Local authors database

Search through more than 200 authors in 15 minutes to answer specific questions. Add records and fields to an incomplete database.

A lesson plan for grades 6–8 Computer/Technology Skills

By DPI Integration Strategies

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Related topics

• Learn more about databases and technology skills.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• use an existing database to answer questions.
• add a new field.
• edit an existing database.
• add a new record.
• resize columns.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

60 minutes

Materials/resources

• Authors Database: Works | Access
• Metals Database Works | Access
• Authors Questions

Technology resources

• Either Microsoft Access or the Microsoft Works database program
• Internet connection
• The Periodic Table displays data about the elements. In order to view that information just click on the atomic symbol. A new dialog box comes up with a variety of data. The reporting button here enables you to cut and paste the information into your document. Download at the Taftan Data website. View this Word document for a graphic representation.

Pre-activities

• Review database vocabulary at the Quia website.
• Review ethical issues involved in research using Social Issues. The interactive file can be copied to your network or to each local hard drive.
• Discuss research strategies.

Activities

Directions: Use your database program and the file called authors. Read the scenario.

1. Read and re-read each question.
2. Use the database file to respond to the questions below.
3. When asked to “describe the steps you took to find your answer,” use appropriate database terms (for example, “Sorted the died field in ascending order” or “Searched the award year 1 field for all records greater than 1969”).

Scenario: You have been given a database with over 200 authors displaying a variety of criteria. Your job is to find the most efficient way to answer the questions below in a fifteen-minute period.

1. Who is the author of Richmond COUNTY? ___________________
2. How many authors of more than one genre (NUMBER OF GENRE) are from Wake COUNTY? ________ Explain:_______________________________________________________
3. How many one-genre (NUMBER OF GENRE) Coastal (REGION) authors are poets (GENRE 1)? _________
4. Of the one-genre (NUMBER OF GENRE) authors classified as editor/publisher (GENRE 1), which region was the home to most of them? ______________Explain:_______________________________________________________Did you complete questions 1-4 in 15 minutes? Use the attached answer sheet to evaluate student progress.
5. Close the database file called authors.

Scenario: Open the database file called metaldbs.

1. Use the program called Periodic Table or search the Internet to find the correct information to replace the question marks in the metaldbs file.
2. Modify your database by adding a new field called Atomic Symbol between Metal and Atomic Number. (Access Users: Click on the design view tool below file in the upper left-hand corner of your screen. Click in the left margin of the table and highlight the field that will appear below the new field. Click on insert, and row. Type Atomic Symbol at the cursor. Data type should be made text. In the description field, type Initials used to identify the metal elements. In the general tab at the bottom, type 5 for field size and it should be indexed. Save and click on the data view tool on the tool bar.)
3. Edit your database to add the new records listed below. (Click on INSERT, NEW RECORD.)
   • uranium U 92 238.0289 23815
   • zinc Zn 30 65.39 6516
   • gold Au 79 196.96655 1976
4. Adjust the field widths so that you can read all of the field names completely.
5. Use the Periodic Table program to find the atomic symbols that match each metal in the database. Type them in the correct cells.
6. Make sure you include your name and grade level in the first cell below Student ID. Save and print.
7. Submit the assignment to your instructor.
8. An example of the metal database is available in the Microsoft Works format.

Assessment

Students will be grouped in pairs. They will discuss how they got their answers and check their own papers using the Author answer sheets.