How early is too early for children to begin using technology to research, document, and cite their sources for projects? The answer is of course never and the first graders at Hughes Elementary are living proof. Just take a closer look at the creative work they have done in producing creating animal flip books and you'll understand! As part of their science curriculum, these young students learn that different animals can be sorted into groups based on their various traits (body coverings, body parts, formation of babies, etc.) To help extend this classroom knowledge in a meaningful way, the first grade teachers at Hughes which include Patti Notebaert, Lori Haddad, Julie Daley and Michelle Tebsherany, along with the Technology Teacher Kathryn Schabert and Librarian Kristen Dardano (pictured below working with a few students) have collaborated on a multi-part project that brought all of their specialties and disciplines together. The project they came up with begins in the classroom, where students delve into the different traits of each animal group. The teachers assign each student to an animal group and have him or her choose an animal that best represents that group. The students then write some information on a graphic organizer about their animal based on their classroom learning. Afterwards, students go to the library and visit Ms. Dardano where they get help in searching for, selecting and printing a picture for their animal. As part of their research, they discuss the importance of citing their sources and giving appropriate credit to others, a new topic they're learning for the very first time! Once they leave Ms. Dardano in the library, with their completed graphic organizer and picture in hand, they go to Mrs. Schabert’s computer lab to type up their information in Kidspiration. Finally, they return to their classroom to physically cut and paste their printed picture and typed information onto a decorative storybook page. Their completed page is then bound with all of their peers into a classroom keepsake of all they have learned! This has now become a favorite project of the teachers and the students at Hughes since it involves so many facets and skills. While this project could be completed without the use of computers, the advantages of using them definitely improve the quality of the final product. Students not only get to use technology as part of their curriculum but are also exposed to searching for information on the internet and learning to be responsible citizens by citing their sources from a young age. Also, they are getting real and meaningful experience with typing and saving documents which is entirely new to many of them. If you are looking to incorporate technology and research effectively into your lessons, Dardano notes that you should work with your library and technology staff to see what kinds of creative projects you can devise and carry out collaboratively. It makes the projects easier and more enjoyable for all!