The first search I conducted on SCIS was using the broad keyword ‘space’, as both Stage 2 and Stage 3 are currently exploring the unit as part of their project-based learning topic. An interesting side note here is that I generally gave more attention to resource with an accompanying cover picture… The first resource presented is one that I would gravitate towards – a DK non-fiction text (as it follows a standard format I find works well for students – clearly setting out information in an easy to digest way and also including lots of visuals). Particular elements for this resource that describes its content includes: the title, summary, Dewey Decimal Classification number and table of contents.
The second resource I searched for was ‘Flat Stanley’. It was recently requested by a teacher and although I have read it before, I had forgotten the author to be able to locate amongst our picture books. I was surprised that the original title appeared as record number 20, with series collection packs, later Flat Stanley titles and also Flat Staley as an audio resource appearing in the positions prior to the resource I was after. After confirming the author as Jeff Brown, particular elements for this resource that describes its content includes: the title and summary.
The final searched I conducted was on ‘fish’, as children from the local preschool are coming for a library visit in a few days (and I have a planned literacy activity on fish). As our copies of The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister are currently borrowed out to students, I used the SCIS database to search for a possible alternative text to use. The majority of resources presented on the first page were Dr Seuss books. Once again, I found myself skipping past those without cover images, until I rested on an image of a familiar (and appropriate) book in our school library collection, Fidgety Fish, by Ruth Galloway. Particular elements for this resource that describes its content includes: the title and summary.