Susanna HallFourth grade lessonMarshall Elementary School, BostonApril 6, 2011

Introduction to Kids InfoBits Database: Finding a magazine or newspaper article on a topic of interest

Kids InfoBitspassword-free access through BPS Libraries accounthttp://libraries.state.ma.us/login?db=ITKE&locid=mlin_b_bps

Kids InfoBits is a general Gale database designed for K-5 students. Home page:

Description:

Students work in pairs. Home page is projected onto wall for teacher intro and demo.First, before sitting at the computers, pairs brainstorm categories / topics of interest.Next, pairs go to computer and locate an article using directions belowOne worksheet is filled out per pair of studentsInstructors actively circulate and assist.

BRAINSTORMING:

1. Choose and circle THREE categories below2. In the blank space next to these three categories, write ONE specific topic you are

interested in learning more about. If you can’t come up with one, do not worry.3. Now CIRCLE your ONE favorite topic. This is the one you will search for on the

database.

Animals

Plants

People

Geography

Science & Math

Stories & Literature

History & Social Studies

Transportation

Inventions &Technology

Health

Arts & Entertainment

Sports

STEPS AT THE COMPUTER:

Go to the home page of Kids InfoBits:http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/KidsInfoBits?locID=mlin_b_bps

If you did not decide on a specific topic, you will BROWSE

1. click on the category that interests you most (animals, people, etc)2. read the list of topics that comes up3. choose one topic and click on it4. click on Magazines or Newspapers5. find an article that looks interesting to you6. open the article7. fill in the information on the worksheet

If you did decide on a specific topic, you will SEARCH

1. put your topic in as a search term and press search2. click on the “VIEW” button3. click on Magazines or Newspapers4. find an article that looks interesting to you5. open the article6. fill in the information on the worksheet

Names: __________________________________________________

DIRECTIONS: Write the information asked for in the right hand column.

What was your CATEGORY or TOPIC?

Write the TITLE of the article you chose

Write the TITLE of the magazine or newspaper

What DATE was the article published?

Write one sentence about something you learned from the article:

Names: __________________________________________________

DIRECTIONS: Write the information asked for in the right hand column.

What was your CATEGORY or TOPIC?

Write the TITLE of the article you chose

Write the TITLE of the magazine or newspaper

What DATE was the article published?

Write one sentence about something you learned from the article: