Houpt Collection Evaluation

Kelly Houpt
Module 3: Collection Evaluation

SLM 560
Eastern Elementary Collection Overview

Grades 3-5 | 507 Students
% Total Section
Dewey # Items Average Age Circulation
Collection* needs work?
Reference 135 20 7 1.30 Yes
000 36 15 41 0.34 (2-5%) Yes
100 43 14 49 0.41 (.5) Yes
200 102 20 38 0.98 (1-2) Yes
300 698 21 120 6.76 (5-10) No
400 110 18 27 1.06 (2-5) No
500 1401 18 634 13.58 (10) Yes
600 546 15 694 5.29 (10) Yes
700 672 14 1241 6.51 (5) No
800 368 23 90 3.56 (5) Yes
900 1074 18 381 10.41 (20) Yes
Easy 2558 24 1158 24.80 (20) Yes (age)
Fiction 2569 19 3715 24.91 (20-25) Yes (age)
TOTAL 10,312 18 years 8195
Compiled by Kelly Houpt 4/12/16
* Morris’s recommendations are listed along side the collection percentage. Those noted in red indicate areas with deficits.
Suggested % of Book Collection per Dewey Classification
K-6 7-12
000s Generalities 2-5% 6-8
100s Philosophy .5 1-2
200s Religion 1-2 1-2
Social
300s Science 5-10 10-15
400s Language .5 2-5
500s Science 10 5-10
600s Technology 10 5-10
700s Fine Arts 5 5-10
800s Literature 5 5-10
History &
900s Geography 20 20
F Fiction 20 20-25
E Easy Fiction 20-25 -
From Administering the School Library Media Center, 4th ed. by Betty Morris, Libraries Unlimited, 2004.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
My top three priorities are the 500s, 600s, and Easy Fiction. The average age of the 500s section is 18
years and the 600s section is 15 years. Our easy fiction section has the oldest average age of 24 years.
This section actually exceeds Morris’s recommendation by 3% but due to age, the 500s need to be
significantly updated in terms of topic as well as the condition of the books. This section consists of
topics that directly support our science curriculum and are often used by teachers to support
instruction. The limited number of titles for specific topics has become an issue for staff when the
curriculum requires them to teach the same topics at the same time.
The 600s section is an area of concern because of the section’s age as well as its comparative
circulation. Morris recommends that this section make up 10% of the collection. At approximately 5%,
this section contains half the recommended number. Books in the 600s make up 8% of overall
circulation but only 5% of the collection. As this seems to be a popular section considering the low
number of titles, it seems that the collection could benefit from additional titles.
The easy fiction section actually exceeds Morris’s recommendation by 4% but is the oldest portion of
our collection. As an intermediate building containing only grades three through five, I feel there is a
need to weed this section of older titles and update the shelf appeal of the titles found here. We have
many struggling readers in our classrooms, and the easy fiction is where they can find “just right” books.
The same books are being continuously circulated while many others have been sitting for years either
because they aren’t of high interest to readers or because they have a stigma of being too easy and
therefore are embarrassing for students to check out even though they meet their reading level needs.
This section is an area I think I would need to discuss with classroom teachers, and possibly students, to
determine the direction to take this part of the collection.
Areas of Morris’s chart, such as reference and history, may not be as relevant today thanks to digital
access to databases and other resources. With that in mind, a chart such as this has merit when
considering priorities for collection development. If it is used as a guide rather than an expectation, I
think it can support the development of the collection. Used as an expectation, I feel it could hurt
collections as budgets are spent developing areas of the library no longer needed.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
Eastern Elementary Curriculum Map
Number Percent of Number of

