Synergy: Food

Food is any substance used by living things as a means of nutrition. People, plants, and animals all need food to survive and grow. People around the globe eat a wide range of food often based on their local agriculture and traditions.  

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

ULTIMATE FOOD ATLAS is a delicious way to learn about food and the world through maps, games, recipes, and more. The book is organized into chapters based on continents with subsections focusing on particular types of foods. The book concludes with information about the oceans, global nutrition, and other useful information. Maps, photographs, and visually-rich pages encourage readers to connect specific locations with the fascinating foods available.

TASTE ATLAS is an interactive map providing access to local ingredients, traditional dishes, and authentic restaurants around the world. Users can search for a particular location or food. Or, use the map to explore areas of the world.

To learn more, go to https://www.tasteatlas.com/.

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Synergy: Manhattan

Manhattan is one of five boroughs of New York City. This densely populated island is one of the original counties of the state of New York. It’s been described as the cultural, financial, and entertainment capital of the world.

Read the recently published children’s book on this topic, then learn more at the website:

MANHATTAN: MAPPING THE STORY OF AN ISLAND by Jennifer Thermes takes readers back through time examining how this island has evolved over the past 400 years. Filled with fascinating historical maps, informative sidebars, and illustrations of specific people and places, picture book readers learn about both the natural world and the people who have inhabited this metropolis.

The Historical NYC Maps & Atlases from the New York Public Library web page provide links to historical maps of Manhattan from 17th through the 20th century. Students will enjoy comparing these historical maps to the book’s illustrations.

Historical NYC Maps & Atlases
https://on.nypl.org/2yuGpTr

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers

Website: Maps from American Battlefield Trust

MAPS from American Battlefield Trust provides access to engaging maps, videos, and apps from American history.

The MAPS section is part of the larger battlefield website.

The animated maps are actually videos that bring to life the movement of troops and battles of American wars. The Revolutionary War Animated Map covers America’s war for independence from Lexington to Yorktown and beyond. The Civil War Animated Map includes everything from Fort Sumter to Appomattox and more. In addition to the overview videos, specific battles are also available.

Over 400 maps are currently available such as the Battle of Cedar Mountain in Virginia during the Civil War. Both historical maps and battle maps are available.

Users can access the maps by war (Civil War, Revolutionary War, War of 1812), battle, or type of map (animated, battle, historical.

The American Battlefield Trust also have map apps available include the Civil War Battle Maps app.

Libraries will find these maps to be an excellent way to help students visualize the “big picture” related to these American wars. Work with the history teacher to weave these maps into the curriculum.

To learn more, go to https://www.battlefields.org/learn/maps.

Digital Spotlight: Maps of North America

MAPS OF NORTH AMERICA from the New York Public Library contains nearly 2000 historical maps.

Contents: From national park illustrations to city and state maps, this comprehensive digital collection features a wide variety of historical maps from the 17th to the 20th century. This varied collection includes railroad and road maps, Underground railroad maps, and city plans.

Classroom Connections: This large collection spanning three centuries contains a wealth of historical information particularly useful to social studies teachers. Use these maps to provide insights into specific locations and periods in North American history. Involve students in comparing maps of the same location in two different time periods.

Featured Digital Objects:
Underground Railroad Map
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/…/d64f0a80-4db6-0133-78…
Yellowstone National Park
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/…/510d47e2-12ce-a3d9-e0…
New England Map (1690)
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/…/510d47da-ee52-a3d9-e0…

To visit the collection, go to https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/c…/maps-of-north-america

Website Review: Video Game Industry

The VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY is an interactive website focusing on the state of the video game industry across the United States.

The Entertainment Software Association developed this interactive map to help users visualize the impact of the video game industry state by state. Students click on a state to explore industry advocates, college programs, and companies. The website also uses an infographic to present information about the video game industry.

Librarians will find this engaging website to be useful in data literacy lessons. Work with math, science, social studies, and communications teachers to build skills in locating and analyzing data found on maps and infographics. Begin with local data, then ask students to make comparisons among regions of the United States. Involve students in authentic informational reading and writing experiences using the video game theme as motivation.

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

Book Review: The Dragon Hunters Trilogy

THE DRAGON BROTHERS by James Russell is the first book in a new adventure trilogy for dragon fans.

