LM_NET: Library Media Networking
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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