Number Level of
Dewey Grade of Items Average Most Highly Titles
to be Support
Subject Level on Copyright Recommended Recommended
Weeded Needed
Shelves Titles for Purchase
520-529 Research
4 69 12 years 0.01% 8 10
Space Level
550-559 Research
3 52 15 years 0% 10 30
Weather Level
570-579 Research
5 48 15 years 0% 19 40
Habitats Level
After contemplating the curriculum chart I created during the first module and the collection overview
I compiled during this module, I decided to focus my curriculum map and use-centered analysis on the
500s section. Our school system has chosen to gradually roll out the Next Generation Science
Standards beginning with kindergarten and first grade last year, second and third grade this year, and
fourth and fifth grade next year. Being an intermediate school, we are just now experiencing the shifts
of the new curriculum. As the year has progressed and our third grade teachers have been developing
learning experiences around the new standards, they have been expressing their concerns related to
available resources. I am anticipating this trend will continue when our fourth and fifth grade teachers
begin to implement their new standards next year.
I chose to analyze the weather related titles in the 550s to address the needs of the third grade
curriculum. I found that there were fifty-two relevant titles in this section. When I compared these titles
to Wilson’s I found one title that was identified as a recommended purchase by its “Core Collection”
identification. Five titles were considered supplementary and five were identified as archival but none
were identified as most highly recommended. The supplementary identification means that these titles
are considered acceptable for in-depth subject collections or larger libraries. I also found that thirty out
of the fifty-two titles had not been in circulation in the last two years. Seymour Simon’s book, Storms,
was the only core collection title and had 7 checkouts over the last 2 years.
Within the 520s, I looked at books that specifically addressed space and planets. I found that there
were sixty-nine relevant titles. One title was considered to be most highly recommended when
compared to Wilson’s. Two titles were considered recommended purchases by their “Core Collection”
identification. Six titles were considered supplementary titles by Wilson’s. I also found that thirty-five out
of sixty-nine titles had not been in circulation in the last two years.
To support the fifth grade curriculum, I chose to look at the 570s and those titles that are relevant to
learning about habitats. There were forty-eight relevant titles. None of these titles were identified as
most highly recommended by Wilson’s. Four titles were identified by Wilson’s as archival. Three titles
were considered supplementary titles by Wilson’s. Thirty-four titles, including the 7 titles found in Wilson’s,
out of forty-eight had not been in circulation in the last two years.
By comparing the collection to Wilson’s, I have found that there is room for growth in the overall quality
of the books in these 3 sections of the 500s. Less than 1% of the titles in these sections were identified as
priority purchases.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
Dewey Classification 520-529
Call Number Title Author Copyright Date Reason for Weeding
No checkouts in 2 years
520 KER Astronomy Robin Kerrod 1996
Age - 20 years old
523 PET The Sun is a Star Kate Petty 1997
Age - 19 years old
523.3 GEO The Moon Michael George 1998
Age - 18 years old
Age - 18 years old
523.43 GEO Mars Michael George 1998
Superseded by texts including information regarding the
Mars rovers
523.45 MAR Jupiter Amy Margaret 2001 Age - 15 years old
Damaged
Age - 18 years old
523.7 GEO The Sun Michael George 1998 Reading level is too easy with one paragraph of large
text on every other page and one photograph on the
other
523.8 BOC The Science of the Sky Jonathan Bocknek 2000
Age - 16 years old
Age - 20 years
523.8 RUI Stars Andres Llamas Ruiz 1996
Superseded by titles including photos as this title
contains only cartoon illustrations
Based on the CREW Method and MUSTIE, I’ve decided to weed 11% (8 out of 69) of the space related titles. This leaves 61 astronomy
related titles and 44 specific to planets. Our fourth grade team consists of seven classroom teachers who will be conducting planet
research projects at the same time. If the remaining titles are all appropriate for the instructional needs, each classroom would have
access to approximately 6 titles each as well as access to databases and websites such as NASA will provide support for this aspect of
the unit of instruction. After talking with Stephanie Jones and Charisa Wolk about the resources needed for this unit, we agreed that
there are plenty of appealing texts on the shelves specific to the planets. They feel that additional titles will be needed to provide
adequate resources for the study of the moon and stars as part of this unit of instruction.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
551.4 FRO The Water Cycle Helen Frost 2000
Reading level too easy - one sentence per page
551.48 JAM Water Cycle Ray James 2007
Attractive but reading level too easy
Water Up, Water Down: The No checkouts in 2 years