Flynn and Paddy live on a remote island, so they’re surprised when a dragon swoops down and kidnaps their dog, Coco. This action adventure picture book traces their journey to rescue their beloved dog.

Librarians will find that this trilogy has broad appeal. Students will also want to download the map app to explore the Dragon Brothers’ world.

Look for THE DRAGON TAMERS (June 2017) and THE DRAGON RIDERS (August 2017) to complete the trilogy.

To learn more about this trilogy, go to http://www.dragonbrothersbooks.com/.

Published by Sourcebook Jabberwocky on April 4, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Histories of the National Mall

HISTORIES OF THE NATIONAL MALL is a website exploring historical maps, stories, people, and events related to Washington DC’s famous mall.

In addition to a search tool that provides access to the digital collection, users can explore the resources through maps, explorations, people, and past events. The maps section provides an interactive map that allows users to explore areas of the Mall. The explorations area features scavenger hunts, along with fascinating questions and answers pages featuring items from the digital collection. The people section features key men and women who impacted the Mall. Finally, the past events area provides a timeline of key events and primary sources related to these happenings.

Librarians will find this website connects with many areas of history and social studies. Use the explorations section to jumpstart information inquiry projects.

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

Website Review: The Living New Deal

THE LIVING NEW DEAL shares the achievements of the New Deal and public works projects across the United States.

This interactive online project features information about the New Deal, a map containing more than 12,000 locations impacted by public works projects, resources and teaching materials, and ways that people can get involved by submitting experiences and digital objects.

Librarians will find this website an engaging way to explore the impact of this government program.

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

Book Review: My Washington DC

MY WASHINGTON DC by Kathy Jakobsen is a visually rich picture book exploring the key features of this important US city.

The story follows Becky and her friend Martin as they explore the many interesting sights of this capitol city. The detailed illustrations and informational text bring the locations alive for children.

Of particular note is the illustrator’s use of the book’s borders to embed interesting artifacts and visual information. The book concludes with a reader’s challenge that asks readers to spot details woven throughout the book.

Librarians will find the book to be an excellent addition to their social studies collection. Consider an assignment that connects the book with Google Maps to explore the buildings of Washington DC.

To learn more about the author, go to https://kathyjakobsen.wordpress.com/.

Published by Little, Brown, an imprint of Hachette on September 6, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Digital Collection: The GLOBE Program

THE GLOBE PROGRAM

Contents: This international project contains science data sets that youth can explore using online visualization software. The measurements included in the project date from 1995 to the present. Users can choose from base maps such as the world at night, land surface temperature, and precipitation estimates.

Classroom Connections: Students can make use of the data sets or share their own data. A teacher section contains resources for students, teachers, and citizen scientists from around the world.

Featured Digital Objects:
Visualization - http://vis.globe.gov/GLOBE/
Teacher Resources - http://www.globe.gov/do-globe

To visit the collection, http://www.globe.gov

Technology Review: In the News: Refugees

IN THE NEWS: REFUGEES by Annenberg Learner provides high-quality curriculum resources for teaching about refugees.

The web-based resource is divided into student and teacher sections.

The Student Section provides links to content resources about the refugee crisis and the connection issue of immigration. Students can hear stories of ordinary people forced to flee their homes to escape violence and persecution. Links are provided to online exhibits that explore the lives of refugees from around the world, collections of stories about refugees that made their way to the United States, and art exhibits focusing on cultural connections. Finally, two resources explore maps related to displacement of people and immigration patterns.

The Teacher Section provides links to activities, lesson plans, and other professional development resources focusing on the refugee crisis and the related topic of immigration. Activities connect youth to photographs, literature, and writing projects. Lesson plans focus on the connection of migration to population and resource distribution. Articles explore the history of human migration, ancient immigration, immigration law, and public empathy for refugees.

Librarians will find that the topic of refugees and immigration can be woven across the curriculum. From map and data literacy to social issues projects, this hot-button issue works well for digital and information literacy curriculum connections.

To learn more, go to the website athttp://www.learner.org/resources/refugees/.

Website Review: The Roaring Twenties

THE ROARING TWENTIES is an interactive exploration of the historical soundscape of New York City through primary source documents.

