Website Review: National Geographic Wild

NATGEOWILD is a YouTube Channel focusing on the animal kingdom.

Sponsored by National Geographic, the engaging animal videos will be of interest to all ages. Browse the playlists for video collections such as Dead by Dawn, Live Safaris. Dr. Oakley, Animal Fight Night, Untamed, Australia’s Deadly Monsters, and the Incredible Dr. Pol. The community section provides information about new and upcoming videos.

Librarians will find these videos to be a fun way to introduce a science or writing unit. Involve youth in selecting their favorite video to jumpstart an inquiry. Or, explore the playlists to connect videos to specific science units. Pair the videos with nonfiction books connected to specific topics such as “world’s weirdest” and “world’s deadliest”.

To visit the YouTube channel, go tohttps://www.youtube.com/user/NatGeoWild

Technology Review: 101 Videos

101 VIDEOS from National Geographic on YouTube explore natural and historical phenomena from around the world.

Containing nearly 60 short videos, this National Geographic series focuses on fascinating topics from around the world.

Each three to seven minute segment explores a different topic. Recent programs include Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt and The Protestant Reformation. Science topics include Climate, Lunar Eclipse, the Sun, and the Human Body.

Librarians will find this series provides an excellent introduction to key topics from the curriculum. Mine the resource for history and science topics. Suggest that teachers use the videos as springboards to classroom activities. Or, use each video at a library learning station to draw attention to nonfiction books connected with the theme.

To visit the website, go to https://goo.gl/GMEkKQ.

Website Review: Tracking Ivory

TRACKING IVORY from National Geographic explores the human toll of ivory poaching in Africa.

This web resource is divided into three sections: gallery, map, and article. The gallery presents a series of photographs narrated by a National Geographic journalist. The map section provides an interactive series of visuals showing the smuggling routes and locations of the illegal ivory trade. Finally, a ten-part article explores how the ivory trade finances ongoing conflict in Africa.

Librarians will find this well-researched and highly visual website to be useful in informational reading activities in social studies.

To explore this resource, go to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tracking-ivory/.

Book Review: Ellis Island

ELLIS ISLAND by Elizabeth Carney traces the history of Ellis Island.

Written for fluent readers, the book contains short chapters exploring the history of Ellis Island. Throughout the story, readers will find boxes containing facts, quotes, and key words. Photo captions and labels provide additional information for readers. The book also contains a quiz, glossary, and index.

Librarians will find this short book to be a valuable addition to their nonfiction collection. The many black and white, as well as color photographs will draw the interest of primary grade students. With lots of visuals and easy-to-read text, this National Geographic Readers title would be particularly useful for reluctant readers working on history reports. Use this title along with other nonfiction works in this collection as part of an informational reading, literature circle activity.

Published by National Geographic on April 12, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: Mindsuckers

MINDSUCKERS by Matthew Twombly presents three incredibly cool graphic novellas from National Geographic.

The website begins with the first story, but an upper-right, sidebar-menu provides access to all three surprising stories.

Users scroll down a series of screens to experience the beautifully illustrated and well-narrated science-rich experiences. In addition to the narration, nature sounds contribute to the experience.

ON SINISTER POND features the amazing life cycle of a flatworm. From a snail spewing flatworm larvae to a parasite-carrying heron, children will enjoy all the gory details of science.

FEARLESS RAT examines a parasite-infected rat caught by an unsuspecting cat. Children will never look at a cat and mouse the same way again.

THE STING OF DOOM tells the story of a cockroach who falls victim to a jewel wasp. Again, children will enjoy the sinister scene.

Librarians will find the three stories an excellent way to draw youth into the science section of the library. Share the stories as a large group, then immerse youth in books about parasites, leeches, bloodsuckers, and other freeloading creatures.

Read a feature article titled “Mindsuckers: Meet Nature’s Nightmare”. In addition to another story, the page also provides access to a photo gallery, video, and the three macabre graphic novellas for youth. Go tohttp://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/…/11/mindsuck…/zimmer-text.

Go to National Geographic at http://nationalgeographic.com/mindsuckers/