December 30, 2006

Research with Find It Virginia!

Homework assignments slowing you down? Need legitimate articles from magazines, newspapers, radio or T.V. transcripts? You have found the books, now what about support materials that exist only on the Internet and that your teachers will accept? What about compiling bibliographic citations from the sources you are researching? All of these things are at your fingertips with the use of your FREE Fauquier County Public Library (FCPL) library card.

Visit the library branch nearest you and pick up an "Info to Go 24/7" bookmark at the Reference desk. Follow the instructions on the back or try this... same result.

Start from the library homepage - http://library.fauquiercounty.gov. Look in the blue bar on the left side of the page under Electronic Resources. Click on Databases and Links. Now click on the text Periodical Indexes or click on the Find It Virginia icon:

Next select Fauquier County Public Library from the drop-down menu. Type in the 10 digit number on back of your FCPL library card. There are about 20 databases to choose from as you search Find It Virginia!

December 21, 2006

Public Domain and Copyright


Tales from the Public Domain:BOUND BY LAW? - http://www.law.duke.edu/cspd/comics/

Read a comic book that explains public domain in relation to making documentary films. This website sponsored by Duke University includes FREE downloadable versions of these Tales. Commentary, analysis, links. The art is in black and white, well-drawn, and supports the story. Musical tunes are hidden all over New York City. Even the most casual recordings on a street corner of coffee house can get a filmmaker into a lawsuit for thousands of dollars. Are your videos at risk? Read opinions from artists and lawyers. Can capturing a film on a cell phone send you to jail? Will a mistake like this ruin your future career in Hollywood?

December 20, 2006

How to find legitimate sources, general homework help, bibliographic citation formatting online

HOW TO TELL LEGITIMATE SOURCES
Evaluating Internet Resources - http://www.library.georgetown.edu/internet/eval.htm
Article on Scholarly Journals vs. Popular Magazines -
http://www.lib.utsa.edu/Research/Subject/scholarlyguide.html
.
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HOMEWORK
Dictionary.com -
http://dictionary.reference.com/
Ask for Kids -
http://www.askforkids.com/
KidsClick! Web Search for Kids by Librarians -
http://sunsite3.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/
Homeworkspot-
http://homeworkspot.com/
Homework Center at the Multnomah County Library -
http://www.multcolib.org/homework/index.html
BJ Pinchbeck Homework Helper -
http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/bjpinchbeck/index.html
Fact Monster Homework Center -
http://www.factmonster.com/homework/
High School Ace -
http://highschoolace.com/ace/ace.cfm
Spark Notes -
http://www.sparknotes.com/
Quizhub -
http://quizhub.com/quiz/quizhub.cfm
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BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION HELP
Citation Machine -
http://citationmachine.net/
The free automatic bibliography composer -
http://www.easybib.com/

Internet Safety

Websites that help you protect yourself when you are online:

Books to check out from the library:

Cybersafety: Surfing Safely Online by Joan Vos MacDonald
“Provides tips and advice for teens for avoiding common Internet dangers, such as sexual predators, with cyber rules that can be applied to enhance safer surfing.”

MySpace Unraveled: A Parent's Guide to Teen Social Networking from the Directors of BlogSafety.com by Larry Magid and Anne Collier; published 2007
“To help you understand MySpace, the authors step you through how to set up and personalize a MySpace account and how to manage an online social life. Then they look at how young people are changing the Internet and how to guide them as they navigate the social Web.” -- from back cover

(no book cover image available)

Everything you need to know about staying safe in cyberspace [e-book] by Jennifer Croft; published 1999
“Examines some of the dangers that might be encountered while using the internet, and gives advice about how to avoid them.”

Summer in December?

Explore this Wildflower Color Chart to identify flowers; click on a color and see pictures and information about the plant - http://www.wildflowerinformation.org/ColorListing.asp

I Meant To Do My Work To-Day

(poem by Richard Le Gallienne b.1866)

I meant to do my work today
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,
And a butterfly flitted across the field,
And all the leaves were calling to me.

And the wind went sighing over the land,
Tossing the grasses to and fro,
And a rainbow held out its shining hand
So what could I do but laugh and go?

December 19, 2006

Who says you can't play games

Ultimate Camp Resource - http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/

Do you remember what's the secret to the game "Crossed/Uncrossed"? Is there really a right way to pass around two sticks in a circle? The explanations and solutions to hundreds of games are here in a comprehensive list on this website. Did you ever figure out "A What...?" or "Assassin"? Trick your friends into thinking. Or just play "Dead Fish" to see who can act like one the longest. Try these logic challenges at home, school, outdoors, wherever. And join the Liberty High School's National Honor Society and other local kids (ages 11 to 18) at Bealeton library's monthly Teen Game Night. Bring your own snacks, listen to music, dance, and play brain games of all sorts. Charades, Clue, Sorry!, Mastermind, pick-up sticks, checkers, chess, scrabble ... Bring your own games, friends, and ideas, too. No parents allowed!

Check out these books at the library:

Great Games to Play with Groups: A Leader's Guide by Frank W. Harris

“Mostly for 10 or more players...for indoor or outdoors, for action or not, plus several to be played until the others arrive.” Family fun if you have siblings or friends who may always be young at heart.

The Wrecking Yard of Games and Activities by Alanna Jones

Have you ever hear of games called "Beware Aware" or "The Bump Sneak" that help with anger management? Afraid of public speaking and want to develop your communication skills? Try "Blind Man Walk", "Tactile Telephone", or "Missing Words." "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Basketball" can help with self-esteem. Or if you just want to exercise without being bored to death on a stationary bike for hours, then try "Flying Saucer", "Spider Ball", "Dynamite Disk Golf", and "Pin Soccer." An odd, informative book.

and

Play It!: Over 400 Great Games for Groups by Wayne Rice and Mike Yaconelli

Find out what is "Human Football". "Pyramid Play-Offs" will be a balancing act. You'll need balloons and rolled up newspaper to play "Run the Gauntlet". And grrroowwwllll at friends to play "Gorilla-Man-Gun". A bizarre collection of games for small or large groups, indoors and outdoors, wild and calm. Ignore the faded cover and jump in.

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