1. www.ncwiseowl.org NC WiseOwl Made Simple www.ncwiseowl.org

2. References This presentation could not have been created without the help of Mr. Dan Sparlin, NC WiseOwl webmaster. This presentation could not have been created without the help of Mr. Dan Sparlin, NC WiseOwl webmaster. All images and information used with permission from Mr. Dan Sparlin All images and information used with permission from Mr. Dan Sparlin

3. www.ncwiseowl.org NC WiseOwl, created and sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Resources Development and Evaluation Section, is a phenomenal site that offers help for teachers, parents, and students. The site is simple in its set up, but complex in all that it has to offer and it is difficult to remember where everything is at.

4. www.ncwiseowl.org The purpose of this guide is to teach you what NC WiseOwl has to offer and simplify your navigation through all the different parts. This guide covers three main parts of this web site: Part I - Subscription Databases Part II - the Middle Zone Part III – NC specific resources

5. www.ncwiseowl.org Return to Main Menu Commonalities between pages: - Allows user to return to the first menu page - Allows user to return to the database menu page Basic descriptions of some resources are provided when the mouse is rolled over the word. A link to the NC WiseOwl homepage is provided at the bottom of each page. - Linked information box - Unlinked information box - Allows user to return to the Kaleidescope menu

6. www.ncwiseowl.org What does NC WiseOwl offer? Subscription Resources vs. Internet Subscription Resources vs. Internet Focused, non-commercial search results Focused, non-commercial search results Grade-level organization of resources Grade-level organization of resources Associated tools and special features Associated tools and special features

7. www.ncwiseowl.org Part I - Subscription databases Part II - Age/curriculum appropriate resources Part III – Resources specifically designed for NC parents, teachers and students

8. www.ncwiseowl.org Part I - Subscription databases: While this menu is present in all the Zones, some links are different. This is a list of all the links that may or may not be in a specific zone. Password protected databases: Password protected databases: America the Beautiful America the Beautiful America the Beautiful America the Beautiful The Scribner Writers Series The Scribner Writers Series The Scribner Writers Series The Scribner Writers Series (included in the High School Zone) (included in the High School Zone) Return to Main Menu Easy-access databases: Easy-access databases: Click on a database title for a link to example pages and audience information. Grolier Online Grolier Online Grolier Online Grolier Online Grolier MME (Multimedia Encyclopedia Grolier MME (Multimedia Encyclopedia Grolier MME (Multimedia Encyclopedia Grolier MME (Multimedia Encyclopedia Lands and Peoples Lands and Peoples Lands and Peoples Lands and Peoples Amazing Animals Amazing Animals Amazing Animals Amazing Animals Grolier NBK (New Book of Knowledge) Grolier NBK (New Book of Knowledge) Grolier NBK (New Book of Knowledge) Grolier NBK (New Book of Knowledge) Popular Science Popular Science Popular Science Popular Science Magazines Magazines Magazines Jr. Reference Jr. Reference Jr. Reference Jr. Reference eBook Center eBook Center eBook Center eBook Center Power Search Power Search Power Search Power Search

9. www.ncwiseowl.org Grolier Online – Has two basic divisions: Online Kids (Upper Elementary +) and Online Passport (Middle School +). Both have an option to toggle between each other. Most pages offer the ability to simplify the page to text only once in a specific encyclopedia.

10. www.ncwiseowl.org Grolier is practically an all-in-one source Search Options Grolier Tutorial Feature Showcase Teacher Resources

11. www.ncwiseowl.org Grolier offers a Feature Showcase complete with links to articles and lesson plans Past Features

12. www.ncwiseowl.org Feature Showcase (cont.) Includes a podcast Teacher materials

13. www.ncwiseowl.org Feature Showcase sample lesson plan

14. www.ncwiseowl.org Sample lesson plan (cont.) Important vocabulary Related questions

15. www.ncwiseowl.org Searching a topic with Find it Fast accesses all of Groliers resources A list of encyclopedia articles with icons indicates the series. Clicking on the web site tab, reveals possible matching links. Clicking other tabs reveals other relevant information.

