It's fun to look forward to spring when it's snowing! Searching for spring festivals makes winter seem shorter.
I did a basic search for Spring Festivals and had 444 results. The best ones were from a few specific sources: Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Holidays and Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures. So went to those two resources, did my search again, and found a lot of information.
One of my new favorite spring festivals will be St. David's Day, celebrated in Wales on March 1. Daffodils are everywhere for this festival and I love daffodils! They just seem to shout, "It's Spring!" I carried daffodils in my wedding bouquet, and have planted them around my house. I don't think mine will be blooming by St. David's Day, so I will have to buy a bunch or two to celebrate.
But back to my search.... I did find some information on activities and food for various festivals in these two encyclopedias. Another source for food and recipes is the Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Foods and Recipes of the World.
I think this civic organization will find too many ideas for a single event. By using the Gale Virtual Reference Library, they can make "Spring Holidays Around the World" an on-going activity!
Both the Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures and Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Foods and Recipes of the World are 2012 titles. I actually did not use the Advanced Search to find them: I went to the Title List and had titles listed by publication date (descending): new titles are listed first. There were a total of nine titles listed for 2012.
Then I did an Advanced Search and limited the results by Publication Year (within 2012). There were 28,952 hits. Are these 28,952 results separate articles from the nine 2012 titles? When I look on the left side of the results page, I have the option to limit my search by publication title, and there are the same nine titles listed....
This has been an interesting database to search - it's been easy to get distracted from the topic at hand and go off on other research paths. Speaking of distractions, perhaps I should go out and buy those daffodils...!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Challenge 4: ProQuest
ProQuest has a wide variety of articles and information, but it was hard to find exactly what I wanted.
I tried several different ways to find information for the student needing literary criticism of Les Miserables. The most successful search resulted when I used quotation marks around the title ["les miserables"]. I also did searches using the title and author's name.... I first limited the results by excluding any and everything having to do with music, theater, film, etc. in the subject option. I tried again by limiting the results to literary criticism in English. My final number of articles was 42, but not all of them would be helpful. There were book reviews of biographies of Victor Hugo, and articles that just mentioned Les Miserables in passing. This student may need to find another source of information for her assignment, but this is a good place to start. Using ProQuest provides access to journals that would not be available at the library, so it is a useful resource.
Finding information about the impact of Hurricane Sandy on libraries was even more difficult I thought. For my first attempt, I used the Advanced Search option. I searched for libraries AND "hurricane sandy." This resulted in 238 documents: the newest was February 13, 2013. However, it was an article listing who would be sitting in Michelle Obama's box at the State of the Union speech, and had nothing to do with the impact of Hurricane Sandy on libraries.
Next I limited the results by subject, including options like storm damage, library collections, displaced persons, disaster relief, etc., and narrowed the results to ten. None of these were what I wanted either.
So I tried a different search. This time I used "hurricane sandy" in the basic search box which resulted in over 9000 articles. When I searched for "hurricane sandy" impact, there were over 2000 documents. I wanted to limit either search by subject, but libraries was not an option to include or exclude.
I have spent quite a lot of time searching for relevant results with little success. What am I doing wrong? There's probably a simple way to search, and I will feel pretty silly when someone points it out to me, but at this point, I am clueless!
I tried several different ways to find information for the student needing literary criticism of Les Miserables. The most successful search resulted when I used quotation marks around the title ["les miserables"]. I also did searches using the title and author's name.... I first limited the results by excluding any and everything having to do with music, theater, film, etc. in the subject option. I tried again by limiting the results to literary criticism in English. My final number of articles was 42, but not all of them would be helpful. There were book reviews of biographies of Victor Hugo, and articles that just mentioned Les Miserables in passing. This student may need to find another source of information for her assignment, but this is a good place to start. Using ProQuest provides access to journals that would not be available at the library, so it is a useful resource.
Finding information about the impact of Hurricane Sandy on libraries was even more difficult I thought. For my first attempt, I used the Advanced Search option. I searched for libraries AND "hurricane sandy." This resulted in 238 documents: the newest was February 13, 2013. However, it was an article listing who would be sitting in Michelle Obama's box at the State of the Union speech, and had nothing to do with the impact of Hurricane Sandy on libraries.
Next I limited the results by subject, including options like storm damage, library collections, displaced persons, disaster relief, etc., and narrowed the results to ten. None of these were what I wanted either.
So I tried a different search. This time I used "hurricane sandy" in the basic search box which resulted in over 9000 articles. When I searched for "hurricane sandy" impact, there were over 2000 documents. I wanted to limit either search by subject, but libraries was not an option to include or exclude.
I have spent quite a lot of time searching for relevant results with little success. What am I doing wrong? There's probably a simple way to search, and I will feel pretty silly when someone points it out to me, but at this point, I am clueless!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Challenge 3 - SIRS Discoverer and SIRS Issues Researcher
SIRS Discoverer and Issues Researcher have been challenging. I have had some trouble finding what I am looking for and also interpreting the results.
