The mammal I chose was the platypus. When I first entered the kids' version, I noticed how simplified site was. Children can decide whether their creature is a mammal, bird, reptile, etc. Names of animals are in alphabetical order.
The description of the platypus are visual, simple, and general, and the information included habitat and general features that would distinguish a platypus from other mammals. Sentences were short and vocabulary was understandable for 2nd-4th graders of various reading abilities.
In the student version, quizzes and activities were more advanced; children would have to know something about the animal before searching, such as whether or not it were a mammal, where it lived, or some other characteristic that would aid in the search. Students could also search alphabetically, as in the kids' version.
Lexile levels are available and descriptions are more detailed. Sentences were longer and the language is more mature. Students whose reading levels are disabled or delayed can still find ways to find information, and the site routes them through legible text.
World Book Discovery for ELLs provides more visuals, simpler language and descriptions, and the ability to choose translations.
The section on government subtly compares American government to governments of other types. This is aligned with standards. This site seems very user friendly to a wide variety of ELL levels, and more advanced students can easily move into more detailed descriptions such as those on the kids'or students' versions.
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Welcome, Thunderpaws! Thanks for your comments. I'll point out that in the Student version, as in the other versions, you can type a word in the search box and get where you need to go without knowing anything about the thing you are searching. Your discoveries are good. I'm glad you noticed the Lexile levels, as that is a new feature! SD Content Standard alignment is available in Student, Advanced and Discover modules. All modules have read-aloud, double-click dictionary, and translation features. When you get time try these: In Kids: World of Animals, In Student/Advanced: Timelines, In Discover: World Book Explains, Visual Dictionary. Welcome aboard & thanks for your observations!
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