SD Library Challenge 3--SIRS

On SIRS Discoverer, I looked chose the Panda bear to search.  I found many articles that had pictures and I also found many different reading levels on that information.  I listed many articles and I like the fact that you can click on a picture and enlarge it. 

The country I chose was Egypt.  It gives wonderful pictures of maps and the flag.  There are also many teacher resources (easy, moderate or challenging) which would be helpful to teachers.  It gives facts, population, geography, weather, economy, government, history (timeline), "For more information" (Phone numbers on embassies that you can contact), websites, related articles and citing help. 

Potential uses of Maps of the World could be:  outline maps for students to label with answers.  I clicked on nations and chose Afghanistan.  I could use this map and show all 'articles' that go with this map which would be very helpful.  I really like the US Historical maps.  This would be very useful for a history class.  You click on your articles and a map opens up with arrows, icons, etc. to describe the articles.  It's very impressive!  The history teacher would love to see this!  I really like the US map.  I clicked on SD and again I can click on articles related to it and it will give me state facts, etc.  It also lists additional resources on the bottom left.  Many links to more SD facts, etc. are listed also.

"Educator Resources" is my other item I chose to look at (Information Literacy Training Materials). Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!  I will be using this for my library skills lessons.  I love how well the workbook is laid out.  I can use the workbook, the information on how to cite a source, and the fair use checklist on copyright.  I plan on using the SIRS vs Google information.  I've printed it out and have already been sharing it with the staff.  It gives great information on why SIRS would be a better choice than google on doing research.  It also has educator guides and curriculum support; an in-depth guide to mini research (web finds, etc); student inquiry and discovery activities (map skills, problem-solving, etc.)  The mini research guide for gr.3-8 would also be very helpful.

SIRS Issues Researcher---I've already shared this with some of the high school staff today.  I chose Illegal immigration for my topic.  I like the fact that not only does this give the pros and cons but it also gives essential questions (I wish there were some for art since I teach that).  On the topic overview link, it gives the article and a video.  It also lists a nice timeline.  When you click on global impact, you get many results for newspapers and magazine articles, viewpoints, graphics/media which would be very beneficial as a visual.  It also gives statisitics.  I really like the "My analysis" for the students to use for a report.  It shows the steps they should go through (e.g.), separating facts and opinion, supporting evidence, etc.  The Note Organizer would be very beneficial too since it lays out the order of how the notes should go.  The Educator Resources would be very beneficial to teachers and librarians.  I plan on using some of the information given.

Curriculum Pathfinder--I chose Fine Art, since that's what I teach.  I did a search on Guernica (Picasso's painting) since my art students will be learning about it this semester.  The results show many newspapers, magazines, government articles, reference graphics and media.  I clicked on Reference and scrolled down to "Allegory" and chose that article.  It also gives a list of related articles as well as quite a few pictures of the painting.  I plan on using this Pathfinder to have my students do research on Guernica.  I also like the 'go to' link which gives a list of more subjects such as "Art and War".  They didn't have as big of a selection for the arts as some of the other subjects but it was nice to have it included and the selection wasn't too bad. Overall, I give SIRS an A+.