Pioneer+Library+Resources

= Pioneer Library Resources

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CultureGrams
CultureGrams is a geographic learning resource for children of all ages. It has many different types of maps throughout the website, as well as interactive experiences for children of all levels and areas of study. Each country has a little page called a "landing menu" where students can click on provinces and states to see specific maps, and activity options. The information available through this site is excellent, and very current. It includes histories of the people and places, cultural practices, lifestyles, government information, even flags and interactive games. It is extremely easy to navigate, and any child with basic literacy skills could find their way around the website. As an educator, I think this would be a good resource for doing class research projects, like country reports or talking about different cultures. My students could use this to research for a world fair activity or presentation, or perhaps to understand the culture of pen pals in a different country as an activity.

Pioneer Preschool
 Preschool Pioneer is a learning resource for younger students, both those in preschool programs or early childhood education centers. It presents resources for learning letters, numbers, self-concept and understanding, reading and literacy, and improving overall cognitive skills. There are also links to games that may improve these skills, as well as activities to challenge young learners. There are also online cartoons that will help with learning. The information is extremely quality and is up to NAEYC standards and objectives as is needed to be considered a resource for an Early Childhood program. It is extremely easy to navigate, though much less detailed than the resources for older children. I would use this site for earned computer time. I would use computer time as an incentive in keeping children following the rules in class. I could also have my students use this site to complete homework/learning-play time, so as not to monopolize the computer at school or cause contention.

Spanish Resources
Spanish Resources is an additional library service, offering EBSCO resources in the Spanish language for those who may not be English speakers, or may be more comfortable reading in Spanish. The resource contains professional articles and sources. It also has the World Book Encyclopedia online in the Spanish language as a resource as well. The information is just as quality as the same resources in English, with current articles and up-to-date facts. This resource easy to navigate, but is extremely unappealing visually. There is a single search bar and two links, and although there is a wealth of information available once a search is made, it does not appear this way. As a teacher, I would use this resource for students who are speaking English as a second language and are still transitioning. I would also encourage students to use it to help their parents, if they are not English speakers, to understand their homework and be included in their research processes.