This document provides guidance on how to effectively search the internet. It discusses asking important questions when searching like what keywords to use. It recommends using specific keywords or phrases in quotation marks to narrow results. The document explains what the different parts of search results mean and provides tips for refining searches like using new vocabulary found. It also offers advice on evaluating source reliability by checking the author, domain, and comparing across sites.

1. Surfing the Internet
How to Search the Internet
Created by: Evelyn Ferro
Library Media Specialist

2. Important Questions to Ask
When Searching the Internet
 What should I write in the search box?
 What does all of this information that pops up as a
result of my search mean?
 Should I use different terms to search again?
 Is this page a reliable source?

3. Search Bar Terms
 A simple way to use a search engine is to write a
question directly into the search bar.
 It helps to make sure that you use specific information
to narrow your results. Instead of typing: elapsed time,
try writing: how to measure elapsed time?
 If you want your phrase to not be separated in the
search use quotation marks: “how to measure elapsed
time” to further narrow your search.

4. What does it all mean?
Filters
Search Bar
Ads
Natural Results
Knowledge Panel

5. Details of Individual
Result Links
Title
Web Address
Snippet

6. To Further Narrow
Your Search Results
 You don’t need to type in the whole question
 Select the key words from your phrase and less
common synonyms to narrow your results
 How fast can a cheetah run? (cheetah rate of speed)
 Use new vocabulary from previous searches to narrow
your next search
 What is the top fin of a shark called? (dorsal fin)
 What does the shark use the dorsal fin for?

7. Is it Reliable?
Can you believe everything you find on the internet?
 You can google the author or webpage to check for
reliability.
 It might be easier to trust websites when you know who
hosts it
 .edu (educational), .com (commercial), .gov (government)
.org (nonprofit), .mil (military)
 Compare the information you gathered to other sites
 Why did the author write it?
 When was the page first published and last updated?

8. Some Kid Friendly
Search Engines

9. Applying What We Learned
Task:
 Come up with your own simple questions to search.
 Are there any new vocabulary words in your results you
can use in your new search?
 Enter new key words or phrases to learn more about
your topic.
 Share your new vocabulary definitions on your topic
with the class.
 Discuss