Keyword Power Slides Keyword Power
Mastering the Art of the Search
Lesson 01 // Research & Info Lit
The Big Question
How does changing our search terms change the information we find?
The 3-Word Challenge
1. Pick a book in this room.
2. Describe it to a partner using ONLY 3 words.
3. Can they find it?
"Blue science robot"
Search Engines vs. Humans
Humans
Understand sentences, feelings, and "why" we are asking.
"What is the best way to keep a pet dragon healthy and happy?"
Search Engines
Match Keywords. They ignore "fluff" words (the, is, of, how).
"pet dragon care"
The Keyword Recipe
Question:
"Why do polar bears need sea ice to survive?"
Polar Bear
Sea Ice
Survival
Only use the Main Ideas (Nouns and Verbs).
Synonym Power-Up
Why use synonyms?
Different authors use different words.
One word might give you 100 results...
...a synonym might give you 10,000!
Brainstorm It!
Smart Intelligent, Brainy, Clever
City Urban, Town, Metropolis
Trash Waste, Garbage, Litter
Ready to hunt?
Open your "Keyword Breakdown Challenge" worksheet.
Goal: Find the perfect 3 words for your mystery topic!
Keyword Breakdown Challenge Keyword Breakdown Challenge
Search Strategy Academy // Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
Remember: Computers don't read like humans! To find the best information, you must break down your research question into Keywords (important nouns and verbs) and use Synonyms (words with the same meaning).
1
The Breakdown
Circle the 2-3 most important words (Keywords) in each question below. Then, write them in the search bars.
Example
How does pollution affect ocean animals?
pollution ocean animals
What are the best ways to protect endangered tigers in the wild?
How did ancient Egyptians build the Great Pyramids of Giza?
2
Synonym Power-Up
Sometimes your first keyword doesn't find enough information. Brainstorm two synonyms for each word below to "power up" your search.
Keyword Synonym #1 Synonym #2 Eat Fast Car Space
3
My Own Research
Think of a topic you want to learn about. Write your question, then your perfect 3-word search string.
My Research Question:
My 3 Keywords:
Keyword Workshop Guide Keyword Workshop Guide
Teacher Resource // Lesson 01
Learning Objectives
Identify core keywords in a complex sentence.
Distinguish between "fluff" words and essential search terms.
Generate relevant synonyms to expand search variety.
ESL Scaffolding
Focus on nouns and verbs. Use visual anchors (images of keywords) for vocabulary building. Encourage students to use their primary language to find synonyms first, then translate.
Hook: The 3-Word Challenge
Instructions for Students:
"I want you to pick a book from our shelves. Don't touch it yet, just look. Now, you have to tell your partner which book it is, but you can only say THREE WORDS. No pointing! No full sentences!"
Teacher Insight:
Most students will start with color or size. If they struggle, guide them to look for a unique word on the cover or a specific image. This mirrors how a search engine works—it looks for the most specific, unique markers.
Key Teaching Points
Keywords vs. Sentences
Explain that "Stopwords" (the, is, of, how, why) are ignored by search engines. If we include them, we might confuse the algorithm or get irrelevant results.
The Power of Synonyms
Show students that searching "cars" vs. "automobiles" yields different websites. Different authors use different levels of academic language.
Worksheet Facilitation
!
Part 1: Encourage students to literally circle the words. If they are stuck, ask: "If you take this word away, would you still know what the question is about?"
!
Part 2: Provide a thesaurus or a classroom "Synonym Wall" if students struggle with vocabulary. This is the hardest part for ESL learners.
Discussion Questions
"Why doesn't the computer need to know 'why' we are asking?"
"If you search for 'fast cars' and find nothing, what synonym could you try next?"
Logic Loops Slides Logic Loops
Mastering AND, OR, and NOT
Lesson 02 // Research & Info Lit
Searching is like a Maze...
Too many results?
No results?
How? Using Boolean Operators.
AND
The NARROWER
Finds results that have BOTH words.
Dogs AND Cats
RESULTS
OR
The EXPANDER
Finds results that have EITHER word.
Dogs OR Cats
MANY RESULTS
NOT
The EXCLUDER
Removes words you DON'T want.
Jaguar NOT Car
Let's Play: Human Engine
"Stand if you have brown eyes..."
AND
"...you are wearing white shoes."
"Stand if you have brown eyes..."
OR
"...you are wearing white shoes."
Who stands up more? AND or OR?
Boolean Sorting Challenge
Time to use these operators to sort items. Grab your game cards and cheat sheet!
Boolean Sorting Game Boolean Sorting Game
Search Strategy Academy // Lesson 2
Name:
The Challenge: Match the search results to the correct "Boolean Operator." Draw lines to connect the items that would appear in each search.
Search Strings
NARROWER
Fruit AND Green
EXPANDER
Pizza OR Tacos
EXCLUDER
Fruit NOT Green
Possible Items
Red Apple
(Fruit, Red)
Green Apple
(Fruit, Green)
Cheese Pizza
(Pizza)
Street Taco
(Taco)
Broccoli
(Vegetable, Green)
Ham Sandwich
(Bread, Meat)
Master Challenge
Write your own Boolean search string to find ONLY the Street Taco and the Cheese Pizza, but no sandwiches.
