Showing posts with label website. Show all posts
Showing posts with label website. Show all posts

Monday, February 10, 2020

Synergy: Endangered Animals


The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides for the conservation of endangered and threatened fish, wildlife, and plants. Endangered animals are in danger of extinction, while those listed as threatened are likely to become endangered species in the near future.
WHO AM I? by Tim Flach is a peek-through picture book introducing the concept of endangered animals to young readers. Each two-page spread contains a photograph representing the animal’s habitat, a clue about the animal, and a peek at a part of the animal’s body. In some cases, no habitat is provided but additional visual clues are provided instead.
A second two-page spread reveals the the animal and its name. Children will identify some creatures immediately and others that will be a challenge. The book concludes with information about what makes each animal special and why it’s endangered. Use this book as a fun way to jumpstart an exploration of endangered animals.
ENDANGERED.ORG is the website of a group that strives to stop human-caused extinction of at-risk species. The blog contains up-to-date information of species currently in danger. The campaign focuses on key events such as the Endangered Species Day celebrated in May each year. The endangered species section features pages for key animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, plants, and invertebrates. Information and an infographic details the specifics of the Endangered Species Act.
Endangered Species Coalition https://www.endangered.org/
ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Synergy: The Stonewall Uprising



The Stonewall Uprising included a series of protests by the gay community in the summer of 1969 after a police raid in New York City. Many historians consider this event to have sparked the LGBTQ+ movement that continues today.

Read the recently published middle grades children's book, then learn more at the website:

THE STONEWALL RIOTS: COMING OUT IN THE STREETS by Gayle E. Pitman tells the story of the 1969 demonstrations that launched the LGBTQ+ movement.

Visit the Stonewall National Monument National Park Service website to learn about the site of the Stonewall protests. The website contains a history of the events and connections to the people, parks, and places associated with LGBTQ heritage.

Stonewall National Monument https://www.nps.gov/ston

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Friday, March 01, 2019

Website Review: Make:

MAKE: is a website sharing tools and project ideas for makerspaces.
While many of the project ideas are geared to the K-12 classroom, others provide activities focusing on personal and community-based activities. The website is divided into sections focusing on tested projects, tool guides, and maker spotlights. All projects are tagged for easy access.
The Maker Faire section provides ideas for starting your own community-based project and the Maker Shed area features hands-on kits, digital books, and other materials.
Librarians will find this website useful for identifying maker space project ideas. Of particular note are the many robotic and computer science project ideas.
To visit the website, go to https://makezine.com/.

Monday, February 25, 2019

Website: Mood-O-Meter

TURNER’S APOTHECARY MOOD-O-METER is a web project from the Peabody Essex Museum.
This engaging interactive experience allows student to examine and analyze selected artwork by J.M.W. Turner. Thirty-seven works of this British painter are featured. Included in the project are unfinished works, experimental sketches, drawings, watercolors and prints.
Users navigate the website via a series of choices, spin a dial, turn a knob, and swipe to move an element. Students begin by rotating a dial to choose a journey, then select a color for your current mood. Next players are asked to choose a genre for light reading. Users continue by making a few more choices and the Mood-O-Meter displays a prescribed Turner artwork.
Librarians can use the website to analyze the temperaments that were used during Turner’s lifetime to describe moods, such as sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, melancholic, sublime, and joyful. Connect the website with psychology and art teachers.
To learn more, go to http://turner.pem.org

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Website: Authorial London

AUTHORIAL LONDON is a literary geography web project of the Center for Interdisciplinary Digital Research at Stanford University.
The project compiles and maps references to London places found in the works and biographies of writers who lived there. Users can research the literary works of writers who lived in London. It allows students to explore and analyze curated passages from literary, geographical, and biographical perspectives. User can find out where famous and lesser known writers lived and figure out which writers lived near each other. Users click on a particular point on the map to bring up a list of authors associated with the same neighborhood.
Librarians can browse more than fifty authors and explore the places they lived and their literary works within dimensions of genre, form, period, social standing and neighborhood. Connect this website with social studies and history teachers.

Monday, February 18, 2019

Website: 27: The Most Perfect Album

27: THE MOST PERFECT ALBUM is a project of WNYC Studios.
The website focuses on the twenty-seven amendments to the United States Constitution that detail our basic rights. “The 27” original songs explain and amplify each of the amendments to the Constitution.
Musicians include The Slants, Dolly Parton, and They Might Be Giants. In addition, Joey Stylez performing his First Amendment song focusing on the persecution of American indigenous people. Each song is accompanied by the song lyrics and notes that explain their historic significance.
Librarians will find these songs and their mix of constitutional short stories a great way to learn more about the amendments. This resource provides an opportunity to collaborate with the music and history teachers.

