Synergy: Atlas

An atlas is a collection of maps representing the Earth or a particular region. Traditionally, they were bound into large books. However, today’s interactive atlas allow users to view features such as political boundaries or geographic elements through transparent layers.

Read the recently published atlases for youth, then learn more at the website:

National Geographic Kids has recently published new editions of their popular atlases.

BEGINNER’S UNITED STATES ATLAS (third edition) is an effective way to introduce atlases to children ages 7 to 10. The book begins with an introduction to maps. The attractive format uses maps and photographs to explore the land and its people. Icons are used to highlight key features. Divided into regions (northwest, southeast, midwest, southwest, west, U.S. territories), the atlas explores each state in a two-page spread. It concludes with a review, glossary, and charts.

UNITED STATES ATLAS (sixth edition) is designed for ages 10 to 14. Like the beginner’s version, it is organized by region and highlights each state. The maps are more detailed and the text provides a more in-depth examination of each state than the beginner edition.

National Geographic Kids also publishes world atlases for a variety of age levels.

MAPMAKER INTERACTIVE from National Geographic allows users to explore locations around the world through the use of a base map and layers. Students begin with a base layer such as streets, terrain, topo, or satellite. Then, they can add layers such as water, human population, climate, and history to explore an area in depth. Finally, users can use the tools provided to personalize, save, and print their map.

To visit the website, go to https://mapmaker.nationalgeographic.org/.

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Website: National Forest Map

The NATIONAL FOREST MAP from the US Forest Service is an interactive map.

This easy-to-use visual resource provides a variety of tools to explore forest service lands and recreational opportunities. Users can browse the map by topics such as hiking, picnicking, and fishing. Or, use the search tool to locate a particular place name or forest. Users can select a base map with streets, imagery, or topography. A legend explains colors and symbols. Up-to-date information is provided about weather warnings and fire activity.

Librarians will find this website to be a useful tool for connecting youth with nature. Involve students in exploring area hiking, biking, and nature viewing opportunities while teaching mapping skills.

To visit the website, go to https://www.fs.fed.us/ivm/index.html.

Website Review: MapStory

MAPSTORY is an online tool for creating local, regional, and global scale maps.

The MapStories website contains hundreds of maps to explore. Conduct a search or explore categories such as geopolitics and human settlement. Users can become part of the online community and contribute data and stories to existing projects. Students can also combine narrative elements that include images, text, and video to explain how and why changes happen in specific locations in their own projects. The maps can be connected with social media including Twitter and Facebook.

Librarians will find that students enjoy exploring existing maps along with creating their own. Use this tool in geography lessons along with map-related activities in science and social studies.

To visit the website, go to https://mapstory.org/.

Website Review: A Bear's Eye View of Yellowstone

A BEAR’S EYE VIEW OF YELLOWSTONE is an interactive exploration of the world of bears.

Created by National Geographic, this interactive project uses text, images, audio, video, maps, and infographics to provide insights into the life of bears living in Yellowstone National Park. After exploring one bear’s journey, users can follow other bears including both black bears and grizzly bears.

Librarians will find this website to be an excellent resource for reluctant learners. The mixture of audio, video, and images along with small text segments will draw interest. Use this interactive journey as a springboard to an inquiry-based learning experience focusing on animals.

To visit the website, go to https://www.nationalgeographic.com/…/yellowstone-national-…/.

Website Review: American Panorama

AMERICAN PANORAMA: AN ATLAS OF UNITED STATES HISTORY is an interactive historical atlas.

This online atlas project currently contains five maps. The Mapping Inequality (1935-1940) project explores New Deal America, the Forced Migration (1810-1860) map examines enslaved people, the Overland Trails (1840-1860) project focuses on trails west, the Foreign-Born Population (1850-2010) map features immigrants from around the world, and the Canals (1820-1860) project focuses on canals of the Northeast US.

Librarians will find this atlas is helpful for students who learn best though the use of visual communication. Involve students in discussing other topics that would benefit from an interactive atlas approach. Because the topics cover a variety of topics, the project can be integrated into both history and social studies classes.

