Megan Brown

The Pirate's Cove

Searching for Booty!

Booty is a pirate term for treasure, but the treasures at the Library Media Center (LMC) do not come in the shape of silver, gold, and jewels. Instead, students will be searching for information treasures. This page contains many ways that students can discover and research the information that they need for school work or for their personal interests! So let's begin exploring and see what we can find!

Tools for Subjects

Click on the hammer to get to tools for subjects that you are learning about in your classrooms.

LMC Online Catalog

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If you want to search for books or materials that are in the LMC, use this link to access the library catalog online.

Public Library Online Catalog for Kids

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The public library has many books and materials that we do not have in our LMC. Be sure to check out their resources too!

Great Search Engines for Pirates!

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All of these links are websites called search engines that you can use to find information on various subjects. Each site also contains a search box where you can type a keyword (a word that will tell the search engine what you are looking for).

Ask Kids
Fact Monster
Kids Click!
ipl2 For Kids

Kid Rex
Super Kids
Sweet Search

Reference Materials

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Reference materials are books or other resources, like online databases, that are used to find information. These resources often lead you to other books and materials that can be used for research. Below is a list of reference materials that you have access to.

If you forget your username/password to any of the websites that require log-in information, please let Mrs. Brown or Mrs. Potter know.

Databases, Encyclopedias, & Almanacs

Biography In Context - contains biographical information about numerous individuals
Encyclopaedia Britannica Online School Edition - an online encyclopedia that offers facts and information about various subjects
Groiler Online - contains a lot of great information on non-fiction topics
Pebble Go - the LMC's subscription to this database allows you to access information on social studies, space, biographies, and animals
World Book Online - another great encyclopedia to use to find facts on a variety of topics
World Almanac Online - includes fun facts, images, and information for 12 different subjects

Dictionaries

Merriam-Webster Word Central - an online dictionary, thesaurus and rhyming dictionary (also includes a daily buzzword and games)
One Look Dictionary - this resource searches all online dictionaries (you can choose which dictionary to use after searching for a word)

Periodicals

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Periodicals are resources that are published on a regular basis. For example, some periodicals are published once every month, every week, daily, or even once a year. Periodicals can be newspapers, magazines or even newsletters, and they can also be found online. These resources are often helpful in finding recent information, but be sure you know the date of the newspaper, magazine, or other periodical you are reading. Below are some newspapers and magazines that may help you find interesting information!

Newspapers

The News & Observer - covers local/state-wide current events (printed in Raleigh, North Carolina)
USA Today - covers news stories on national current events
The Washington Post - includes news stories on national current events and some articles on world news

Magazines

Time for Kids - includes news stories on current events and various subjects, but it also offers homework tools and other extra features
Scholastic News - offers interesting news stories on sports, entertainment, and a variety of miscellaneous topics
National Geographic Kids - this website includes stories and articles about the world, particularly on science and social studies topics
Sports Illustrated Kids - covers current information on sports and athletes

Shiver Me Timbers! Beware of Tricky Websites!!

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What is Copyright?

When someone creates something (art, a book, a website, etc.) they own it. Therefore, you cannot use their work without their permission. The internet works the same way. The following links provide more information about copyright and how to use others' works fairly.

Copyright with Cyberbee - Become a student in the Cyberbee classroom by clicking on this link. You can select various questions about Copyright and get the answers quickly.
Copyright for Students (NC Wise Owl) - More questions about copyright can be answered if you click on this link.
Creative Commons Search - Use this link to search for photos, clip art, music, or other multimedia elements that can be used without receiving permission directly from the copyright owner.

Research Steps

Follow these general steps when completing projects or assignments that involve gathering information from various resources.

Read the assignment directions.
After finding out more about the subject matter, decide a topic to focus on.
Search for information about your topic, take notes, and keep track of your resources.
Organize the information you found.
Create your project, proof read, and edit.
Create a works cited list.

Not Every Website Is Great

Anyone can create a website, but not everyone knows enough to create accurate websites about certain topics. Therefore, when you visit a website you should think about who made it and if they are qualified to know a lot about the subject. Also, the website should be easy to use.

Steps for Evaluating Websites - Use this link to open a PDF document in a new window that will help you judge the sites you visit.

Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

When you borrow information, ideas, or content from someone else's work, you must provide credit. Our school follows the MLA style manual. A style manual is a set of rules about how to make a list of the information you borrowed. These lists are called Works Cited.

MLA Sample Works Cited Page - Click this link to see an example of a Works Cited list. This example is very advanced. You will gradually learn how to follow MLA as you advance through school. However, always give credit to sources you use in papers or projects, even if you forget how to use MLA.
Noodlebib - This website will help you create citations (lists of materials that you borrowed from). If you forget your password, contact Mrs. Brown or Mrs. Potter.
MLA Citation Maker - This website can assist you in creating citations as well.

Yo-Ho-Ho! Check Out These Book Trailers, Mateys!

Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Potter will periodically change these. So, check back for more!

Contact Us

Library Media Center | Buccaneer Bay Elementary School

123 Imaginary Avenue | Wilmington, North Carolina 28412 | 910-555-1111 (Media Specialist's Office Phone) | E-mail

Credits for Images, Graphics, and Videos