Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Research tools and random book thoughts...

Hello everyone! (When you are finished reading this, please respond... I know you're out there!)

Today I spent the first part of each period in 7th grade social studies classes showing students the many benefits of using online encyclopedias for research. The media center website has a link to Compton's Britannica Online and Galileo, Georgia's online library. 7th graders are researching topics related to their social studies curriculum. Ms. Baker....what is the general subject area you guys are researching? (other than the individual topics that I heard: Indian Civil War, terrorism and religion)


Since we are talking about research, I'll tell you about Dr. Tallman's I-search class I just started this week at UGA. This class, and way of teaching the research process, seems so interesting because you can choose any topic you want to research. One would think since I have been given all of this freedom to choose a topic I'd jump right on it, but I am having so much trouble deciding. If you could research anything what would you investigate?


Random book thoughts follow:

I read Sparrow by Sherri L. Smith a few months back and for some reason I can't get it off of my mind. The main character reminds me of a student I met recently...maybe that's the connection. I'm not sure, but it's a great book!

The other book I must tell you about but have actually not read myself is the 2008 Caldecott Book Award Winner just announced yesterday! This a very unusual book to receive an award reserved for picture books. The images are amazing, and I have a feeling I will have to fight with students and a few teachers to be the first one to read the copy of this book I just bought for the media center. And the Caldecott winner is The Invention of Hugo Cabret written and illustrated by Brian Selznic.

So, hopefully next time I check in with you I will have read the new Caldecott award book above.... Ask me about it!

Mrs. Hinger

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Since we're sharing books that we can't get off our minds...I just finished reading "Beauty Shop for Rent...fully equipped, inquire within". I LOVED it!!!!! The main character, Abbey, is such a strong, driven young lady. I want a sequel so I can hear about the next stage of her life! The author is Laura Bowers, and this is her first novel. Very, very good!

Happy said...

I went to the encyclopidia and found the Spanish translation. it should be helpful, however; it does not translate the entire section. when you get a translation it is only for the particular word that you "roll over".
there may be more than one word given due to the many different meanings of one word. the student will then need to figure out which form of the word is appropriate for the text they are reading.
hope this makes since! please forgive my spelling
Happy :)