1. Favorite Databases for Elementary School
Jamie Davis, ORC Coordinator
The Commons Connection Library Conference 2015
November 2, 2105

2. Q: What is the ORC?
A: $1.7 million collection of curricular aligned authoritative digital resources licensed on behalf of all Alberta:
K-12 students and their parents
School staff
Pre-service teachers
Public library staff*
A: Funded by a yearly Grant-In-Aid from Alberta Education to the Alberta Library (TAL)
*for the purposes of supporting K-12 patrons

3. Q: Why These Resources? A: ORC Resources:
Provide authoritative, age appropriate, engaging, curricular-aligned content
Google and Wikipedia are the tip of the searching and information literacy iceberg
allow students to become familiar and comfortable with the kind of resources and searching practises that are integral to 21st century learning
Are time savers once you are familiar with them
include embedded supports for diverse learners like listen, text translation, citation tools, vetted websites, copyright friendly pictures and videos
Provide anytime, from anywhere with an internet connection access

4. Q: What’s in it for Librarians?
A: Direct curriculum correlations that support learning
A: Curriculum mapping for:
Elementary Science
Elementary Social (under completion)
Secondary Social and Science mapping in the works
A: Support for diverse learners
A: Access to journals like Walrus, National Geographic, School Library Journal, Men’s Health, and MacLean’s (RSS feeds can be set up)
A: Consistent and explicit update schedules
A: Access to vetted websites
A: Ability to create permalinks that can be posted on a website, blog page or sent in an blast

5. Q: How do You Access the ORC?
Go the LearnAlberta.ca
Select English or French
Click “Online Reference Centre” in the tab along the top of the screen
In school automatic authentication should occur
Outside of school access requires a district username and password
Share your district username and password using low tech methods - do not post on an open website
for your remote username/password

6. Questions?

7. Using QR Codes in your Library Learning Commons
Not sure how to create a QR code? Learn how here…
QR a book trailer and tape the QR code in the top right-hand corner of the book
QR the link to an article about an author(s) you are highlighting
Create online book clubs and offer the choices on a bulletin board in the learning commons using QR codes
Highlight some content for Remembrance Day/Read In Week/Earth Day using a QR code
Provide a link to one of the ORC databases

8. How to Make a QR Code in 4 Quick Steps

9. What’s New for Elementary Schools?
Early World of Learning
PebbleGO Science and Social Studies
National Geographic Kids Virtual Library

10. Early World of Learning
New to the collection for 2015/2016
Designed for very young learners with human voice read aloud embedded throughout
Stories, pictures, videos, songs and activities build literacy skills
Related content to Science and Social Studies curricula
Fun and interactive, works well on iPad or tablet
Early World of Learning
Top Right-Hand side of the screen
Read:
Trek’s Travels - stories about what Trek learns on his adventures. Each story includes human voice read aloud, auto play or user controlled play, related game, videos and pictures
Welcome to Reading - Additional Trek Books that are levelled from A -D. Books include all additional features (game, videos, etc.)
Know It- Explore Animals Homes, Animal Safari, Creepy Crawlies, Sea Animals, Me, Myself and I, People at Work, Plants, Rainforest Animals, Dinos, Vroom Vroom, and Weather. Each section include related pictures and videos
Play:
Put the Story in Order (ordering the story - first, second, third, and fourth events)
Concentration (digital concentration game, flip the cards to find matches)
Multiple Choice (Fill in the missing word in the sentence)
Sorting (long vowels, short vowels, middle sounds, final sounds, etc.)
Watch:
Sports and Hobbies (yoga, step aerobics, juggling, etc.)
People (police officers, teacher, firefighters, garbage truck)
Animals (numerous animal videos to choose from)
Getting Around (cars, busses, planes, etc)
Machines (backhoes, snowblowers, Tractors, etc.)
Big Ideas (shapes, colors, sizes, sounds, etc.)
Plants (plants growing, starting a garden, etc.)
Health (doctors, vaccines, senses, etc.)
Earth (seasons, weather, etc.)
Print and Do:
Blackline Masters available to print. Include colour the number activities.
Topics include: colors, numbers, letters, locations, matching, sets, shapes, sizes and time
Bottom Right-hand side of the Screen
Click on the Frog with the fly to access additional resources
Story Corner - Variety of classic stories read aloud
Nursery Rhymes - Variety of Classic nursery rhymes
Songs - Classics like Baa, Baa and Eensy, Weensy Spider

