1. Authoritative, Age Appropriate Content for Division I Students
Bethany Arsenault, ORC Coordinator
2017/2018

2. Q: What is the ORC?
A: $1.4 million collection of curricular aligned authoritative digital resources licensed on behalf of all Alberta:
K-12 students and their parents
School staff
Pre-service teachers
Public library staff*
A: Funded by a yearly Grant-In-Aid from Alberta Education to the Alberta Library (TAL)
*for the purposes of supporting K-12 patrons

3. Q: Why These Resources? A: ORC Resources:
Provide authoritative, age appropriate, engaging, curricular-aligned content
Google and Wikipedia are the tip of the searching and information literacy iceberg
Allow students to become familiar and comfortable with the kind of resources and searching practices that are integral to 21st century learning
Are time savers once users are familiar with the resource
Include embedded supports for diverse learners like listen, text translation, citation tools, vetted websites, copyright friendly pictures and videos
Provide anytime, from anywhere with an internet connection access

4. What’s in it for Teachers?
Direct curriculum correlations, curriculum mapping for Science and Social (under completion)
Support for diverse learners
Access to journals like Walrus, National Geographic, School Library Journal, Men’s Health, and MacLean’s
Consistent and explicit update schedules
Access to vetted websites
Ability to create permalinks that can be posted on a website/moodle page/blog or sent in an blast

5. Q: How do You Access the ORC?
Go the LearnAlberta.ca
Select English or French
Click “Online Reference Centre” in the tab along the top of the screen
In school automatic authentication should occur
Outside of school access requires a district username and password
LA___________ (username) ______________ (password)
Share your district username and password using low tech methods - do not post on an open website
for your remote username/password

6. Questions?

7. Ideas for Using QR Codes
Not sure how to create a QR code? Learn how here…
QR a book trailer and tape the QR code in the top right-hand corner of the book
QR the link to an article about an author(s) you are highlighting
Create online book clubs and offer the choices on a bulletin board in the learning commons using QR codes
Highlight some content for Remembrance Day/Read In Week/Earth Day using a QR code
Provide a link to one of the ORC databases
Link QR codes to content at each learning centre in the classroom

8. How to Make a QR Code in 4 Quick Steps

9. Quick Tips for Technology Management in the Classroom
Create a direct link to the ORC
Create enlarged icons of the databases to post on board
Preload iPads, Smart Boards, or computers to save time
Model in whole group - paired work - independent work
Number each student - that will be their computer/device number every time
Create recipe cards with each student’s login information - laminate and keep on a ring
Assign in-class tech helpers
Assist with age appropriate citations - icons, pre-made worksheets, etc.

10. Resources that Promote and Support Literacy Learning
Early World of Learning (Grades K-2)
BookFLIX (Grades K-3)
TrueFLIX (Grades 3-6)
TeachingBooks.net (Grades K-12)

11. Early World of Learning
Recently added to the ORC Collection
Designed for very young learners with human voice read-aloud embedded throughout
Stories, pictures, videos, songs and activities build literacy skills
Related content to Science and Social Studies curricula
Fun and interactive, works well on iPad or tablet
URL at the top of the screen acts as a permalink **only for this resource
World Book: Early World of Learning
Added to the collection in the 2015/2016 school year, World Book: Early World of Learning is a resource designed for young users to navigate independent of assistance.
Features
Human voice- guided navigation of interface allow nonreaders to access independently
Read
Trek’s Travel
Easy concept books read aloud in a human voice
Each book includes
Related game to test understanding
Related picture and videos to build or activate the student’s background knowledge of the topic
Welcome to Reading
A collection of easy readers in four increasingly difficult reading levels
Although it looks like they are levelled according to Fountas and Pinnell – it is not that levelling system
Related book from the collection
Know It!
Eleven topics with eBooks within each topic
Every eBook has embedded pictures and videos
Topics include:
Animals Homes (grade 1 plants and animals)
Animal Safari (high interest animals for K-2 students)
Creepy- Crawlies (grades 2 small, crawling)
Glub! Glub! Sea Animals (high interest animals for K-2 students)
Me, Myself and I (kinder high interest, grade 1 senses)
People at Work (kinder)
Plants (grade 1 plants and animals)
Rain Forest Animals (grade 2 small, crawling and high interest animals for K-2)
Rarr! Dinosaurs! (kinder)
Vroom! Vroom! (kinder)
Weather (grade 1 seasons)
Play
Four different types of games related to literacy development
Put the Story in Order – sequencing
Concentration – memory games
Multiple Choice – complete the sentence with the appropriate word
Sorting – phonemic awareness
Watch
Access all of the embedded videos outside of the related books
Print & Do
Printable worksheets on a variety of basic concepts
Classics
Sometimes in the middle bottom of the screen, sometimes in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen
“Story Corner”
Classic stories read aloud in a human voice
Do not include the related picture and videos
“Nursery Rhymes”
Classic nursery rhymes read aloud in a human voice
“Songs”
Classic songs often sung in children’s voices
Tips for Ease of Use
In this resource, and only World Book: Early World of Learning the URL at the top of screen acts as a permalink
Use a permalink to create a QR code to get young students to content very quickly and easily
Instead of having to navigate through the resource they scan the QR code and are taken directly to the intended page
Research Supporting this Resource
The more background knowledge a reader has about the topic they are reading the better able they are to comprehend what they are reading. This is because they have a frame of reference in which to put the information. Reading comprehension can be dramatically impacted (both negatively and positively) by the amount of background knowledge the reader has about the particular topic. Activating the background knowledge a reader already has or “front loading’ them with some background knowledge related to the read often improves comprehension.
Natural readers relate what they are reading to other books of a similar topic that they have read previously. Some readers need explicit links to help them learn this skill. Providing a related book helps them to the connection between what they are reading and what they have read previously.

