Reference Books Teacher Resources

Students create a mural showing ocean zones and the diversity of ocean life. They use reference books to create a list of plants and animals that would live in each zone.

In this research worksheet, students use Internet searches or a reference book to answer 15 questions on a variety of topics.

In this research instructional activity, students use Internet searches or reference books to answer 15 questions on a variety of subjects.

In this space science worksheet, students use reference books or Internet searches to find the answers to 15 questions about the solar system.

In this social studies activity, students examine the 8 names of famous people from Great Britain. Using Internet research or reference books, students list the famous Britons in the order in which they were born, starting with the...

Learners research a specific animal. In this animal science lesson, students use a "Wildlife Fact Sheet" to take notes on their specific animal. Learners use the Internet and reference books to gather information.

Students use a thesaurus to expand their usage of language in their written work.  In this thesaurus lesson plan, students work with the reference book to add variety to their word choices. Students then adjust their...

Third graders develop encyclopedia skills to locate information. In this Jan Brett library instructional activity, 3rd graders research animals in the encyclopedia and complete a worksheet on one animal. Students relate their work to the...

Second graders demonstrate how to use reference materials. In this library media instructional activity, 2nd graders are introduced to the encyclopedia and are shown how to use the encyclopedia as a reference. Students use encyclopedias...

Second graders explore the purpose of a dictionary. In this library media lesson, 2nd graders explore My First Dictionary and identify guidewords, entry words, and captions. Students list ways they can use the dictionary.

Students identify endangered animals and research reasons why these animals may be going extinct. Using the internet, reference books and reference CDs, students explore an animal of their choice and write a report about the endangered...

Learners locate information on WWII in reference books. They as a group place key events of WWII in appropriate sequence on a time line and discuss key events that occurred during WWII as a class.

Pupils research thunderstorms using the Internet, science book, or another reference book. Then, they can take a specific aspect of thunderstorms such as lightning, thunder, hail, rain, or something else that occurs during a thunderstorm...

Students examine artwork by John Singleton Copley depicting the Colonial Period. They use the Internet, reference books and museums to research the time period. They share their impressions and observations with the class about the artwork.

Pupils explore and are able to explain how to read an old street map of downtown Omaha. Students review the names of schools in OPS as well as country names in Nebraska. They find out the names of graves in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Pupils...

Students explore the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. They research a philosopher using reference books and reliable Internet sources and write a two-page paper utilizing proper writing conventions. In addition, they...

Learners, in groups, use library reference materials to research an Olympic sport and create a visual display/shadow box to represent it.

Set young mathematicians up for success with this interactive math notebook. Including a list of rules and expectations for using the notebooks, as well as templates for a creating a cover page and table of contents, this resource...

Young journalists write diary entries from the point of view of a person involved in a historical event. They focus on including facts, clear narration, and accurate description of the individual's feelings. 

Young scientists investigate the scientific concepts and principles that help make common toys such as hula hoops, yo-yos, slinkies, and silly putty work. As a class, they read "Backyard Rocket Science, Served Wet" to get a look behind...

Learners work in small groups to investigate a variety of art and architecture forms common during the Old Kingdom epoch in Ancient Egypt. Learners then evaluate how these art forms reflect a culture's beliefs and values. And, finally,...

Compare and contrast various foreign perspectives on the George W. Bush administration's plans for military action. Middle schoolers read the article "Blair and Chirac Head to U.S. to Talks and a Show of Unity." Then, they analyze...

Young sociologists explore how local, state, and federal governments work. This very impressive and ambitious lesson requires pupils to contact government officials who represent them and their families. They research elections, and hold...

What are the differences between homeschooling, traditional schooling, and unschooling? Middle and high schoolers examine the opinions of their peers on these varied types of education. After reading a New York Times article, they...