Team+4,+ref+log+2a

//Fact Monster Online //. Retrieved February 4, 2010, from [] //Fact Monster // is an online resource with almost limitless research tools for students in grades 1-8. The website offers many resources for students ranging from dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias and atlases to games and quizzes, world news and sports. The webpage loads easily and without bothersome popup advertisements. The almanac is accessed by one click of the mouse from the homepage. Once a student is on the almanac page, they are prompted to answer a couple of questions in regards to gender and age. This is a nice personal touch that can only be accomplished via technology. There is a simple search option or students can choose to search from topics. There are 8 subjects to choose from; students can choose from World, Science, US, Math, Sports, People, Word Wise or Arts and Living. Once a student selects a subject, a new page is loaded. This page shows the topic subdivided into narrower topics. Additionally, at the bottom of the page cross referencing is included which one can easily access with a click. This website has a plethora of information that is reliable and relevant. All information is provided from Pearson Education, Inc. and this is a company that we trust to write our text books. Students will adore this website. It offers so much more than just an almanac. I just loved this website and I think that students will, as well. I really like that it is sort of a one-stop for all student needs. It is colorful, fun, interactive, easy to use and free. My students would be more excited about research if they were able to use this resource. __Grade Level __: Elementary and Middle __Subject Areas __: Any __Overall Rating: __10 ||  ||< //Tiffany's// comment : Nigel, I too enjoyed this page. The site is very attractive to students, it offers a host of interactive resources and links that present a wealth of information. Like you also mentioned the best part about it is that it's absolutely free! This is an excellent source of information with as much to offer as some of the more expensive online subscriptions.
 * Team 4, Reference log 2a: Almanacs ||  ||<   ||
 * Reviewed by //Nigel//
 * __Reviewer’s Opinion __**

//Kristie's// comment :Wow! What an interesting site. All of the games and quizzes add so much to the site. The amount of interaction the site offers is a great selling point to younger students. I am certain they would be able to gain large amounts of information while having fun at the same time. Awesome find Nigel! || //Fact Monster Online.//Retrieved February 16, 2010, from: [] This is an online almanac recommended for the use of children from grades kindergarten to eighth. This site is vibrant interactive and has an appealing presentation that would positively capture and motivate young students ready for research. This site features a mass of resources for teachers, students, and parents. There are also advice columns and homework help to assist students and parents. Its homepage includes links that access information to world news, people, science, math, and money. In addition the Favorites’ page contains articles about the fifty states, the tallest buildings and a 2010 calendar that include important dates games and a geography center. The Fact Monster has an easily to locate search mechanism called the Reference Desk located towards the bottom of the page. It allows students to search by using a variety of tools like time-lines, almanacs atlases, dictionaries or encyclopedias. For the month of February, Fact monster features a special section dedicated to Black History Month and the Winter Olympics.
 * Reviewed by //Tiffany//
 * Grade**: Kdg through 8th grade.
 * Age**: 5- and up.
 * Subject area**: all
 * Rating:** 10 ||  ||<  //Nigel's// comment : Oh, great minds think alike! This was one of my favorite websites, especially for my middle grade kids. There is so much for kids to access and utilize. And best of all, it is absolutely free!

//Kristie's// comment :As previously stated in my above comment, I think this is an awesome site for students because of the tremendous amount of games and overall interaction the site offers. This is a great tool! Nice find Tiffany. || The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2006. (2006). New York: World Almanac Books. R317.3 Clayton County Public Library
 * Reviewed by //Kristie//

This almanac starts with the top ten stories that occurred during 2005. One of the major events in this almanac includes Hurricane Katrina. Another major event in the almanac is the continuation of the War in Iraq. Additionally, the almanac contains a Special Feature section. This particular section includes information on topics of interest including China becoming a leading force in the global market. Another feature in this section was the multibillion dollar video games market. This almanac also includes The Year in Review section which is a chronology of the most important events from October 16, 2004 to October 15, 2005. Another section of the almanac is the U.S. Government section which outlines the existing administration of that time and highlights topics such as employment statistics, health, and environment. This source is ideal for research. Students can utilize the almanac for numerous subject areas. The top 10 stories of the previous year and the special features sections are also good sources for current event research. Grades 9 and higher can utilize this reference for any area in which students need information on current happenings or happenings of a particular year. I would rate this reference with an 8. Grades: 9th grade or higher Subject(s): Government Rating: 8 ||   ||<  //Nigel's// comment : I wish that our media center had reference resources that were this updated! My seventh grade students, especially my boys, would love to view this. The almanacs were my favorite to review.....probably because there were color pictures and maps.

//Tiffany's// comment : Kristie, I like this almanac simply because students can sum up a year's event with only one source. This book highlights the 10 most important events of the previous year while providing content that covers government,video games and economics. Great resource with a wealth of information. ||