Introduction:
We subscribe to many databases for children. They reside, for the most part, under the Homework subject heading on the Research page. They allow access to encyclopedia’s, country information, videos, timelines, newspapers, television transcripts, diagrams, photos, poetry, science projects, and more. You can access information appropriate to the reading level of the customer and limit by the type of media required. The information could be used in a report or project, or by a teacher in the classroom. Explore them and see if you can find the answers to these questions.
Resource List
eLibrary Curriculum (Provided by the Texas State Library's TEXSHARE program.)
Encyclopedia of Animals (Provided by the Texas State Library's TEXSHARE program
Facts on File Science Online*
MAS Ultra: School Edition (Provided by the Texas State Library's TEXSHARE program)*
Middle Search Plus (Provided by the Texas State Library's TEXSHARE program)*
Primary Search (Provided by the Texas State Library's TEXSHARE program)*
Student Research Center (Provided by the Texas State Library's TEXSHARE program)*
Gale Virtual Reference Library*
Science Fair Project Index (and other resources on the Kidspage Homework section)
1) I need a video on photosynthesis. And I need to write a one page paper on it.
Can you help me find articles on polar bears. I need to know everthing! I am in 4th grade. Search again adding a lexile level of 300 – 500. (The child’s teacher needs a science experiment about polar bears.)
To post your answers, just click on the "comment" link at the bottom of this message.
16 comments:
Hello all, I am back. Check out Kids Search database for the answer to the firs two questions. I did not find a video listed for #1. I searched "Overdrive" but did not come up with a title. Kids Search lists artilces by subject and includes Lexile reading levels. Too Cool! More later
Melissa Hayes
1. I used Facts on File Science online. I typed in Photosynthesis, clicked images and videos and found 4 videos.
4. I used LitFinder. I clicked on poems, typed in Boa Constrictor and clicked Boa Constrictor by Shel Silverstein. I read the first line of the poem.
2. I used Primary Search. I typed in polar bear, scrolled down and clicked lexile level 300-500. Then I clicked periodicals and 8 articles popped up. I found an experiment on our Kidspage homework site.I went to science projects, then clicked Science Buddies, clicked science fair project ideas, clicked zoology, and found What are you Blubbering About?
3. I used student research center. I typed in Syria, clicked on 850-1100 grades 6-8. Sources included World Almanac, New York Times, Newsweek, Military History and US News and World Report.
Extra Credit. I used Gale Virtual Reference Library. I typed alpine tundra, clicked defining artic and alpine tundra. Alpine tundra covers mountain areas above the tree line, usually between 10,000 and 11,000 feet. Thet are found in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and North America.
To find data on Syria, chec out Academic Search Complete and elibrary Curriculum. eLibrary Curriculum has 39 newspaper entires, 126 magazine and 14 book related sources. Also try Country/Sutdies/Area Handbooks for current data.
I went back and checked elibrary curriculum for a video on photosynthesis and came up empty again. Will keep looking!
Watch out for the Boa! It's behind you...
Melissa Hayes
Question 1
I went to Facts on File Science Online. I entered photosynthesis in the search box, selected Images, Videos, Animations. Nine items appeared by category, including videos about photosynthesis.
Question 2
In order to find as much information as possible about Polar Bears for a 4th grade student; I searched the following databases:
Encyclopedia of Animals
Used Polar Bears as a subject search
Selected Full Text
One full text article with pictures was available
Facts on File Science Online
Polar Bears as the subject rendered 131 articles
InfoTrac One File
Nearly 60 full text articles were found
Kids Search
Selected Encyclopedia > Polar Bears
Lots of information from the evolution of Bears, to Bears and Conservation was found. If pictures are needed – selecting Images brought up wonderful pictures of Polar Bears.
Middle Search Plus
Polar Bears as the subject and the appropriate Lexile numbers provided 278 full text articles on the subject.
Science Fair Project Index
By selecting Search Index, the appropriate grade level and the subject or experiment did not render any information.