16. www.ncwiseowl.org The Advanced Search option The Advanced Search option can be useful when looking for articles written within a a specific Lexile range

17. www.ncwiseowl.org Educator Resources include a wide range of materials Lessons by grade/subject Graphic organizers Headline news lesson plans Wide range of professional Internet sources Grolier teacher tool kit Pro/con debate issues

18. www.ncwiseowl.org Lesson plans by grade or subject Grades 6-8 chosen, list of plans arranged by subject Specific lesson chosen from list

19. www.ncwiseowl.org Lesson plans by grade or subject (cont.) Pertinent encyclopedia articles and vocabulary listed within lesson plan

20. www.ncwiseowl.org Lesson plans by grade or subject (cont.) All NC SCOS objectives that apply are listed from the lowest to the highest grade. This example fit standards from Grade 3, 7, and even high school.

21. www.ncwiseowl.org Lands and Peoples Lands and Peoples (Audience: Middle School +) From the basic menu many options can be chosen: population, agriculture, historical time periods, etc.

22. www.ncwiseowl.org Lands and Peoples (cont.) One of the most unique features of the Lands and Peoples database is the Culture Cross feature. Students may choose two continents, countries, or states and compare them on a variety of levels.

23. www.ncwiseowl.org New Book of Popular Science () New Book of Popular Science (Audience: Middle School +) This database offers recent news articles from around the world, a large selection of biographies, projects, and most articles are teeming with quality photos and illustrations.

24. www.ncwiseowl.org America the Beautiful America the Beautiful (Audience: Elementary and Middle School) Research can be conducted by selecting a tab at the top or selecting a specific state. While the articles are brief, they include links and appropriate citation.

25. www.ncwiseowl.org America the Beautiful (cont.) Lots of tools are available to make research more interesting and more user friendly such as Lexile level of the article, printing options, and even help with emailing the article. Large selection of media and links provided. Table of contents makes information easy to access.

26. www.ncwiseowl.org Junior Reference Collection available with password Junior Reference Collection (Audience: Upper Elementary and Middle School) available with password

27. www.ncwiseowl.org eBook Center available with password eBook Center (Audience: all levels) available with password eBooks are books available online. They have everything a paper book has, except the paper. The selection of eBooks available through this site differ within each Zone according to appropriateness, such as reading level.

28. www.ncwiseowl.org eBook Center (cont.) Once a particular book is selected, the contents, index, and even illustrations are all easy to read.

29. www.ncwiseowl.org The Scribner Writers Series included in the High School Zone available with password Path from home page to specific topic: (e.g. Toni Morrison)

30. www.ncwiseowl.org Power Search (Audience: all) available with password Using PowerSearch is nothing like a Google list - WiseOwl search on MLK: Clear source (TABS), citation, text or pdf, sort by pub date or relevance, links to related topics Academic 404, News 3535, Magazines 2411

31. www.ncwiseowl.org Power Search (cont.) At the middle school zone - Defaults to subject search - but can select type Includes approximately 200 magazines Simple interface but can modify the search techniques

32. www.ncwiseowl.org Power Search (cont.) Subject search is useful for narrowing topics - select Subdivision. Subject search is also great for getting a list of related subtopics on broad topics.

33. www.ncwiseowl.org The New Book of Knowledge The New Book of Knowledge (Audience: Elementary +) Links for students and teachers are easy to locate. Articles can be accessed by category, or by using the search feature.

34. www.ncwiseowl.org The New Book of Knowledge (cont.) High interest, easy reading provided with lots of extras.

35. www.ncwiseowl.org Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia (Audience: Middle School +) Grolier MME offers more than 9,000 articles and 5,600 images.