12. How do I use this ideas: Early World of Learning
Begin a library class/lesson/unit introduction/welcome to the day with a sing along and/or nursery rhyme to get the students set up for learning/reading/read aloud/book selection
Have Early World of Learning running on iPads in the library, classroom or office for students to access independently
Have a related activity/article or database on the Projector/SMART board for students to complete/read and discuss collaboratively
Highlight a section of the Early World of Learning database that is related to classroom learning on the Smart board and/or iPads
Use a permalink to various pages as learning centres
Use as a listening centre

13. BookFLIX
Recommended for K-3 students
120 fiction and nonfiction book pairs (250 books total) organized into themes
Pairing fiction with related nonfiction increases student comprehension when reading both formats
Search titles by guided reading level (Fountas and Pinnell), author, grade level, theme, etc.
Lesson plans provided for each pair
Real voice audio support embedded throughout resources to allow emergent readers to navigate the resource independently
Between 1-3 follow up “puzzlers” for each pair
BookFLIX
This license is the American version of BookFLIX because there was not a Canadian version when we first started to license it. The American version includes Spanish titles that our Spanish bilingual schools are using. That is why you will see explicitly American content.
Features
Fiction and Nonfiction book pairings
For every fiction book there is a related nonfiction book
Human voice- guided navigation of interface allow nonreaders to access independently
Human – Voice read aloud fiction and nonfiction paired books
All books levelled by Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading Level (GRL)
Fiction books default for the read along to be on
Turn it on and let it play away
Turn it off and read aloud to class
Turn it on and put it on mute for a karaoke read
Non-fiction books default for the read along to be off
Turn it on, listen, stop discuss or take notes and then pick up where left off
Great for students with tracking issues
Great for explicitly teaching pulling out key content from informational texts
Each book pairing has 1-3 follow up “puzzlers” (word match, sequencing or true/false)
Every fiction book has a “Meet the Author” section that is read aloud to the students
Even very young students can do an author study using the read aloud in this section
Often there is a link to the authors webpage included in the “meet the author”
Every book pairing has an “Explore the Web” section with related websites
Tips for Ease of Use
Click on the “Resources” link in the top right-hand corner to access a listing of all of the pairings included in the resource
In this section you can search by author, title, illustrators, theme, GRL, etc.
The title search needs to be exact title as it is not as sophisticated as amazon, etc.
In the top right-hand corner of the “Resources” page you will find a “click here for downloadable resources”
Downloadable parent letters that can be customized, bookmarks and posters can be found here
Embedded lesson plan for every pair
When you are sick, print it off and highlight what you would like the sub to do for the next day
When using BookFLIX on an iPad – make sure to go to the Learn Alberta ORC page to get to BookFLIX using a java enabled web browser like puffin or chrome
Research Supporting this Resource
In general students nonfiction comprehension is two to three levels lower than their fiction comprehension. This is for a number of reason – often we do not expose young children to nonfiction, sometimes when we do it is disguised as fiction, reading nonfiction is a different reading process than reading fiction, etc. What the research discovered is that when you pair a fiction book with a related nonfiction book it improves comprehension across the board.