551.48 WAL Sally M. Walker 1992
Hydrological Cycle Age - 24 years old
551.5 ARD The Science Book of Weather Neil Adley 1992
Age - 24 years old
551.5 CHA Weather Science Rachel M. Chappell 2007
Reading level too easy
551.5 KER Weather Robin Kerrod 1997
Outdated technology references
Limited checkouts over 2 years

Outdated technology references
551.55 RIC Howling Hurricanes Julie Richards 2000
Superseded by texts including hurricanes Katrina and
Sandy
551.57 MER Droughts Patrick Merrick 1998 No checkouts in 2 years
551.57 SAU Clouds Gail Saunders-Smith 1998
Age - 18 years old
Ugly
551.68 KNA Weather & Master Index Brian Knapp 1991 No checkouts in 2 years
Age - 25 years
Based on the CREW Method and MUSTIE, I’ve decided to weed 19% (10 out of 52) of the weather related titles. This leaves 42 titles in
the library. Our third grade team consists of eight classroom teachers who will be exploring weather at the same time. If the remaining
titles are all appropriate for the instructional needs, each classroom would have access to approximately 5 titles each. After talking
with several classroom teachers, including Katie Mouer and Zach Stough, additional titles will be needed to provide adequate
resources, for both research and mentor texts, for this unit of instruction. Katie also expressed interest in a weather application for the
iPad that didn’t include advertisements.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
574 TWI Deserts Clint Twist 1991
Age - 25 years old
574.5 ALD Rainforests Rodney Aldis 1991
Age - 25 years old
574.5 BUR Jungles & Rainforests John A. Burton 1996
Age - 21 years old
574.5 O’M Deserts Anna O’Mara 1996
Age - 21 years old
574.5 PAR Pond & River Steve Parker 1988
Age - 28 years old
574.5 POP Seashores Joyce Pope 1990
Age - 26 years old
574.5 SIL Life in a Tidal Pool Alvin Silverstein 1990
Age - 26 years old
574.5 STI Ponds & Streams John Stidworthy 1990
Age - 26 years old
574.5 STO Amazing Rain Forest Lynn M. Stone 1994
Age - 22 years old
574.5 STO Vanishing Rain Forest Lynn M. Stone 1994
Age - 22 years old
577.3 RUT Forests Joshua Rutten 1999 Age - 17 years old
577.34 BAK Life in the Rainforests Lucy Baker 1990 Age - 26 years old
Worn and in need of repair
577.34 MUR Rainforests Peter Murray 1997 Age - 19 years old
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
577.4 MUR Prairies Peter Murray 1997 Age - 19 years old
577.68 DON Wetlands Andrew Donnelly 1998
Age - 18 years old
National Wildlife No checkouts in 2 years