To visit the website, go to http://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/.

For another historical atlas, go to http://dsl.richmond.edu/historicalatlas/.

Website Review: Spread of U.S. Slavery

SPREAD OF U.S. SLAVERY is an interactive map showing enslaved populations in the United States from 1790 to 1860.

Using U.S. Census data, this easy to use interactive map helps users visualize the spread of slavery from the late 18th to the mid 19th century in the United States. In addition to viewing enslaved populations, users can also view free African Americas, free populations, and total populations.

Librarians will find this simple to use map useful in teaching students about data and visualizations. In addition, it is useful in the history and social studies curriculum.

To visit the website, go to http://lincolnmullen.com/projects/slavery/.

Website Review: The Cyrus Tang Hall of China

THE CYRUS TANG HALL OF CHINA from The Field Museum is an online exhibition exploring the history of China.

Users begin by exploring the exhibition. The exhibition is divided into an introduction, five galleries, and two interactives exploring the diverse landscapes, ethnicities, social statuses, and lived experiences across time and space. Artifacts in the exhibition range thousands of years.

Each highlighted artifact includes background information, visuals, and background information.

The interactive elements allow users to explore information about China through a timeline and map video as well as a 360 virtual exhibit exploration tool.

Librarians will find the online exhibition to be an engaging way to experience the history of China. A supplemental website contains educational materials that focus on object-based learning approaches. These tools connect well with information skills and information inquiry activities in the library.

To visit the website, go to http://chinahall.fieldmuseum.org/.

To visit the educator toolkit, go to http://www.fieldmuseum.org/disc…/on-exhibit/china/educators/.

Website Review: Remembering Lincoln

REMEMBERING LINCOLN explores the reactions of people to the Lincoln assassination and the stories behind these responses.

Produced by Ford’s Theatre, the “Explore the Story” section describes the circumstances of President Abraham Lincoln’s death and the reactions that came from people in all walks of life. A timeline, map of responses, and focus on specific people are intended to help students immerse themselves in the time period and the personal reactions of people to the Lincoln Assassination.

The “Browse All Responses” section contains hundreds of primary source documents including photographs, objects, newspaper articles, diary entries and other items that remember Lincoln.

The “Curated Collections” section provides a few focused examples such as memorial cards, children’s reactions, and mourning ribbons.

Librarians will find this website to be useful in teaching about primary source documents. By focusing on a particular event, librarians and history teachers can explore the wide range of primary sources produced at the time and help student reflect on the various perspectives represented in these documents.

To visit the website, go to http://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/.

App Review: Earthquake

EARTHQUAKE by Nico Tranquilli is a free app providing the latest worldwide data about earthquake activity.

This attractive, well-designed app features a list of today’s seismic events along with an easy-to-use interactive map showing recent activity. The map makes it easy to zoom-in on areas of frequent activity. Students can select the magnitudes they wish to view including 2+, 3.5+, and 5+.

Each event includes it’s location, magnitude, depth, time, and coordinates. While much of the information comes directly from the USGS, other global services also contribute data.

Librarians will find this free app to be a useful addition to their app reference collection. Ask youth to compare recent earthquake activities to well-known faults and activities such as drilling. Incorporate this tool into meaningful, data literacy activities.

To download the app, go tohttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/earthquake/id632040358.

As an alternative to this app, go directly to the USGS Earthquake website athttp://earthquake.usgs.gov/ for current information.

Technology Review: Election Central

ELECTION CENTRAL from PBS LearningMedia is an educational guide to the United States elections.

The website is divided into six sections.

The Election Collection section contains links to exemplary election-themed resources to enhance lesson plans and spark discussion.

Inside the Debates explores the role of debates as a forum for candidates to share their view. Resources including behind-the-scenes materials, debate guidelines, debate video, and connections with debates in history.

The Interactive Map shows the delegate count and provides information about the election process in each state.

The Election Process section provides resources to help young people learn about the electoral college, caucuses, primaries, conventions, and more.

The Virtual Field Trips provides links to government-related field trips that focus on the political process.