SIRS Discoverer:
1. The third grader may have trouble reading many of the articles I found about the solar system. I did an advanced search and limited the results to Easy articles. The results listed 44 "all articles." [Okay, here's my question: there are 4 newspapers, 28 magazines, and 7 reference sources listed. I'm no math whiz, but I am sure that those numbers add up to 39, not 44. So what are they counting??]
I do not know the specific lexile range for students in third grade, but I notice that the lexiles for these articles (all rated as Easy) are all over the place! I went to the Lexile website for clarification, and it seems to me that most of the articles will be too difficult for a student reading below a 3rd grade level. A read-aloud feature would be useful here, so more information could be accessible to this student.... [I did not find an option for an article to be read aloud. Is there one and I just missed it??]
2. There are several ways to find pictures and maps of volcanoes. They all give different results. The first way is to choose the "pictures" option in the box under "Database Features" on the lower right side of the screen. Then type in "volcanoes" - this results in 105 graphics. Another way is to type in "volcanoes" in the search box at the top of the home page. This results in 933 articles, with 137 graphics. The third way I found volcano pictures, maps, and diagrams was to click on the science icon on the home page. I chose "Weather, Climate, & Natural Disasters" (from the topics box on the right). I then chose "Volcanic Eruptions" (also from the topics box). This resulted in 130 articles, with 156 graphics. This last search resulted in the highest number of graphics, but it was such a round-about way to get there. [Once again, the number of "all articles" does not equal the sum of the other types....]
SIRS Issues Researcher
1. To assist the teachers needing websites on suicide prevention, I typed in the topic (suicide prevention) in the search box, then narrowed the results to "WebSelect Sites" from the Narrow Your Results box on the left side of the screen. This resulted in seven sites. As to why this is better than Google, check out the article under Educators' Resources (top right, near the Help button) about SIRS vs. Google. The major advantages of SIRS are that the sites listed are age-appropriate, curriculum-relevant, and editorially selected. Google is consumer oriented, with many questionable sites. It would take a lot of time researching to find the best sites using Google, and time is something most teachers and librarians do not have an abundance of!
2. Pros and Cons of Water Restriction can be found by searching the topics box on the left side of the home page under Leading Issues. Click on "Water Use" to get 98 results. The Pro/Con Issues box at the top has opposing views as well. This would be a great place to start researching the issue of water restriction.
I had some issues with SIRS, but it does have good information about current issues. Discoverer also has a variety of kid-friendly of activities! The Chinese New Year Snake looks like a fun project!
SIRS Discoverer:
1. The third grader may have trouble reading many of the articles I found about the solar system. I did an advanced search and limited the results to Easy articles. The results listed 44 "all articles." [Okay, here's my question: there are 4 newspapers, 28 magazines, and 7 reference sources listed. I'm no math whiz, but I am sure that those numbers add up to 39, not 44. So what are they counting??]
I do not know the specific lexile range for students in third grade, but I notice that the lexiles for these articles (all rated as Easy) are all over the place! I went to the Lexile website for clarification, and it seems to me that most of the articles will be too difficult for a student reading below a 3rd grade level. A read-aloud feature would be useful here, so more information could be accessible to this student.... [I did not find an option for an article to be read aloud. Is there one and I just missed it??]
2. There are several ways to find pictures and maps of volcanoes. They all give different results. The first way is to choose the "pictures" option in the box under "Database Features" on the lower right side of the screen. Then type in "volcanoes" - this results in 105 graphics. Another way is to type in "volcanoes" in the search box at the top of the home page. This results in 933 articles, with 137 graphics. The third way I found volcano pictures, maps, and diagrams was to click on the science icon on the home page. I chose "Weather, Climate, & Natural Disasters" (from the topics box on the right). I then chose "Volcanic Eruptions" (also from the topics box). This resulted in 130 articles, with 156 graphics. This last search resulted in the highest number of graphics, but it was such a round-about way to get there. [Once again, the number of "all articles" does not equal the sum of the other types....]
SIRS Issues Researcher
1. To assist the teachers needing websites on suicide prevention, I typed in the topic (suicide prevention) in the search box, then narrowed the results to "WebSelect Sites" from the Narrow Your Results box on the left side of the screen. This resulted in seven sites. As to why this is better than Google, check out the article under Educators' Resources (top right, near the Help button) about SIRS vs. Google. The major advantages of SIRS are that the sites listed are age-appropriate, curriculum-relevant, and editorially selected. Google is consumer oriented, with many questionable sites. It would take a lot of time researching to find the best sites using Google, and time is something most teachers and librarians do not have an abundance of!
2. Pros and Cons of Water Restriction can be found by searching the topics box on the left side of the home page under Leading Issues. Click on "Water Use" to get 98 results. The Pro/Con Issues box at the top has opposing views as well. This would be a great place to start researching the issue of water restriction.
