Lesson 4 - SIRS Discoverer

Basic Challenge - SIRIS Discover
1. Look up armadillos (or your favorite animals) and discuss the results. Note if you find pictures and the various reading levels of the articles. (Remember, articles in SIRS Discoverer are selected, so you may not find something from yesterday's news.) 

I decided to look up articles on an animal that lives in Africa called a Pangolin. A pangolin looks like a dinosaur, or a dragon, or even a weird cousin of the armadillo, but it's actually a mammal with scales. It's sharp scales act as a defense mechanism. The pangolin rolls up into a ball, like an armadillo, and it's scales become impenetrable to all the strongest of jaws. It has a long, saliva coated tongue, which makes it more like an anteater, with a suit of armor.  It is on the endangered species list, and it is considered very good luck to see a pangolin. 
An article that I read came out of Highlights for Children, and it explained what do do if you are in Africa and come across a pangolin.

" Anyone who captures a pangolin is encouraged to alert game wardens, who take the pangolin and its discoverer to the local governors or chiefs. The discoverer's name is entered into a Pangolin Finders Hall of Fame, and he or she may even be featured on television. Then the pangolin is taken to a wildlife sanctuary.

     Coming across a pangolin was once considered good luck. In Zimbabwe, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management is now bringing back this idea to encourage people to conserve the pangolin." 

HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN May 2007, Vol. 62, No. 5, pp. 8-9

I think that SIRIS Discover would be a great way for our students that are doing research projects to find quality articles. It is very difficult to know if the information in a given article is accurate, and this takes the guess work out of it. It also seems to have a lot of information on a variety of topics. I found that is was easy to tell what reading level the article would be at by using the color coded book icons next to the title of the article and the corresponding ones at the top of the page. 

Picture title: Pangolin
Caption: (Photo by Nigel Dennis Wildlife Photography)

2. Some of the most useful features in SIRS Discoverer are the "Database Features" located on the right hand side of the window. Explore this section by: 

• selecting a country in "Country Facts" and noting the information located there

• selecting a map in "Maps of the World" and discussing a potential use.

• selecting one other area in "Database Features" and discuss the information located there.

For "Country Facts," I selected Nauru. On the left hand side of the page they listed facts, including:

Official Name: Republic of Nauru
Capital: no official capital
Population: 9,488 (2014)
Size: 21 sq km
Continent/Region: Australia-Oceania
Government Type: republic
Government Official: President Baron Waqa
Agriculture: coconuts
Climate: tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
Currency: Australian dollars
Languages: Nauruan (official), English
Holidays/Observances:Independence Day, 31 January (1968)

There was also a list of major events in history, and links to learn more about Nauru and the area of Oceania. 

In the "Maps of the World" section I found not only gaps, but charts and graphs as well. Once you selected a map, links to more information also came up. 

 For "Database Features" I selected "Non-fiction" books. The next screen popped up with dozens of non-fiction books. I thought that this would be an amazing resource for e-books for our students who are doing research from home. The book that I chose came up as PDF, so the students would just have to make sure that they have an updated version of Adobe on their home computer. 

Common Core Challenge

In Lesson 4, choose the SIRS version that best fits the age of the students you work with. Spend some time exploring article and special feature content. Consider how you would use this resource to meet a Common Core standard having to do with informational text. SIRS has a “Common Core Correlations” link at the top of the homepage to give you ideas. 


 5.RI.3 Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

I think that there are multiple informational text standards that could be met by using this resource. I chose 5.RI.3. There are a few different ways to find information to fulfill this standard. The student could use the search feature and search for articles on the topic. They are able to use the database to find information, and could also go to non-fiction books under the database to get more information. I think that they would be able to find plenty of sources to show relationships. 

Lesson 3 - Learning Express Library

Basic Challenge
1.  Set-up an account in Learning Express and browse through the available exams.  
A pretty easy process that I breezed right through. I thought that there were quite a few test options and that they were displayed well. 

2.  Choose one and answer a few questions. Then click "Score my test" in the top toolbar. Ignore the warnings and continue to have your test scored, so that you can see how the diagnostic page looks. Then click "View Answers" at the bottom of the page. What did you think about this test experience? 

I chose the "Health Careers Practice Entrance Test: General Science". It was very easy to get into the test. Taking it was also very simple, although I do need to brush up on my science apparently. After I clicked on "View Answers" I decided to click on one of the questions that I answered incorrectly and this took me the answer page with the questions. It might be beneficial to jump directly to this page, rather than the short list in-between. 

3.  Job searching and resume writing are among the self-paced courses in Learning Express.  Locate the career resources and add one of the courses to your center.  Take a few minutes to explore the course and note your observations.

I didn't find a specific link to "career resources, so I assume that I was on the right track by going to the Career Center. I choose to look at their information on becoming a Firefighter. I am a volunteer firefighter, and am taking classes right now for that, so I wanted to compare their information on the information that I have received through my training and through friends who are full time firefighters. I thought that the information that they provided was thorough and accurate. I liked that they gave information no the requirements, both physical and educational. They gave links and information for different firefighting organizations, how to pass tests, practice tests, financial aid for training schools, and different branches of firefighting. I think that this would really help anyone that is looking at becoming a firefighter. 

