As I was creating lesson plans, I found that I would like to obtain some articles on women during the Revolutionary War. Once I narrowed down my topic to journals or magazines, I was able to click on "full text" and find around 10-12 articles. One of my goals was to avoid those articles that were merely book reviews, so I further narrowed my search down to 2-3 articles. Once I clicked on an article of interest, I was able to obtain the article through the Gale Cengage Student Edition (My University of Alaska EBSCO id didn't work, and neither did my SD library card number).
After I found my article, I could email it to myself (I could also print it, but I wanted it at my school). Some articles had an option to download to MP3 player or Read Speaker, which I would have loved had I had one of those needs. I will remember that for future use, however!
I'm going back to the library to find some articles related to other ethnic groups during that time period. My plan is to create a file of articles that students can read to expand their thinking.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Lesson 3 Proquest
First I looked up a favorite topic: Quilting. At first, I was totally frustrated--there were no articles specifically on a technique called: paper-piecing when I entered "quilting & paperpiecing." Then I removed "paper-piecing," and got 10 articles on quilting, 8 by the same author and a lot on books for sale.
Later, using a different method, I started with "quilting," clicked on "full text,"and I got 69 articles. Some were funny stories; for example, one was about a man who was a truck driver and a quilter. I also found how-to's and information on patterns and various techniques. Next I added "history" and got a lot of journals that had articles on historical quilting techniques and stories on quilting and history, so I will save those for my Revolutionary War and Civil War units. That was sometimes how women helped in the cause, and so many war stories concern men and boys.
My next search I did on the "Revolutionary War & U.S. History;" there was a ton of information on specific events, battles, and people, and founders, which will come in very handy in one of the first units I will teach this fall. If I went down the list a ways, I found Patty Hearst; don't ask me how she ended up there, but I imagine that there was a reference to the revolutionary War in the article.
In searching for an article in my field of study, I searched for "The Reading Teacher" and "Literacy Coach." I could find journals from way back, and I could search for specifics such as "comprehension techniques" or "research and instruction." Then I could obtain RSS feeds from various areas of interest, which will be helpful during the school year when I don't have time to do another complete search. I could see that as being especially helpful if I wanted to add more about women or Native Americans to my history units to supplement textbooks, which sometimes don't tell the entire story. Additionally, I'm finding ways to show my students how to do similar searches and receive their own RSS feeds.
Later, using a different method, I started with "quilting," clicked on "full text,"and I got 69 articles. Some were funny stories; for example, one was about a man who was a truck driver and a quilter. I also found how-to's and information on patterns and various techniques. Next I added "history" and got a lot of journals that had articles on historical quilting techniques and stories on quilting and history, so I will save those for my Revolutionary War and Civil War units. That was sometimes how women helped in the cause, and so many war stories concern men and boys.
My next search I did on the "Revolutionary War & U.S. History;" there was a ton of information on specific events, battles, and people, and founders, which will come in very handy in one of the first units I will teach this fall. If I went down the list a ways, I found Patty Hearst; don't ask me how she ended up there, but I imagine that there was a reference to the revolutionary War in the article.
In searching for an article in my field of study, I searched for "The Reading Teacher" and "Literacy Coach." I could find journals from way back, and I could search for specifics such as "comprehension techniques" or "research and instruction." Then I could obtain RSS feeds from various areas of interest, which will be helpful during the school year when I don't have time to do another complete search. I could see that as being especially helpful if I wanted to add more about women or Native Americans to my history units to supplement textbooks, which sometimes don't tell the entire story. Additionally, I'm finding ways to show my students how to do similar searches and receive their own RSS feeds.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Lesson 2 SIRS
SIRS Discoverer had easily recognizable icons so that younger or ELL students and reading disabled or delays children could easily find information and contribute to discussions. It is beneficial to go to the right hand side and click on a more specific topic, such as animals. Then another page comes up with a more specific list, also on the right-hand side.
Articles could be sorted according to ability levels, Lexile levels, or whether articles would be found in magazines, newspapers, or web sites. I looked at an article in Ranger Rick, which would be extremely appropriate for 3rd-5th graders. I also looked in Orbit magazine, which seemed more appropriate for middle or high school students.
When researching a country (I chose Argentina), I found similar guides. I could go to the icon for countries, then the list for a specific country. Articles, again, were sorted according to newspaper or magazine articles, references, or web sites. Also, a researcher could sort articles according to Lexile level so that anyone in the class could participate comfortably.
When searching maps, I noticed that one could obtain political, religious, or historical maps. There was a huge list, some statistics or facts rather than maps, such as a list of women who helped during the Revolutionary War and what they did to help. I could save this page as a PDF and print it or use it in a lesson.
I was also able to search for historical maps, like maps before and after the French and Indian War demonstrating French and English possession and Indian tribes that were involved.
In SIRS Researcher, I clicked on an issue, bullying in school. I could obtain statistics such as global impact, statistics, igan ose a n overview. I could obtain RSS feeds or use a notes organizer. Again, I could choose articles from newspapers, magazines, web sites, or graphics. A time table was available, but many of the entries did not have clear ties to bullying. I liked some of these features because I would be able to steer students toward less biased, authentic information.
Articles could be sorted according to ability levels, Lexile levels, or whether articles would be found in magazines, newspapers, or web sites. I looked at an article in Ranger Rick, which would be extremely appropriate for 3rd-5th graders. I also looked in Orbit magazine, which seemed more appropriate for middle or high school students.
When researching a country (I chose Argentina), I found similar guides. I could go to the icon for countries, then the list for a specific country. Articles, again, were sorted according to newspaper or magazine articles, references, or web sites. Also, a researcher could sort articles according to Lexile level so that anyone in the class could participate comfortably.
When searching maps, I noticed that one could obtain political, religious, or historical maps. There was a huge list, some statistics or facts rather than maps, such as a list of women who helped during the Revolutionary War and what they did to help. I could save this page as a PDF and print it or use it in a lesson.
I was also able to search for historical maps, like maps before and after the French and Indian War demonstrating French and English possession and Indian tribes that were involved.
In SIRS Researcher, I clicked on an issue, bullying in school. I could obtain statistics such as global impact, statistics, igan ose a n overview. I could obtain RSS feeds or use a notes organizer. Again, I could choose articles from newspapers, magazines, web sites, or graphics. A time table was available, but many of the entries did not have clear ties to bullying. I liked some of these features because I would be able to steer students toward less biased, authentic information.
Lesson 1 World Book
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.
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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