Team+1,+ref+log+3b


 * Team 1, Reference log 3b: Geographical sources ||  ||<   ||
 * Reviewed by //Ginny//

//National geographic maps//. (2009). Retrieved March 8, 2010, from http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/maps

The National Geographic Society has a long history and well-deserved reputation as a publisher of first-quality geographical materials. The //National Geographic Maps Online// contains several pages of map-related content but none of it stood out from other online map sites and overall was a disappointment. //Map Machine//, the most useful of the pages, is an online atlas that can be searched using an address, country, state, or US zip code to view road, satellite, bird’s eye, or three-dimensional maps. Upon entering my own address, I discovered my next-door neighbor’s house was indicated instead of mine! Moving on from there, I found //National Geographic Maps: Print Collection// to include maps of continents, oceans, and the solar system for quick viewing but most obviously, for purchase. Interestingly, a separate //Shop Maps// page was also included as a portal to the National Geographic Society’s online store. Given the ongoing presence of multiple (and blinking, ugh!) advertisements, most commonly related to travel, conservation, or animal welfare, I was struck with an increasing suspicion that this site was not up to the caliber I expected from its publisher.

//Atlas Puzzles// is an online jigsaw puzzle of frivolous, albeit somewhat entertaining, content in which users may assemble a virtual puzzle of various maps and with the option to control settings with regard to backdrop, puzzle piece size, rotation of pieces, etc. //Atlas Explorer// provided geophysical, geopolitical, and “human footprint” maps for each continent, the United States, and the oceans of the world.  The truth? Ho-hum at best. I should have reviewed the online version of the National Geographic kids’ atlas (print) I reviewed earlier but was afraid that might be considered “double-dipping!”

Age Level: 11 – 18+ Grade Level: 6 – 12+ Subject Area: Geography Overall Rating: 4 ||  ||< //Kesha's// comment :

//Claudie's// comment : I found the site interesting at best. The photography outstanding and the articles as well written as the journal itself. The ads and some of the extras like map machine and atlas puzzles were slightly entertaining but not really resourceful. I could of done without the Netflix ads especially. A student or teacher could find a lot of bling to ad to their lessons or projects but all the extras seem to downgrade the reputation of the journal. Awesome photography. || //Citation in APA format goes here.//
 * Reviewed by //Kesha//

//Text of review of reference source goes here.//

Grades: enter //your best judgment of age/grade appropriateness of the resource// Subject(s): enter //your best judgment of subject area(s) where resource would be most valuable// Rating: // provide your rating, using scale of 1-10 // ||  ||<  //Ginny's// comment :

//Claudie's// comment : || // U.S. Census Bureau's Mapping and Cartographic Resources. // Retrieved from [] on March 3, 2010 Maintained by the US Census Bureau, this site offers Census 2000 Maps, a Map Gallery which depicts maps from the 1990 census, and On-line Mapping feature powered by American FactFinder allowing you to build queries, the TIGER mapping service which will generate detailed maps, and ultimately a State and County QuckFacts section that gives you all the information you would find in a print copy of a US Atlas. Much more than a Rand McNalley atlas, this site also includes special purpose maps such as congressional district boundaries, agricultural, populations and ethnicity populations. The American FactFinder allows you to enter a zipcode and view community information that would assist you in determining the community demographics in the areas surrounding your school. This will assist you in determining what path your media center might create to serve the school population the best. //Kesha's// comment : ||
 * Reviewed by //Claudie//
 * Age/grade level range**: 3rd-Adult
 * Subject area(s)**: Geography, social studies
 * Overall rating on scale of 1-10 **: 8 great sources of information, almost overwhelming.  ||   ||<  //Ginny's// comment : Information overload! I agree it offers a plethora of information but I'm not in love with its screen layout or the lack of organizational logic. State and County QuickFacts was my favorite section.