This engaging multimedia project immerses users in the sounds of New York City in the 1920s through three themes: sound, space, and time.

The Introduction discusses the the time period and the primary source materials used as the basis for the website. These include the text of noise complaints, news reel footage, maps, and other historical materials.

The Sound section features sources of city noise including traffic, transportation, building operation, homes, streets, harbor/river, collection deliveries, and miscellaneous. Each category includes specific text and video examples of noises and complaints.

The Space section provides a clickable map of New York City. Users can explore primary source documents and watch video footage related to city noise.

The Time section contains a clickable timeline that can be used to explore noise complaints, videos, news, and other information.

The Info section provides access to background information about the three themes along with links to additional resources.
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Librarians will find this website to be an fascinating way for youth to immerse themselves in this time period while learning about the usefulness of primary sources in research. Partner with both English and History teachers to immerse young adults in this time period.

To visit the website, go to http://vectorsdev.usc.edu/NYCsound/777b.html.

Website Review: Surging Seas

SURGING SEAS is a fascinating website that provides sea level data, tools, and analysis.

Users can explore four areas including coastal flooding, mapping choices, a risk zone map, and a risk finder.

Coastal Floods provides an interactive showing natural and human-caused flooding in US cities between 1955 and 2014.

Mapping Choices provides maps, fly-overs, images, interactives, and reports comparing flood levels after increased in global temperatures.

The Rise Zone Map contains comparison tools that can be used to examine local sea level projections around the world and determine the risk of flooding.

The Risk Finder provides local information from selected states that can be used for analysis, forecasts, and predictions.

Librarians will find this compelling website to be an effective tool in teaching data literacy skills. The engaging content will actively engage learners in science while helping them explore data sets.

To visit the website, go to http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/.

App Review: WWF Together

WWF TOGETHER is an informational app exploring wildlife and conservation topics and issues of interest to all ages.

From pandas to monarch butterflies, users choose from over a dozen threatened and endangered animals to explore. Each infographic includes text, photographs, diagrams, and other information about the creature.

Users can also explore information through the use of an interactive world map. Clicking on a location pops up an infographic containing information about an animal living in that area.

Because this app is sponsored by an organization that focuses on conservation, a section of the app features ways users take action.

Finally, the news area provides up-to-date information on wildlife and conservation issues.

Librarians will find that this app is a good way to help users learn to navigation and interpret infographics. The short, easy-to-read articles would be useful for informational reading activities. Connect information literacy skills with science learning for an authentic learning experience.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wwf-together/id581920331.

Book Review: Samurai Rising

SAMURAI RISING by Pamela Turner tells the legendary story of Minamoto Yoshitsune.

Set in twelfth century Japan, young Yoshitsune is just a baby when his father is killed and his mother captured by a rival family. While living in a monastery, Yoshitsune learns warrior arts, becomes a samurai, and defeats his enemies.

Blending historical facts with classic literature, the author successfully creates a biography that’s both engaging for readers and based on actual people, places, and events. The fascinating illustrations draw readers into the story.

Short, chronological chapters focus on key events in the life of Yoshitsune. The list of characters and places, author’s notes, timelines, glossary, chapter notes, bibliography, and index make this book can excellent nonfiction information source for youth. The many maps also add to the usability.

Librarians know how difficult it can be to interest some youth in biographies. This action-packed biography is perfect for fans of the samurai and Japanese history. Because this work of nonfiction narrative reads like a novel, youth who enjoy a story approach will be drawn to this biography.

This well-researched biography will be popular among youth who enjoy the violence and valor found in twelfth century Japan.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.pamelasturner.com/.

Published by Charlesbridge on February 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Teacher's Guides for Using Primary Sources

TEACHER’S GUIDES FOR USING PRIMARY SOURCES from the Library of Congress are an engaging way to help learners analyze historical documents and other materials.

Ten guides are currently available for analyzing primary sources including motion pictures, political cartoons, books and other printed text, newspapers, sheet music and song sheets, manuscripts, oral histories, sound recordings, maps, and photographs and prints. A general guide to primary sources is also available.

Each one-page guide encourages students to observe, reflect, and question. In addition, ideas are provided for further investigation.

