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Silas Deane Middle School has an extensive non fiction and reference collection in print to support student research. In addition, students at SDMS have access to a number of digital subscriptions/electronic resources.
Silas Deane Middle School has an extensive non fiction and reference collection in print to support student research. In addition, students at SDMS have access to a number of digital subscriptions/electronic resources.
We encourage students to use these high quality resources as a first step in research.
We encourage students to use these high quality resources as a first step in research.
All of these resources require usernames and passwords.
Students can click here for a listing of usernames and passwords or see the library media staff
Search our Catalogs!
Search our Catalogs!
Reference and Non-Fiction Research Subscriptions
Reference and Non-Fiction Research Subscriptions
WPS subscription to World Book Kids, World Book Student, and World Book Advanced as well as World Book Discover and Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos. Built-in translation, read aloud feature, and images and website links as well.World Book Overview.
WPS subscription for grades 7-12 includes feature news stories, and subject specific articles across subject areas. Reading level adjusts to student level. Students can highlight, annotate, take quizzes, and respond to teacher prompts. Students use their Gmail address to access.
Provides middle school students with nonjudgmental, straightforward, curricular and self-help support on topics such as: diseases, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, fitness, mental health, diversity, family life, and more. Aligned to state and national standards and reviewed by medical professionals.
PowerKnowledge Life Science has read content designed for easier science reading (grades 3-6). Includes aloud text, built-in translation, quick video introduction and articles covering all aspects of life science. Overview video for PK Science Suite.
PowerKnowledge Physical Science
PowerKnowledge Physical Science has content designed for easier science reading (grades 3-6). Includes read aloud text, built-in translation, quick video introduction and articles covering all aspects of physical science. Overview video for PK Science Suite.
PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science
PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science has content designed for easier science reading (grades 3-6). Includes read aloud text, built-in translation, quick video introduction and articles covering all aspects of earth and space science.Overview video for PK Science Suite.Educational Video Subscriptions
Educational Video Subscriptions
WPS subscription to a collection of vetted, ready to use videos and lessons provided by award winning producers. Students use their Gmail address to sign in. Learn 360 Tutorial.
BrainPOP has over 1,000 short animated movies for students in grades K-12 (ages 6 to 17), together with quizzes and related materials, covering the subjects of science, social studies, English, math, engineering and technology, health, and arts and music. BrainPOP Tutorial.
Other eBook & eMagazine Subscriptions
Other eBook & eMagazine Subscriptions
Capstone interactive eBooks have science and social studies titles for easier reading. The books provide text highlighting, audio support, and high quality design.
Magazines are always available through Sora!Students can sign in using their Gmail account to get access to magazines any time!
TrueFlix eBooks focus on People, Places and History, and Science and Nature: Watch, Read, Explore: The eBooks are formatted with a quick introductory video, have built-in read along text in the digital flip books, and links for exploration.
eMagazines
eMagazines
(requires CT Public Library Card Number for access from home)
Citing Sources
Citing Sources
Instruction in Citations
Instruction in Citations
At Silas Deane Middle School, we expect students to research and use information responsibly. That means giving credit to authors, photographers, speakers, or video producers of work we use and refer to during research.
We provide instruction in creating MLA citations and responsible use. We also talk about how to take good notes and plagiarism. In seventh grade, we focus on the elements that go into creating a citation. In eighth grade, we review those elements, challenge students to use and create citations for different kinds of sources, and offer lessons in online note taking and outlining for their major science research project using NoodleTools, an online citation maker. We also introduce science students in 8th grade to APA formatting.
Silas Deane Middle School media center staff help students set up accounts to use NoodleTools at the beginning of the year.
Students can access NoodleTools from any computer with an Internet connection - at home, at school or elsewhere. Students can save and keep lists of citations and even take electronic notes that can be saved and printed. Students can organize, tag, and revise notes, citations, and even create outlines for their research paper within it.
Students sign in using their Google Account
NoodleTools tutorials are available at the NoodleTools help page.
Elements of Citations
Elements of Citations
Most citations require one to answer four basic questions:
Who wrote it/created it? (Author)
What is the title? (name of webpage, name of website, name of online database)?
Where was it published/where can it be found again (online address or city of publication)?
When was it published (copyright year/date last revised online, date viewed online)?
General guidelines for citing sources properly:
Reverse-indent entries
Alphabetize
Punctuate properly
Evaluating Sources
Evaluating Sources
Evaluating Online Sources Can Be Challenging.
Evaluating Online Sources Can Be Challenging.
The SIFT Strategy can help you look at information more critically.
Some things you can do to check sources:
Stop.
Is it a source you’ve heard of? Reputation? Watch for how it makes you feel. Does it seem suspicious?
Investigate the Source
Check the About page of a website to learn more about the author or organization responsible for the site or look up the news site/website in Wikipedia to find out more about it
Find Other Coverage
Lateral Searching: Open a new tab and do a lateral search to see how other organizations, websites and/or news sites are covering the same information.
Trace claims, quotes, media to the original source or context using fact checkers:
Reverse Image Search in Google (for Memes or Questionable Photos)
Tutorials
Tutorials
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