2018-2019 Databases: Elementary
Spotlight on Popular UPK-6 Choices
World Book
When the new Social Studies Framework was released, Michelle Miller, Gorham Intermediate, saw an opportunity to mesh content delivery and library research skills. She relies on WorldBook for much of her research needs. "Our 5th grade has been focusing on guided inquiry for the last two social studies units, so WorldBook has been a great resource for them to use ... They seem to be more and more comfortable with both WorldBook and Britannica …”
NoodleTools
Katie Infantino, Naples K-6, is one of the elementary librarians who takes advantage of the free subscription included with the Middle School/High School purchase of NoodleTools. "I use Noodle Tools with all my students in grades 3-6. We create accounts and throughout the year, we cite books, websites, and databases. In grades 4-6 we begin to use the notecards. I think the best part is showing the kids how their bibliography or works cited page appears like magic!"
Katie lays the foundation that Colleen Betrus in the Naples 7-12 building uses to scaffold instruction. "I use NoodleTools with almost every grade level in varying degrees. At a minimum, students and teachers are using it to create works cited entries and works cited pages ... Most of us wish we had it when we were students to help us write papers and do projects!"
CultureGrams
"I love Culture Grams," says Pal-Mac Intermediate Librarian Kristin Robinson. "I originally purchased it for a project that our World Languages teacher and I created for 5th graders. I started using it with 4th grades this year. They explored the States Edition, using the same format as what I use with 5th grade, so they will be familiar with it next year."
Kristin's World Languages colleague likes that CultureGrams has information on so many countries. Kristin likes it because it's easy to navigate and appropriate for grades 3-5, especially with its read-aloud option. Most importantly, her students like it. "Students go back to this site to learn about other countries. There are areas that talk about growing up in that particular culture, games and sports, holidays, schools - topics that are of interest to kids."
Rosen PowerKnowledge Suite
Rosen PowerKnowledge offers a collection of science databases. Michele Linse, library media specialist at Victor Primary, has found that PowerKnowledge Life Science has breathed new life into the standard animal research project. "The database is deep: for instance, in the Adaptations section, there are 9 sets of articles, and within each of those sets, there might be 3-15 actual articles. Kids can find articles by a direct search or Knowledge Tree. The information is rich and in depth but still kid friendly, a solid mid-grade level that challenges 3rd graders appropriately."
While other databases might skim the surface, Michele says, "PK Life Science offers 10-12 page articles that are right for us, and provide a nice online option for informational text. The kids like it because each page of the article has a picture. With the pages set up in sidebar tabs, it feels very much like the PebbleGo they're used to, but for older kids."
Michele uses the opportunity to deliver valuable media literacy instruction. "One thing I have to teach is that the page tabs are often "cutesy" or clever ... but when students are doing targeted research, they have to think inferentially."
Hard to Decide? Want More e-Choices?
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We're here to help!
Email: teresa.keyes@wflboces.org
Website: https://www.wflboces.org/teaching-and-learning/school-library-systems
Location: 131 Drumlin Court, Newark, NY, United States
Phone: 315-332-2100
Twitter: @wflsls
Created by Teresa Keyes, W-FL BOCES SLS 2017