Question 3
Five sources for information about Syria were:
Country Studies
Select Syria from the country list
The site has numerous links by subject for this country.
Kids Search
Select Encyclopedia >Look Up Syria
Information from History to Banking is available.
InfoTrac One
Provided a number of articles.
Middle Search Plus
By entering the subject, selecting full text and the appropriate Lexile, a number of timely articles were found.
MAS Ultra School Edition
Rendered a few articles by entering the subject, selecting full text and the appropriate Lexile.
Question 4
I tried to use LitFinder to find a poem or story about a Boa (Constrictor) for children. I managed to select the correct options; however, after finding a couple poems and stories, I couldn’t get to the actual text to read them. I gave up after a couple hours!
Extra Credit
Alpine Tundra
“The grassland area found above the tree line on mountain ranges.”
The Facts On File Dictionary of Environmental Science, Third Edition.
“In the Americas, alpine tundra is found most abundantly in the mountain ranges of Alaska; in the Rockies, Cascades, and Sierra Nevada in the west of North America; and down the Andes chain of western South America. In Europe, the mountains of Scandinavia and Scotland bear tundra vegetation, as do the Alps and Pyrenees. In Asia there are high mountains, the Caucasus, to the west of the Caspian Sea, but the continent is dominated by the massive Himalayas, the great mountain plateau of Tibet, and the ranges running eastward through Mongolia to the northeastern regions of Russia. In Africa the Atlas Mountains lie on the north and the Drakensberg Mountains in the far south; between them are several very high mountains almost on the equator in East Africa, and also in Ethiopia. Other isolated high mountains are scattered around the world, as in Mexico and Japan.”
From: Tundra, Biomes of the Earth.
As cited from Facts on File Science Online.
Polar Bears
Comments:
Primary Sournce: search term = polar bears and delimeter = lexile 300-500
Record: 1
Title: Alaska Winter Walk.
Authors: Gragert, Cheryl
Source: Humpty Dumpty's Magazine; Jan/Feb96, Vol. 44 Issue 1, p6, 4p, 4c
ALASKA Winter Walk (Short story)
Abstract: Presents the short story `Alaska Winter Walk,' by Cheryl Gragert on a family of polar bears.
Lexile: 430
Full Text Word Count: 322
ISSN: 02737590
Accession Number: 9512181825
Record: 2
Title: Babies of the Cold.
Source:
Scholastic News -- Edition 1; Jan2003, Vol. 59 Issue 4, p1, 3p, 3c
Document Type: Article
Subject Terms: ANIMALS – Infancy ANIMALS – Adaptation SEALS (Animals)
OXEN POLAR bear ARCTIC regions
Abstract: Discusses ways by which animal babies in the Arctic stay warm. Harp seals; Musk oxen; Polar bears.
Lexile: 400
Full Text Word Count: 178
ISSN: 07360533
Accession Number: 8950501
Record: 3
Title: Bears of the World.
Source: Scholastic News -- Edition 2; Oct2006, Vol. 63 Issue 2, p1-3, 3p
Document Type: Article
Subject Terms: BLACK bear POLAR bear
Abstract: The article offers information on the different kinds of bears that live in different parts of the world, including the American black bear and polar bear.
Lexile: 380
Full Text Word Count: 195
ISSN: 0736055X
Accession Number: 22648575
Record: 4
Title: Fun food: Polar bear snack.
Authors: Simmons, Larry
Source: Turtle; Dec95, Vol. 17 Issue 8, p16, 2p, 4bw
Document Type: Article
Subject Terms: COOKERY (Cheese)
Abstract: Presents a cheese recipe which preschool children can make.
Lexile: 500
Full Text Word Count: 115
ISSN: 01913654
Accession Number: 9512054319
Record: 5
Title: Reader Riddles.
Source: Ranger Rick; Jan2008, Vol. 42 Issue 1, p2-2, 1p
Document Type: Article
Subject Terms: POLAR bear MOUNTAINS
Abstract: A quiz concerning various subjects including pine trees, polar bears and mountains, is presented.
