February 22, 2013
Advanced Challenge
SIRS Discoverer
1. A third grader who reads below grade level needs articles on the solar system for a school project. How would you find appropriate materials for this student, and what are your results? (Hint: Advanced Search is useful here.)

I went to the Advanced search on SIRS Discoverer and typed in Solar system.  I checked Relevance and Easy and hit search.  There was an excellent article called Our Solar System from National Geographic Young Explorer!  I had to look up Lexile Scoring and found that a 7 year old in 3rd grade reads in the 300-800 Lexile range.  Nice to know.  This article was Lexile 840.  It told about all the planets (briefly) and even included pictures and a quiz.  Very useful.  By putting in the Lexile scote lowest to highest, I could eliminate many of the more difficult articles. 

2. What are two ways you can use SIRS Discoverer to find maps/images of volcanoes? How many results did you get with each?

When I put in volcano*, I got 939 "all articles".  I found 30 WebFind Sites that had several neat spots like National Geographic: MapMaker Interactive.  Cool.
The 138 Graphics had several charts of "Types of Volcanoes" and Volcanoes, etc.  One spot was called:

Map: World's Major Volcanoes  I learned there are lots of volcanoes in the world! Then I did an advanced search: Volcano* full text and map* full text  I only got 151 All articles.  No graphics at all.  Surprising. When I put in volcano* and images I did hit 115 articles and one of the web find sites was awesome. It was: 3-D Tour of the Solar System: Geology Tour and with 3-D glasses, it was amazing!  Check it out!

3. A high school student comes to you for help on his report on careers. He is interested in being either a nurse or a pharmacist someday. What do you show him on Learning Express?
I would send him to Jobs & Careers.  Click on Nursing and Allied Health.
He could go to Career Guidance at this point.  I'm sure he could find plenty on nursing or pharmacy in this section.
When I put in Pharmacy in the search field, it had a Pharmacy Technician Exam but when you click on eBooks, there's a section on Becoming a Healthcare Professional.  I'll bet that would be very helpful.

2. A recent high school graduate has her eye on an office manager job, but she knows she needs to improve her skills before she applies. What do you recommend for her in Learning Express?
I guess I'd have her go to Job Search & Workplace Skills so she can learn how to do her resume and learn interview skills.  There's Grammar Practice and vocabulary and spelling practice also.  If she uses some of these tools, I'm sure she'll have a shot at that office manager job.

1. A fourth-grader needs help with reading comprehension. What are 3 things you will show him on Learning Express?
First off, I would show the 4th grader the site.  Then click on Elementary School, Reading Skills Improvement.  I guess at this point, there are several options to choose from.  The 4th Grade Reading Practice has a Grade 4 Reading Comprehension Practice 1 and a Grade 4 Reading Comprehension Practice 2
After getting this practice, they can proceed to some of the 4th grade tests.  It looks like they can learn comprehension skills on many of these practice tests.  Great for building confidence.