11. LLC Ideas - Early World of Learning
Begin an LLC session with a sing along - have related books pulled out for students
On LLC Smart Board have the games open so that students who have made selections can work together to play the educational games
Supplement print collection with the “Know It” section
Highlight “Know It” and have related print resources available
Pre-load on iPads for students to access during LLC time

12. National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
New to the collection for 2015/2016
Authoritative nonfiction content
Award-winning maps and photos
200 National Geographic Kids Books
500 Kid-friendly downloadable images
National Geographic Kids Magazines (2009-Present, 3 month embargo)
Include listen feature

13. LLC Idea - National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
Have National Geographic Kids running on iPads instead of print - better yet have both
Have a featured article on the LLC Smart board for library time - allow students to interact with the SMART board to learn more about their book selection
Use copy-right friendly images from this resource in LLC space
Direct students to this resource for copy-right friendly images for presentations
Direct students to this resource for additional content on inquiry topics

14. PebbleGO Science Recommended for students in K-4
Easy navigation, levelled text, visual searching all designed for beginning researchers
Human voice read aloud with text highlighting, photos, videos, audio clips to enhance learning and engage learners
Articles segmented into brief sections with tab navigation at the top of the screen

15. Using PebbleGO Science in the LLC
This is a database that can be easily navigated by kinders and grade 1 students with very little assistance
Always a struggle to find nonfiction content appropriate for this age range - this can supplement the print collection
Direct students and teachers there when print materials are requested for units of study
Topics covered: plants, animals, humans (senses), matter, sound, forces and motion, seasons, weather, etc.
Provide the updated curriculum map once completed

16. PebbleGO Social Studies
Recommended for students in K-4
Easy navigation, levelled text, visual searching all designed for beginning researchers
Human voice read aloud with text highlighting, photos, videos, audio clips to enhance learning and engage learners
Articles segmented into brief sections with tab navigation at the top of the screen

17. Using PebbleGO Social in the LLC
This is a database that can be easily navigated by kinders and grade 1 students with very little assistance
Always a struggle to find nonfiction content appropriate for this age range - this can supplement the print collection
Direct students and teachers there when print materials are requested for units of study
Topics covered: my world, maps, long ago and today, community, culture and awareness, citizenship, holidays, etc.
Provide the updated curriculum map once completed

18. Promoting Elementary Literacy Skills Using the ORC
BookFLIX
TrueFLIX
TeachingBooks.net
Visual Thesaurus

19. BookFLIX Recommended for K-3 students
118 fiction and nonfiction book pairs (236 books total) organized into themes
Pairing fiction with related nonfiction increases student comprehension when reading both formats
Search titles by guided reading level, author, grade level, theme, etc.
Lesson plans provided for each pair
Real voice audio support embedded throughout resources to allow emergent readers to navigate the resource independently
Between 1-3 follow up “puzzlers” for each pair

20. Ideas for Using BookFLIX in the LLC
Read Aloud Ideas
Highlight a book/author from your collection and have all of the related print resources on display following the reading
Turn volume on mute and have a karaoke read - divide students into two groups and each group reads different pages
Have no read along on and read it yourself using the beautiful large illustration to engage the students
Instruct students to look for a word or phrase during the reading and make a motion/sounds whenever it comes up
Load the book on the Smart Board and students can complete the puzzlers on the SMART board following the book reading
Pre-load some titles on iPads for use during library time

21. TrueFLIX Sister resource to BookFLIX designed for grades 3-6
Nonfiction content divided into 2 broad themes with 3-5 sub themes
Each eBook includes an introductory video to help build background knowledge of topic and improve students comprehension
Human voice read along feature to support emergent/struggling readers
Interactive table of contents for each eBook, in addition to a glossary and index
Essential inquiry questions and project ideas from every eBook

22. Using TrueFLIX in the LLC
Wander with an iPad running TrueFLIX to help resistant readers make selection using the intro video
Find True Books in your print collection - pull them and highlight them for your readers
Direct students to TrueFLIX to supplement nonfiction content for inquiry projects
Run an introductory video related to their topic of study to promote nonfiction in general in your library

23. TeachingBooks.net
A wealth of support materials to teach and promote books in your school (book trailers, author interviews and read ins, author audio name pronunciation, book guides and lesson plans)
Share/permalink any page using the “ ” “Permalink” “QR Flyer” or “Share this Page” features
Access Alberta specific booklists:
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers Choice Award (YRCA)
ELA Authorized Novel and Nonfiction Reading List for grades 4-12
Meet-the-Author book readings in English and French
Canadian Book Award Winners/Canadian Book and Author Resources
Create and/or request a personalized booklist

