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.
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Thanks for your comments, Thunderpaws. You have noted that SIRS is a good resource for full-text articles that allows for targeting reading level. We think this is valuable for teachers & students! I'll mention that the US Historical maps have Revolutionary War & Civil War battlefield maps and World Historical maps have WWI & WWII battlefield maps. You can also search the maps for topics, such as "earthquakes" and get interesting results. We like SIRS Issues Reseacher for the same reasons you stated. I'll also mention that the information you find in SIRS allows students to search current controversial topics without being blocked by school filters. What you get is safe. Did you try the Curriculum Pathfinders feature? How do you see yourself using SIRS with students?
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