14. How do I use this ideas: BookFLIX
Read Aloud Ideas:
Highlight a book/author from your collection and have all of the related print resources on display following the reading
Turn volume on mute and have a karaoke read - divide students into two groups and each group reads different pages
Have no read along on and read it yourself using the beautiful large illustration to engage the students
Instruct students to look for a word or phrase during the reading and make a motion/sounds whenever it comes up
Load the book on the Smart Board and students can complete the puzzlers on the SMART board following the book reading
Pre-load on iPads/tablets or computers and use for a listening centre
Use for home reading program

15. TrueFLIX Sister resource to BookFLIX designed for grades 3-6
Nonfiction content divided into 2 broad themes with 3-5 sub themes
Each eBook includes an introductory video to help build background knowledge of topic and improve students comprehension
Lesson plans provided for every eBook, all eBooks are guided reading level (Fountas and Pinnell) aligned
Human voice read-along feature to support emergent/struggling readers
Interactive table of contents for each eBook, in addition to a glossary and index
Essential inquiry questions and project ideas from every eBook
TrueFLIX
This is the sister resource to BookFLIX, added into the 2013/2014 school year.
Features
Includes Nonfiction books only
Based on a print series of books that may still be in school library collections
Human – Voice read aloud for every book
All books leveled by Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading Level (GRL)
eBooks default for the read along to be off
Turn it on, listen, stop discuss or take notes and then pick up where left off
Great for students with tracking issues
Great for explicitly teaching pulling out key content from informational texts
Each eBook includes:
“Watch It” – introductory video to provide or activate background knowledge
“Explore More” – related database articles (unfortunately the reading level of the articles are higher than the recommended grade range for this resource)
“Project Idea” – based on Alberta Education’s inquiry model, projects allow students to do something with the information they have read
“Activity Centre” – Show What You Know (multiple choice quiz related to the book), Word Match (key vocabulary from book)
“Explore the Web” – related, vetted websites that include Canadian websites when possible as this is the Canadian version of the resource
Tips for Ease of Use
Click on the “Resources & Tools” in the top right-hand corner to see the entire listing of eBooks included in the resource
In this section you can search by author, title, illustrators, theme, GRL, etc.
The title search needs to be exact title as it is not as sophisticated as amazon, etc.
In the “Resources” tab toward the right-hand side of the screen you will find an overview of each part of the resource
Click on the “Downloadables” link toward the top right-hand side of the screen to downloadable parent letters that can be customized, bookmarks and posters can be found here
Embedded lesson plan for every eBook
When you are sick, print it off and highlight what you would like the sub to do for the next day
When using TrueFLIX on an iPad – make sure to go to the Learn Alberta ORC page to get to TrueFLIX using a java enabled web browser like puffin or chrome

16. How do I use this ideas: TrueFLIX
Assist resistant readers to select books with the introductory video for every eBook
Find True Books in your print collection - pull them and highlight them for your readers
Direct students to TrueFLIX to supplement nonfiction content for inquiry projects
Run an introductory video related to their topic of study to promote nonfiction in general in your library

17. TeachingBooks.net TeachingBooks.net
A wealth of support materials to teach and promote books in your school (book trailers, author interviews and read ins, author audio name pronunciation, QR flyers, embedded citations, book guides and lesson plans)
Share/permalink any page using the /Text/QR Flyer/Bookmark or PermaLink features
Access Alberta specific booklists:
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers Choice Award (YRCA)
ELA Authorized Novel and Nonfiction Reading List for grades 4-12
Canadian Book Award Winners/Canadian Book and Author Resources
Create and/or request a personalized booklist
TeachingBooks.net
TeachingBooks.net is often mistaken for providing digital books. It provides all of the content you need to teach, promote and support a book in your classroom or library.
Features
Gold bar along the top of the screen just below the search bar includes:
Home
Browse
Grade level, subject or genre, resource types, resource collection, newly added resources or highlighted resource collections
Author & Book Resources
Meet-the-Author Movies
Meet-the-Author Book Readings
Audio Name Pronunciation
Book Guides and Lesson Plans
Book Trailers
Popular
Canadian Book Award Winners
Curricular uses for TeachingBooks
Reader’s Theatre Scripts
Readings of Complete Books
Custom Reading Lists
Help & Training
Video Demos
Sharing and promotional materials
Self-Guided Training*
About
History and vision
Contact
Links to include in TeachingBooks
Authors/Illustrators to include
Follow Us
Blog
Newsletter
Facebook
*Self-guided training is a 90-minute self-directed program that guides the user through the creation of an implementation plan for TeachingBooks.net for the specific setting they are working in. The course is divided into phases and does not need to be completed in one 90-minute chunk of time.
Once completed a certificate of completion is provided. This is an excellent thing to include in a professional growth plan as there is a clear plan for accomplishing the goal and a measurable outcome.
On the Homepage right-hand side below the gold bar
A listing of all “Canadian authors & illustrators” included in the resource
Defaults to the number of resource, can switch to sort by author name with the little drop down menu at the top right-hand corner of the page
Literary Calendar (just below the Canadian authors & illustrators)
Includes authors birthdays, important literary days
Scroll down the homepage towards the bottom
Alberta specific booklists and awards toward the bottom of the homepage
Includes Alberta Education Fiction and non fiction reading lists for grades 4-12
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader’s Choice Awards (YRCA)
Rocky Mountain Book Awards
Meet-the-Author book readings in French
On a TeachingBooks Page
Hover over the book cover to get a blue pop up with details about all of the different support materials available for that book
“Sharing Tools” along the right-hand side of the screen
“ ” or ”Text” any page to a colleague or yourself for ease of access
“QR Flyer” generates a printable flyer with an embedded QR code to the TeachingBooks page you are on
“Permalink” creates a static, unchanging URL that can be shared on a webpage, in an and allows the user to open the TeachingBooks page without being logged into the LearnAlberta.ca webpage
“Calendar” allows access to the literary calendar “Facebook,” “Twitter,” “Share,” allow for sharing
“Citation” provides an APA and MLA citation of every page
“Narrow Your Results” along the left-hand side
“Related Booklists” along the left-hand side
“Explore Other Booklists on TeachingBooks” along the left-hand side