Lexile: 400
Full Text Word Count: 191
ISSN: 07386656
Accession Number: 27592396
Record: 6
Title: Secrets of Survival.
Source: Scholastic News -- Edition 1; Jan2007, Vol. 63 Issue 4, p2-3, 2p
Document Type: Article
Subject Terms: ARCTIC fox FUR COLD ALOPEX FOXES PHYSIOLOGY
Abstract: The article discusses how arctic foxes survive in the cold. Their fur keep them warm and they use their tails like a scarf. These foxes hunt and eat lemmings. Sometimes they follow polar bears who feed on seals to eat leftovers. Baby Arctic foxes are called kits. Kits are born in underground dens that may be 300 years old.
Lexile: 360
Full Text Word Count: 179
ISSN: 07360533
Accession Number: 23492965
Record: 7
Title: Secrets of the Arctic Ice.
Source: Scholastic News -- Edition 1; Jan2005, Vol. 61 Issue 4, p1-4, 4p, 4c
Document Type: Article
Subject Terms: ANIMALS HARP seal POLAR bear ARCTIC fox Geographic Terms:
ARCTIC Ocean
Abstract: Describes several animals found in the Arctic Ocean. Harp seal; Polar bear; Arctic fox.
Lexile: 440
Full Text Word Count: 193
ISSN: 07360533
Accession Number: 15289841
Record: 8
Title: SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW.
Source: Scholastic News -- Edition 4; 2/21/2003, Vol. 65 Issue 17, p8, 1p
Document Type: Article
Subject Terms: EDUCATIONAL tests & measurements TETER, Hannah SHIPWRECKS POLAR bear
Abstract: Presents several quizzes for children about various topics. Hannah Teter, an X-Games athlete from Belmont, Vermont; Shipwrecks; Polar bears in the Arctic regions.
Lexile: 350
Full Text Word Count: 397
ISSN: 07360592
Accession Number: 9172892
Photosynthesis
I initially looked at eLibrary which had 5 videos. I next looked at Facts On File Science. Facts on File Science had videos that were more age appropriate and more directly related to the topic. In addition, Facts on File Science offered definitions, articles, news articles and essays. The student has greater capability for "one stop shopping" using this database.
Facts on File Science
Search term - photosynthesis
Delimeter = audio/video
Video
5/15/2008 4:31:48 PM
Plant Cells
From: Films Media Group.
Video
5/15/2008 4:28:27 PM
Plant Cells and Photosynthesis
From: Films Media Group.
Video
5/15/2008 4:31:53 PM
The Sun's Importance to Earth
From: Films Media Group.
Renee Phillips 5/27/08
May Blackboard Assignment
Question 1.
I need a video on photosynthesis. And I need to write a one page paper on it.
Facts On File – Science Online- search for photosynthesis and chose videos/images.
http://0-www.fofweb.com.catalog.houstonlibrary.org/Science/default.asp?ItemID=WE40
Plant Cells and Photosynthesis
Series: Life Processes of Plants
Article:
photosynthesis
From: The Facts On File Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology.
2) It’s Polar Bear Day at the Library!
Can you help me find articles on polar bears. I need to know everthing! I am in 4th grade. Search again adding a lexile level of 300 – 500. (The child’s teacher needs a science experiment about polar bears.)
Kids Search (Provided by the Texas State Library's TEXSHARE program)
http://0-web.ebscohost.com.catalog.houstonlibrary.org/srck5/results?vid=5&hid=120&sid=d5a1def8-228f-4ba1-a49e-c7fbcb27e7bc%40sessionmgr108
Search for Lexile:
Results for LX 300-500 AND SU polar bear AND Automaticall...
Teacher resources: search for polar bears
http://0-web.ebscohost.com.catalog.houstonlibrary.org/srck5/results?vid=6&hid=120&sid=d5a1def8-228f-4ba1-a49e-c7fbcb27e7bc%40sessionmgr108
3) I am writing a report about Syria. I need at least 5 different sources and I am in 8th grade.
