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For the journal, Library Media Connection, I'm reviewing a new set of state books with a reading level of 7-8, which come in hc and paperback. The review will likely appear in the spring. My target questions were: 1. Would your teachers, Gr. 6-12, make use of a set of books, one on each state, that have short chapters on geography, history, economics, style of government, and famous citizens? 2. Do you have such a set? What is its title? 3. To what extent would your students use other sources? [From the answers quoted below, I conclude that a few middle schools would be interested in this new set on the states, which is at a more sophisticated level than the ones usually used in elementary school. I will recommend the new series from Rosen Publishing called "The United States: Past and Present," supplemented, especially for maps, by internet sites.] HIT: 1. From Janice Gray: Our middle school students have projects each year on the 50 states, so state books are definitely used in our library. The type of book you've mentioned is used as a valuable resource for these projects. In addition, many students just like to check books about states where they have lived previously, are planning to travel, or just because they have an interest. This section of our library is second only to the 700s in popularity and use. The sets of state books that we currently house in our library are the following: Welcome to the USA! America the Beautiful From Sea to Shining Sea This Land is Your Land States and their Symbols States (My Report Links.com) World Almanac series Some of these series are lower in level, but I feel it's important for those students with a lower reading level to also have adequate materials. Our students also use online references to aid in their state studies. Hope this helps! Janice Gray, Librarian Lenoir City Middle School Lenoir City, TN 37771 jgray@lenoircityschools.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - 2. From Louise Jones: Yes, our 7th grade classes still do state reports. They do the traditional reports on the state symbol, date of statehood, flower, bird, etc. I do not see any higher order thinking going on in this type of report. So, their needs are simple - the basic facts about a state. They are not going to read a lot of text in their quest for the facts. The teachers aren't willing to give enough time to it for them to really get to know their state. Louise Jones Hardee Jr. High Wauchula, Fl -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. From Janet Perry: I don't know about individual state reports like the old days, but my kids like to check out the state books just to look at on their own. I have been getting the latest America the Beautiful series from Scholastic, and I always have 3 or 4 checked out, and no report that I know of. Janet Perry, Prek-12 Librarian Cerro Gordo CUSD 100, Cerro Gordo, IL perrybros@hotmail.com -------------------------------------------------- 4. From Joanne Glasgow: Typically 5th graders study the states here in my district. They are on to more "worldly" issues by Middle School and Modern WOrld HIstory/ 20th Century American history in HS. Joanne Glasgow Teacher Librarian Evergreen Campus Library serving AAA, HS3 and TEC HS Seattle, WA ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- 5. From Sandra Carswell: Last year our 8th grade ss and la teacher collaborated on a state project at the end of the year. I didn't have any state books in my library but borrowed from the intermediate school. The intermediate school decided to weed them so I took them. They are a little old but the students used them quite well. They mostly used them for history, culture, famous people from that state, places of interest, etc. They also use our online databases for the up-to-date information/stats. The teachers told me this was in their curriculum at the end of the year. It was the first time in 3 years they had done it so I'm waiting to see if I need to buy some newer books or not. Sandra Carswell, Librarian S.C. Lee Junior High School 1205 Courtney Lane Copperas Cove, TX 76522 254-542-7877 -------------------------------------------- Thank you to all. Joan Kimball Joan Kimball retired from Hart's Hill School Library, Whitesboro, NY now living and writing at 165 Thoreau Street, Concord, Mass. 01742 978-318-0991 woodkimball@gis.net -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. 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