Team+4,+ref+log+3b

//WorldAtlas.Com. //(1995-2010). Retrieved February 5, 2010, from [] The //WorldAtlas.Com// website is a comprehensive, 95000 page, online reference resource geared toward middle school students and above. The scope is broad and the coverage is dense. The publishers uphold their assurance that all information in text and maps is accurate. This website is busy, colorful, fun and engaging. It loads easily without advertisements or requests for software upgrades. Some of the advertisements that appear on the website are distracting, but kept to the margins. There is a simple search component or the user may choose from any of the continents with a simple click. Once a region has been chosen, a new page loads. Users can scroll across the maps and click on the country of their choice. Details about the size, location, population, climate, capital city, native language and other facts are given. In some instances, there are additional links for more specific information. There are interactive maps, pictures from the region and links to other websites that have pertinent information about the region. For some of the regions, virtual tours are offered. Upper level students will love to use this website as a resource for research. It is fun, interactive and in depth without being overwhelming. I can see using this website with my students on the Promethium Board as a whole group activity or for use while researching independently in the lab. __Grade Level __: Middle + __Subject Areas __: Social Studies, Geography, Reading __Overall Rating: __10 ||  ||< //Tiffany's// comment : Nigel, I am definitely a fan of simple search components that allows you access to the information in a simple yet thorough manner. I have also read that this can be used as a fact guide like the other print editions of World Book, Atlas, Book of Facts ect.
 * Team 4, Reference log 3b: Geographical sources ||  ||<   ||
 * Reviewed by //Nigel//
 * __Reviewer’s Opinion __**

//Kristie's// comment : I really enjoyed viewing this site. I think that the information that is provided on this site is very detailed and the interactive components of the site are great as well. || Map Machine Student Atlas--online dynamic atlas, free printable maps (National Geographic). (n.d.). //National Geographic - Inspiring People to Care About the Planet Since 1888//. Retrieved March 1, 2010, from http://java.nationalgeographic.com National Geographic student atlas of the world is an interactive online site that allows students the opportunity to access any maps that National Geographic has available. Students can access or locate places anywhere on earth through this atlas. After locating a specific place this online tool brings up pertinent information and facts relevant to the country, city, state, place or region. Within this information offered students also can bring up maps by choosing a theme such as: historical and current news events, articles, climate and weather changes, food, animals and country profile. This site also allows students to print out maps and save maps on the students on the method preferred by the individual, allowing them to have trouble-free access to them whenever needed. In addition to the other great tools that this features offers is that it has lessons planned for teachers, games and fun facts. Along with saving maps, printing the maps, e-mailing the maps, and accessing the maps there is also the option of turning the map into a PDF file. Another plus is that the atlas is sponsored by National Geographic, alleviating the concerns of inaccuracy as well as insufficient content. The downside to this Online atlas is that it moved really slowly and some of my searches came back with an error message.
 * Reviewed by //Tiffany// ||
 * Grade:** 5th grade
 * Age:** 10 and up
 * Subject area**: Government, History, Political Science, Geography and Economics
 * Rating** **:** 7.5 Good source of information, however, slow accessing maps and searches returned error message frequently.

The national Geographic resources were my favorite to review. I think mostly because of the pictures (just like a student :))
 * ||< //Nigel's// comment :

//Kristie's// comment :I had never heard of map maching before I viewed this site. One great tool that I love is that the site is interactive. Also, I liked the overall layout of the site as I found that it was easy to navigate. ||
 * Reviewed by //Kristie//

//WorldAtlas.Com.// (1995-2010). Retrieved March 8, 2010, from []

WorldAtlas.com is an online source that contains information on all continents of the world. There are links to Africa, Antarctica, the Artic, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Islands of the World, Middle East, North America, South America, and World Atlas on the homepage. Additionally, there is a map on the homepage which can be clicked on to access all parts of the world as well. Once an area on the map has been chosen and clicked upon, a larger more detailed map appears ready to print if desired. There is information about the area accessed including information on everything from political divisions to population. Certain areas are indicated by various colors. When a particular country or area is desired, the user can simply point and click - or use the drop down menu to the right of the screen. Other pertinent information can also be accessed like the percent of the world's landmass that area covers as well as significant features such as tallest mountain or feet below sea level or population. This is a very “busy” site with many pictures and all types of colorful information spread over each screen. This would be a site ideal for older elementary students because of the colors and graphics, but the information is also accurate, up-to-date and could be useful to geography students of many ages. Overall, this source gets a 9.

Grades: //6th and abover// Subject(s): Geography Rating: //9// ||   ||<  //Nigel's// comment : I reviewed this website, as well. I gave it a 10 and thought that it was a fantastic resource for schools. Info is updated and accurate and the kids will ove that it is interactive.

//Tiffany's// comment <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">: Kristie I like this guide because it included smaller places such as the Caribbean. When locating such places as Haiti students would need to be able to retrieve facts such as population, staple crops, income ect. On some older maps Haiti is represented as the Dominican republic; or in some cases it's to small to see. So I am glad to see the representation of the West Indies. ||