Site arrived through HPL kids homework site selected for middle school.
1. Altapedia Online
http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/syria.htm
2. Library of Congress Country Studies
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query
3. Library of Congress Country Profiles
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Syria.pdf
4.eLibrary Curriculum edition
Syria says it has right to develop defensive capabilities against Israeli threats; By
Al-Bawaba Reporters, Al Bawaba 06-04-2005 library.bigchalk.com.catalog.houstonlibrary.org/libweb/curriculum/do/document?set=search&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standard&resultid=37&edition=&ts=A90A02765473F6D46FA86C8AA66A2FCF_1211909776092&start=26&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B109709063
5. Title: Damascus
Author:
Aliprandini, Michael
Source:
Our World: Syria; 2006, p3-3, 1p
Document Type:
Article
Subject Terms:
CAPITALS (Cities)
CITIES & towns
ETHNOLOGY -- Syria
DAMASCUS (Syria) -- Economic conditions
Geographic Terms:
SYRIA Report Available
DAMASCUS (Syria)
Abstract:
This article presents an overview of the city of Damascus, the capital of Syria. The city is reputed to be the longest continually inhabited site in the world. A historical overview of the city is offered. Particular focus is given to the city's landscape, ethnology, economic aspects, and famous and historic landmarks. The article also offers several trivial facts pertaining to the capital.
Lexile:
1220
Full Text Word Count:
1622
ISBN:
1-4298-0202-2
Accession Number:
27053337
Persistent link to this record:
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=27053337&site=ehost-live
Database:
Middle Search Plus
4) There is a story or maybe a poem about a boa for kids. Do you have it? I think someone is being munched on in it.
Boa Constrictor by Shel Silverstein
From: WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS; POEMS & DRAWINGS. - PAGE 45
#1: eLibrary Curriculum had under Audio/Video a "Fall Foilage Guide." Kids Search had a radio & TV news transcript titled "A New Twist on Photosynthesis" which had material for a paper.
#2: Polar Bears: There are articles everywhere; Enclopedia of Animals, Facts on File, General One file. The Science Fair Project Index has no experiments on polar bears The Student Research Center has a polar bear watch exercise.
#3 Syria: Country Studies has a 23 page article on Syria. Middle Search Plus, when limitied to 2005-2008 and lexile of 750-950 (8th grade approx?) has 130 articles.
#4 Using Lit finder, I found "Love Nips of the Boa by Lawrence Lieberman.
#5 Alpine tundra can be found in Northern America and Eurasia per Facts on File Science Online.
Infotrac/ Advanced search / search term = Syria and Lexile = 800.
It has a great mix of newspaper and magazine articles.
Look Who's Talking...Samir S. El-Dahr, M.D. and Professor of Pediatrics and Physiology at Tulane.
New Orleans CityBusiness (April 7, 2008)(533 words)
Full-text Article
2. March Madness Edition.
Newsweek (April 16, 2007): p10. (143 words)
Full-text Article
3. Meanwhile, outside our car world . . .(50th Anniversary countdown).
AutoWeek 58.5 (Feb 4, 2008): p5. (134 words)
Full-text Article
4. So Jimmy Carter had his meeting with Hamas in Syria.(The Week)(Brief article).
National Review 60.9 (May 19, 2008): p8. (66 words)
Full-text Brief article
News (7 saved item(s)) Download1. Bush and Obama Spar.(Broadcast transcript).
Finance Wire (May 17, 2008)(9117 words)
Full-text Article
2. Syria: Political structure.
Economist Intelligence Unit: Country ViewsWire (May 13, 2008)(286 words)
Full-text Article
3. US should talk to Iran, Syria: Powell.
PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. (Feb 11, 2008)(231 words)
Full-text Article
4. Xinhua international news advisory -- Jan. 18.
Xinhua News Agency (Jan 17, 2008)(65 words)
Full-text Article
5. Syria: Basic data.
Economist Intelligence Unit: Country ViewsWire (Sept 28, 2007)(140 words)
Full-text Article
6. MAPPING BAD NEWS; Zoom in on disaster.(STAR).
The Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) (March 26, 2007): p3. (122 words)
Full-text News
7. DIPLOMATIC (Manzar appointed Ambassador to Syria).
PPI - Pakistan Press International (Dec 18, 2006)(25 words)
LitFinder: search term = boas eat; delimiters = poems and stories.