577.68 WAD Wading into the Wetlands 1997
Federation Age - 19 years old
577.7 STO Oceans Lynn M. Stone 2004
578.74 WIL Grasslands Sally Wilkins 2001
578.745 WIL Deserts Sally Wilkins 2001
Based on the CREW Method and MUSTIE, I’ve decided to weed 39% (19 out of 48) of the habitat related titles. This leaves 29 titles in
the library. Our fifth grade team consists of seven classroom teachers who will be planning and facilitating learning experiences
based on habitats at the same time. If the remaining titles are all appropriate for the instructional needs, each classroom would have
access to approximately 4 titles each. Based on conversations with classroom teachers, Nichole Tarkanick and Katie Harne, the
collection’s resources for this topic were limited in number and scope. Students were not enticed by the books due to the age and
condition. With the shift in the curriculum still to come, their reflections are based on instruction for the 2015-2016 school year.
After looking at the Next Generation Science Standards related to this topic, we agreed that the study how living organisms adapt to
the characteristics of different habitats will still be a focus however the NGSS expectations have more depth. Curriculum standard 5-
LS2-1 looks closely at the interdependent relationships within the habitat and the balance within the ecosystem. Resources needed to
support these standards during the 2016-2017 school year will need to shift from basic facts to a closer examination of various
ecosystems. The teachers would like to have several high quality titles that can be rotated throughout the team to be used
instructionally as mentor texts. They would also like to have a collection of titles to be used for research purposes by students working
in small groups. In conjunction with databases already provided by WCPS, each classroom would like to have six to eight titles that
could be used in each classroom. Based on our current staffing levels, approximately 56 titles would be needed to meet their needs.
Considering the titles that would still be on the shelves following the weeding process, close to 40 titles would need to be purchased.
This high level of need may require adjusting instructional strategies that shift the research process from the classroom to the library
where materials could be reserved for the duration of the unit and students could have access to all of the materials while working in
the library.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
Book Selection #1
Title Adaptations Dewey 578.4 Cost $8.99
Author Monika Davies Copyright 2016 ISBN 978-1-48074-679-4
Publisher Teacher Created Materials Age Level 9 to 11 Number of Pages 32
Summary
This children's book by Monika Davies explains "how adaptation has helped animals survive and change over time. High-interest, age appropriate text paired with colorful
images and graphics fill the pages of this book to make learning about adaptation fun and interesting! A Think Like a Scientist activity that supports STEM instruction is included
at the end of the book for students to apply what they've learned."
Citations
School Library Journal 11/2/2015
The latest additions to this ongoing series deliver the same authoritative, comprehensive, and relevant information that educators have come to expect from the
publisher. The high-interest subjects support inquiry-based learning and encourage readers to think critically about science, and they do so in an engaging way that holds
1 students’ attention. Photos, illustrations, and diagrams keep children motivated, while features such as “Think Like a Scientist” and “Your Turn!” encourage learning
through hands-on activities. What makes this series stand out, though, are the fascinating facts (“grizzly bears can smell a dead animal up to 20 kilometers…away!”) and
the fabulous photos, such as the close-up view of a butterfly’s eye and rolled-up tongue. Smartly written, these innovative and imaginative volumes make learning fun.
VERDICT First-rate nonfiction
2 H.W.Wilson’s Children’s Core Collection
Most Highly Recommended
Rationale for Selection
The Next Generation Science Standards were developed to shift students from memorization of facts to seeing how science in connected to many crosscutting concepts. This
text focuses on the application of science by focusing on the context. As a Most High Recommended title, the quality of this text will add value to the collection and the
students’ understanding of adaptations.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
Book Selection #2
Title Asteroid Hunters Dewey 523.44 Cost $17.99
Author Ruth Owen Copyright 2015 ISBN 1-910549-36-0
Publisher Ruby Tuesday Books Age Level 8 to 12 Number of Pages 32
Summary
In Asteroid Hunters, readers will meet the scientists who use high-powered telescopes and super computers to watch for dangers from space. Told in a lively narrative style, this
book includes firsthand accounts of life as an asteroid hunter.
Citations
Firsthand accounts from professionals in the field, dramatic situations that require problem-solving, and fascinating facts are at the heart of this engrossing series. These
1 high-interest occupations will appeal to a wide audience, especially those students interested in pursuing a STEM-related career. Real-life scientists who use technology,
analysis, and critical thinking to solve problems demonstrate on a larger scale the same techniques that students are learning in the classroom. Interesting details abound,
