Support Common Core Literacy with Electronic Resources, Part 2

NOTE: This is the second installment in a three-part series on how the State Library’s electronic resources can support the Common Core. Click here to read Part 1.

Help students become college and career ready and implement Common Core standards by using State Library electronic resources.

Last month we looked at the first 2 strands of Common Core English Language Arts. This month, we’ll look at strands 3 and 4. We’ve made some connections between the strands and State Library electronic resources. What other connections can you make?

3) Reading for Informational Text

This strand emphasizes the special skills needed when reading for factual information, whether for school or personal interest, in all formats.

World Book offers help in this area by providing read aloud, videos, and article subheadings to help readers stay on track. Articles also give links to other articles or supplemental material if readers want more information.

SIRS Discoverer, SIRS Issues Researcher, and ProQuest provide informational articles about a broad variety of topics. Issues Researcher has read aloud and research tools to help students process what they read, especially “My Analysis” and “Note Organizer.” Special features in Discoverer and Issues Researcher include maps and interactive websites. ProQuest helps researchers narrow their topics by suggesting topics and giving limiters such as date and format. Gale Virtual Reference Library has read aloud in many languages.

4) Writing

Reading and writing go together, as research tells us that better readers are better writers. Common Core includes research in this strand: Research to Build and Present Knowledge.

Conducting research in any of the subscription electronic resources provided by the State Library will lead researchers to authoritative, safe, age-appropriate material. These resources also offer help for researchers, such as World Book’s Citation Builder and SIRS’ and ProQuest’s citation help. Creative presentation methods are offered in CAMIO (slide show or website creation using art images) and World Book Timelines and Pathfinders.

Get started with the South Dakota State Library’s e-resources at library.sd.gov and let this information help you meet Common Core standards and enhance learning for all ages.