24. How to use TeachingBooks.net to Create LLC Programming
Using the Permalink option, feature a Canadian author each month on your Learning Commons webpage (link print and virtual - create a related bulletin board with a QR code to the webpage)
Feature staff pick(s) each month and provide a permalink to the book’s TeachingBook.net page (s)
Create: custom reading lists for different grades, top student selections page, or create a librarians pick page in TeachingBooks.net and permalink the page to your LLC webpage - mimic this in the physical space
Support classroom novel studies and/or book clubs with the support materials in TeachingBooks.net
Create a LLC Virtual Book Club using content from TeachingBooks.net
Promote Rocky Mountain Book Award selection using the support materials in TeachingBooks.net (virtually on your webpage and in library print collection also)
Promote Young Readers Choice Award selection using the support materials in TeachingBooks.net (virtually on your webpage and in library print collection also)

25. Visual Thesaurus
6 languages including English, French, Spanish, and German
Correct word pronunciation in human voice for every word
Images related to words with right click (images are google images and not vetted)
Word of the day/week/month - Use this for an LLC contest (see next slide)
Personalized word lists and spelling bees*
Vocabgrabber*
*With personal account
Creating an account a new feature – will not do today but have included steps
Homepage:
1) Word of the day, week or month sign up top right hand side
2) Featured word lists just below word of the day
3) General article top left hand side
4) Spelling Bee and Vocabgrabber found in the centre of the homepage
Educators tab along the top grey links bar
1) Educator article changes monthly, found in top left hand side of Educators page
2) Search lesson plans (be aware there is US Content)
3) PD videos found on the lower right hand side
1. Great for introducing resource to staff members
2. Great for reminding yourself how to do something
3. Instructions for creating word lists/spelling bees included 4) Spelling Bee and Vaocabgrabber found in the centre of the Educator’s pages
Search pleasant
Settings along the top in grey
Adjust for SMART Board
Identify word relationships to target
Add in other languages
2) Right click on any word to hear it pronounced or to pull up images
3) Words sorted by verbs, adjectives, etc. (along the right hand side of the screen)
1. Can turn on/off verbs, adverbs, etc.
2. Coloured circles for each of the words tells you what kind of word
3. Can focus on a specific definition (found along the right hand side)
4. Click on a word to find words related to that specific word
4) Can browse history (top left side of the screen)
5) Print/Share options along the top of the screen

26. How to Create and LLC Contest Using Visual Thesaurus
Sign up for the word of the day
Select a word appropriate to your division ( if multiple divisions, pick one for each division)
Create a word map of the selected word(s)
Print off the map only without definitions (in the settings slide down menu at the top of the word map)
Use the photocopier to blow up the word map
Create a QR code taking users to Visual Thesaurus (see using QR codes in your LLC)
Create a bulletin board(s) with word map(s) and QR code as hint
Users enter the contest by providing the definition, and related sentence
Draw names Friday morning and announce winners - prizes can include sitting in comfortable seating for reading time, first check out of new book of their choice, candy, etc.

27. Additional Science Resources
PowerKnowledge Earth Space Science
PowerKnowledge Life Science
PowerKnowledge Physical Science
Science In Context

28. PowerKnowledge Suite Recommended for grades 1-6
Content divided into 3 databases: Earth & Space, Life Science and Physical Science
Includes a customizable read aloud feature
Short, segmented articles with introductory videos to build background knowledge
Embedded science experiments, projects, and educational games related to the content of the database
Aligns with 95% of the grade 3-6 science curriculum and 87% of the grade 1-6 science curriculum

29. PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science
Science Units Supported:
Grade 1 Seasonal Changes
Grade 2 Exploring Liquids
Grade 3 Rocks and Minerals
Grade 4 Light and Shadows & Waste and Our World
Grade 5 Weather Watch, Wetland Ecosystems & Social Studies Mapping
Grade 6 Sky Science

30. PowerKnowledge Life Science
Science Units Supported:
Grade 1 Needs of Animals and Plants
Grade 2 Small Crawling and Flying Animals
Grade 3 Animal Life Cycles & Hearing and Sound
Grade 4 Plant Growth and Changes & Waste and Our World
Grade 5 Wetland Ecosystems
Grade 6 Trees and Forests