and kids will be eager to learn more strange but true tidbits. (How do vets trim an elephant's toenails? With saws and power sanders, of course.) Striking photos are
complemented by geometric sidebars, and the white-print-on-black-background is fresh and sharp. VERDICT Readers will flock to this fun and informational series.
Booklist 10/1/2015
In 2004, astronomers discovered a huge asteroid predicted to collide with Earth in fewer than 30 years. That discovery forms the backbone of this installment in the Get to
2 Work with Science and Technology series, which follows agencies and scientists who study asteroids and attempt to predict their orbits in an effort to avoid large-scale
destruction. Owen follows the team of astronomers as they gather data from other observatories to confirm the asteroid’s predicted orbit and discover, thankfully, that its
trajectory will be a near miss. Each two-page spread includes plenty of eye-catching full-color photos of space, telescopes, and renderings of asteroids, while inset boxes
provide specific stats and other helpful info. A closing section provides an activity to observe craters and specific tips on how to pursue a career in asteroid hunting.
As a part of a series, Get to Work with Science and Technology, this title makes many STEM connections including career connections and real-world applications of STEM
concepts. Appendix A of the Next Generation Science Standards outlines the conceptual shifts that differ from previous standards. The fifth shift focuses on the integration of
engineering and technology into the science content. Even though I was only able to locate two editorial reviews, the content appears to be high interest and provides a
perspective on space studies that is lacking within the current collection and needed based on the demands of NGSS.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
Book Selection #3
Title Disaster Zone: Blizzards Dewey 551.55 Cost $17.95
Author Cari Meister Copyright 2015 ISBN 978-1-62031-223-0
Publisher Jump! Age Level 8 to 12 Number of Pages 24
Summary
In Blizzards, readers learn about the conditions that turn a gentle snowstorm into a disastrous blizzard. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young
readers as they learn about the deadliest blizzards and how to stay safe in blizzard conditions. An infographic illustrates how moisture turns to snow, and an activity offers kids
an opportunity to extend discovery.
Citations
www.nsta.org/recommends 9/18/2015
Have you ever been caught in a blizzard? Can you imagine the amount of snow that falls in a blizzard? I read and reviewed the Disaster Zone series, which included
separate books for hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards. droughts, earthquakes, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed all of these books, probably most of all because of the incredible
photography and illustrations/infographics. Each book in the series started with a section guiding parents and teachers through introducing nonfiction to their young
1 children. Succinctly in 3–4 chapters, the disaster was described, and examples were given from around the world and in the United States. Whether longest drought or
deadliest tornado, the books gave good information paired with dramatic photos. Each book had an end section containing an index and glossary, and a "try this"
section which will help any teacher do a mini science lab in the class. I found the science behind the books to be accurate and I loved the way the author tied in real
disasters. The books are also aligned with Common Core (reading informational texts) and NGSS (Physical Sciences/Earth and Space). Frankly, were informational texts as
fun to read in my day, I'd have bought all of the different series from this author. Reviewed by Lisa Pike, Associate Professor, Biology
School Library Journal
Gr 2-4-These early readers supply basic overviews of natural disasters. Each volume starts with a "You Are There" scenario to engage interest by describing a specific
event. Meister then offers simple explanations of why and where such disasters are most likely to take place and offers some examples of the most deadly occurrences.
2 She concludes with a hands-on activity such as making a small landslide on loose dirt or sloshing corn flakes in milk to simulate tectonic plate movement. Large photos
plus maps and fact boxes usually correlate well with the text. However, the photo of children scooping water seems incongruous next to a paragraph about Ethiopia's
drought, and the world drought map includes only a few areas in the United States. VERDICT Well-designed introductory nonfiction about topics that will interest many
students, especially beginning readers.
This title addresses many needs of the 550s section of the library. This section consists of many older titles that do not appeal to third grade readers. As part of a series, this title
could lead to additional purchases. The reviewers describe the texts as containing a variety of text features and approaches to the content including the “You Are There”
perspective. Instructionally, a teacher could use this as a mentor text to address several ELA content standards as well as the science standards. Over 50% of our incoming third
grade students are reading significantly below grade level. The descriptions of the readability of this text also make it a good fit for the collection.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
