[LM_NET] HIT: Boolean Searching

[Rivka Polsky <rpolsky@BZAEDS.ORG>]

Hi everyone!

A few weeks ago, I posted a request - asking if anyone knew of free
websites/search engines/databases that are suitable for 5th graders that
have "boolean searching" as an option.

Thanks to everyone who responded!

The responses are listed below.

For my first lesson, I didn't even have the kids log onto the computers. I
used playing cards to tangibly demonstrate the concept of boolean searching
and boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT).

Each student received a face playing card.
Say: Everyone who has a Black card, please stand.
(Once it has been established the amount of kids with black cards, they sit
back down.)
     Everyone who has a Black card AND a Jack, please stand.
     Black OR Jack.
     Red AND Diamonds AND Queen.
    So on and so forth.
The kids will be able to see how OR expands their search, while AND narrows
their search.

This idea came from a book called Active Learning in the Library.
-- 
Rivka Polsky, LMC Student Teacher
Anshe Emet Day School
Chicago, IL.
RPolsky@BZAEDS.org

_____________________

Before you start with your students you might want to try this activity.
 
Have your students sitting down.
Say:  All students in Grade X please  (they all stand)
All students in Grade X not in Band (please stand)
All students in Grade X not in band or chorus (please stand)
(Of course you make up your own parameters to fit your needs)
 
Obviously the idea, is to get more and more kids sitting down and less
standing.
 
I think it is a GREAT visual for them to see HOW to use boolean searching.
 
 
http://www.rcls.org/wows/  will provide you with some ideas too.  See # 6.
 
R. 

There have been several posts recently about doing
research and using search engines. I have not seen
Google for Kids and Teens listed. It is great.
http://www.google.com/Top/Kids_and_Teens/

You can get there from the main Google page:
more - even more - directory - Kids and Teens

Why they don't make this more obvious is a mystery to
me!

I recently did a Google workshop for teachers. Many of
them are not much better than the kids at searching. I
bought a really neat flashing Google logo pin from the
Google store. It was a big hit. There were more
teachers at this workshop than any others I have done.

Jill
----
I introduce Boolean searching with our electronic catalog; then I use our
World Book online (which is subscription, but you may have something
similar).  

Janelle
---
It's not fun, but it is a quite clear tutorial:
http://www.internettutorials.net/boolean.html

Mary 
----

SIRS Discoverer, a subscription database, is a good bet. Many public
libraries provide remote access with a library card.

Laura


-- 
Rivka Polsky, LMC Student Teacher
Anshe Emet Day School
Chicago, IL.
RPolsky@BZAEDS.org

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