18. How do I use this ideas: TeachingBooks.net
Using the Permalink option, feature a Canadian author each month on your Learning Commons/classroom/school webpage (link print and virtual - create a related bulletin board with a QR code to the webpage)
Feature staff pick(s) each month and provide a permalink to the book’s TeachingBook.net page (s)
Create: custom reading lists for different grades, top student selections page, or create a librarians/teachers pick page in TeachingBooks.net and permalink the page to your LLC webpage - mimic this in the physical space
Support classroom novel studies and/or book clubs with the support materials in TeachingBooks.net
Create school-wide Virtual Book Club using content from TeachingBooks.net
Promote Rocky Mountain Book Award selection using the support materials in TeachingBooks.net (virtually on your webpage and in library print collection also)
Promote Young Readers Choice Award selection using the support materials in TeachingBooks.net (virtually on your webpage and in library print collection also)

19. Sprucing Up Scientific Knowledge with the ORC
Amazing Animals of the World (Grades K-6)
PebbleGO Animals (Grades K-3)
PebbleGo Science (Grades K-3)
PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science (Grades 1-6)
PowerKnowledge Life Science (Grades 1-6)
PowerKnowledge Physical Science (Grades 1-6)
National Geographic Kids Virtual Library (Grades K-6)

20. PebbleGO Animals Recommended for students in K-3
Easy navigation, levelled text, visual searching all designed for beginning researchers
Human-voice read aloud with text highlighting, photos, videos, audio clips to enhance learning and engage learners
Articles segmented into brief sections with tab navigation at the top of the screen
One or two videos that align with the article to help activate/develop background knowledge of the topic
PebbleGO Science/Social Studies/Animals
These three databases are accessed through one PebbleGO link. Social Studies and Science were added to the collection in the 2015/2016 school year and Animals has been added to the 2016/2017 resources collection.
Features
Recommended for students in K-3, although at grade three most students are beyond these resources
Human voice read aloud of every article
Articles segmented into sections accessed through tabs along the top
Related media available for every article (helps to build or activate background knowledge)
Options to print the complete article or just the article images
Click-Friendly interface to help student locate information
Research shows that students are click driven in their searching – they like to click around, see visual cues to find what they are looking for
Less text and more images support student search techniques
Related content provided for every article
Research shows that students are very “shallow” searchers – they locate one article and think they are done
Providing related content within the article helps students move forward to find other information and also teaches additional search terms
Tips for Ease of Use
This resource allows the ORC Coordinator to hide specific articles if they are not aligned to the curriculum or are too US-centric. If there is an article that is not appropriate for Alberta learners please let the ORC Coordinator.

21. PebbleGo Science Recommended for students in K-3
Easy navigation, levelled text, visual searching all designed for beginning researchers
Human-voice read aloud with text highlighting, photos, videos, audio clips to enhance learning and engage learners
Articles segmented into brief sections with tab navigation at the top of the screen
One or two videos that align with the article to help activate/develop background knowledge of the topic
PebbleGO Science/Social Studies/Animals
These three databases are accessed through one PebbleGO link. Social Studies and Science were added to the collection in the 2015/2016 school year and Animals has been added to the 2016/2017 resources collection.
Features
Recommended for students in K-3, although at grade three most students are beyond these resources
Human voice read aloud of every article
Articles segmented into sections accessed through tabs along the top
Related media available for every article (helps to build or activate background knowledge)
Options to print the complete article or just the article images
Click-Friendly interface to help student locate information
Research shows that students are click driven in their searching – they like to click around, see visual cues to find what they are looking for
Less text and more images support student search techniques
Related content provided for every article
Research shows that students are very “shallow” searchers – they locate one article and think they are done
Providing related content within the article helps students move forward to find other information and also teaches additional search terms
Tips for Ease of Use
This resource allows the ORC Coordinator to hide specific articles if they are not aligned to the curriculum or are too US-centric. If there is an article that is not appropriate for Alberta learners please let the ORC Coordinator.