Book Selection #4
Title Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle Dewey 551.48 Cost $17.99
Author Miranda Paul Copyright 2015 ISBN 978-1-59643-984-9
Publisher Roaring Brook/Porter Age Level 6 to 10 Number of Pages 44
Summary
An evocative rhyming text and verdant watercolors introduce the water cycle, linking water's forms to seasonal changes and an interracial family's kid-friendly activities. The
narrative moves from what water is (rain, fog, cloud, snow) to what it makes (mud, which feeds trees, which grow apples, which make cider). Additional information about the
water cycle and a call for water conservation are appended.
Citations
Kirkus Reviews 03/02/2015
A biracial brother and sister explore the out-of-doors (and a bit of mischief) through the four seasons in this poetic look at the many forms water takes on its trip through its
cycle. The book begins in summer as the siblings catch a turtle in the pond near their home before rain drives them indoors. From drinking a cup of water to watching the
steam rise from their hot cocoa, the two notice the water around them, letting the turtle go again under a gorgeous cloud-filled sky before a page turn signals autumn,
1 school, falling leaves and fog. "Rain is rain unless… // on the ground. / Slosh / in galoshes. / Splash to your knees! / Puddles are puddles unless… // puddles freeze. / Glide.
/ Slide. / Put on the brakes! / Ice is ice unless… // it forms flakes." Much like Deborah Lee Rose's illustrations for her Twelve Days books, Chin's realistic watercolor-and-
gouache illustrations offer repeat readers seemingly endless new details, like the brother's propensity for finding small animals with which to torment his sister. The water
cycle's importance is brought home in the closing pages, snow leading to spring to mud to roots to apples to cider. Backmatter tells more about each step in the cycle,
using solid explanations and science vocabulary. An engaging and lyrical look at the water cycle.
PreS-Gr 2—Paul's poetic text highlights various forms water takes as it follows a brother and sister through the year. It includes autumn fog and rain, frozen ponds and
falling snow, steam from cups of cocoa, and snowmelt turning dirt to mud. Chin once again demonstrates his mastery of nature illustration, infusing familiar outdoor
2
scenes with simple kid-centric activities that will hold readers' attention while they listen to the text. Although not as dramatic as George Ella Lyon's All the Water in the
World (S. & S., 2011), Paul's introduction to the water cycle includes more information that will help extend learning. She provides examples of the water content of various
living things and stresses Earth's limited supply of fresh water. The author ties explanations of processes such as evaporation and condensation to pages of the text.
VERDICT A first-rate introduction to the water cycle for young readers. Reviewed by Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato
Children's Literature
This is a book about the water cycle has children playing in all kinds of weather. “Drip./ Sip./ Pour me a cup. / Water/ is/ water/ unless... [turn the page] it heats up.” Paul
presents an accurate if brief description of the water cycle. Students who are just learning to read (or just learning the water cycle), will enjoy the wonderful cadence and
3 rhyme that comes with each page turn. Can they guess what comes next? Chin’s beautiful pictures follow a brother and sister through the seasons, as they watch the
clouds over a lake, wait for the bus, play in puddles, and skate on a lake with friends. Every color of child is represented and every one of them looks happy. The main
story is thirty pages (or 15 double-spreads) and about 150 words. The four pages of back matter provides more detail. There, Paul covers evaporation and condensation
as well as offering statistics about how much of the life around us is made up of water (a garter snake is about 74 percent water.). Paul also offers a list of books for further
reading and a bibliography. This book should be in classrooms and libraries everywhere. Reviewed by Amy S. Hansen
This text can be used as a mentor text and read aloud during the engagement phase of instruction. Teachers can choose to use this text during their reading block or during
their Science block. The poetic nature of the text and readability make it accessible to students who are reading below, on, or above grade level. The water cycle is
addressed within the third, fourth, and fifth grade NGSS standards and multiple standards from the ELA curriculum can be addressed through the use of this text. Based on
reviews, this text will also engage students who want to revisit the text independently.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
Book Selection #5
Title The Wonder Garden Dewey 590 Cost $30
Author Jenny Broom Copyright 2015 ISBN 978-1-84780-703-8
Publisher Wide Eyed Editions Age Level 8 to 11 Number of Pages 48
Summary
In this book by Jenny Broom, readers "open the gates of the Wonder Garden to explore five of Earth's most extraordinary habitats, each filled with incredible creatures and
epic scenery. Trek through the Amazon Rainforest, travel to the Chihuahuan Desert, dive in the Great Barrier Reef, delve deep into the Black Forest and stand on the roof of
the world - the Himalayan Mountains - to see nature at its wildest.”
Citations
