Describe the 'Find Better Coverage' step of the SIFT method. Why is it important to look for coverage from multiple reputable media outlets?

'Find Better Coverage' involves seeking out alternative sources, such as newspapers of record (e.g., The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal), that may have covered the same information. It's important to look for coverage from multiple reputable media outlets to confirm the information's accuracy and validity.

What does the 'Trace claims back to the original context' step involve, and why is this important in evaluating sources?

Tracing claims back to the original context involves finding the initial source of the information to understand its original meaning and intent. This is important because information can be distorted or misinterpreted as it is re-reported and shared online.

Evaluating Information Lesson Plan for 11th Grade

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Objective

I can figure out if information from books or websites is good and trustworthy.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

Vanderbilt Libraries Teaching & Learning · 2:57

We don't generate video — this one is by Vanderbilt Libraries Teaching & Learning on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

1
The SIFT method includes these steps: Stop, Investigate, Find better coverage, and Trace claims.
2
When you stop, ask yourself what your gut says about the information you are evaluating.
3
When you investigate a source, do a quick Google search to see what others say about the source and its agenda.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

4 questions

What is the first step in the SIFT method, and why is it important?

Explain the 'Investigate' step of the SIFT method. What is 'lateral reading,' and how does it contribute to evaluating a source?

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

“Describe a situation where you would use the 'Investigate' step of the SIFT method when evaluating a source for a research paper.”

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Evaluating Information

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