A Primary Source Analysis Tool is also available. This online tool allows students to enter notes that can be downloaded, printed, and/or emailed.

Librarians will find these one-page handouts and easy-to-use tools to be useful when addressing standards related to the analysis of primary source documents and informational reading.

While many teachers are familiar with these tools, the Analyzing Newspapers guide is new. Use this guide with the Chronicling America collection available at http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

To explore these Teacher’s Guides, go tohttp://loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/guides.html.

Website Review: Torn in Two

TORN IN TWO from the Boston Public Library is a website that explores defining events from the American Civil War.

The Virtual Tour examines people, places, and events connected with the Civil War. In the People section, users can explore the lives of a dozen different people impacted by the war. Students can explore their lives before, during, and after the war. In addition, users can examine maps related to their experiences and a timeline of events. The Places section provides access to period maps of the world, regions of the United States, and individual states. Finally, the timeline features maps, photographs, and other documents related to key events before, during, and after the war.

Curriculum guides are available for elementary, middle, high school, and special curriculum. These include standards-based lessons, students sheets, and supporting materials.

Librarians will find this website to be an effective way to illustrate the role of maps in understanding history. Consider collaborating with the history teacher on a project focusing on primary source materials, map reading, and history.

Sponsored by the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library, the Torn in Two experience can be extended by exploring other maps in the library’s collection.

To visit the website, go to http://tornintwo.org/.
To try the Virtual Tour, go to http://tornintwo.org/about-the-exhibi…/take-the-virtual-tour.
To download Teacher Resources, go to http://tornintwo.org/teacher-resources/curriculum-guides.

Book Review: Extreme Planet

EXTREME PLANET by National Geographic Kids follows Carsten Peter’s adventures exploring intense environments around the world.

In each exciting chapter, author Carsten Peter explores a different amazing landscape including volcanoes, glaciers and ice sheets, deserts, caves, canyons, and other extreme places. The topics feature maps, diagrams, and full color photographs. In addition to an interesting narrative, each chapter also includes expert tips, notes from the field, necessary gear and gadgets, and sidebars containing related facts.

Activities are woven throughout the book. Youth learn to make a tornado in a bottle, use a topographical map, and grow stalactites. The book also includes a glossary, resources, activity ideas, and an index.

Librarians will find that youth enjoy following an explorer visiting exciting destinations around the work. Connect the book with nonfiction works focusing on the science of each destination such as volcanoes and caves.

Published by National Geographic Kids on October 13, 2015.

Book Review: By the Numbers

BY THE NUMBERS: 110.01 COOL INFOGRAPHICS from National Geographic Kids is packed with amazing statistics, facts, and figures.

The book begins with an introduction to infographics and a table of contents providing quick access to specific types of visuals such as word clouds, heat maps, and timelines. Each two-page spread contains an attractive infographic containing facts, graphs, charts, word clouds, maps, photographs, timelines, diagrams, or other types of engaging images. Featuring measurements, trends, statistics, and other kinds of data, this book will bring numbers alive to middle grade readers.

Covering a wide range of subjects, each reader will find topics of interest to explore. Woven throughout the book are interviews with people who work with numbers ever day as part of their jobs.

Librarians will find this book to be a great way to connect infographics with math and information literacy. Create a display containing this book along with others featuring infographics. Provide youth with tools for creating their own infographic projects.

Published by National Geographic Kids on October 13, 2015.

Website Review: The War of 1812 in the Chesapeake

THE WAR OF 1812 IN THE CHESAPEAKE is an amazing interactive battlefield map website.

Users can choose to enter one of four battles including the Battle of St. Leonard Creek, the Battle of Bladensburg, the Battle of North Point, or the Battle of Baltimore.

Each experience begins will a short video that presents background information. Then, users explore an interactive map that provides information about the “big picture” of war, clickable dates that feature key events, and map extras that give users access to battle map PDFs and other information. Clicking on a particular event or location presents videos, images, maps, and additional information.

The maps provide users the option to view a historic, modern, or overview map. Tools also allow users to zoom in and out of the map scene.

Librarians will find this website to be an excellent way to engage learners in American history.

To explore the resource, go to http://1812battles.org.