Google: Picking the right search terms

Activity: “Why Didn’t It Work?”
Display this search on the board:

• “stuff about jobs”

Ask students:

• “Would this give you good results?”
• “What problems do you notice?”

Co-Use Strategy (Think–Pair–Share):

Students:

• Work with a partner to improve the search
• Share revised versions:
  • “entry-level healthcare jobs near me”
  • “How to write a resume for a retail job.”

Teacher Move:
Highlight how specific words = better results

Explain:

Searching online is a critical digital skill used in:

• Job searches
• Healthcare information
• Education and training

Introduce key vocabulary:

• Keyword – important words in a search
• Search query – the full search phrase
• Filter – narrowing results

Introduce the learning platform:

• Google Search Education Lessons
  🔗 https://www.google.com/insidesearch/searcheducation/lessons.html

Teacher Modeling + Video Integration
Using the provided lesson materials:

• Show a short video from the Google lesson
• Model how to:
  • Start with a basic search
  • Improve it using keywords
  • Remove unnecessary words

Think-Aloud Example

Search:

“How do I find a job?”

Refine to:

“entry level warehouse jobs Los Angeles no experience”

Explain:

• Removed filler words
• Added location + specifics

Part 1: Guided Practice (Collaborative)
Students work in pairs (co-use required)

Give each pair a task card:

Task.                           Poor Search                        Improve It

Find a job                           “job”                                  ______

Health info:                   “sick stomach.”                       ______

Education                      “school help”                          ______
     

Students:

• Rewrite searches
• Test them online
• Compare results

 Part 2: Real-Time Search Challenge

Students choose a real-life goal:

• Find a job
• Look up a health topic
• Research a class topic

Task:

1. Write initial search
2. Improve it (at least 2 revisions)
3. Record the best version

Exit Ticket (Recommended)

Students complete:

1. What is one example of a strong search query?
2. Why is it better than a weak one?
3. Revise this search:

“help with money.”

Optional Verbal Assessment
Students explain:

• What changes did they make, and why

Real-World Task
Scenario:

“You need to find training programs for a new career.”

Students:

• Write 3 different search queries
• Choose the best one and explain why

Homework (Choice-Based)

• Search for:
  • A job
  • A health topic
  • A learning program
• Write:
  • Original search
  • Improved search
  • What changed in the results