The heavily ornamented cover invites readers to reach for the book; its gold and brilliant colors are incredibly appealing. Once open, the volume reveals glorious
engraved illustrations that reflect great skill with line and color. The text offers a wealth of brief bits of information about life in five biomes: the Amazon Rainforest, the
1 Great Barrier Reef, the Himalayas, the Chihuahuan Desert, and the Black Forest. With the world as their canvas and oversize pages to fill, the author and illustrator offer a
tremendous breadth of material. Each page is densely packed with a detailed mix of flora and fauna. Many of the animals have true-to-life colors, but the brilliant color
contrasts are not exactly faithful to nature. These powerful hues are occasionally hard on the eye, and overwhelm the text. VERDICT Browsers will enjoy this fantastical title,
but it may be problematic for researchers. Reviewed by Dorcas Hand, Annunciation Orthodox School, Houston, TX
Booklist 11/1/2105
With its whimsical, detailed illustrations, this glimpse of Earth’s natural wonders is a feast for the eyes. Broom and Williams take readers to five different world regions (the
Amazon Rain Forest, the Great Barrier Reef, the Chihuahuan Desert, the Black Forest, and the Himalayan Mountains) and offer a quick tour of each ecosystem,
2 highlighting its plant, insect, and animal life. A descriptive introduction begins each chapter, which plays up the senses in order to create the feeling of standing within the
featured habitat, whether it’s by “swatting and swiping at insects” in the Amazon or the sensation of a parched throat brought on by desert air. A general overview
follows with fast facts, and extended captions discuss the area’s wildlife. This factual information is presented in imagined landscapes “inspired by nature” that collage its
key components into unrealistic, though startlingly beautiful, assemblages. With its illustrations so teeming with life, it can be difficult to tell which creature belongs to which
label, making this stunning, oversize volume better for browsing than reports. Reviewed by Julia Smith
Publishers Weekly 12/2/2015
After entering the ornamental, golden gates of the “Wonder Garden,” readers explore five habitats: the Chihuahuan Desert, Amazon Rainforest, Black Forest, Himalayan
Mountains, and Great Barrier Reef. Within each setting, Williams presents intricately detailed engravings of 80 mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, spiked with vibrant
3 shades of fuchsia and carmine. Broom supplements the illustrations with facts about the species and lively descriptions of their environments written in second-person,
amplifying a sense of adventure and intrigue: “Head to the riverbank, and if you catch a flash of copper and cobalt, it could be a kingfisher." While Williams’s style is
naturalistic, her collage-like juxtapositions provide splashes of the fantastical, as jaguars rest on giant cactus blossoms and butterflies blanket the pages like a snow flurry.
An enchanting tour of the animal kingdom that makes the world's biodiversity feel downright magical.
This title falls within the 590 classification of the Dewey system because of its focus on the animals in the text however it provides a rich, engaging introduction to five different
ecosystems. This text, as stated in several reviews, would not be a good resource for research purposes however it appears to be an excellent mentor text that can be used by
classroom teachers as a hook to engage students in the study of habitats and ecosystems. Editorial reviews describe the text as engaging and Wilson’s identifies it as being
Most Highly Recommended. This text will add value to a 500s collection containing less than 1% of highly recommended titles. It will also provide a rich mentor text for students
to use to generate inquiry-based questions to focus their research on the content contained within the 570s.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
Non-print Selection #1
Title/URL iBiome – Wetland: School Edition Cost $5.99
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibiome-wetland-school-edition/id1069411327?mt=8
Publisher Springbay Studio Copyright 2015-2016 Age Level 9 to 11
Summary
“Five-time award-winning kids educational game on biodiversity. Come explore the wetland habitat and all the amazing species within. Build marshes and swamps from
scratch. Challenge kids to make plants and animals flourish by learning and following laws of nature.” Teachers and librarians! Share your passion of science with your students
using this five-time award-winning inquiry-based learning game. Enjoy school-centric features designed to help you deliver engaging lessons in biology and ecology.
Additional features customized for teachers include:
- Mapped game levels with measurable learning progress.
- All-in-one easy access to online educational resources that cover everything you need for your classes, from lesson plans, class activities, to videos, blogs and books.
- Verify students’ understanding through manually mapping the species with their biological roles
Citations
Best Apps for Teaching & Learning 2015 from the American Association of School Librarians
The apps recognized as Best Apps for Teaching & Learning are of exceptional value to inquiry-based teaching and learning as embodied in the AASL's Standards for the
1 21st-Century Learner. This app allows students to explore 3 different wetland habitats (mangrove swamp, saltwater marsh, freshwater marsh) by building bio domes. Within