4. Type a search term in the search box for a skills improvement or career topic in which you are interested. Notice that results are sorted by tests, courses and eBooks (if all of those are available for your chosen topic). Please select an eBook and look through its pages.

As mentioned above, I looked through the book on Firefighting. I found it very informational.


Common Core Challenge
Set-up an account in Learning Express and browse through the available exams. Choose one or more tests or courses to see what they are like. Browse the centers and see what type of eBooks are available. Consider how you would use this resource to meet a Common Core standard. (Common Core State Standards information is found on this page and in the right-hand sidebar. Current SD School Library Content Standards are here.) 


In your blog post, name the standard and briefly and specifically describe how you will use Learning Express to help meet the standard.

Honestly, this is a little too advanced for the 4th and 5th graders that I am working with. However, if there was a student that was interested in a particular career, I might point them in the direction of the e-books that might give them more information on the career. 

The standard  "5.R.I.7 Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently." Might be applicable if the student was doing a report on a certain career or field of study. This is really the only one that I could get to fit with 4th and 5th graders. 


Overall I liked this resource, but I think that it is too advanced for the the grade levels that I teach. 

Lesson 2 - Chilton Library, Mango Languages & Tumblebook Library

Chilton Library
Basic Challenge

1. Look up the maintenance schedule for your vehicle. View the whole chart and list 3 things that should be done at 30,000 miles.

I drive a 2001 Dodge Neon SE. Here is what they list for maintenance on my vehicle at 30,000 miles. 
Your 30000 mile service under Normal conditions includes:

• Replace Automatic transaxle fluid

• Service/Inspect Brake hoses

• Service/Inspect Coolant level, hoses & clamps

I think that this is a great reference for all the car buffs and us novices out there!

2. What was the most recent Technical Service Bulletin or Recall notice on your car about and when was it issued?

The most recent technical bulletin for my car was issued in 2002 and it was for "Engine Will Not Respond To Throttle Input" 

3. Click to the Repair tab and note some of the information about brakes for your car.

There is a ton on information on the breaks on this vehicle, as I'm sure there is for other cars. I clicked on Anti-Lock Break System, then on Description and Operation. This pulled up general information on how the ABS system works, physical description, and a short video on problems with the system. I think that this feature would be very useful if/when I have to work on my car again. 

Common Core

1. How could you use Chilton Library to meet Common Core English Language Arts Reading Standards in the area of Integration of Knowledge and Ideas?

I find this one a little difficult to answer. I think that under the right circumstances, this information could be integrated into a report on automobiles, their maintenance, or their performance that a student is writing. In conjunction with a general title on automobile maintenance, it could make for a very informational report. It might also be used by students in an auto shop or mechanics class when learning about or fixing a car. They might use this with their text book to trouble shoot problems and come up with possible solutions. 

Mango Languages

Basic Challenge

1. Try out a lesson. How helpful would this program be to help you learn a language? What did you like? What didn't you like? Why?

I chose to learn a little Scottish Gaelic. I have a Scottish heritage and will be traveling to Scotland in the spring. I thought that this program broke down the language into nice, bite-size sections which made it easier to digest than one big chunk. Having the ability to read and hear the words is a big help, as many of the spellings are different then the pronunciations. I also thought the keyboard controls were handy. I didn't like that I couldn't log in. Is there a way to do that?

2. A Vietnamese student would like to improve her English. You do not know Vietnamese. Describe how Mango Languages can help her.

On the upper right hand corner of the screen is the "Translate" tab. This would be very handy, as you could use it to write words in English and have them translated into Vietnamese and vice versa. In addition to Vietnamese being an option for a language you could learn, under Languages, there is the option to learn English. There is an English for Vietnamese speakers that the student could use to work on her English. 

Common Core

1. How could Mango Languages help you meet the Language standards in English Language Arts?

 5.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard

English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

a. Explain the function of conjunctions, prepositions, and

interjections in general and their function in particular sentences.

b. Form and use the perfect (e.g., I had walked; I have walked; I will

have walked) verb tenses.

c. Use verb tense to convey various times, sequences, states,

and conditions.

d. Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense.*

e. Use correlative conjunctions (e.g., either/or, neither/nor).

I feel that this could be used to help students better understand the English language due to the fact that in order to learn another language and speak it fluently, you need to have command of their grammatical structure. I know that when I was learning Spanish, it helped me immensely in English class, because I better understood parts of speech and conventions. When it came to verb tense especially, I learned more from my Spanish class, than in my English class. 

Tumblebook Library

Basic Challenge

1. Choose a story book, chapter book, or nonfiction book. Try it out! Listen to it being read, turn the pages etc. Report your impressions of this e-resource.

