Virginia Pathfinder
A pathfinder is a resource that help students research a certain topic. This pathfinder will assist AWESOME 4th grade students explore Virginia!
We are learning how to cite sources this year. This pathfinder will support this goal in each section but first let's look at how you how to cite different sources. It is important to explain where you got your infomation so that you do not plagarize. Watch this short video to help understand why we cite sources when researching.
Citing books and ebooks (ALA): author's last name, initials. (date). Title. Place: Publisher.
For example: Blashfield, J.F. (1999). Virginia. New York: Childrens Press.
Citing a website: author (date). Title. [type of media] Publisher. It might be hard to find all the information on many websites. The date might be on the bottom of the home page, there might not be publisher information.
Example: Mr.Nussbaum.com (2015) Virginia The Old Dominion [website]. Nussbaum Education Network, LLC.
Our school library and online catalogs:
Tips for using our school catalog:
1) Access our school library catalog here: Catalog link.
2) Choose our school name from the menu. It should look like this:
3) KEYWORDS - type Virginia. geography **Notice the PERIOD between
Virginia and geography. If you only see a few results and/or they are checked
out, try choosing "nearby items on shelves". See the RED arrow in my screenshot below.
**Remember if you click
"Everything" you may get
some videos, so you may
want to choose "Subject".
**Note if you see PROF that
means it will be with
teacher resources and
it may not be available
for you to check out.
4) When you have some results write down the location and go to that spot. It will probably be in the 975 section, the nonfiction section where Virginia is located. BUT NOT ALWAYS
5) If you want more results go back to step 1 and under schools choose ALL. This time you could also search for your city and region after you type Virginia. I can have the books sent to our school.
** Remember to cite books that help you. Click Citation Machine and EASYBIB for help.
Imagine Easy SOlutions (2014, May 29). Citation for Beginners [Youtube video] Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/CDGdqoCyAtw
Websites:
First, LOVELY digital citizens: TIPS for SMART searching!
1) Make sure the site is from a valid source. We do not support wikipedia.
2) Choose websites that are on your level.
These are attractive and understandable to kids like you!
3) Can you find a find a date at the bottom to show it isn't too old?
4) Make sure it is relevant to your topic.
5) Be careful when you see ads - this website should be to educate, not to sell you things.
** Here are some kid friendly searching websites. Like google, but safer & smarter!
kidrex.com kidzsearch.com
sweetsearch.com duckduckgo.com
Mr.Nussbaum - VA In this awesome section of Mr. Nussbaum's website, explore:
-- an interactive map of VA...Click on any word to get information about that area.
-- Scroll down to find more topics to click on and explore.
-- Most will open a new page, so remember to click the back arrow to go back.
-- Also look at the title of the page and use that when you are citing this source.
-- Click on the blue words and most will open a new page for you to explore more information on that that topic. Notice if you need to click back to get back or go to the other window to get back to where you were.
-- Remmber to cite that page you were sent to when writing about it. Again, source, date, title, retrieved from URL
Videos: These Virgina videos can give you great information. Also visit: http://www.virginiatrekkers.com/Menu/Podcasts to see more videos on specific areas of VA. Remember to cite your video like below each of the videos here. Note it is the author/source with a period, the date in parentheses (found at the bottom of the page, the title in italics with a period and then write retrived from: the url.
Studies Weekly. (2015, June 15) Virginia's Five Regions. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NqROuJiRXc
VA Historical Society. (2017, March 13) The Regions of Virginia. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFtpetkvOoQ
Databases:
1) When you go school website and click on databases, scroll down to the left side and click on Elementary.
2) Here are some good ones you will find that could help with gathering facts about Virginia.
Use your school login and password after you click on it
CultureGram - States Edition Kids Info Bits
3) The video below shows how you can use National Geographic Kids to find VA information.
Click on it and use your school login and password again. You can also find other
information on VA there.
4) Below is a good video overview of what you see at World Book Kids: (click World Book Kids )
Take special notice when she shows you how to cite the article you find!
My Channel
All of the above databases have a way to help you cite what you
have found. Sometimes it is in a tab or in the drop down menu.
Elizabeth, Ann. (2015) World Book Kids [youtube video] retrieved from: https://youtu.be/GgvpUI89vvw
Do you have questions? I'm always here to help! If you don't find me in the library, you can also email me. Please contact me at aling001@odu.edu or fill out your details and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
STANDARDS AND CITATIONS:
VS 1: i) analyze and interpret maps to explain relationships among landforms, water features, climatic characteristics, and historical events.
VS.2 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the physical geography and native peoples, past and present, of Virginia by
a) locating Virginia and its bordering states on maps of the United States;
b) locating and describing Virginia’s Coastal Plain (Tidewater), Piedmont, Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau;
c) locating and identifying water features important to the early history of Virginia (Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, York River, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, and Lake Drummond and the Dismal Swamp)
VS.10 The student will demonstrate knowledge of government, geography, and economics by
b) describing the major products and industries of Virginia’s five geographic regions
4.9 The student will demonstrate comprehension of information resources to research a topic.
Construct questions about a topic.
Collect information from multiple resources including online, print, and media.
Use technology as a tool to organize, evaluate, and communicate information.
Give credit to sources used in research.
Understand the difference between plagiarism and using own words.
C/T 3-5.6 Plan and apply strategies for gathering information, using a variety of tools and sources, and reflect on alternate strategies that might lead to greater successes in future projects.
A. Collect information from a variety of sources. Conduct research using various types of text- and media-based information.
B. Apply best practices for searching digital resources. Apply effective search strategies that will yield targeted information. Identify basic indicators that a digital source is likely to be reliable.
C/T 3-5.7 Draw conclusions from research and relate these findings to real-world situations.
A. Use research to support written and oral presentations. Apply research derived from digital resources to original work. Demonstrate how to cite digital resources when developing nonfiction reports and presentations.
Virginia Department of Education. (2008) Standards of Learning (SOL) & Testing: History and Social Science. Retrieved from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/history_socialscience/
Virginia Department of Education. (2010) Standards of Learning (SOL) & Training: English Retrieved fromhttp://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/index.shtml
Virginia Department of Education. (2013) Standards of Learning (SOL) & Testing: Computer Technology. Retrieved from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/computer_technology/index.shtml
All photos courtesy of wix.com unless otherwise cited.
ALA Standards:
1.3.3 Respect copyright/intellectual property rights of creators and producers.
1.3.3 Follow ethical and legal guidelines in gathering and using information.
3.1.6 Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.