HIT-Classroom sets of Almanacs-regular or kid version?

[Sandy Earnest <sle@ON-RAMP.IOR.COM>]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  to everyone who responed!
Here's the results.  I'm sorry it's taken so long.
I couldn't remember if we were suppose to leave names on for hits or not, so
I just left them off.

I purchased 15 of each through World Almanac Education which included the
video and worksheets.  I have not used the video but  have done several of
the activities with 4th and 5th grades.  I bought the Kid's version for 2nd
and 3rd but I find that it is rather skimpy more like Guinness Book of World
Records.  The activity sheets did help to intro the concept of an almanac.
Too many times the students had to go to the "big" version to find the
answers they needed for classroom reasearch.  I will be adding 15 of the
World Almanac  but not the Kid's .  I hope this is helpful.  Contact me if
you have more questions.

I bought the children's set because it is easier to read but it just not the
same.  With the exception of state information, things my students need do not
seem to be in this issue.  However, it is so much easier to read that I am
hoping that by using it a great deal they will find the transition to the
regular almanac less difficult.  I have copies of the regular one available
but only four copies.

The two titles are very different, and do not answer the same questions.
Get both, or stick to the adult almanac for the basic questions on
countries, states, astronomy, sports statistics, etc.  The kids almanac has
more on animals and other kids' interests, but won't answer the curricular
questions you need.

I purchase one or two copies of the hcildren's almanac
for reference and a set of the regularl almanacs for research
use by classrooms.  I find that this is the set that has the
information which is needed.

As a former elementary librarian, I found the regular format of the World
Almanac very
difficult for young students to use.  The tables and charts are confusing
and tough to
understand.  I am not familiar with the children's version but it must be an
improvement.

I have both- full classroom sets.  I use the kids almanacs with 4th
graders and the others with 5th graders.  I end my 5th grade unit with
the computer program Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego.  We use the
almanacs to track the crooks.  The kids love it!


I use both sets since I am in a k12 school.  The almanac for kids
is good for 3-5 grade.  It is nice to introduce this before children  study
states since this is another source.  I also teach an 8th grade media
skills class daily and for that I use the regular almanc.  This is my first
year of using both sets and I like it.  I plan to replace each set every
3>years (while still keeping new single copies on shelf).  I plan to purchase
new atlases every 3 years also so that I get a nice rotation going on my
budget.  (Student almancs one year, regular almanacs the next , and then
atlases.)  By the way, are you purchasing these from World Almanac?  If so,
you can probably dicker with them to lower the cost of shipping since their
shipping costs are so high.  I got mine down to 5% for shipping which isn't
great but better than their listed shipping rates.  Good luck

Last year I purchased three copies of the children't version to see it.
I am NOT impressed.  You can't use it to teach your students how to use
an almanac, they don't use the same format.  Goof, big time on
somebodies part.  They are an easier to read print, but the setup is so
different you can't use them to teach almanac skills.  I will probably
not purchase more of them, even though I'll probably be a pre-4 building
soon.

 I'm in a k-5.  I purchase the regular edition.  The lower grades
don't use them at all unless an adult is working one on one with the
student and the upper grades (4-5) use them for the nigglty details that
aren't in the kids version. I don't buy all new ones each year.  I try to
have at least one up to date one each year.  This year I found the money to
buy most of a new class set, and then kept 6 of the most up to date of the
old ones incase a whole class is using them for a reference exercise.


     I buy a new classroom set of almanacs every other year. I spend about
8 weeks with my fifth grade classes working with almancs. I show the video
about using
almancs first, and then use different worksheets. You can buy everything
from World
Almanac. The teachers know that if their classses need to do research, all
they have
to do is ask. The only thing I do ask them is that I have two weeks at the
beginning, so that I can show the video, and then start the first worksheet
the following week. After 2-3 weeks, the kids really get into it, and love
doing it. The
teachers love it because it teaches so many skills--using indexes, scanning,
using key
words and guide words among others.

 I'm in a grades 2-4 school. I purchased the kids version in a class set,
but will continue to purchase 1-2 copies of the "adult" version each
year.

-but did get one really neat idea to
share---using World Almanacs as a >set with kids---one librarian indicated
she would not be without them.

 Yes, that *is* a great suggestion. May I add a word of caution,
though?  > You might caution teachers > who check out sets in boxes to
keep the box where it won't make a handy > trash basket!  > >


Thanks Betty, one good suggestion would be to use those plastic crates
that you can purchase at Walmart/Kmart for about $2.50.  You could get
them in school colors.  The elementary librarian who preceded me cleverly
used a little red wagon to deliver teachers sets to the classroom--cute
idea!

--but did get one really neat idea to share---using World Almanacs as a
set with kids---
 one librarian indicated she would not be without them.

Yes, that *is* a great suggestion. May I add a word of caution, though?
We had a class set of almanacs a couple of years ago. They were boxed in
a rather old box (but it was still holding together). The box had a
pocket and checkout card with the number of almanacs listed. We checked
it out to a teacher and after the class set didn't come back, I went
around to his room to see if he was finished with them. They were
nowhere to be found.

We finally put two and two together: He had placed the box on the floor
beside his desk. Students had put trash in the box since it was a bit
handier than the waste basket over by the door. Custodians must have
assumed it was trash and dumped the whole thing! That's all we could
figure out because the box and all were gone! You might caution teachers
who check out sets in boxes to keep the box where it won't make a handy
trash basket!

I purchased a set of Kids edition of World Almanac and love them!  Even
their teacher packet is terrific.

Get the regular ones, but be prepared to teach them and/or do
some>modifications.


I like World Almanac for Kids.  I bought the 15 paperback set with
the video and black line masters for teaching about the Almanc.  I'll
use them with 4th and 5th grade.  The kids love it and it's an easy
introduction to using Almanacs.  The material in it is limited though
so I'll be orderin 15 paperback copies of the World Almanc over the
break.  I'm not sure whether I'll go with World Almanac or some other
title.

I work in a K-8 school so this situation is guiding my discisions.  The
5th grade has assignments for social studies which they can use the WA
for kids to complete.  The adult version would just be too difficult to
for 4th and 5th.  As for the middle school.  The WA for Kids omits some
of the data needed for their assignments.

So there goes a hunk of my small budget every year!  oh well.

I am also an elementary LMC Director.  2 years ago I purchased the World
Almanac for Kids as a classroom set and have used it alot.  It is an
 excellent way to intoduce the almanac to  third graders!  They love it
(and often buy their own copy from book clubs or book fairs!)  I find
that kids this age are very interested in "Facts" I use it for classroom
instruction at 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade levels (these are popular
lessons!!).  Later in the year when 5th graders do their "grandparents
research" as part of their unit about the first half of the 20th century>
in social studies, they can easily use the adult version of the
almanac.  I always order 2 paperback copies of the adult almanac each
year (one for reference, one for circulation). Thus I have accumulated
enough copies to roundup for use with the Grandparent research.


I purchased one complete set of each.  I use the regular in 5th and 6th, with
the kids version in 3rd and 4th.  Really it depends on the level of your
students.  I have kids in the 92%, so they do detailed work.

 I have both the Kids' and the original. For instructing I like the orig.
The students tend to go for it too. The Kids' appeal to the third and fourth
grade levels.

That's all folks!
Now the decision making begins.
:) Sandy
Sandy Earnest
Library Media Specialist
Cooper Elementary
Spokane, Washington
sle@on-ramp.ior.com
Sandy Earnest
Library Media Specialist
Cooper Elementary
Spokane, Washington
sle@on-ramp.ior.com

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