THE K-W-H-L STRATEGY

The Bumblebee Flies Anyway by Robert Cormier

TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: INTRODUCTION

Place a blank K-W-H-L Strategy Sheet on the overhead with the topic "Experimental Medicine." Do this after the class has read through Chapter 4. By Chapter 4, we know that Barney is in an experimental hospital.

STEP 2: WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW?

Ask the students what they know about experimental medicine. Write down almost any response that is close to the mark even if it isn't completely accurate. All you want to do now is encourage your students to participate. You may wish to include these sample questions:

How is medicine made and approved for our use?
What is the FDA and what is their job?
How much of an effort is made to find cures to all diseases? Do certain diseases receive more attention or funding for research?
Do people really donate their bodies to science?
What is medical malpractice?
What is new medicine tested on? How do we know it is safe for humans?

STEP 3:WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT?

Use STEP 2 to generate interest and questions in your students? What have they brainstormed on in STEP 2 that they would like to know more about? Write their answers in the space provided. The responses for this will vary for every class. See where the questions in step two take you. For example, the questions in step two may make a class want to know more about such things as the testing of medicine, the FDA, what kinds of diseases are researched extensively, the donation of bodies to science, and medical malpractice.

STEP 4: WHERE WILL YOU FIND ANSWERS?

Discuss how they would find information on the things listed in STEP 3. Supply the standard answers of "the library" or "an encyclopedia." Make them dig deeper. Where else could they find answers to their questions?

STEP 5: ONE PAGE RESEARCH PAPER

Explain that each student will be doing a one page single-spaced research paper on one of the topics generated. Their one page paper should answer a specific question off of the K-W-H-L Sheet. It should use at least two sources with correct MLA citation. See STEP 6 for how you can record the students' research topics.

STEP 6: PICK A NUMBER

Depending on how many possible topics the class generates and how many students are in the class, divide the class into groups of 3-5 students. Tell the class that you have a number between 1-100 in your head. Have them pick numbers as groups. The group closest to your number gets to pick their topics first. Use a sign-up sheet for them to sign up for their research topic.

STEP 7: RESEARCH

Give up to two library days for your students to research their questions and obtain the correct bibliographic information. A mini-lesson on bibliographies may be appropriate.

STEP 8: PRESENTATIONS AND ASSESSMENT

Give a deadline for the papers. Spend most of a period if not all letting the students present their research. This is part of their grade. Before students begin their presentations, review the K-W-H-L Strategy Sheet with the students. As the presentations progress, review the sheet with the students and see what questions are being answered. This is your means of evaluating them. As the students answer the specific questions, write their answers in the "What I Learned" column of the K-W-H-L chart.