Friday, February 15, 2019

Website Review: Sixty Symbols

SIXTY SYMBOLS is a website and YouTube channel exploring physics and astronomy symbols.
Sponsored by The University of Nottingham, the project began with sixty symbols and has expanded to include dozens more. In addition to the sixty original symbols, the website also has sections focusing on the planets, large hadron collider, and scientists. The project also links to related topics connected with chemistry, mathematics, and more.
Librarians will find that students enjoy both the topics and the approach. Rather than relying on humor or animation, most of the videos are simply straight-forward explanations of key science concept by professors and other scholars. Of particular note are the videos by Stephen Hawking.
To visit the website, go to http://www.sixtysymbols.com/.
To visit the YouTube channel, go tohttps://www.youtube.com/user/sixtysymbols.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

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

Monday, February 11, 2019

Website Review: World Digital Library

The WORLD DIGITAL LIBRARY makes available primary materials from all countries and cultures around the world.
Sponsored by the Library of Congress, users can discover, study, and enjoy cultural treasures and historical documents through the World Digital Library (WDL) website. WDL content includes information and images that can be explored by place, time period, topic, item type, language and institution. Users will find items organized in themes, timelines, and interactive maps. The WDL project is supported by the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) and cooperation with libraries, archives, museums, educational institutions, and international organizations around the world.
Librarians will find primary source materials in a variety of forms; books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, journals, prints and photographs, sound recordings, and films are not translated but presented in their original languages. Weave these resources throughout the information literacy curriculum and across content areas.
To visit the website, go to https://www.wdl.org/en/.

Friday, February 08, 2019

Website Review: In a Nutshell

KURZGESAGT: IN A NUTSHELL is a YouTube channel featuring short animations focusing on science topics.
Publishing one video per month, the YouTube channel features dozens of earth, life, and physical science topics. Each video uses a unique, witty narrative style likely to appeal to all ages. The elaborate, bright colored animations bring each topic to life.
Use the playlist to identify multiple videos on topics such as genetic engineering, technology, immune system, and the universe. Of particular note is their “best stuff” section featuring a variety of topics. Based in Germany, the videos provide a useful global perspective on topics such as energy.
Librarians will find these beautifully produced animations to be effective in addressing popular how and why science questions. Use the videos to introduce concepts across the science curriculum.
To visit the website, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/Kurzgesagt.

Wednesday, February 06, 2019

Website Review: Math Antics

MATH ANTICS is a website and YouTube channel teaching basic math concepts.
Designed for grades 3 through 8, the videos are intended to supplement the math curriculum. The videos are organized by math concept such as arithmetic, fractions, geometry, algebra and percents rather than by grade level. The engaging format may be useful for learners seeking alternative ways of thinking about a math concept.
Librarians will find these fast-paced, math videos to be popular with teachers seeking short tutorials to review or enhance learning. Although the videos are free, additional materials can be purchased at the website.

Monday, February 04, 2019

Website Review: Magna Carta

The MAGNA CARTA website explores the history and legacy of one of the world’s most famous documents, the Magna Carta.
Housed at the British Library, the original document was agreed at Runnymede in 1215. This site displays one of the four surviving copies. Visitors can explore and study articles by leading experts, view videos and animations, and other items for ideas and information associated with the Magna Carta. Discover the important people involved in the 13th century including King John and Henry III, Pope Innocent III, Archbishop Stephen Langton, Barons William Marshal and Robert Fitzwalter.
Librarians can help students and adults find resources for primary and secondary schools in teaching history, government, citizenship, human rights, law and politics. Lead them to discover why this document is still important today. How has it changed over the last 800 years? How does it affect our culture, laws and rights?
To visit the website, go to https://www.bl.uk/magna-carta.