50 for 50 is a contest connected with the 2016 election.

Librarians will find this website to be useful across grade levels. Consider creating an election center in the library that includes a display, books related to elections, and a tablet containing this website.

To visit the website, go to http://www.pbseduelectioncentral.com/.

Website Review: Scholastic News - Election 2016

SCHOLASTIC NEWS: ELECTION 2016 provides timely, youth-friendly information and resources about the US presidential election.

The Home page provides links to the project’s key elements.

The Latest News page includes short articles about current events related to the presidential campaign, an interactive timeline of events, and a map showing state elections.

The Kid Reports area features youth reports including questions and answers, behind-the-scenes, and other topics of interest.

The Election Central section provides useful vocabulary associated with the election, a fun infographic showing the election process, and a Meet the Candidates page featuring the candidates.

Librarians will find this to be an age-appropriate way to introduce children to the key concepts associated with the presidential election. The user-friendly format will draw student interest. Use the short articles for informational reading activities.

Use the timeline, map, and infographics to discuss different ways that information can be presented. Invite youth to create their own visuals to share their understandings.

To visit the website, go to http://election.scholastic.com/.

Website Review: Data USA

DATA USA provides easy-to-access visualizations of critical issues facing the United States.

Describing itself as “the most comprehensive visualization of U.S. public data”, the website is a collaboration between corporations and MIT. The easy-to-use website puts public US Government data in the hands of citizens.

In the Profiles section, users can conduct a general search or narrow their focus by location, industry, occupation, or education. Within each of these four profile areas, users can focus in on specific aspects by scrolling down the page and viewing an engaging infographic.

The Stories section provides fascinating insights into the data in particular areas such as men and industry or obesity and diabetes. These short articles are written by experts and demonstrate the importance of data across disciplines.

The Map area allows users to zoom in on particular areas of the United States to explore the data.

The Data component details the data sources used in building the website.

Use the Glossary page in the About section to introduce youth to key terms related to data analysis.

Librarians will find this tool to be an excellent way to address data literacy topics. Youth can use the website to access information, conduct their own analysis, and create their own stories about America’s people, places, industries, and educational institutions. From basic comparisons of two places to complex analysis of issues such as rural vs urban locations, the website is a great way for youth to explore data and visualizations.

In addition to containing useful information, students will find the website to be visually stunning.

To visit the website, go to http://datausa.io/.

Website Review: RPO (Representative Poetry Online)

RPO (REPRESENTATIVE POETRY ONLINE) is a web anthology containing 4800 poems in English and French spanning 1400 years.

Containing the works of over 700 poets, the website sponsored by the University of Toronto Libraries is divided into poets, poems, and poetry.

Within the poet section, users can search by name, date, period, movement, nationality, and honors.

Within the poems section, users can search by title, date, form, rhyme, and collection.

Within the poetry section, users can locate works on a map, timeline, and calendar. Criticism, a glossary, and a bibliography are also available.

Librarians will find this to be a useful resource for both students and teachers. The map, timeline, and calendar features provide a unique opportunity to access and think about poetry.

To visit the website, go to http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/

App Review: Shout Science!

SHOUT SCIENCE! by Scott Dubois is an amazing comic storybook app exploring scientists and scientific discovery.

Designed for ages 7 through 11, the app contains three narrative biographies featuring Anton Van Leeuwenhoek, Maria Sibylla Merian, and James Hutton. Set during the Scientific Revolution in Europe, readers learn about both science and history connected with the scientist. Students scroll down a timeline or explore a map, then make a selection. For each person, the student can read the story or access additional information about the person including background information, an image and timeline.

Rather than reading across pages, users scroll down a series of screens to read the story. To enhance engagement and reading comprehension, the app incorporates animation, diagrams, sound, and interactive elements.

Use this engaging comic storybook app to jumpstart a biography project. Connect the app with the graphic biographies in your library collection.

Go to Shout Science to learn more about the author and the app at http://www.shoutscience.com/.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shout-science!/id672884678….