22. How do I use this ideas: PebbleGO Animals and Science
This is a database that can be easily navigated by kinders and grade 1 students with very little assistance on chromebooks, tablets or iPads
Always a struggle to find nonfiction content appropriate for this age range - this can supplement the print collection
Use for independent inquiry projects or for science lessons
Topics covered in Science: plants, animals, humans (senses), matter, sound, forces and motion, seasons, weather, etc.
Topics covered in Animals: amphibians, animals behaviour, animal classification, animal habitats, birds, dinosaurs, fish, insects and spiders, invertebrates, mammals, pets and farm animals, and reptiles
Science curriculum map will be updated with this resource

23. PowerKnowledge Suite Recommended for grades 1-6
Content divided into 3 databases: Earth & Space, Life Science, and Physical Science
Includes a customizable read aloud feature
Short, segmented articles with introductory videos to build background knowledge
Embedded science experiments, projects, and educational games related to the content of the database
Aligns with 95% of the grade 3-6 science curriculum and 87% of the grade 1-6 science curriculum
PowerKnowledge Suite
This publisher has divided science content into three individual databases: Earth and Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. All of the interfaces operate in exactly the same way and can be accessed within any of the databases.
Features
Click-Friendly interface to help student locate information
Research shows that students are click driven in their searching – they like to click around, see visual cues to find what they are looking for
Less text and more images support student search techniques
Read aloud feature in the top right-hand corner of every article
To customize the speed and colour of highlighting click on the cog image that appears when the slide out menu appears after play is pressed
Text translation in every article found in the top right-hand corner of the screen
Related content provided for every article in the “investigate” section
Research shows that students are very “shallow” searchers – they locate one article and think they are done
Providing related content within the article helps students move forward to find other information and also teaches additional search terms
Articles are segmented into sections along the left-hand side of the screen
New feature to save article to Google Drive
Each of the three databases have a unique set of:
Science Fair Projects and Experiments
Related to the content of the database, great supplement to the brown EPSB Science booklets
Resources for Teachers/Librarians
Lesson plans and reproducible Curriculum correlations
Promotional materials
Video gallery
Live Video Feeds – check out elephants in elephant sanctuary, etc.
Play Games
Related to the content of the database

24. PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science
Science Units Supported:
Grade 1 Seasonal Changes
Grade 2 Exploring Liquids
Grade 3 Rocks and Minerals
Grade 4 Light and Shadows & Waste and Our World
Grade 5 Weather Watch, Wetland Ecosystems & Social Studies Mapping
Grade 6 Sky Science
PowerKnowledge Suite
This publisher has divided science content into three individual databases: Earth and Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. All of the interfaces operate in exactly the same way and can be accessed within any of the databases.
Features
Click-Friendly interface to help student locate information
Research shows that students are click driven in their searching – they like to click around, see visual cues to find what they are looking for
Less text and more images support student search techniques
Read aloud feature in the top right-hand corner of every article
To customize the speed and colour of highlighting click on the cog image that appears when the slide out menu appears after play is pressed
Text translation in every article found in the top right-hand corner of the screen
Related content provided for every article in the “investigate” section
Research shows that students are very “shallow” searchers – they locate one article and think they are done
Providing related content within the article helps students move forward to find other information and also teaches additional search terms
Articles are segmented into sections along the left-hand side of the screen
New feature to save article to Google Drive
Each of the three databases have a unique set of:
Science Fair Projects and Experiments
Related to the content of the database, great supplement to the brown EPSB Science booklets
Resources for Teachers/Librarians
Lesson plans and reproducible Curriculum correlations
Promotional materials
Video gallery
Live Video Feeds – check out elephants in elephant sanctuary, etc.
Play Games
Related to the content of the database