I chose the book Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #1: Sleepover Sleuths.  I liked that there was an option to have the book read to you along with the words highlighted to read and follow along. Turning pages was easy. I also looked at Scaredy Squirrel. This was a lower level book that read the book to you and included illustrations and animations. I liked that the book automatically read and highlighted the words and the cute illustrations made the books a lot of fun. 

2. Try out a video, puzzle or game and report your impressions.

I tried out a word catch game and a puzzle. I liked that the games and puzzles connected with a certain book and that they had a link to read the book.  The game was smooth and easy to play. The puzzle was difficult enough to be a challenge, but not so difficult that a student would become discouraged.

3. To whom will you promote this e-resource?

I think that I will promote this resource to our teachers at first then to our students. We do have a teacher that uses AR and I think that he and his students would really enjoy using this. Students in the lower grades in our district already have access to Tumblebooks through the school's subscription. They love using the program. Although this selection is a little low for 4th & 5th grades, I know that there is another option for upper grades. 

Common Core

Choose a subject and find a non-fiction and a fiction book about that topic. How could you use those books to meet these 2 Common Core Anchor Standards?

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.9Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.

I looked at the non-fiction book Wiggle and Waggle and the fiction book Diary of a Worm. 

I think that these two books are a little difficult to compare. Wiggle and Waggle is listed as non-fiction, but I feel that there are a lot of fiction elements to this story. Diary of a Worm is definitely fiction, but does throw a few wormy facts in the story. I feel that these two books would really complement each other in a lesson on worms. They both address a worm's impact on the soil, how they benefit plants, and how they work in the soil. Wiggle and Waggle definitely keep more on topic, while Diary of a Worm adds a little artistic license to the topic with the main character going to school and scaring children as he goes by them. I think that the students would definitely be able to analyze these books and evaluate the information. I would also throw in a straight non-fiction book in order to to a better comparison of the information. 

Lesson 1a - World Book School Edition

Lesson 1a - World Book School Edition


I actually use World Book Online resources from the SD State Library electronic resources. I use it for examples in my library lessons, and also for a source when students are writing research papers. I think that it is great the SDSL has these links set up, it makes it super easy to find and use. 

#1. Using World Book Kids, search for information on a mammal of your choice. Find a picture and information about its habitat.

I found an animal called a Fossa. I actually used the "World of Animals" box that came up on the site when I first opened it. I found it very easy to use, and was drawn to all of the pictures of interesting animals, including prehistoric, fish, and insects, not just the mammals. 

The fossa looks like a large mongoose and lives in the forests of Madagascar. 

There is some good general information and I think that this is a great source for lower level grades. It keeps it simple with information that younger students can use and understand. 

I like that the layout is vibrant and easy to read. 

2. Using World Book Student, search for information on the same mammal you searched in World Book Kids and compare the amount of information.

In World Book Student there is definitely more information and details about this animal. Information that is more in-depth includes; physical characteristics, habitat, breeding and offspring, and information on hunting and extinction. This would be where I send my 4th and 5th grade students for information on a topic that they are researching. 

The layout is clean and easy to follow. 

3. Using World Book Advanced, search for a country. Notice the types of information available on the left and right side bars of the first results screen. Click on the link for your desired country, and again notice the types of information on the left and right side bars of the screen. What types of information will be most valuable to your patrons or students? 

I looked up Costa Rica. When I got to the first results screen, I noticed that on the left hand side there were references for encyclopedia articles, Presidential papers, pictures, and much more. I really liked the inclusion of primary sources on the right hand side, as we are discussing these with our students right now. 

After clicking on the link and noticed the article of contents on the left side and the related information and content standards on the right. These are very hand tools for jumping to the info you need to know a research paper or linking lesson standards. I think that our students, 4th and 5th graders, would be able to use information on land and climate, history, and the facts from the left hand side. Our teachers would love the content standards to link to their lessons and pictures and maps to show students in class from the left.

4. Using World Book Discover, use the browse function on the right side of the screen to find an article about American government. Notice the features on the article page. How will World Book Discover help your patrons or students who are not good readers of English?

Well, unfortunately, I was not able to use the browse feature on the right to get me to an article specifically pertaining to American government. I was able to get to an article on the United States by using the Places tab, and I was able to the to an article on government by clicking on the History and Government tab, but nothing that was a specific "American Government" article. 

I noticed that on the left hand side of the page, there are options to show the article in World Book French and Spanish. I also like the "Translate To" option that pops-up the wordlingo.com box. I think that this is a great idea, as there are many students who might be more fluent in a language other than English. This might also be the case with a parent that is trying to help them with a research project. 

Common Core

 5.R.I.7 Draw on information from multiple

print or digital sources, demonstrating the

ability to locate an answer to a question

quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

This is actually a standard that we are working on right now with our students. The end of the year seems to be research time. We are discussing reference books, sources, and how to use and cite them. Our students use a print and online source to write a brief paper on a certain topic. World Book Online is one of the sources we like to point them to, as it fits all of our source criteria.