This Internet fact finding activity is as easy A-B-C! Students will get an introduction to safe search engines, including MeL, (Michigan e-Library.org), to find ways to do a basic online search safely for information by simply using the letters of the alphabet.

Students go on a hunt to find a word for each letter of the alphabet from a free online picture dictionary.

In fourth grade, students learn how to be better researchers and using AR Flashcards, they are taken to a new level with the interactivity of augmented reality. AR Flashcards Lincoln is an iOS app where students can see a full size Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg address, place magical doorways on the ground and walk through them using their device to visit places Lincoln lived.

In third grade students learn about Michigan history. The Michigan eLibrary has compiled a number of websites suitable for children to learn more about our state. There is information on Michigan Native Americans, folklore, wildlife, birds, bugs, and much more.

Students create a informational board on Discovery Education Board Builder. Discovery Education is a website that offers a plethora of information on any given topic. With the use of Builder Tools/Board Builder students create a dynamic research presentation on their given animal.

Due to a lack of content (in many textbooks) regarding the role women and minorities played during the Revolutionary War, students will be asked to compile resources using various resources including Michigan’s Open Book Project and various other online resources regarding a specific unit of study.

Book Creator is a simple and free online app that even very young students may use to make interactive multimedia-rich eBooks.

Switch Zoo is a free interactive website that allows students to create their own animals, habitats and biomes. It provides games for students to get involved with their created animal and zoo. There are several different activities that students can interact with.

Students need to check the accuracy of what they see on the Internet. Young children will especially have a difficult time knowing what is real or fake. Netsmartzkids has an excellent video for students to watch and learn how to fact check.

Cleanopolis VR is a game that students can play to learn more about the environment and fight against climate change. The game does not have to be played with 3D technology, but it will enhance the experience. Cleanopolis has both an Android and iOS version.

Students will begin to learn how to do basic research using Michigan eLibrary's World Book's Early World of Learning. This basic encyclopedia is meant for non-readers as the text is very basic and the site will read everything aloud for those who cannot read yet or prefer to listen. Students will learn about creepy crawlies and where they live, eat and other interesting facts about them.

Students create a set of online flashcards from a Google spreadsheet. Flashcards are a great way for students to practice vocabulary, memorize the U.S. capitals, and much more on their own or with others.

Epic! is a free online library for educators. Students are able to select from a vast selection of books, audiobooks and videos.

Students will complete research about an animal of their choice using the San Diego Zoo Kids Zoo website. The students will create a SlideShow Presentation to share with the class teaching about their animal. The class will use given “clues” based on research to guess the student's animal.

National Geographic has an interactive mapmaker website where you can use markers, lines, or shapes to tell your story on MapMaker. You can add in text, photos, and videos with their rich editing tool to customize the map.

Students will learn how to use the Internet to find facts about their topic. Students will be searching safe sites that are credible, teaching students that finding accurate information is very important when being an investigator.

It is important that students are taught to identify what is fake and what is real. After reading the content on a website about “The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus”, an endangered animal, students will understand that when they search online that not all sources are credible.

It is important that students learn how to search safely online. Students will get an introduction to safe search engines, including MeL (Michigan e-Library.org), to find ways to search safely for information. Students will also review how using key effective keywords will give them better results.

Students learn how to choose effective KEYWORDS for searching online. Finding the right keyword/s to use when doing research is extremely important so that your search is relevant and you don't waste time during the research process.

A Google Slide Deck introduction to the MITECS competency Knowledge Constructor - Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.

Example: Fifth grade classes sought to find a cure for cancer. They learned about healthy cells, and researched the difference with cancerous cells. The studied and collected information about the social and economic impact of cancer on families and communities with the help of local doctors and nurses who worked in a children’s cancer ward in a local hospital. Because of the health professionals’ schedules, this collaboration was done through video conference and shared documents. The students compiled their findings after much fact-checking, and reported to the community through a free evening dinner at the school. A donation box was present in case anyone wanted to make a donation, with the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society in the name of the hospital children’s cancer ward. That night the students raised over $1000.

Questions for Reflection:
- How do the MITECS complement core content?
- How might you and your colleagues develop cross-curricular experiences to support the MITECS?
- Which of the competencies are you most familiar with?
- Which competency is an area of growth for you, as an educator?