31. PowerKnowledge Physical Science
Science Units Supported:
Grade 1 Needs of Animals and Plants
Grade 2 Hot and Cold Temperature & Magnetism
Grade 4 Wheels and Levers
Grade 5 Electricity and Magnetism & Classroom Chemistry
Grade 6 Trees and Forests

32. Ways to Power Up your LLC Collection with PowerKnowledge
An excellent way to supplement your print collection for both teachers and students
There are only so many books a library can have on penguins - PowerKnowledge databases can be accessed by a limitless number of students simultaneously
While pulling print content fetching units, find related content in the PowerKnowledge databases, create permalinks to articles to send those along in an as well
teachers the appropriate curriculum mapping document for the ORC from the ORC Support Site

33. Additional Social Studies Resources
Culturegrams
The Canadian Encyclopedia

34. Culturegrams New interface for 2015/2016
Kids Edition - excellent support for gr. 3 S.S.
Provinces Edition - supports gr. 2 S.S.
Updated every 6 months and written/reviewed by in-country consultants
Features included: customizable read-aloud, photo gallery, slideshows, videos, famous people, and cultural recipes
Tools included: build-your-own graphs and tables, pre-generated graphs and tables, distance calculate, and currency converter

35. Culturegrams in the LLC
There are only so many books on Tunisia
This database can greatly assist when all of the grade three students are looking for and wanting to check out that one book
Finding content for the grade 2 social studies curriculum is challenging
While this database does not provide information on the exact cities and towns studied in the grade 2 curriculum, it does provide excellent content on each of the provinces
This database can also support some parts of the grade 4 social studies curriculum
Of particular interest may be the timeline for Alberta

36. The Canadian Encyclopedia
Free website provided by the government of Canada
Change from English to French at the top of the right- hand corner of every page
New updated interface - much more aesthetic and functional
View personal accounts from veterans, view videos,
Articles include publication date, editor and edit date

37. Using The Canadian Encyclopedia in the LLC
Provide a link to a digital exhibit from the collection (found along the top of the webpage)
Link to a first hand account by a Canadian veteran for Remembrance Day
If you school is named after a famous Canadian, link to information about that Canadian
Link to articles relevant to the curriculum for various units of study

38. Trial Resource Sneak Peeks
PebbleGO Animals and Dinosaurs
Capstone Interactive Library
Britannica
Britannica Image Quest

39. PebbleGO Animals & Dinosaurs
Emergent database for JK-3 students
Human voice text-to-speech throughout for easy, independent navigation
Interactive videos
Embedded teacher resources
Sneak Peek Information:
Username: taltrial
Password: taltrial

40. Capstone Interactive Library
More than fully interactive eBooks
Includes nonfiction, fiction, levelled readers, and graphic novels
Human voice text-to-speech feature for every eBook
Sneak Peak Information:
Username: taltrial
Password: taltrial

41. Britannica School
Available on the ORC webpage from October 2015-January 2016
Easy to use multidisciplinary database
Access a wealth of content in 3 different reading levels including biographies, primary sources and E-Books
Features include: read aloud, interlinked related images, videos, and articles
Includes a Canada In Focus sections with current and relevant information specific to Canadian learners
Sneak Peek Information:
Username: learnalberta
Password: albertaschools

42. Britannica Image Quest
Access over rights cleared images
Support for every subject area
Images easily manipulated without distortion issues
Images easily cited for inclusion in any work
Sneak Peak Information:
Username: learnalberta
Password: albertaschools

43. Support for School Staff Using the ORC
ORC Support Site
ORC Listserv
Links
Contact

44. ORC Support Site www.onlinereferencecentre.ca
Resource training materials - podcasts, videos, archived, webinars, and guides
Information about upcoming free ORC PD opportunities
Information about province-wide resource trials and surveys
Online booking system for ORC sessions
Calendar of ORC Events
Links to the ORC Twitter and Facebook accounts

45. ORC Listserv Weekly email updates organized by E/J/S:
New resources and features
province-wide trials
surveys
Free PD opportunities
No s during school breaks
Membership benefits for every 50th person to join
or visit the ORC Support Site to join today

46. Links to Check Out ORC SUpport Site www.onlinereferencecentre.ca
ORC Listserv
ORC Facebook
http:
ORC Twitter
@ORC_AB

47. Contact For more information or to schedule a school
presentation contact
Jamie Davis, ORC Co-ordinator
Call Ext. 229 OR