Research Tools You Can Use

A database is something that most students use every day, yet they may be in the dark when it comes to understanding how one works. Understanding the mechanics behind computer databases is likely to help them better put the technology to good use. The information compiled in this book sheds light on the types of databases, as well as how they organize, store, and retrieve information. Readers are also guided through an activity that gives them hands-on experience, putting what they've learned through the text to the test.

Cell phones and GPS gadgets abound, but there is no substitute for learning the tried and true method of using an atlas. In this concise volume, readers learn how atlases came to exist and how they have evolved over the years. Exercises and fact boxes throughout the book engage readers in hands-on activities to familiarize them with using an atlas and its features. This instructive volume supports Common Core Standards (such as using glossaries and indexes, interpreting charts, and drawing on information from multiple sources) with content that encourages and inspires thinking, reading, and discussion.

A welcome edition for the digital age, this volume teaches young people how to do encyclopedia research in the traditional sense. Readers learn the basics of how to use an encylopedia, how to search for information both offline and online, and how to utilize their findings in school projects. They also learn how to do online research, and search tips and information on online citations are given. Finally, this volume lets readers test their research skills. Following the Common Core curriculum standards for preparing readers to use online tools and resources, this resource is a bridge to the digital age for young learners.

The greatest remedy for writer's block--and an effective way to expand one's vocabulary--is the use of the writer's go-to resource: a thesaurus. Thesauri are easier to use than ever before, thanks to numerous online options that complement traditional print editions. Readers will not only discover how to zero in on just the right word for the occasion, but they will also learn how to identify parts of speech, related words, and the fine distinctions among words. This is an indispensible guide to mastering the most important tool of a wordsmith.

This engaging narrative introduces readers to the world of words and their meanings. Students learn that they can determine the subject of speech a word is and often the synonyms and antonyms for the words. The volume describes the different types of dictionaries, how they are compiled and organized, what pronunciation symbols and accents mean, and what abbreviations represent. Word Workers and vocabulary boxes explain well-known lexicographers and important words to know. Readers practice their dictionary skills in an activity section.

Amidst the labyrinthine collection of books where readers and researchers can lose themselves for hours, libraries also host a wealth of digital resources; allow visitors to check out movies, music, and video games; and organize talks, story times, and much more. This lively volume helps readers navigate the physical and digital bookshelves of libraries, explaining the various types of libraries and breaking down how to use library catalogues and classification systems. Readers are then guided through a short research project, encouraging them to connect information from multiple sources in line with Common Core requirements.