Saturday, February 02, 2019

Book Review: Countdown

COUNTDOWN by Suzanne Slade tells the true story of the moon landing.
Told through stunning illustrations and engaging free verse, this large picture book takes readers on a 2979 day journey from President John F. Kennedy’s announcement through the moon landing. Each of the nine chapters explore a different stage in the project. Thomas Gonzalez’s photo-quality images share a visual record, while the free verse draws readers into the engaging true story. The book concludes with background information, notes, a bibliography, quotations, and an index.
Librarians will find that this large picture book provides a unique way to experience this powerful story of engineering and human sacrifice. Pair it work biographies and other works of nonfiction along with the many NASA websites related to the moon project.
Published by Peachtree Publishers on September 1, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Website Review: C.G.P. Grey

C.G.P. GREY is a popular YouTube Channel featuring short, fast-paced animated videos on popular topics.
Each short video explores a specific problem or question such as who owns the state of liberty or how do machines learn?
Librarians will find youth enjoy the fast-paced style. Keep in mind that some videos contain humor and satire appropriate for older students. Of particular note is a video that explores the differences between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England. The fast-paced, humorous approach will be popular with sharp AP students.
To visit the youtube channel, go tohttps://www.youtube.com/user/CGPGrey.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Website Review: The Graphics Atlas

The GRAPHICS ATLAS website uses an object-based approach to identification of prints and photographs.
Created and maintained by the Image Permanence Institute, a department of the College of Art and Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), this website provides useful tools connected with photography. Users can explore the collection by taking a guided tour of individual prints; a virtual study of the collection that contains processes ranging from historic woodcuts to today’s inkjet prints. The collection covers pre-photographic, photomechanical, photographic and digital processes. Compare the process traits using a variety of lighting techniques and image magnifications. One can learn the key identifying characteristics of each process. Users can sign up for an interesting picture of the month to be emailed to them.
Librarians will find this website to be a useful tool for students and teachers who work with historical photographs. The website helps learners look at past pictures online and learn about the processes used in their production. Use it as part of both the information literacy program and the social studies curriculum.
To visit the website, go to http://www.graphicsatlas.org/

Friday, January 25, 2019

Website Review: Maker Ed

MAKER ED is a website providing resources and information to educators interested in maker-centered learning.
The Maker Education Initiative is a non-profit project providing training, support, and resources to the educational community. The website contains a resource library with planning materials and ideas for making the case for makerspaces in schools. Tools, materials, publications, research reports, and project approaches are also available. Of particular interest are tours and descriptions of specific examples of school, library, and museum makerspaces.
Librarians will find endless ideas for building maker spaces into teaching and learning activities.
To visit the website, go to https://makered.org.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Website Review: Animated Math

ANIMATED MATH also known as 3BLUE1BROWN is a website and YouTube channel providing videos and math poetry on advanced mathematics topics.
Although too tough for most teens, this website is perfect for advanced math students looking for ways to enhance their learning. Created by Grant Sanderson, the video section introduces the latest videos and the math poetry area presents a dozen poems.
Librarians will find this website to be an effective way to promote advanced mathematics in a high school setting. Of particular interest is the math poetry section. Go directly to the YouTube channel to explore playlists connected with particular topics.
To visit the website, go to https://www.3blue1brown.com/.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Website Review: Library Learning & Creation Center

The LIBRARY LEARNING & CREATION CENTER is a website supporting the professional development needs of librarians.
Sponsored by the Colorado Virtual Library, the website contains resources focusing on collection management, community engagement, customer service, leadership, maker spaces, services and programming, and technology. In addition, the Library 101 section is geared to challenges facing librarians from professional ethics to intellectual freedom. Many of the topics link to videos and reading materials sponsored by state and national library organizations such as the American Library Association.
Librarians will find useful resources to jumpstart their own professional development activities along with materials to assist their library staff and volunteers.
To visit the website, go to https://create.coloradovirtuallibrary.org/.

Friday, January 18, 2019

Website Revie: Makerspace for Education

MAKERSPACE FOR EDUCATION is website providing resources related to makerspaces in teaching and learning.
The website introduces the basics of makerspaces along with the philosophical basis for the approach. A materials section lists print resources, software, websites, and other useful links to get educators started. A community of practice section welcomes involvement and provides links to a blog and teacher-generated lesson ideas.
Librarians will find this website to be helpful in designing makerspaces and locating materials and support for both the library and classroom settings.
To visit the website, go to http://www.makerspaceforeducation.com/.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Website Review: Jared Owen Animations

JARED OWEN ANIMATIONS is a YouTube Channel sharing fascinating 3D animations.
From science to architecture and history, Jared Owen has produced fascinating 3D animations that illustrate concepts, address questions, look inside equipment, and visit locations around the world. Users can see a series of animations related to Apollo Spacecraft, look inside a lightsaber, and visit Buckingham Palace.
Librarians will find the animations useful in computer science classes teaching 3D animation. In addition, collaborate with social studies and science teachers to weave the animations into the curriculum.
To visit the YouTube channel, go tohttps://www.youtube.com/user/captainranic