I also use Issues and Controversies. The articles are relatively long and daunting to many of my users but there is a subtopic table of contents on the top left of each article (screenshot below). And I point out the very formulaic pattern they can identify when scanning: a few intro paragraphs, followed by a few paragraphs that start with "supporters claim..." and "opponents argue."
Also have them be aware of dated articles. Finally, I remind them of CONTROL F to Find.
Sara
image.png

On Thu, May 9, 2019 at 8:21 AM Monica Ahern via CASL-L <casl-l@mylist.net> wrote:
Thanks, John-- I appreciate the feedback. 
--
Monica Ahern
Library Media Specialist
William H. Hall High School
860-232-4561 x6330


On Thu, May 9, 2019 at 8:11 AM John Crowley <johncrowley3@icloud.com> wrote:
I agree with Juliann.  I suggest you contact Facts on File to see if they’ll give you a 30 day trial.  Then use it to compare/contrast with SIRS.  
J.D. Crowley Consulting
566 Broadview Road
Orange, CT 06477

On May 8, 2019, at 11:55 AM, Juliann T. Moskowitz <juliann14@hotmail.com> wrote:

We use SIRS and also Issues and Controversies by Facts on File. It's very good. You can't search by grade level but the entire database is made for grades 8-12. If you have students at a lower reading level they can select the "read aloud" option and have it read to them since auditory comprehension exceeds reading comprehension.

Juliann T. Moskowitz
Director of Library Media
St. Joseph High School
Trumbull, CT 06611
juliann14@hotmail.com

“Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.”—Ray Bradbury


 





 
     

   

From: CASL-L <casl-l-bounces@mylist.net> on behalf of Monica Ahern via CASL-L <casl-l@mylist.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 8, 2019 11:09 AM
To: casl list serv
Subject: [CASL-L] Need Pro/Con Database for Lower Level Readers
 
Hi Friends,

We may be looking to move away from SIRS Discoverer, and we are wondering if someone uses a database that has the same set up as Discoverer (background article and pro/con articles for each issue) and one that is searchable by reading level. 

Thanks,

Monica
--
Monica Ahern
Library Media Specialist
William H. Hall High School
860-232-4561 x6330

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--
--Ms. Sara Chute Hsiang (pronounced SHANG)
Library Media Specialist
advisor to National Honor Society
Stratford High School Library Learning Commons

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