Prepared by: Jami Williams, Mexico High School, Mexico, Missouri

TARGET
Students will understand the how to apply data visualization to investigative journalism information.

EDUCATION METHODS

1. PowerPoint presentation
2. Individual learning activity

OBJECTIVES

1. Level 2 (Proficient) understanding of infographic creation
2. Level 2 (Proficient) generation of infographic related to gathered data

MATERIALS NEEDED

1. Investigative Reporting PowerPoint Day 1
2. Completed Investigative Reporting Article Planner
3. Access to chosen Infographic creator online

VERIFICATION

Steps to check for student understanding

1. Teacher will do frequent comprehension checks in the form of Classroom Assessment Techniques (thumbs up, thumbs down; exit slip in the form of post-it note summary).
2. Students will submit their infographic for assessment.   

FLOW OF LESSON

1. Suggested bell ringer: If you, as a journalist, uncovered a horrible truth that would change the world as we know it, but it involved hurting someone that you loved very much, would you write the story or back away?
2. Teacher will present PowerPoint.
3. Teacher will ask students to produce their completed Investigative Reporting Article Planner to follow as they begin to work on their infographic.
4. Teacher will direct students to the infographic creator.
5. Teacher should serve as a facilitator as some of the critical thinking in this activity, such as the interpretation and aggregation of data, may be advanced at first. Encourage students to ask questions of their data to determine what type of infographic would best fit their investigative piece.
6. Students should be asked to submit the piece for assessment and display.

WRAPPING IT UP

1. Exit slip: If you were to become a professional journalist, in what area do you feel you would work best? Why do you feel you are most suited to that specific area?