25. PowerKnowledge Life Science
Science Units Supported:
Grade 1 Needs of Animals and Plants
Grade 2 Small Crawling and Flying Animals
Grade 3 Animal Life Cycles & Hearing and Sound
Grade 4 Plant Growth and Changes & Waste and Our World
Grade 5 Wetland Ecosystems
Grade 6 Trees and Forests
PowerKnowledge Suite
This publisher has divided science content into three individual databases: Earth and Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. All of the interfaces operate in exactly the same way and can be accessed within any of the databases.
Features
Click-Friendly interface to help student locate information
Research shows that students are click driven in their searching – they like to click around, see visual cues to find what they are looking for
Less text and more images support student search techniques
Read aloud feature in the top right-hand corner of every article
To customize the speed and colour of highlighting click on the cog image that appears when the slide out menu appears after play is pressed
Text translation in every article found in the top right-hand corner of the screen
Related content provided for every article in the “investigate” section
Research shows that students are very “shallow” searchers – they locate one article and think they are done
Providing related content within the article helps students move forward to find other information and also teaches additional search terms
Articles are segmented into sections along the left-hand side of the screen
New feature to save article to Google Drive
Each of the three databases have a unique set of:
Science Fair Projects and Experiments
Related to the content of the database, great supplement to the brown EPSB Science booklets
Resources for Teachers/Librarians
Lesson plans and reproducible Curriculum correlations
Promotional materials
Video gallery
Live Video Feeds – check out elephants in elephant sanctuary, etc.
Play Games
Related to the content of the database

26. PowerKnowledge Physical Science
Science Units Supported:
Grade 1 Needs of Animals and Plants
Grade 2 Hot and Cold Temperature & Magnetism
Grade 4 Wheels and Levers
Grade 5 Electricity and Magnetism & Classroom Chemistry
Grade 6 Trees and Forests
PowerKnowledge Suite
This publisher has divided science content into three individual databases: Earth and Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. All of the interfaces operate in exactly the same way and can be accessed within any of the databases.
Features
Click-Friendly interface to help student locate information
Research shows that students are click driven in their searching – they like to click around, see visual cues to find what they are looking for
Less text and more images support student search techniques
Read aloud feature in the top right-hand corner of every article
To customize the speed and colour of highlighting click on the cog image that appears when the slide out menu appears after play is pressed
Text translation in every article found in the top right-hand corner of the screen
Related content provided for every article in the “investigate” section
Research shows that students are very “shallow” searchers – they locate one article and think they are done
Providing related content within the article helps students move forward to find other information and also teaches additional search terms
Articles are segmented into sections along the left-hand side of the screen
New feature to save article to Google Drive
Each of the three databases have a unique set of:
Science Fair Projects and Experiments
Related to the content of the database, great supplement to the brown EPSB Science booklets
Resources for Teachers/Librarians
Lesson plans and reproducible Curriculum correlations
Promotional materials
Video gallery
Live Video Feeds – check out elephants in elephant sanctuary, etc.
Play Games
Related to the content of the database

27. How do I use this ideas: PowerKnowledge Suite
Supplement your print collection for the classroom and library
There are only so many books a classroom or library can have on penguins - PowerKnowledge databases can be accessed by a limitless number of students simultaneously
While pulling print content fetching units, find related content in the PowerKnowledge databases, create permalinks to articles to send those along in an as well
Use permalinks to create QR codes to various animals/topic articles and have a centres around the classroom
Earth - select applicable articles and create QR flyers for around the school
These resources are included in the Science curriculum mapping documents

28. National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
New to the collection for 2015/2016
Authoritative nonfiction content
Award-winning maps and photos
200 National Geographic Kids Books
500 Kid-friendly downloadable images
National Geographic Kids Magazines (2009-Present, 3 month embargo)
Include listen feature
National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
This resource was added to the collection in the 2015/2016 school year. Although it is recommended for K-6, students in all grades can access the vivid images and videos included in this resource.
Features
Content divided into Videos, Pictures, Books and Magazines from the homepage
Videos
Full transcripts available
Read aloud feature in the top right-hand corner of every article
To customize the speed and colour of highlighting click on the cog image that appears when the slide out menu appears after play is pressed
Top right-hand corner of screen:
Bookmark (create a permanent link that can be shared with learning community for easy access to content)
Citation Tools (copy and paste for using images or videos in project)
Print
Pictures
Description of picture available
Download (use images in projects, etc.)
“Related Subjects” included to find other pictures, videos, books, or magazines
Books
“Search Within” allows users to target specific content within book
Magazines
Articles in View and Related Subject also included
Top bar of the screen starting from the left – return to homepage, browse magazines only or explore topics (Animals, environment, history, peoples & cultures, places, or science & tech
Advanced Search (directly under the main search bar on the right-hand side of screen)
Limit searchers by publication title, content type, picture type, or publication date
Tips for Ease of Use
Use the search bar to locate information within books and magazines. The book or magazine opens to the exact page with the reference and also indicates other pages that include related information.
Use the “Bookmark” to create a permalink (unchanging static URL)
Use a permalink to create a QR to have a video or article in a learning centre
Students scan the QR and then complete learning centre task

