Pioneer+Online+Library

Pioneer #|Online Library Endangered Species- The Mexican Gray Wolf

1. What kind of information does this site contain? The database SIRS Discoverer is full of topics for young children to investigate and learn how to research articles that are geared to their age level. They have many topics to choose from such as, animals, countries, environment, and science to name a few. There are fifteen prime sections a child has to choose from to locate their individual interests. The reports for children to choose from come from many respected sources. One may look up articles from newspapers,magazines, official government reports, that are scrutinized for the education of children. The database contains, kid friendly #|maps, encyclopedias, and relevant news articles that are up to date. There are many uses for the student and the teacher. One may find biographies of influential people, experiments, puzzles and activities. The site marks the #|degree of difficulty with different colored icons, so one may adjust their search for the appropriate learning ability. I found this site very useful for the student and teacher. Most important is knowing that the children are safe to find articles that have been screened and selected to enhance their learning without interference from vulgar websites.

2. Explain the difference between information found in Pioneer Library and information found through Google searching. (Hint in the databases you will find a section called Teacher Resources check it out). First Pioneer Library has been set up for young students to access and use that is safe and reliable. Second, the teacher may limit the searches of the children through the added filters in the #|teacher resource button.As a teacher, I may want to limit the search for a specific date and intended audience, such as, elementary grades. I may want to find articles in multiple languages depending on the needs of my students. Using Google search there are too many variables that could pop up with no filters. The children could be exposed to crude pictures and websites that would be offensive and upsetting to teachers, parents, and children. When dealing with children, I appreciate knowing that I will be sending my students to sites that have been screened and are appropriate for their age level. Safety for the children is of utmost concern to me as a teacher and parent. 3. How easy is this resource to navigate? The database is very easy to navigate, but if you do have any questions and run into some difficulties in maneuvering around the website they have great tutorials to #|answer most of your questions. I viewed a number of them myself and they are very detailed in step by step instruction. I found them very helpful and user friendly for any questions that may arise. What is the quality of the information and how current is it? The quality of information is top notch and you can count on the knowledge being accurate and reviewed. The different sources of facts allows one to view a variety of perspectives. In this way, you get a well rounded education on any particular subject. The database has a filter that allows the teacher to put in dates that are relevant to the subject matter one is investigating. As a teacher, I may want to look at the attitudes and opinions of people in the past and compare them to the opinions of modern day. The information is relevant to today and is kept up current to any time frame one may desire. 4. Identify from the 3 databases you selected items that are related to a common theme or topic and can be used in a lesson. Add the web site to your Pioneer Online wiki page. The three databases I selected are EBSCO, SIRS Discoverer, and LAL Internet Resources. The item that I selected was animals, specifically looking at the endangered spieces, the Mexican gray wolves. All three sites had many different options to investigate and utilize in the classroom. The websites address are [] [] [] [] There is a wealth of information on any given subject and many options to teach the children about gray wolves.
 * [[image:gray_wolves.gif]] ||

5. Provide 3 different learning activities you would use to engage students, explain how it will engage students. I would first introduce using maps and identifying what states are involved in bringing back the gray wolf. All the children would be given a map and color in the areas where the gray wolf is being introduced. We would then go on to mark the area they travel and where they make their homes. What they eat, how they hunt, and the habits of the gray wolf. Next, I would present a video on the gray wolf and why it is on the endangered species list. We would have a discussion on the video after viewing it. Then I would make up questions for them to answer that were pertinent to the video. This would be a language arts activity. Last, the activity would include making a collage of the gray wolf and its eating habits, shelter, and way of life. We would use the computer to generate pictures to download, cut,label, and paste.

 6. How would you have your students use this any one of the databases you surfed or selected? I would provide a list of the databases and the main theme we will be learning about, so they may use the database to find significant information on the subject chosen. I would ask for specific details and questions that I would like them to answer and find the information to. I would bring in videos, slideshows, and activities that the sites have provided to stretch their knowledge and understanding.

7. Each database should have an **image ** supporting the information. The images I have chosen are on the topic of endangered species, particularly the Mexican gray wolf.