CEClang.92


TITLE:  Reference Book of the Year

AUTHOR:  Reba Flanders, Okemah Middle School;
         Okemah, Oklahoma

GRADE LEVEL:  6-8

PURPOSE:  Introduce students to basic reference books for
use in library research.  Students should become familiar
with the books and know the purpose for each.

Objectives:    
Students will compare and contrast various reference
     books.
Students will identify parts/sections of reference books.
Students will learn vocabulary associated with reference
     books.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  Poster board, markers, reference books
(if you wish include glitter, glue, cotton balls,
construction paper, etc.).

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
Introduce basic reference books (atlas, dictionary,
thesaurus, encyclopedia, almanac) to the students.
Introduce vocabulary needed, i.e. guide words, gazatteer,
index, bibliography, glossary, table of contents.  Allow
students to get into groups (Cooperative learning groups
work well) to review these books and look at parts of each.
Ask them to compare and contrast the books and discuss
within their groups what information each book can provide.
Ask each group to consider themselves a selection committee
and choose the reference book which they think should be
selected as the REFERENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR.  They should
consider ease of use, information provided, usefulness, and
sections.   After making their selection, they are to create
an advertising poster for their winner.  The poster must
contain the name of the award (REFERENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR),
name of the winner (dictionary, almanac, etc.), the parts
the winner contains (guide words, glossary, etc.), the type
of information provided by the winner, and why the book is
easy to use (alphabetical arrangement, pictures, index,
etc.).

Encourage creative and attractive presentation which will
make others want to use the book for research.  As an
optional activity, you may wish the groups to orally present
their poster to the class -- this reinforces the books which
a group did not concentrate on.  I encourage my students to
explain why they selected the book they did.  What stood out
about this reference tool above the others they looked at?

Display posters for a time in the library or hallway for all
students to see.