each bio dome students learn about food webs and the interaction between plants and over 50 species of animals. The goal is to build the optimum environment for the
survival of both plants and animals. Students are rewarded with badges as incentives. This app is highly interactive with hand drawn animations.
Best Learning App 2015 from Common Sense Education
2 Smart Media Award from Academics’ Choice
Best Green Product 2015 from Dr.Toy
Gold Medal 2015 from Mom’s Choice Award
This application allows students to actively and creatively impact the balance of an ecosystem. Students apply critical thinking skills to problem solve while gaining new
knowledge. It meets the demands of the NGSS standards and the needs of the teacher.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
NASA Space Place: Explore Earth and Space!
Title/URL Cost Free
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/
Joint Project of NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
California Institute of Technology, and
Publisher Copyright Current Age Level 8 to13
International Technology and Engineering
Education Association
Summary
NASA'S SPACE PLACE was started in 1998 as an education and public outreach project for elementary-school-age kids. The site is split into sections on the sun, solar system,
and other space-related subject matter. Activities and content are clearly marked as something kids can explore, do, or play. The games, which illustrate principles such as
how a black hole works, are interesting and informative.
Citation
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/nasas-space-place
Common Sense Media gave this site 4 out of 5 stars for overall quality identifying it as a “really good” resource. Under “Engagement” the site is described as being complex
and interesting for learners as well as providing detailed background on the solar system and other science-related topics. They also describe the site as being well organized
and presented in a unique format that provides visual and audio content.
This site provides students with information beyond facts about planets that can already be found in our collection. The site offers answers to the kinds of questions students
often wonder when conducting research. For example, what happens to the satellites when they no longer work and how do photos of space get back to earth. The site
offers answers to questions, text for research, and activities for learners to try at school or home. This site enriches a part of the collection that needs updating and should be
exciting for students.
Kelly Houpt
SLM 560
Title Star Walk Kids – Astronomy for Kids Cost $2.99
Publisher Vito Technology Copyright ___ Age Level 5 to12
Summary
Star Walk Kids is an exploratory tool kids can use to learn about stars (including star patterns or constellations), planets, and spacecraft, like Hubble and the International Space
Station. They can also use the virtual planetarium to view real-time locations of these objects in the sky, which encourages kids to freely explore outer space anywhere at any
time.
Citations
https://www.graphite.org/app/star-walk-kids-astronomy-for-children
This application received a 4 out of 5 star rating from Common Sense Graphite. Kids will love stargazing through their devices. Watching the stars and planets appear on-
screen is thrilling for budding astronomers. With its simple yet appealing layout, this app is easy to navigate. The main screen is a virtual planetarium, which is essentially a built-
in gyroscope that, when the user's device is pointed toward the sky, matches a map on the screen to the stars seen from the user's location. Kids can tap a dial in the top-right
corner to rotate the screen clockwise or counter-clockwise. A compass at the bottom-right corner helps kids find North, and a tappable icon in the top-left corner gives them
access to facts about space. The menu includes four categories: Planets, Stars, Constellations, and Extra, which incudes information about Hubble and the International Space
Station. Reviewed by Debbie Gorrell, Common Sense Graphite Reviewer

This application allows students to engage with the night sky while being supported by a teacher and the resources provided within the application. This app has the ability to
bring to life a topic that students may not fully understand from a text. While a DVD may provide some support with this content, the app allows the students to move at their
own pace as they virtually star gaze from anywhere in the library or classroom.

Houpt Collection Evaluation

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Houpt Collection Evaluation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Kelly Houpt

Module 3: Collection Evaluation

Eastern Elementary Collection Overview

Compiled by Kelly Houpt 4/12/16

Suggested % of Book Collection per Dewey Classification

Eastern Elementary Curriculum Map

Number Percent of Number of

Call Number Title Author Copyright Date Reason for Weeding

Dewey Classification 550-559

Call Number Title Author Copyright Date Reason for Weeding

Water Up, Water Down: The No checkouts in 2 years

Limited checkouts over 2 years

551.57 MER Droughts Patrick Merrick 1998 No checkouts in 2 years

Dewey Classification 570-579

Call Number Title Author Copyright Date Reason for Weeding

National Wildlife No checkouts in 2 years

Rationale for Selection

You might also like