I had some issues with SIRS, but it does have good information about current issues. Discoverer also has a variety of kid-friendly of activities! The Chinese New Year Snake looks like a fun project!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Challenge 2 - Learning Express
Confession time: It's been awhile since I accessed Learning Express and I couldn't remember my password (or user name, for that matter!). I had to get help to get started on this assignment. But now I have all the pertinent information safely stored where I can find it easily, and I am ready to report on my findings.
1. For the 4th grader needing help with reading comprehension, I would suggest one or more of the many practice tests available under the Elementary School section. Under Reading Skills, there are several options: 4th Grade Reading Practice, FCAT 4th Grade Reading Practice, and California 4th Grade Reading Practice. The first option (4th Grade Reading Practice) has practice tests on Reading Comprehension, Informational Reading, and Poetry. Any or all of these will help this student improve reading comprehension.
2. The recent high school graduate may want to check out the Job Search and Workplace Skills section. I found e-courses and e-books on Job Searching, Resumes, and Interviewing Skills. There are also e-books dealing with Success on the Job. If this patron needs to improve basic skills, she should search the Skill Building for Adults section for courses on Writing and Math skills. Another option is the High School section, where she will find books, courses, and tests on math, reading, vocabulary, and spelling. Making use of these resources should help this patron land the job.
3. The Jobs and Careers section is where I would point the high schooler interested in careers in nursing or pharmacy. Under the Nursing and Allied Health tab there is an option called Career Guidance that lists e-books such as Becoming a Health Care Professional. Another option is Entrance Test Preparation, that has practice tests for getting into nursing school. More advanced practice tests are available in the Licensure and Certification Test Preparation option (so this student can get an idea of what will be required). If this student needs even more basic information on college entrance, they can search the College Preparation section as well.
With Learning Express, there is no reason to be unprepared!
1. For the 4th grader needing help with reading comprehension, I would suggest one or more of the many practice tests available under the Elementary School section. Under Reading Skills, there are several options: 4th Grade Reading Practice, FCAT 4th Grade Reading Practice, and California 4th Grade Reading Practice. The first option (4th Grade Reading Practice) has practice tests on Reading Comprehension, Informational Reading, and Poetry. Any or all of these will help this student improve reading comprehension.
2. The recent high school graduate may want to check out the Job Search and Workplace Skills section. I found e-courses and e-books on Job Searching, Resumes, and Interviewing Skills. There are also e-books dealing with Success on the Job. If this patron needs to improve basic skills, she should search the Skill Building for Adults section for courses on Writing and Math skills. Another option is the High School section, where she will find books, courses, and tests on math, reading, vocabulary, and spelling. Making use of these resources should help this patron land the job.
3. The Jobs and Careers section is where I would point the high schooler interested in careers in nursing or pharmacy. Under the Nursing and Allied Health tab there is an option called Career Guidance that lists e-books such as Becoming a Health Care Professional. Another option is Entrance Test Preparation, that has practice tests for getting into nursing school. More advanced practice tests are available in the Licensure and Certification Test Preparation option (so this student can get an idea of what will be required). If this student needs even more basic information on college entrance, they can search the College Preparation section as well.
With Learning Express, there is no reason to be unprepared!
Challenge 1c - World Book Foreign Language Edition
I'm trying to catch up, but in the words of my mother, "the hurrier I go, the behinder I get!"
I've been looking at the Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos, but since I don't know Spanish, I am not learning too much. I typed the word "house" in the search box and got eight results which are biographical in nature. To get similar results in the browse feature, I clicked on the picture of people (gente). On the next page I had choose one of the many options in the sidebars. I clicked on "biografias" and was rewarded with short articles of many famous people. I could also use the sidebars to refine my search further by selecting a specific type of biography I wanted (artist, educator, historical figure, etc.).
However, none of this is helpful if a want information on houses. To get useful results, I need to use Spanish terms when searching.
If I have a patron who needs information in Spanish, they will either need to provide the appropriate Spanish terms for searching, or perhaps I could find the information by using the browse feature if I know the correct category. Or I could use another English edition of World Book (such as the Online Reference Center), look of the information, and click the option to translate the article into Spanish.
I like having options!
I've been looking at the Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos, but since I don't know Spanish, I am not learning too much. I typed the word "house" in the search box and got eight results which are biographical in nature. To get similar results in the browse feature, I clicked on the picture of people (gente). On the next page I had choose one of the many options in the sidebars. I clicked on "biografias" and was rewarded with short articles of many famous people. I could also use the sidebars to refine my search further by selecting a specific type of biography I wanted (artist, educator, historical figure, etc.).
However, none of this is helpful if a want information on houses. To get useful results, I need to use Spanish terms when searching.
If I have a patron who needs information in Spanish, they will either need to provide the appropriate Spanish terms for searching, or perhaps I could find the information by using the browse feature if I know the correct category. Or I could use another English edition of World Book (such as the Online Reference Center), look of the information, and click the option to translate the article into Spanish.
I like having options!
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