Lesson Four SIRS Discover

Wow!  I am totally impressed with SIRS. Gone are the days of the Children's Magazine Guide or Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.  I am anxious to share this with my students!  I chose an article from Ranger Rick titled, "Boinngg, Here Comes the Armadillos." Things I noticed were the ability to e-mail the article to myself and the article can be translated into another language like the World Book online. Another feature is that the text can be read aloud online which would be helpful for the non-sighted, poor readers and those not fluent in the written word. Click on graphics and up comes an adorable picture of a armadillo with its baby. The reading level scale is helpful and being able to sort the articles out from oldest to newest is wonderful. My kindergarten students will be using this during reading class this week as they do a mini research paper on an animal of their choosing. The choices of articles, newspaper, magazines, references, graphics and WebFind sites is exciting.  However there were no WebFind sites on the keyword armadillos. Having the dictionary and thesaurus a click away is great tool.

I chose Norway in the Database under Country Facts.  It would be wonderful to visit there one day.  Most everything you would want to know about Norway is right there and you can go right from that page to articles about Norway.  It was interesting to read that 70% of Norway is uninhabitable and that the northern part lies in the Arctic Circle.  Brrr!! I guess we shouldn't complain about the cold. The facts have a 2013 copyright so they are quite up to date.

A map of Norway would be helpful in discussing its economy due to its location and mountains.  Another map highlights German and British invasions as well as Allied position and where major ships sunk. The maps are very impressive and helpful. Anxious to share this with the students.

To further investigate SIRS Discoverer, I chose Educators' Resources first choosing drama.  Once again, I am impressed.  "Do Your Own Shakespeare" especially interested me as I have tried to touch on Shakespeare in my elementary library classes in the past and have been challenged.  I will very likely use this with some of my older students.

The Artist section took me to a list of African American artisits which is significant during Black History month.  I also was moved by the articles concerning artists with disabilities.  The graphics that accompany some articles are wonderful as well.

Under Art I enjoyed the SmARTKids.  As a child my mother was required to memorize art.  I didn't have the opportunity to learn about art.  This is an excellent way to learn more and actually experience art without being there.

I thought I had found the most amazing things and then I looked into Music.  Wow, have to show this to our music instructor.  It has everything.  You can listen to famous composers.  Learn about symphonies, rhythm, beats, etc.  The explanation of each composition is great! I did not know that the Wedding March was for a performance of Midsummer's Night's Dream.  Amazing! You can even compose!

I enjoyed Photography too.  The Dynamite Presidents game was fun and I learned as well.

I do believe I could go through SIRS for an entire week and still not see everything it has to offer.