I enjoyed this poem, however, I was disappointed the stories wed
VAN AMBURGH'S MENAGERIE
Genre LIGHT VERSE
Text VAN AMBURGH is the man that goes with all the shows;
He goes into the lion's den, and shows you all he knows;
He sticks his head in the lion's mouth, and keeps it there awhile,
And when he takes it out again, he greets you with a smile.
Chorus:
For the elephant now goes round, the band begins to play,
Those boys around the monkeys' cage, they'd better keep away.
This is the Arctic polar bear, oft called the iceberg's daughter,
Been known to eat three tubs of ice, then call for soda water;
She wades in the water up to her knees, not fearing any harm;
You may growl and grumble as much as you please, but she don't care a darn.
Next comes baboon Emmeline, catching flies and scratching her head,
Weeping and wailing all the day, because her husband's dead;
Poor weeping, wailing water lily, of all her friends bereft,
That monkey is thumbing his nose at her with his right paw over his left.
Next comes the anaconda boa constrictor, called the anaconda for brevity;
He can swallow an elephant as well as a toad, and is noted for his great longevity,
Can swallow himself, crawl through himself, come out with great facility,
Tie himself into a bowknot, snap his tail, and wink with great agility.
That hyena in the next cage, most wonderful to relate,
Got awful hungry the other night, and ate up his female mate;
Now, don't go near his cage, he'll hurt you, little boys,
For when he's mad he'll growl and bite, and make a horrible noise. Gr-rr-r ----
Next comes the condor, an awful bird, from the highest mountain tops:
Been known to eat up little boys and then to smack his chops;
This performance can't go on -- there's too much noise and confusion;
Those ladies giving those monkeys nuts will injure their constitution.
Reference THE BEST LOVED POEMS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. - PAGE 488 - FELLEMAN, HAZEL (ED.)
1. I used Facts on File Science Online. I typed photosynthesis and found a number of articles on this web site. I found a video - plant cells and photosynthesis.
2. I used Primary Search and searched by subject - polar bear. I found 3 almanac references, 1 encyclopedia reference, 96 periodical references and 1 review reference.
I searched again and used the lexile level of 300-500. I found 8 results.
3. I used eLibrary Curriculum and searched by Syria and reading level middle. I sorted the results by grade level. I found many articles for 8th graders. Five of them are: Syria's odd man out, Little doubt about U.S. intent on Syria, Syria goes, and then ...?, Steming the Syrian onslaught and Reachng out to Syria and Iran.
4. I used LitFINDER and searched by boa constrictor and limited results to poems. The poem boa constrictor was written by Shel Silverstein. The first line of the poem is Oh, I'm being eaten.
1) I need a video on photosynthesis. And I need to write a one page paper on it.
I searched eLibrary first as I knew they had videos. There were 4 videos but they weren’t really on topic. Then I searched Science Online and found 4 videos on photosynthesis. There were also 343 topics on photosynthesis that would assist in the writing of the paper.
2) It’s Polar Bear Day at the Library!
Can you help me find articles on polar bears. I need to know everthing! I am in 4th grade. Search again adding a lexile level of 300 – 500. (The child’s teacher needs a science experiment about polar bears.)
I started with the Encyclopedia of Animals where I found a picture and an entry. It has no way to limit by Lexile level. I searched Primary search next where I could limit by Lexile. I got 8 hits from good sources for a young child.
3) I am writing a report about Syria. I need at least 5 different sources and I am in 8th grade.
