Information for Teachers

Curriculum links

This investigation is linked to the following C3 Social Studies Standards for Grades 3–5.

D2.Civ.10.3–5. Identify the beliefs, experiences, perspectives, and values that underlie their own and others’ points of view about civic issues.

D2.Civ.14.3–5. Illustrate historical and contemporary means of changing society.

D2.Eco.1.3–5. Compare the benefits and costs of individual choices.

D2.Geo.1.3–5. Construct maps and other graphic representations of both familiar and unfamiliar places.

How to search the internet

1 Keep your request short

Fewer words will give a more accurate search.

2 Choose exactly what you want

For example: Arctic Circle Climate

3 Use quotes

Double quotes around a set of words tell the search engine to consider those exact words in that exact order without any change. For example: “Arctic Circle Climate”

4 Use the plus sign (+)

If you add a plus sign (+) between words, the internet will search for all the words. For example: migrate+birds+whales+mammal

5 Use the minus sign (–) to say what you don’t want

Use a minus sign (–) to show words you do not want to appear in your results. For example: if you search for burrowing animals and do not want mammals in your search,  –mammals will exclude mammals. Note that you need to put a space before the minus sign for the word to be excluded.

6 Be very clear about what you don’t want

Part 1
Ask questions and define problems

After reading Against the Odds, you may have many questions about how people face up to challenges and overcome them.

List your questions

  • Compare your list with questions that others have.
  • Choose a question you would like to investigate.
  • You can work alone, with a partner, or in a small group.

You may want to choose one or more of these questions to investigate

Q1. Why do people decide to explore the unknown or try something that has never been done before?

Q2. What characteristics do people overcoming challenges share?

Q3. What did these two young women achieve?

Go to Part 2 Investigate →

Part 2
Investigate

Helpful websites

You may want to use websites to help you’re your investigations.

Words to help your search may include:

Malala+yousafzai

Laura+dekker

Go to Part 3 Record data →

Part 3
Record data

Find a way of recording your information that will allow you to see any patterns in the data.

Data Chart for Against the Odds
(Download and change to suit your information)

Download Chart
Go to Part 4 Organize, analyze, and interpret data →

Part 4
Organize, analyze, and interpret data

1. Look over the information you have gathered and the patterns you have found.

2. Search for other patterns.

What characteristics do people overcoming challenges share?

Have such challenges for young women become any easier?

3. Makes notes about what you find.

Go to Part 5 Present and share →

Part 5
Present and share

Look over all of the information that you have gathered in your investigation.

What are the most important ideas about Against the Odds?

Make a chart showing the most important ideas.

Download Chart
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