Lesson 1 World Book

First I looked up "moose" in World Book for Kids. The language was simple, sentences were short, and pictures helped to explain the topic. When I looked at the same subject in the Student version, the language was more precise, more scientific, and the sentences were longer and more complex. Compared to the number of pictures, the verbal explanations were far greater than in the Kids' version. Topics such as mating habits and links to deepen understanding created opportunities to expand knowledge appropriate to needs and ages of the students. Although many of the same facts were found at both sites, far more information and scientific terms subtly expanded student thinking so that a teacher could guide students appropriately.

Next, in World Book Advanced, I researched the country of Finland. My students who are presently studying geology in Science class and Geography during their Social Studies period would be interested in the maps, descriptions of the regions and the various climates in different parts of the country, where the people congregated to live and why, and how they find ways to live and support themselves. They would be interested in the ocean currents that warm the country, the arctic climate, the midnight sun and other phenomenon particular to that country.

Finally, I looked at American Government in World Book Discover. It inserted definitions, alternate terms, and explanations for challenging terms in parentheses. Sentences were briefer, language was simpler, yet explanations would be sufficient for grades 5-8. I was especially intrigued because I think that this would be a place I could send struggling learners to get information that would be comparable to that being read by their peers.