I started with Country Studies. I chose Syria from the index of countries. It has really extensive information, but doesn’t limit by grade or lexile. Student Research Center and search Syria and limited to Country Reports. I only got 1 hit that was directly on Syria (other 2 were Damascus and Water Wheel). The lexile level was 1150 though, so that would be above 8th grade. Next, I went to E Library. Here I searched for Syria and limited to Middle School. I found a number of hits including Syria: Countries of the World.
4) There is a story or maybe a poem about a boa for kids. Do you have it? I think someone is being munched on in it.
I went to LitFinder and typed in Boa. I got lots of hits in stories and poems. I could refine by children’s subject, but that didn’t work. I finally tried Boa Constrictor and found the Shel Silverstein poem which I know is a children’s poet.
Extra Credit!
Define and identify two regions of alpine tundra.
I searched the Gale Virtual Reference Library for Alpine Tundra and found an entry from the book Our Living World: Earth's Biomes. Ed. Barbara A. Somervill. Vol. 2: Tundra. Maple Plain, MN: Tradition Books, 2004. p4-21. It says “Alpine tundra is found in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and North America.”
Question #1: I need a video on photosynthesis. And I need to write a one page paper on it.
Answer: You can find a video and enough information for a one page paper in Facts on File Science Online.
Resource and Path Used: HPL Website -> Click 'Research' tab -> Select 'Science' -> Click ‘Facts on File Science Online’-> Select ‘Advanced Search’ -> Search ‘photosynthesis’ in ‘exact phrase’ -> Select “full text” -> Click “Search” -> Retrieve 392 results -> Select “Images, Videos, and Animations” -> Find video titled “Plant Cells and Photosynthesis” -> Click “Topics, Terms and Principles” -> These items can be used for the paper
Question #2 It’s Polar Bear Day at the Library!
Can you help me find articles on polar bears. I need to know everthing! I am in 4th grade. Search again adding a lexile level of 300 – 500. (The child’s teacher needs a science experiment about polar bears.)
Answer: I found plenty of information in the Kids Search Database. When narrowed down by the lexile level, I retrieved 6 records. I did not find an experiment for 4th graders.
Resource and Path Used: HPL Website -> Click 'Research' tab -> Select 'Homework' -> Click ‘Kids Search’-> Select ‘Animals’ -> Search ‘polar bears’ -> Retrieve 1255 results -> Narrowed search by subject “polar bear” _> Retrieved 89 results -> Click “Redo Search” -> Select ‘Detailed Search’ -> Select “300-500” under Lexile Reading Level -> Click ‘Go’ -> Retrieved 6 records -> Click “Teacher Resources” -> Search ‘polar bear experiment’ -> Limit results to ‘elementary education’ -> No results found
Question #3 I am writing a report about Syria. I need at least 5 different sources and I am in 8th grade.
Answer: I found one source, the Country Studies/Area Handbooks. The other 4 sources can be found in Middle Search Plus.
Resource and Path Used: HPL Website -> Click 'Research' tab -> Select 'History & Social Sciences' -> Click ‘Country Studies/Area Handbooks’-> Choose a country study, Select ‘Syria’ -> Retrieve information on Syria -> Go Back to Research page -> Select ‘Homework’ -> Select Middle Search Plus’ -> Select ‘Advanced Search’ -> Search ‘Syria’ in ‘Subject terms’ -> Check ‘full text’ -> Retrieve 336 records
Question #4 There is a story or maybe a poem about a boa for kids. Do you have it? I think someone is being munched on in it.
Answer: Boa Constrictor by Shel Silverstein
Resource and Path Used: HPL Website -> Click 'Research' tab -> Click 'Homework' -> Click ‘LitFinder’-> Click ‘Advanced Search’ -> Search for ‘boa’ in ‘works text’ and ‘children’ in ‘works genre’ -> Retrieved 2 results -> Poems appear incorrect -> Go back ->Change ‘works text’ to ‘works title’ -> Retrieved ‘Boa Constrictor by Shel Silverstein’ -> Full text not listed -> Full text can be found in book, “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein owned at most location at HPL
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