Virginia-McMillan McGraw)
2. Gather materials relating to Virginia’s history and individuals. “Trade books” are available in Fairfax Co. schools and many other school systems. CD-Rom encyclopedias and internet sites such as Encyclopedia Brittanica Online are good sources of information.
3. Xerox copies of “ SOL Virginians” list sheet (see attachment).
Student :
1. Students need to be able to use research skills to locate information in books, encyclopedias, electronic encyclopedias, etc.
2. Students will learn how to tab through a database. Teachers may choose to have students alter the layout of the database.

Procedure :
1. Introduce textual information, (Virginia-McMillan McGraw) for an overview of Virginia’s history.
2. Distribute “Virginia” list. Have each student choose an individual. There are also many other individuals from which to choose.
4. Model the method of adding information to a database record. Children will need to see the stepped process of creating a new database record. (Layout, Browse, Edit, New record) A poster of the steps will make it easier for the children to follow the process. (See: “Creating a Database”)
5. Students research the individual. From their research they must summarize the most important information on their particular individual.
6. Each student enters information on his or her individual into the database.
If you wish to sort the records alphabetically be sure to enter the last name first! (Example: Juett, Jack)

Observations:
This lesson would work best in a lab setting, but will succeed in a classroom setting with limited computers with proper time management. Children should be assigned to a specific computer to create ther record. Records can be compiled into a single database when all children have finished.

Conclusions:
Assessment:
The finished database can be shared with members of class. SOL preparation is an obvious benefit of the database and can be provided to all students on disk who have Macs at home. Study centers can be set up in the classroom, with the databases as the primary resource. Writing skills of the final products can be assessed. Additionally, a rubric can be provided for further assessment. (See notes below)

For Your Information:
The following instructions describe the steps of constructing and manipulating a database. The teacher should familiarize himself with the procedure and then explain the process to the students before the "Virginian's Database" is begun.

How to Construct a Database:

Accessing the Database Template

1. Copy the ClarisWorks template “Famous People” onto the hard disk.
2. Make an alias of the template and put it on the desktop or in the launcher folder.
*

3. Open the folder. Click on the template to access the database.You’re ready to go!

Database Terminology

Record - a collection of data about a single product, activity, or transaction.
Fields - building blocks for records containing data you want to store, find, sort and print.
Layout - is an arrangement of fields, field names and other parts to present data in your records. Different layouts can be created.

Entering Data Into a Field
1. Open the database by clicking on its icon. *

2. If you are creating a new record, select new record from the edit menu.

3. Click on the field that you intend to use. A solid border indicates the field you have chosen.
*
4. At the cursor, enter your data.

5. If the record had been started previously and there are few records in the database, it’s easy to scroll down to the needed record, click on a field and enter data.

6. If the database is large, find your record by selecting Find in the Layout menu and entering the person’s name in the name field. Hit enter and the record will appear.
7. After completing a field, you can advance to the next by hitting the Tab key.

7. Save your data when finished.

Conducting Searches

One of the key advantages of a computer database is it’s ability to sift out only the records you want. As your database grows larger, you will need to find and isolate a specific group of records so that you can view them together, update individual records or print only a particular group of records.

Finding and Printing Database Records

1. Open “Famous People” Database.

2. Select Find from the Layout Menu.

3. Type "JUETT, JACK" in the NAME field. *

4. Press Return or Find in the database tools menu *

5. Use the status panel to view the different records found. It shows the number of records found and puts the total number of records in the database in parentheses.
*
6. A search can be narrowed by using more than one keyword, such as the person’s name and “contributions” in the appropriate fields.

7. To print selected records, go to Edit and click Select All. The selected records will appear black. Then, go to File and Print!

Combining Databases

If you are using more than one computer for this lesson, you will want to combine the databases into one.

1. Insert a disk into the drive of the first computer and save the database under the
file name “famous People1”. Adding “1” to the name will help you to differentiate between the different files as you paste them.

2. Transfer the disk to the computer that will contain the complete class database.

3. Open “famous people1”, go to Edit and drag to Copy.

4. Open “famous People” (on the hard disk), go to Edit and drag to Paste.

5. Repeat the process for the other computers, pasting to the main computer.

Grading Rubric

Extension:
1. The database may be printed out and students can draw and color pictures of their individuals. This can be bound into a book or books.
2. Scanned pictures of the individuals may be placed in the boxes or the children can draw freehand based on research of the personal characteristics of the person.
3. Students can expand on research and create reports and projects.
4. Students dress as their individuals and present a “Living Museum” for other students or classes. Presentation can be done in the “first person.”
5. Colonial Day: Students can dress as important people from the period and play the roles of painters, artisans craftsman, leaders, etc.

Class Discussion Questions:
(Class graphic organizer--preliminary to database related discussion questions)

Computer Terms!

Directions: Define the following terms in your own words.Make sure the definition relates to computers and databases.

record: ________________________________
_____________________________________
fields:_________________________________
_____________________________________
layout:_________________________________
_____________________________________
search:________________________________
_____________________________________
save:__________________________________
_____________________________________
database:_______________________________
_____________________________________
data:________________________________
_____________________________________
tab:___________________________________
_____________________________________
alias:__________________________________
_____________________________________

Cautions and Concerns:
There are additional attachments to this unit that do not convey in a text window format as given. The "Database Directions" originally include thumbnail pics that assist teachers and students in understanding the procedure of making a database.