LM_NET: Library Media Networking
I apologize if this is a duplicate message; it was a requested one, but I
never saw it last time I sent it. Denise
> Thanks for all the input! One of the best suggestions I got was to visit
the
> public library; I can't believe I hadn't thought of it! I used
interlibrary
> loan and searched the county. The local children's librarian was great
also.
> I'm going to examine them all and ask for input from my fifth grade
> teachers. Money, AR, and currency will come into play. (Many of the sets
are
> getting dated, but then, mine is from 1981.) Again, THANK YOU.
>
> Denise
> >>>>I plan on buying a set of books about the United States very soon.
These
> will be primarily aimed at the intermediate grades. I have been looking
into
> the Checkerboard Geography set. I haven't been able to find a review
yet.Has
> anyone seen one of these in person? Are there other favorites that you
> have?
> ********
> America the Beautiful - A children's press publication is really
wonderful.
> *******
> I purchased the From Sea to Shining Sea series about each state. My
> intermediate students love them. They are Accelerated Reader books if
> you do that program.
> ********
> If you are looking for state books at about a 3rd/4th grade reading
> level, the series "One Nation" by Capstone Press would be a good
> choice. There is a "Fast Fact Section" at the beginning of the book,
> books up-to-date (c.1996-98). They also include a timeline, a list of
> famous people and a list of internet sites at the end of the book.
> ********
> Hi Denise, I haven't seen the Checkerboard series but last year's media
> specialist purchased the Hello USA set which I don't like at all. I would
> have purchased the America the Beautiful set.
> ***************
> Unless you have very low readers, the Checkerboard set will probably be
too
> low for intermediate. Most of their books are aimed at k - low 3rd. Our
5th
> graders do "state reports" and from my experience, the America the
> Beautiful series (Children's Press) is the best. This is a well-discussed
> subject on LMNet - check the archives from last year. Suggestion - go to
> the local public library and compare the different series, using a list of
> the criteria your teacher(s) want the book to cover (maps, history, color
> photos, etc.). Also ask the children's librarian on staff which one s/he
> recommends. They will know which ones are the most useful for the local
> students' needs. When you order, contact the Children's Press rep and BE
> SURE you get the most current editions. If you order from a jobber, you
> might not.
> ****************
> Follett's Titlewave on the Web , now includes reviews for many titles. I
> use "From Sea to Shining Sea" and "Portrait of America" . One is by
> Dennis Fradin, the other by Kathleen Thompson. I have grades 2-5, but
> these are used by the third grade for state reports every year. I didn't
> purchase the Enchantment of America series for my fifth grades due to
> lack of fund.
> ************
> Can you hold off for a year or so and spend the money on a new set with
> the census data to be compiled in 2000?
> If you purchase books now, much of the data will be ten years old in two
> years...
> I know you have given this issue some thought, but I'm just hoping that
> parents don't coming raging about buying two sets in about a three year
> period...
> I'd try to hold out with the old books and do Internet searches and
> printouts for absolutely required recent data and wait for someone to
> print a new set with the current census and district information ...
> ****************
> I used the Checkerboard series and found it contained good, basic
> information
> that was easily accessible to even our younger students.
> ****************
> I personally like the American the Beautiful Series, 2nd edition. Not all
> the state books are out yet but they put out 10 each Fall and Spring.
They
> are from the Children's Press/Franklin Watts, I think. Great books.
> ***************
> If your local library doesn't have this set, you might ask why - find out
if
> your local
> librarian does the ordering (sometimes it's centralized). S/he might have
> some good insights to offer. It's a big investment, so you don't want to
> "goof." If the library doesn't have them, try a local teacher supply
store.
> If all else fails, see if they will send a rep out with samples, OR order
> just the book on your state in all the various series you're considering
> (books on your state will usually come in handy anyway) to compare them.
>
> As far as paperback versions, it all depends. If you have a small group of
> students at the grade level that does state reports (say one classroom)
> then the usage won't be high - a set of paperbacks covered with clear
> Contact paper will last 10+ years. I have 100 5th graders, so I bought two
> hardbound sets so that each 5th grader can have one since they all need
> them at the same time during the year. And then they seem to continue to
> circulate afterwards because kids are interested in places that their
> relatives came from, or that they'll travel to on vacation (Hawaii
> especially, I've noticed!). So they do get other usage. Also, when they do
> the state reports, they may have the book for 6 weeks or more. Hardbounds
> will hold up better in backpacks, on the other hand, if your school
doesn't
> provide lockers (ours doesn't) the weight will be a burden to the kids -
> you might want to go with paperbacks. A lot of our kids get the
roll-around
> backpacks/small suitcases.
>
> Think long-term - sometimes the cheap way isn't the cheapest in the long
> run. On the other hand, if you have a high rate of student turnover
(moving
> in & out of area) your loss rate could be higher. Go for the paperbacks.
> Hope this helps!
>
> *******************
>
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