SIRS Discoverer
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.)
This was fun! I like that SIRS brings up all articles in its first icon but then sorts them out into newspapers, graphics, etc. I thought that the armadillos rolled into a ball would be great fun to show on a large screen and allow the children to guess what it is. I have grades 5 and under and all of them would enjoy guessing what it was. The reading level of the article is very important too, especially with the younger or struggling readers. The citation information at the end is wonderful because HS students still struggle to record the information correctly so younger children really don't understand how.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. I used the United States. I think that it would be way more fun to project this information using the LCD projector rather than trying to have children look thing up in the Almanac. It also gave three different levels of graphic organizers for students to fill in the information that they found.
• selecting a map in "Maps of the World" and discussing a potential use. The historical maps and the ability to print a PDF of them would be a good feature when discussing the American Revolution. I really liked the outline map PDF especially since you can copy and cut just a portion of the map, if necessary.
• selecting one other area in "Database Features" and discuss the information located there. I chose biographies because the Fourth Grade students are researching them right now. I liked the photographs of the people that I looked up. This would be great because it is too hard to photocopy an encyclopedia photo.  I also looked up fiction and the poetry section would work well to print a poem and have the children illustrate the poem. I thought Garden Salad and A Potato Has Eyes would be fun for the children. The bonus is that all the copyright information is already listed with the poem. This way children can see that we give credit when we use information.

• 	Garden Salad
  		Christian Science Monitor; Oct. 14, 2008; Lexile Score: 1420; 1K.
  		Summary: A poem about a garden is presented.
  		Descriptors: Children's poetry, Gardens, Salads

  		A Potato Has Eyes
  		Christian Science Monitor; Jan. 9, 2008; Lexile Score: 540; 1K.
  		Summary: A poem for kids is presented.
  		Descriptors: Children's poetry

LOS ANGELES TIMES
(Los Angeles, CA)
June 16, 2002, p. E5 © 2002, Los Angeles Times. Reprinted by permission. Distributed by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.

The Food With No Name

is a humorous story that the students would enjoy reading and then writing a short story using their own imaginations to make up a new food and its name.

Learning Express

2.12.2012

Learning Express, the SD State Library provides a 2-page handout, and Learning Express provides a tutorial.

Discovery Exercise:
Create a blog post discussing the following questions and other observations you have about Learning Express Library.  All resources can be accessed via this alphabetical list.

1.  Set-up an account in Learning Express and browse through the available exams. 

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 have used this testing site before in other schools where I worked. The teachers were very interested in using it, particularly since it grades immediately, has the reasoning behind why each answer is correct, and which skill the student is using. I knew that I liked it, but I have fallen out of practice in recommending it to other teachers. I intend to show the Fourth and Fifth Grade teachers this important test practice site.

3.  Job searching and resume writing are among the self-paced courses in Learning Express.  Click on the "Job Search and Workplace Skills" learning center and add one of the courses to your center.  Take a few minutes to explore the course and note your observations.

I chose the TOEIC Practice Test. It was grueling! I am glad that I have always spoken English or I don’t think that I would have been able to pass this test! I wish that they would break the test into smaller parts. Fatigue must play a huge part in whether the people pass the real test or not. I think that I will tell the Literacy Network about this test so that they can use it when they are helping ELL clients learn to read.
4. Type a search term in the search box in the upper left of the home page 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.

I took time out to email two of my sons about an ebook that may be of interest to them. I also enjoyed skimming through a book about vocabulary.
OR
From the home page, bottom right, click the link for eBooks. The list will open in a new window. Browse the titles and take a look at one that interests you.