Search Strategy Academy // Boolean Operator Logic
Search Operator Secrets Search Operator Secrets
A Cheat Sheet for Pro Searchers
AND The Narrower
What it does:
Finds results that have all of your words.
Mars AND Planet Fewer results, but more specific.
OR The Expander
What it does:
Finds results that have either one word or the other.
Cars OR Automobiles Way more results! Good for synonyms.
NOT The Excluder
What it does:
Removes results that have a certain word you don't want.
Mercury NOT Planet Removes the car brand or the element.
Pro Tip #1: Symbols
In some search engines, you can use symbols instead:
Pro Tip #2: Phrases
Use "Quotation Marks" to find an exact phrase in that order.Example: "white tiger"
Narrow
Expand
Database Discovery Slides Database Discovery
Going Beyond the Open Web
Lesson 03 // Research & Info Lit
The Google Jungle
"If I search for 'planets' on Google, I get 200,000,000 results."
Lots of ads
Sites that are too hard to read
Sites trying to sell you something
Is there a better way?
The Academic Database
A Digital Library
A collection of articles, videos, and books that have been checked by experts (teachers, scientists, librarians).
Why use it?
No advertisements
Facts you can trust
Tools to help you read (text-to-speech)
Filters for your grade level
Anatomy of a Database
Search for...
Search
The Search Bar
The Filters
The Metadata
Use Filters!
Content Type
Articles, Videos, Images
Reading Level
Easy, Medium, or Expert
Date
Newest information first
The Database Race
Can you find the scientific name of the "Wombat" faster in Google or in the Animal Database?
Ready... Set... Search!
Database Scout Checklist Database Scout Checklist
Search Strategy Academy // Lesson 3
Name:
Your Mission
Explore our school's database (e.g., Britannica, PebbleGo, or EBSCO). Complete the tasks below to earn your "Database Scout" badge. Check the box after you finish each step!
Task 1: The Login
Find the database icon on your student portal and log in. What is the name of the database you are using?
Task 2: The Keyword Search
Search for Electric Cars. How many results did you find?
Task 3: Filter Fun
Find the Filters menu. Change the content type to Videos. Write the title of the first video you see.
Task 4: Metadata Hunt
Click on any article. Look at the Metadata (the details). Who is the author or publisher of the article?
Badge Area: Completed Scout
Database Race Setup Guide Database Race Guide
Teacher Resource // Lesson 03
Activity Overview
The "Database Race" is a timed competition designed to show students that specialized databases provide more direct, reliable, and readable information than a generic Google search for academic topics.
Tools Needed
Classroom Projector
Student Devices
Database Logins
Online Stopwatch
Setting the Stage
Divide the Class
Split the class into two groups: Team Jungle (Google) and Team Scout (Database) . Team Jungle uses open search, Team Scout uses the school-assigned database.
The Goal
"Find the scientific name of a Wombat . You must show the article as proof. The first team with 100% of members finished wins!"
After the Race: Discussion
1
Team Jungle: "Did you see any advertisements? Did you have to scroll past links to stores?"
2
Team Scout: "How many articles did you see? Was the 'Scientific Name' easy to find in the first paragraph?"
3
Everyone: "Why do databases make finding facts faster for school projects?"
Tips for ESL Learners
Visual Anchors
Project the database homepage. Physically point to where the 'Filters' are located before starting the checklist.
Text-to-Speech
Show students the 'Listen' button in the database. This is a game-changer for ESL comprehension.
Prep Check
Test student passwords
Bookmark the database link
Identify 'Scientific Name' location
Print Scout Checklists
Snippet Sleuths Slides Snippet Sleuths
Mastering the Art of the Quick Look
Lesson 04 // Research & Info Lit
The Click Habit
Do you click the first link every time?
Many people waste hours clicking links that aren't what they need.
Pro searchers look before they leap.
The Snippet Anatomy
All About Polar Bears | National Geographic
kids.nationalgeographic.com > animals > polar-bear
Learn amazing facts about polar bears, including their habitat, diet, and how they survive in the freezing Arctic temperatures...
The Title
Bold Keywords
The Snippet Text
The Sleuth's Strategy
Keywords
Are my search terms in bold?
The Source
Is it a school site (.edu), gov site (.gov), or a store (.com)?
Context
Does the text answer my question before I click?
Can you spot the difference?
Buy Polar Bear Plushies - Free Shipping!
www.toyshop.com
Get the softest polar bear toys for your kids today. Best prices online...
Polar Bear Biology and Behavior
www.wildlife-encyclopedia.org
Detailed information on polar bear life cycles, hunting patterns, and social behavior...
SHOPPING AD
INFO SOURCE
Snippet Investigation
Open your "To Click or Not to Click" worksheet. Your goal is to find the best link without clicking it!
To Click or Not to Click Worksheet To Click or Not to Click?
Search Strategy Academy // Lesson 4
Name:
Snippet Investigation
Your research question is: "What do sea turtles eat?"
