Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students practice using the Roman Alphabet in English.  I use this lesson with my Grade 3 students every year.  To do research in Unit of Inquiry books, students need to be able to use an index.  Without an understanding of basic alphabetization, using an index… Read more

Lesson Overview: Having practiced putting words in alphabetical order, it’s now time to transfer those skills to a dictionary.  I find that many children have a hard time making this jump, so it’s a wise course of action to practice.  This lesson will step your kids through some very basic… Read more

Lesson Overview: The students have reviewed alphabetical order and practiced using a dictionary, so now it is time to have a bit of fun using their new skills.  In this lesson, students use the dictionary to find interesting words. Lesson Plan: Suggested Grades: 3-5 Objective: Students will practice using the… Read more

Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students learn how to use a children’s world atlas. Lesson Plan: Suggested Grades: 3-5 Objectives: Learn what an atlas is and how to use a world atlas to identify countries, capital cities, and political boundaries. Suggested Time: 40-50 minutes Success Criteria: Each student will successfully… Read more

The second lesson in Reference Materials: Atlases is a game called GeoGuesser.  The game is in the Back to School and Library Games area.  It’s Library Games #3, GeoGuesser: Where in the World?  Please click here to see the lesson. Read more

Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students learn what an almanac is and how to use one.  Almanacs are not always found in school libraries, but I believe them to be a worthy and often overlooked reference.  Children’s almanacs are designed for students and are typically a colorful, bold, exciting, fun-filled… Read more

Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students gain an overview to World Book Online Student.  Because most school libraries no longer purchase print encyclopedias, because digital resources are more complicated to navigate, and especially because an encyclopedia is the starting point for more elementary-aged students’ research, it is worthwhile to devote… Read more