Reviews of databases and more from School Library Journal
Become The Queen of the Curriculum By Shonda Brisco - 05/01/2009
If you've ever spent any time on the electronic discussion list LM_NET, you know that librarians are regularly seeking curriculum guides and lesson plans on everything from agriculture to zero-tolerance policies. Unfortunately, not all resources seem to be available…but then, maybe they're just not looking in the right place. More
Never Too Young to Cite By Shonda Brisco - 07/01/2009
You've got to be kidding! Teach first graders how to do research? Teach second graders how to cite their sources? If it seems that teaching information literacy skills to elementary students is a little overwhelming (or even impossible), think again. Capstone has created an innovative new database designed for K-2 students that will make teaching kindergarten students how to perform library re...
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Mind the Time: Apps for Managing a Busy Schedule By Steve Hargadon - 06/01/2009
Web-based telephony, desktop video conferencing, and other digital tools make it easy to connect with people in real time. Virtual meetings have become standard fare, and the once arcane task of calculating time zones is now regularly performed in classrooms, where students and teachers collaborate with distant peers or welcome guest experts from around the globe.
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The Truth About eBooks By Christopher Harris - 06/01/2009
Hold on tight, because I’m going to cover all the sensational statements made about eBooks in the following sentence. Print is dead and there will be no more books in our libraries within five years, which is a real shame because our eyes will suffer from straining to make out the miniscule print of an eBook as we try to manage the unwieldy device while settling into bed for a good read.
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SLJ Reviews the Amazon Kindle 2 Ebook Reader By Jeffrey Hastings - 06/01/2009
Remember how the original Apple iPod suddenly made the MP3 player a must-have for music fans back in 2001? The Amazon Kindle 2 just might be the device that finally has ebook readership exploding in similar atomic fashion. While the first incarnation was undeniably impressive, the original Kindle was still a bit rough around the edges.
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Social Media Specialists?: The use—or nonuse—of social tools sparks Twitterstorm By Lauren Barack - 06/01/2009
A recent firestorm on Twitter involved media specialists and education technology experts who considered whether librarians who don’t engage in social media are jeopardizing their careers not to mention student learning. “Can a media specialist do their job now if they are not also a social media specialist? I’m not sure,” Karl Fisch (on Twitter: karlfisch), director of ...
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You Are There: No budget for travel? Try video chat. By Eric Langhorst - 06/01/2009
It was the sort of exchange that could only happen on a field trip. One of my students, noticing the unusual bow attached to Alexander Hamilton’s ponytail, asked our guide about the odd accessory. “That’s a bag wig,” replied Eli Lesser, director of education at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
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The Buzz: Tools, Trends, and Gizmos 06/01/2009
Monopoly, Now Customized Monopoly has spun off multiple editions dedicated to cities and sports franchises, not to mention all the niche topics known to man—from cat lovers to Nascar. Now, the classic board game can really be tailored to your interests—using your photos. With Photo-opoly, simply add your pics to the game’s standard real estate spots.
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Good Comics for Kids Brigid Alverson, Comics Journalist, School Library Journal October 9, 2008 Good Webcomics for Kids
Webcomics for children: Yes, they exist, and the overall quality seems to be higher t... More
Brian Unbound Brian Kenney, Editor in Chief, May 3, 2007 Does Print Still Matter?
Not to spoil the plot, but of course print still matters. But electronic content is c... More
BookExpo America 2009: SLJ's Day of Dialog School Library Journal held a Day of Dialog in conjunction with the annual BookExpo America on May 28, 2009 at the Brooklyn Public Library. Full story: bit.ly/1a0G7o
2008 National Book Awards Nominees in the young people's literature category graced the red carpet on Awards night Nov. 20, 2008.
The Buzz Nov. 2008 So the economy’s gone south, you still need your gadgets.
Folktales from Around the World: The Bear Prince. DVD. 11:56 min. with tchr’s. guide. Prod. by Colman Communications. Dist. by 100% Educational Media (schoolvideos.com). 2008. $39.95.
K-Gr 4–While this animated Mexican fairy tale will be new to most viewers, the story contains familiar elements from such popular tales as “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Puss in Boots.”
Let them eat cake! Library aide Shanta Ramkhelawan (left), librarian Camina Raphael, and Colleen McCrea, head of the children's library, served delectable dessert to more than 130 people celebrating the 85th anniversary of the historic Robert Bacon Memorial Children's Library in Westbury, NY. Upon opening its doors in 1924 it was only the third children's library in the world.
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