App Review: Explore 9/11

The EXPLORE 9/11 app from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum is a guide to understanding the history of the World Trade Center and the 9/11 tragedy.

The app contains three features including a map mode, story mode, and tribute mode. Rotate your device to switch between the map and story modes.

The Map Mode allows users to explore the map of the Memorial plaza and museum. Tapping on hotspots provide access to videos, photographs, and other images. Audio recordings from first responders and survivors are also included.

The Story Mode lets users explore chapters with background information about the history of 9/11 and the artifacts housed in the museum.

The Tribute Mode provides a place were users can leave a message.

Librarians will find this to be a powerful virtual field trip for students and their teachers. Consider designing pre- and post- app experiences that encourage youth to ask questions, explore content, then debrief the experience.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/explore-9-11/id387986451.

App Review: EarthViewer

EARTHVIEWER is a fascinating, interactive app from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute that allows users to explore the science of Earth’s history.

Through timelines and visualizations, students can see the continents grow and shift as they scroll through billions of years of Earth’s history. Users can zoom into their favorite landmark and follow how it changes through time. Layers allow users to view data on atmospheric composition, temperature, biodiversity, day length, and solar luminosity.

Part of the HHMI’s BioInteractive initiative, the app opens with the option to take a short tutorial or jump right into the program. Users pinch out or in to switch between timeline views. The three main timeline views include phanerozoic (540 million years), deep history (4.6 billion years), and modern (100 years). Suggested areas to explore contain place markers such as cities, fossils, impact events, mass extinctions, biological events, and geological events. In-depth options include text and illustrations about topics such as the greenhouse effect and plate tectonics. The teacher resources area includes quick guides, references, and other information.

Librarians will find endless applications for this resource. Students can start with a modern city and track it back through time. Or, follow a famous fossil as it moves through time. Collaborate with the science teacher to build connections with the library’s science collection including books on prehistoric creatures, fossils, plate tectonics, and other curriculum-related topics.

The accompanying website also includes data files, classroom activities, worksheets, video clips, and a downloadable version.

To learn more, go to http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/earthviewer.

Website Review: America's Byways

AMERICA’S BYWAYS is a website that describes 150 distinct and diverse scenic roadways across the United States. Each “Byway” or “All-American Road” was selected by the National Scenic Byways Program for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and/or scenic qualities.

The website provides access to the the byways through a clickable map. An annotated, alphabetical list of the roads is also available with a short description, and a link to a page providing detailed information. Each byway page includes an overview including the length of the road, time to drive it, fees, and local information. A map and directions are also included along with a set of photos.

Librarians will find this website to be a fun starting point for geography and social studies projects. Involve youth in selecting a region of the United States and exploring the byways in the area. Connect the project to math by asking students to use local gas prices to figure out the cost of driving the length of the road. Use a website like TripAdvisor to local hotels, restaurants, and activities along the route.

To visit the website, go to http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways.

Published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

Website Review: The National Map

THE NATIONAL MAP at http://nationalmap.gov/ is a versatile mapping website sponsored by the United States Geological Survey.

Although Google Maps works for lots of mapping projects, The National Map provides more in-depth opportunities to explore geography topics with maps.

The Viewer and Download Platform allows users to visualize topographic data. Themes such as elevation, orthoimagery, land cover, hydrography, geographic names, boundaries, transportation, and structures are available. Maps also feature both current and historical topography. Mashups that include The National Map are created by many organizations such as those involved with emergency services or health care. A new 3D Elevation Program is currently being developed.

To go directly to the viewer, go to http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/. Users can select layers associated with their arms of interest.

The US Topo Maps section makes “Quad Maps” available to users. These recently produced maps can be viewed, downloaded as PDF files and printed for free. Or, they can be purchased in the map store.

The Historical Topo Map section features historical maps that provide a snapshot of the nation’s physical and cultural past. The maps are useful in multi-disciplinary projects that connect the past to the present. These maps can be viewed online or downloaded.

The Fact Sheets, Videos, and Information Products section features useful background information.

Get your school involved with a partnership project with the USGS. The website features lots of opportunities to become involved as part of important national geography projects.