A
Buy Sea Turtle Posters - 50% Off!
www.decor-shop.com/sea-turtles
Decorate your room with amazing sea turtle art. High-quality prints of turtles and other ocean animals. Order now for fast delivery...
CLICK
SKIP
B
Sea Turtle Diet and Nutrition Facts
www.ocean-science.org > animals > diet
What do sea turtles eat? Most species of sea turtles primarily eat sea grass, algae, jellyfish, and small crustaceans...
CLICK
SKIP
C
The Journey of the Green Turtle
kids.nationalgeographic.com > nature > turtles
Watch as a tiny sea turtle crawls toward the ocean. Learn about the migration patterns and nesting habits of these ancient...
CLICK
SKIP
D
Turtle Soup Recipe - Traditional Style
www.cook-with-me.net > recipes
Learn how to make authentic turtle soup using fresh ingredients. This spicy, savory dish is a favorite in many coastal regions...
CLICK
SKIP
The Sleuth's Report
1. Which result did you choose as the BEST? Why?
2. What was one "Red Flag" (warning sign) that made you skip a result?
Snippet Analysis Key Guide Snippet Analysis Key
Teacher Resource // Lesson 04
Snippet Analysis Breakdown
A
Decor Shop (Sea Turtle Posters)
Evaluation: SKIP
"This is a commercial site (e-commerce). While it has the keywords 'sea turtle,' the intent is to sell products, not provide biological facts."
B
Ocean Science (Diet and Nutrition)
Evaluation: BEST CLICK
"This site directly answers the question 'What do sea turtles eat?' in the snippet text. It is a .org site, likely educational/scientific."
C
National Geographic Kids (Migration)
Evaluation: MAYBE SKIP
"While a trusted source, the snippet describes 'migration patterns' and 'nesting habits.' It might contain diet info, but it's not the primary focus."
D
Cook With Me (Turtle Soup)
Evaluation: SKIP
"Context is everything! The snippet clearly states it's a 'recipe.' This is not research on animal biology."
Teaching Tips for ESL Skimming
Focus on bolding: Explain that Google bold's words that match their search. If no words are bolded, the site is likely irrelevant.Analyze the URL: Teach students to look for familiar endings like .gov, .edu, or .org vs. .com .Read for Nouns: Encourage students to look for nouns in the snippet that relate to their topic (e.g., habitat, diet, life cycle).
Quick Challenge
"Ask students to look at a search results page on the projector. Give them 10 seconds to find the link that is NOT trying to sell them something. Reward the fastest Sleuth!"
Search Safari Slides Search Safari
The Ultimate Information Challenge
Lesson 05 // Research & Info Lit
Your Survival Kit
Keywords
Main ideas only!
Boolean
AND, OR, NOT
Databases
Academic sources
Sleuthing
Read the snippets
Are you ready to use them all at once?
Mission: Scavenger Hunt
I will give you 5 obscure (strange) questions.
Find the correct answer.
Document your Search Path (your keywords).
Finish before the timer runs out!
Mystery Image!
The final challenge will be a picture. Find out what it is and where it belongs.
The Search Path
Example Log:
1
wombat scientific name
No results!
2
"Vombatus ursinus" animal
Found it!
Showing your path helps me see how you think, not just the answer you find.
Let the Safari Begin!
Open your Safari Log. The questions are on the back. Remember: Use synonyms and operators to narrow your results!
20:00 MINUTES
Search Safari Log Search Safari Log
Search Strategy Academy // Lesson 5
Name:
Your Objective: Navigate the digital wild! For each question, you must write your Search String (the exact words you typed) and your final answer.
1
What is the "Mystery House" in California with 160 rooms?
Search String (Keywords):
The Answer:
2
What is the capital city of the planet Mars? (Wait, is there one?)
Search String (Keywords):
The Answer:
3
Find a .gov website that describes "Tsunami" safety. Write the name of the agency.
Search String (Keywords):
The Answer:
4
Use OR to find information about either "Solar Power" OR "Wind Power" in your country.
Search String (Keywords):
The Answer:
Search Mastery Quiz Search Mastery Quiz
Search Strategy Academy // Final Assessment
Name:
Date:
1
Knowledge Check
1. Which search string will give you the FEWEST (most specific) results?
Ocean OR Sharks
Ocean AND Sharks
Ocean
2. Why should you use an Academic Database instead of a general search engine?
It has more advertisements for toys.
It only shows videos from TikTok.
The information is checked by experts and has no ads.
2
Strategic Application
3. You are researching "How to train a young puppy."
Break this down into the 3 best keywords for a search engine:
Keyword 1
Keyword 2
Keyword 3
4. Look at this search snippet. Should you click it? Why or why not?
Cheap Gaming Keyboards - Sale Ends Today!
www.gamers-paradise.com/shop
Find the best mechanical keyboards for your setup. Great prices on RGB keyboards. Buy now and save...
My Analysis:
3
Boolean Logic
5. Draw a simple Venn Diagram for the search: Summer AND Beach
Draw Diagram Here
End of Assessment // Search Strategy Academy
