Resources for Grade 7 Social Studies
Introduction:
This is a general guide for Grade 7 Social Studies classes. The resources below provide credible, accurate, reliable, and trustworthy (CART) information. Remember, if you are searching the open web for resources, it is your responsibility to ensure you have checked that the source you use meets the CART test.
Searching databases
Introduction to Databases
Databases can include a variety of sources brought together in one source to meet the general needs of students. Different databases are created to meet the needs of different levels of students. The databases we have at St. John's-Ravenscourt are intended for students in Middle School and High School.
Types of searches
Most databases allow searching in a variety of methods. The most common search is a keyword search. A keyword search will search all the documents for the search term. Although it will provide the greatest number of results, it may not provide the best results as it will gather any resource that has the words in the search.
A subject search will provide you the smallest number of results but the article will be about your topic. Remember, the database is looking for the words you use as search terms. Spend some time thinking about alternate ways of searching for your topic.
Encyclopedias
Britannica School and World Book Student are general encyclopedias. They are great places to start a search for an overview on a topic. They also provide links to other sources, including websites, to broaden the scope of your search.
Use the search boxes below to start your search. Remember, if you are at home, you will need the usernames and passwords to the databases.
Britannica has some great tools for Social Studies classes:
World Atlas
Compare Countries
Canada in focus
Biographies
World Book has:
interactive maps
Compare places
Timeline
Britannica School and World Book
Most pages will include more than just an article. Make sure you use all the information provided.
Look at the related images, videos, and suggested websites.
Email or print the document.
Save the citation.
Subject specific databases - social issues/news
Canada in Context
The Canada in Context is a Gale database. Canada in Context includes magazines, journals, encyclopedias, reference books, and images.
Global Issues in Context
Gloabal Issues in Context is also a Gale database.
Curio is a streaming video service through the CBC. It includes documentaries from television and radio, news reports and more. SJR subscribes to the News in Review, National Geographic, and BBC channel
Subject specific databases - Geography
The encyclopedias are great resources for geography. We do, however, have some science databases that also cover geography topics.
The Science Reference Center
The Science Reference Center is a an EBSCO database. The Science Reference Center includes science magazines, journals, encyclopedias, reference books, and images.
Science Online
Science Online is an Infobase database. It is intended to support students in the classroom. It includes experiments, diagrams, encyclopedias, books, and videos for the Middle School student.
Today's Science
Today's Science is an Infobase database. It focuses on science in the news and how it is being used in the world. In other words, it focuses more on the application of science.
EBSCO - Middle School Plus Search
Designed for middle school libraries, Middle Search Plus is a full-text database providing articles from magazines and reference books. Middle Search Plus will provide more information than the Canada in Context because it is a general periodical database, which means it includes articles from all disciplines.
With Middle School Plus, you can choose to search more than one database at a time. Click on "Choose Databases" and select the databases you are interested in.
Middle School Plus has a variety of tools for you to use.
Destiny - The Library Catalogue
Searching the library catalogue is not the same as searching a database. The library catalogue searches the main subjects of a book. If you cannot find your term you may need to broaden your search. Once you have found the books, look in the index and/or table of contents for your topic.
Ebooks can be opened directly from the catalogue. You can search within an ebook or move to a specific page.
Winnipeg Free Press - digital edition
It is very helpful to be aware of what is happening in the news.
Choosing Search Terms
Start with the term you are researching but be prepared to narrow or broaden your terms depending on your search results. Always check the tags/subject headings of articles you find to see what other terms the database/catalogue may be using. These will help you decide on additional searches. Use the helps provided by the database - click "Related resources."
To broaden your search, think about what larger area your topic might be found in. Also think of synonyms or different ways to explain your topic.
Optics - what are you interested in?
"climate change" AND arctic
"climate change" AND "sea level"
Searching on the open web
If you are going to search for information using a browser, please remember to verify your sources using CART.
Things to pay attention to:
Look at the URL: Is it a .com or .org site? What are they selling? What is their bias?
Can you find an author/creator/publisher? Who are they? Are they trustworthy?
When was it updated last? Is it still current?