BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: (2011). State library of Kansas. Retrieved from

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1 ELECTRONIC SOURCE EVALUATION BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: (2011). State library of Kansas. Retrieved from This database provides information on materials that can be checked out or interlibrary loaned throughout Kansas libraries. A search for a specific item (book, ebook, periodicals) can be done using ATLAS catalog. An advanced search can be used to help narrow down the options. The user can locate materials by material type, location, language, etc. The State Library of Kansas is a department within the state government of Kansas. The search engine is easy to use and the information is current. The arrangement of the information varies depending on how the user implements the search. Free. This resource would be useful for librarians, teacher, or students who are looking for a particular resource that their library location does not offer. Since the searches can be done easily like a keyword search in Google students could easily find materials and the locations they are offered.

2 ELECTRONIC SOURCE EVALUATION INDEXES and ABSTRACTS INFORMATION: Gale. (2011). Kids infobits. Retrieved from Kids InfoBits is part of the Gale databases. This product is designed for elementary aged students. They may access references, magazines, newspapers, maps, charts, graphs, and images in content that is fulltext and age appropriate. The database is designed to help students narrow a broad topic to a more focused one by starting with an icon topic tree that allows them to push the subject and get more specific eliminating the need for a keyword search. This is designed for the younger students (Kindergarten second), while the older students also have the choice to do subject searches using keywords or phrases. The search pulls from 100 magazines relevant to children like Kids Weekly Reader and Sports Illustrated for Kids U.S. and also has Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia and Backbirch Kid s Almanac of Geography. Kids InfoBits is a Gale product who is known for authoritative reference content. Gale creates and maintains more than 600 databases. This database is engaging for students with the icon rich screen that guides them in searches. The readability of the articles and information that is produced from the searches are useable and current. This database meets the needs of an elementary student and can be a useful tool for teachers as well. The search begins vary board with icons for twelve major categories such as animals, plants, people, etc. Once one of the categories is chosen it narrows the topic down even more. For example from animals, to birds, and then a list of birds are given to choose from. Once a specific bird is chosen then different articles and resources appear. Each article is also marked for reading levels from easy to more difficult. For Kansas student s this database is free through Kan-ed, an online program created by the Kansas legislature and administered through the Kansas Board of Regents. This is a valuable resource to help develop the research skills of early learners and provide older students more flexibility to choose their own research topics because of the wealth of resources and accuracy of the content provided. Also, for teachers looking to find appropriate articles on a specific topic they are teaching this would be a nice source to utilize.

3 ENCYCLOPEDIA INFORMATION: Jacobs, D. (Ed.). (2000). World book student discovery encyclopedia. Chicago, IL: World Book Inc. This print series is a general encyclopedia covering a range of topics for the elementary aged student. The entries are alphabetically arranged with phonetic spellings, related articles listed, cross-references, section headings, and illustrations. As the book states, the many features make it an encyclopedia that you can use for research as well as read just for fun. The photographs, captions, headings, and cross-references make this a useful tool for students to use for research purposes. Generally, only one book is designated for the topics under one letter helping to keep information organized in a simple format for students to search. The World Book has encyclopedias for adults and this student version is a byproduct of that initial line. The World Book Encyclopedia was first published in This company has a long history of being reliable and accurate in the information provided by their source materials. The articles are short but accurate and contain vital and succinct information. There are colored photographs for each entry to enhance the text. Also, the cross-referencing at the bottom of each article directs the student to another entry for more information on the topic that might be helpful or of interest to their search. The topics are arranged alphabetically with each book generally only addressing one letter. The last book in the series provides on index to provide an overview of all the topics addressed in the encyclopedias. The encyclopedia has both a print and electronic version. This electronic version has everything contained in the print version as well as video clips, 3D panoramic views, and sounds to help enhance the content. Also, there is a Spanish version available in both print and electronic as well. The set is around $400 and is updated yearly for purchase. The encyclopedia set is ideal for elementary students. Younger students will be provided enough information to complete a search while older students can use this as a starting point to collect information. The addition of an online version with additional resources included helps to enhance this product and will engage students to explore.