36. www.ncwiseowl.org Part II - Age/curriculum appropriate resources for student and/or teacher use. Includes links that contain lesson plans. Most links are geared toward students and parents. Return to Main Menu

37. www.ncwiseowl.org Featured Web Sites Interesting informational web sites arranged by monthly themes. Every month can be accessed, not just the current month. Featured sites are for all grade levels. Return to Main Menu

38. www.ncwiseowl.org Carolina Clips In addition to a WIDE range of sites with information about NC, there are also links to other educational sites (not specific to NC) for teachers and students Links to instructional resources related to African and European topics. Return to Main Menu

39. www.ncwiseowl.org Middle School Web Resources ThinkQuestThinkQuest The ThinkQuest Library provides innovative learning resources for students of all ages on a wide range of educational topics. Featuring over 6,500 websites, the library is created by students from around the world as part of the competition. Most are multimedia and all are based on facts with references cited.competition American MemoryAmerican Memory – Basically this is an encyclopedia LearnITLearnIT - Teacher resources for integrating technology. Provides project-based lesson plans, video tutorials, and basic technology 101 for a large variety of subjects. Internet Public Library Internet Public Library - One giant library of facts and resources specifically for kids. ALA Great Web Sites ALA Great Web Sites – specifically intended for kids Kaleidoscope Hovercraft - This link provides a wide range of games and tutorials for lessons of all subjects. This list includes just a few of the resources available through this link. Return to Main Menu

40. www.ncwiseowl.org Amazing Animals Amazing Animals (Audience: Elementary +) Amazing Animals - A comprehensive collection of articles on animals all over the world and their habitats.

41. www.ncwiseowl.org Magazines accessible with a password Magazines ( Audience: all) accessible with a password Search options include a Quick Search which allows the user to access all the databases available. A particular database may be selected instead. 34 million articles vs. 5 million in Jr. Edition Gold - 3700 magazines full-text, vs. 100 Elementary, 200 Junior, 460 for Student edition

42. www.ncwiseowl.org Magazines (cont.) Users may search by text only, images, peer- reviewed (higher credibility), or by a particular magazine title.

43. www.ncwiseowl.org Magazines (cont.) Users may find it helpful to look for a specific publication. Example results when searching for National Geographic. Information includes appropriate audience level.

44. www.ncwiseowl.org Part III – NC Resources The resources that make up Part III have more information in each than can ever be covered in a guided tour presentation. Therefore, only a little of Kaleidoscope will be covered. Return to Main Menu

45. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope Browse by topic allows the user to see all the topics within this entire sections without lots of extra graphics. This guide will provide a glimpse into the links for students, parents and teachers. Click on a yellow box to see example pages.

46. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope (cont.) Presentations Link Teaching guides have been included from a variety of recent presentations.

47. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope (cont.) NC Student Link Grade level links are the same.

48. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope (cont.) NC Student Link - 2 While the Hovercraft looks the same for each grade level, the links lead to grade specific homework/curriculum needs.

49. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope (cont.) NC Student Link - 3 Just Chillin offers games, simulations, Web site construction tools, and more. Memory Booster helps students learn tricks that make it easier to remember everything for tests.

50. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope (cont.) NC Student Link - 4 The Knowledge Constructor Kit will take you to all the BEST information Web sites - fast. Check out the imaginary futuristic student locker dreamed up by NC students from Coats-Erwin Middle School at Student Locker of the Future. You can try the handprint ID access or the retinal scan, and then build a disguise or learn about nanobots! The possibilities are endless.

51. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope (cont.) NC Parents Link Resources and links are intended to help parents of 10-14 years of age with information on what to expect for each grade of middle school. Included here are just two snapshots of this page.

52. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope (cont.) NC Teachers Link Powerful tools that can make your job easier!!

53. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope (cont.) NC Teachers Link -2 The Instructional Delivery links are matched by no others; best practices put in practice, computer integration, brain research…all in one spot.

54. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope (cont.) NC Media Coordinators Link This page IS NOT just for Media Coordinators

55. www.ncwiseowl.org Kaleidoscope TeachersOnly Link This page is filled with helpful, fun and sometimes truly personal resources.