29. How do I use this ideas: National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
Have National Geographic Kids running on iPads instead of print - better yet have both
Have a featured article on the Smart board to explicitly teach pulling key information out, begin exploring a topic, etc.
Show a video to set up learning and/or activate previous knowledge
Use a permalink and QR to articles about different Canadian animals and have that abound classroom as learning centres, around the school as a “Did you know?” series
Use copy-right friendly images from this resource in student projects, around the school and/or classroom
Easy to use and access content for classroom inquiry/project based learning

30. Social Studies Pebble GO Social Studies (Grades K-3)
Culturegrams (Grades 3-12)

31. PebbleGO Social Studies
Recommended for students in K-3
Easy navigation, levelled text, visual searching all designed for beginning researchers
Human voice read aloud with text highlighting, photos, videos, audio clips to enhance learning and engage learners
Articles segmented into brief sections with tab navigation at the top of the screen
One or two videos that align with the article to help activate/develop background knowledge of the topic
PebbleGO Science/Social Studies/Animals
These three databases are accessed through one PebbleGO link. Social Studies and Science were added to the collection in the 2015/2016 school year and Animals has been added to the 2016/2017 resources collection.
Features
Recommended for students in K-3, although at grade three most students are beyond these resources
Human voice read aloud of every article
Articles segmented into sections accessed through tabs along the top
Related media available for every article (helps to build or activate background knowledge)
Options to print the complete article or just the article images
Click-Friendly interface to help student locate information
Research shows that students are click driven in their searching – they like to click around, see visual cues to find what they are looking for
Less text and more images support student search techniques
Related content provided for every article
Research shows that students are very “shallow” searchers – they locate one article and think they are done
Providing related content within the article helps students move forward to find other information and also teaches additional search terms
Tips for Ease of Use
This resource allows the ORC Coordinator to hide specific articles if they are not aligned to the curriculum or are too US-centric. If there is an article that is not appropriate for Alberta learners please let the ORC Coordinator.

32. How do I use this ideas: PebbleGO Social Studies
This is a database that can be easily navigated by kinders and grade 1 students with very little assistance on chromebooks, tablets or iPads
Always a struggle to find nonfiction content appropriate for this age range - this can supplement the print collection
Use for independent inquiry projects or for science lessons
Topics covered: my world, maps, long ago and today, community, culture and awareness, citizenship, holidays, etc.
Social Studies curriculum map to be completed using this resourceurce

33. Culturegrams Kids Edition - excellent support for gr. 3 & 5 S.S.
Provinces Edition - supports gr. 2 & 4 5 S.S.
Updated every 6 months and written/reviewed by in-country consultants
Features included: customizable read-aloud, photo gallery, slideshows, videos, famous people, and cultural recipes
Tools included: build-your-own graphs and tables, pre-generated graphs and tables, distance calculate, and currency converter
Culturegrams
This resource is essentially the “go to” resource for the grade 3 social studies curriculum. This resource also supports the grade 2 social studies curriculum. Although it does not have specific information on Meteghan or Saskatoon it does include information about the provinces. This resource is also a great starting point for the grades 4 and 5 social studies curricula.
Features
Provinces edition supports for the grades 2 and 4 socials studies curricula
Kids Edition supports the grades 3 and 5 social studies curricula
Read aloud feature in the top right-hand corner of every article
To customize the speed and colour of highlighting click on the cog image that appears when the slide out menu appears after play is pressed
Provinces Edition - Along the top menu from the left-hand side access
Flag gallery
Recipes (two for every province)
Graphs and tables (pre-generated and customizable with multiple data sets included)
Kids Edition – Along the top menu from the left-hand side
Photos (various parts of the countries)
Slideshow
Interviews (varies ages of interviewees – including children, adults and elderly)
Famous People (a listing of famous people and why they are famous)
Recipes (two from each country)
Flags
Graphs and Tables (pre-generated Canada In Focus section devoted to articles about significant Canadian people, places and history
Content divided into smaller sections along the left-hand side for ease of access
Kids Edition – content also found along the right-hand side of article including
Distance calculator
World time
Teaching activities
Curriculum standards (Alberta not available)
Recently added Google Drive and Google Classroom compatible

34. How do I use this ideas: Culturegrams
There are only so many books on Tunisia/India/Ukraine/Peru and Canada
This database can greatly assist grade three and five students who are looking for content related to various countries
Finding content for the grade 2, 4 social studies curriculum is challenging
While this database does not provide information on the exact cities and towns studied in the grade 2 curriculum, it does provide excellent content on each of the provinces
Of particular interest for grade 4 students is the timeline for Alberta
Provides related content for globalization and nationalism for the grades social studies curriculum