4 READY REFERENCE INFORMATION: Seabrooke, K. (Ed.). (2011). World almanac for kids New York, NY: World Almanac Education Group, Inc. This almanac covers a range of subjects, summaries of recent historical events, and interesting facts from art and books to travel and world history. There is a variety of information that can be found in the form of text, tables, graphs, and illustrations. The association press stated that this book was up to date and colorful enough for even the most TV and Web-savvy kids. Subject topics are listed alphabetically. The book is bright and colorful with many pieces of information on each page. There are many useful text features such as captions, headings, bolding, highlighting, charts, and graphs that are easily read and highlight important information. The World Almanac is available for adults. The World Almanac for Kids has been on the New York Times bestseller list with over 3.5 million copies sold. The book is updated yearly to ensure the content is accurate and timely. They layout of the pages are colorful and engages the reader with the information provided. The reading level is suited for upper elementary students and since the content is so current the information is appealing. The varied subjects are arranged alphabetically in the table of contents and an index is provided to see specifically what topics are addressed. There is a World Almanac for Kids online (worldalmanacforkids.com) that includes extra features but this is a subscription access only site. A paperback book cost $12.99 and hardback is $ The atlas is engaging and is set up to entice students to explore the resource. Because of the yearly updates and some of the content is based on information relevant to each year the website subscription would perhaps be a more valuable investment. Although even if this could not be bought each year there is plenty of information that is still relevant in older editions that the kids would benefit and enjoy searching through this book.

5 BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: McHenry, R. (Ed). (1995). Merriam Webster s biographical dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam- Webster. This resource provides more than 30,000 entries of notable people from history. Those included are from all over the world and of varying time periods in history. Each entry has a small note on their major accomplishments and birth and death dates. The bibliographic dictionary is formatted like a word dictionary therefore the skillsets for locating items in one can be transferred to the other. Merriam Webster has been publishing dictionaries and resource materials since 1847 with the original dictionary composed by Noah Webster. This company also has a subsidiary, Encyclopedia Britannica that is well known and reputable. Each entry is bolded to easily separate one from another. There are guidewords at the top for easy reference. However, for students the text is small and many entries are put onto one page. The entries are alphabetically arranged by last name. The hardcover edition is $ For students this resource would be useful as a starting point to understand the basic idea of what a specific person has contributed to society. However, there are multiple entries with the same name and one must read very carefully to ensure that the correct person is identified. This skill could be challenging for elementary students. This resource is best suited for upper elementary for the beginning stages of a research project or for a brief understanding of a person s contributions.

6 DICTIONARY INFORMATION: Macy, S. (Ed.). (2007). Scholastic children s dictionary. U.S.A.: Scholastic Inc. The Scholastic Children s Dictionary gives information about words such as the meaning, spelling, pronunciation, and usage. There are 30,000 entries and 1,000 photographs or detailed drawings. The font size and type is easily readable for kids. Scattered throughout the pages are boxes or side notes of extra information giving synonyms for a listed word or relating the word history to the reader. An adult dictionary. Scholastic is a very reputable producer of educational materials. There are current words such as MP3, social networking, and twitter defined which show currency and accuracy with the terms used. Also, the drawings and diagrams included help give kids a visual aid to words that would benefit from such features. The entries are arranged alphabetically with entry words at the top familiar to an adult dictionary. There is a reference section at the back that provides extra information; grammar guide, idioms, variety of maps, measurement tables, flags and facts of the countries. The hardcover edition is $ This dictionary is an important reference tool to have in the school library and in the classroom. Students can refer to this resource for a multitude of reasons. The large print and added features make this dictionary a readable and useable resource.

7 ATLAS INFORMATION: Hynes, M. (Ed.). (2003). The Kingfisher student atlas. Boston, Mass: Kingfisher. The atlas allows students to locate areas all over the world using maps. As well as read about each area in text. The book starts by looking that the Earth in the solar systems and discusses in general the ideas of climates, vegetation, and population. Then the main bulk of the book examines each continent. At the back is a glossary and index. There is a variety of atlas looking at different specific regions or time periods. The Kingfisher Atlas is authored by Philip Wilkinson who has authored over 40 other published nonfiction books. The maps are detailed, but easy to read because they are broken up into sections making the areas larger. The added text helps give information on the area that is being looked at in the map and on the sidebars the flags for each country of the area are shown. The entries are arranged by continent with an index to help point you to a specific area if needed. There is a cd that is included. The hardcover edition is $ The atlas provides easy to read maps however because the continents are broken up onto several different pages it does not provide a detailed look at a continent as a whole.

8 ELECTRONIC SOURCE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION: (2010, May 4). Ben s guide to the U.S. government for kids. Retrieved from This website is designed to help K -12 students understand the workings of the US government. There are historical documents, debate topics, word puzzles, and resources for teachers on the site. The website is broken down into grade levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, and parents/teachers. Each grade area has topics that can be looked out with appropriate readings and activities that relate. The website is distributed by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S Government Printing Office (GPO). The articles and information provided are appropriate for the grades listed and match many of the Kansas standards for social studies. The information is listed by grade level sections then topics. Once a topic is chosen the readings, visuals, and activities are given that correspond. There is a site map that indexes the information that is included in the website as well as highlighting the appropriate grade. A glossary and links to other U.S. government web sites for kids are available under each grade section. Free. Ben s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids is an easy website to navigate for kids who are interested in these types of topics. For teachers the website has valuable content that is appropriate and kid friendly to enhance a social study lesson.