35. Britannica School Online
Britannica School: Elementary (Grades 1-3)

36. Britannica School: Elementary
Recommended for students in grades K-6
Britannica Learning Zone designed for grades PreK-2
Offers play-based activities for learning colours, geography, numbers, shapes, how to tell time, and vocabulary
Canada In Focus section devoted to articles about significant Canadian people, places, and history
Two reading levels allow users to change level while maintaining age appropriate interface
Embedded read aloud feature and font adjustment
Text translation for 50 languages
Seamless access on tablet, smartphone, laptop or desktop
Educator tools including lesson plan builder
Britannica School: Elementary
This multidisciplinary database is new to the 2016/2017 collection. It replaced World Book Kids, World Book Student and World Book Advanced. Britannica ImageQuest is embedded in this resource so that when users perform searches related images also appear. This is a great starting point for research as it provides small chunks of information on a broad range of topics.
Features
Three levels within one interface (elementary, middle and high)
Elementary version recommended for K-6 students
Britannica Learning Zone – designed for PreK -2
Offers play-based activities for learning colours, geography, numbers, shapes, how to tell time, and vocabulary
Canada In Focus section devoted to articles about significant Canadian people, places and history
Click-Friendly interface to help student locate information
Research shows that students are click driven in their searching – they like to click around, see visual cues to find what they are looking for
Less text and more images support student search techniques
Related content provided for every article
Research shows that students are very “shallow” searchers – they locate one article and think they are done
Providing related content within the article helps students move forward to find other information and also teaches additional search terms
In Elementary interface there are two reading levels that can be changed while in the same interface
More sophisticated computer generated read aloud feature with embedded font adjustment
Text translation to 50 languages
Access on tablet, smartphone, laptop or desktop
Tips for Ease of Use
In the top right-hand corner in the “Educators” section includes teaching tools, allows educators to explore articles and access Curriculum Standards (Alberta curriculum included)
Teachers can create a personal account to save content and create their own lessons plans.
Teachers need a special access code to create an account – Contact the ORC Coordinator to get more information about the access codes

37. BBC Muzzy Online (Grades K-6)
Language Learning
BBC Muzzy Online (Grades K-6)

38. BBC Muzzy Online
Guided immersion language learning program; lessons build on the previous for lots of repetition
Languages include: British English, American English, Spanish, Latin- American Spanish, French, Chinese Pinyin, Italian, German, Korean (RR)
Two levels of learning, twelve lessons per level
Topics include: time, health & feelings, past, present & furthers tenses, asking questions, transportation, people and places, life at home, family and friends, food, etc.
New features include: music (with optional subtitles) and recording
Ideal for English Language Learners (ELL), french as a second language (FSL) or special needs students experience social challenges
Muzzy Online
Muzzy Online is an immersion language learning program designed for ESL and second language students. In Alberta, schools are using this resource for ESL and FSL students. In addition, because of the lessons about expressing feelings, asking for what you want, like/dislikes, etc. some schools are using this with their autism spectrum students.
Features
Nine languages included
British English
American English
Spanish
Spanish (Latin American)
French
Chinese Pinyin
Italian
German
Korean
Two levels included for every language with 6 lessons per level
Lessons include
Video Story
Story (video story with American English, the selected language or no subtitles)
Vocabulary
Video stories that target specific vocabulary
Learning with Norman
Additional vocabulary development with video stories
Scenes
Scenes from the video story broken down into segments that can be printed
Songs
Sing along songs from the video story
Watch and play
Words and games
Typing
Recording
Listen and record vocabulary words
More Practice

39. Support for School Staff Using the ORC
ORC Support Site
ORC Listserv
Links
Contact

40. ORC Support Site www.onlinereferencecentre.ca
Resource training materials - podcasts, videos, archived, webinars, and guides
Information about upcoming free ORC PD opportunities
Information about province-wide resource trials and surveys
Online booking system for ORC sessions
Calendar of ORC Events
Links to the ORC Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook accounts

41. ORC Listserv
Weekly updates powered by MailChimp and organized by grade levels:
New resources and features
Province-wide trials
Surveys
Free PD opportunities
No s during school breaks
or visit the ORC Support Site to join today

42. Links to Check Out ORC Support Site www.onlinereferencecentre.ca
ORC Listserv
ORC Facebook
ORC Twitter
ORC YouTube

43. Contact
For more information or to schedule a school or library presentation, contact:
Bethany Arsenault, ORC Co-ordinator
Call Ext. 236 OR