Wrens Middle School Reference Collection Since I work in a middle school, I chose to evaluate the science reference section

of my media center. The entire reference selection is not too large so the science reference collection was even smaller. Prior to evaluating the section, I spoke to the media specialist to get her advice on which section she would evaluate. She suggested the science because she knew this section needed attention. She was right. We have a total of 9 different series in the science reference section. We had a series of Popular Science which was a 2000 Edition. The Science and Technology Volumes were copyrighted in 1992. The Science Biographies books and two volumes of Scientist: The Lives and Works of 150 Scientist were copyrighted in 1996 but the information in these books will not change. We had twelve volumes of Age of Dinosaurs. This information is not covered in any of our science standards in middle school anymore. There were nineteen volumes of Amazing World of Animals that was copyrighted in 1972. Insects and Spiders of the World consisted of eleven volumes. These were copyrighted in 2003. The collection consisted of twelve volumes of Family Health that was published in 1991 and eight books on dinosaurs that were copyrighted in 1997. While determining what was actually in the science reference collection, I could not help but look at the physical appearance of these books. The majority of these books were not worn at all. The oldest books are 39 years old and the most recently purchased are eight years old. None of these books were worn at all which lead me to believe that they have not been checked out by students or teachers very often through the years. Only two books in the Popular Science Series had been checked out one time each and the last time was in 2003. In the Science and Technology Volumes, only three books had been checked out one time and the last time was in 1999. One student checked out one of the books in the Science Biography Section and it was in 1999. Scientist: The Lives and Works of 150 Scientist had two books checked out two times each in 1997. The Age of Dinosaurs had three books checked out in 2004. Amazing World of Animals had 9 different books checked out one to two times each and the last date for this was in 1997. The Family Health Books volumes had three different books checked out in 1993. Prior to looking at the reference section, I pulled the standards for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to try and determine what types of reference books would be a

positive addition to our collection. I also emailed the three science teachers and asked if there was any material they would like to see added to the science reference collection. Two out of the three science teachers responded. The sixth grade teacher did not respond to the email. The seventh grade teacher stated she would like to see books dealing with life science. She suggested books on stem cell research, genetics, bioengineering, cancer research, science and medicine and science and technology. The eighth grade science teacher suggested reference material on the scientific view of the nature of matter, forms and transformation of energy, relationships between force, mass, and the motion of objects, wave nature of sound and electromagnetic radiation and characteristics of gravity, electricity, and magnetism as major kinds of forces acting in nature. After reviewing what we actually have in the media center, I began my adventure of searching for new reference material for the media center. I was looking for reference books for middle school age students. I quickly found that this task was not as easy as I had anticipated. I had a difficult time locating science reference material. The media specialist advised me on where I should look but these suggested sites did not offer me an over abundance of science reference material for this age. On the following chart, you will see the reference material that I am suggesting that the Wrens Middle School media specialist purchase to update our reference section in the area of science.

Title Science Concepts (2nd Series)

Author(s) Alvin and Virginia Silverstein and Laura Silverstein Nunn

Publisher TwentyFirst Century Books

ISBN 978-08225-89747

Year Published 2007-2009

Review School Library Journal Library Media Connecti on

How will this benefit the reference section Explores some of the most important scientific principles at work on our planet. It discusses how each principle works and how it affects all living creatures. Topics included: Adaption, Cells, DNA, Energy, Food Chains, Forces and Motion, Photosynthesis, Plate Tectonics, and the Universe. 11 books in series. Spotlights eight fascinating insects. It focuses on key behavior and advanced scientific concepts such as predation, adaptions, and migration 8 books in the series Addresses a variety of health oriented topics. Each topic was reviewed by Pediatricians to verify accuracy. 5 books in the series. Explores the power of medicine through true stories of injuries and diseases that impact one part of the body. It adds real life for the children to experience. 6 books in the series Most important and often controversial concepts of science. It explains theories and facts of a scientific concept and history of how theory was developed. It includes atomic structure, The Big Bang Theory, Cell Biology, Classification of Life, Electricity and Magnetism, Evolution, Genetics, Germ Theory, Plate Tectonics, and Relativity. 10 books in series.

Cost $ 263.42

Insect World Sandra Markle

Lerner Publication s

978-08225-72947

2008

School Library Journal

$ 167.58

Health Zone

Various

Lerner Publication s

978-08225-75498

2008

Library Media Connecti on

$ 114.75

Powerful Medicine

Sandra Markle

Lerner Publication s

978082258698 2-UF

2010

Horn Book

$ 125.69

Great Ideas of Science

Various

TwentyFirst Century Books

978-08225-8364

2007

School Library Journal

$ 209.48

Earth Spheres

Gregory L. Vogt

TwentyFirst Century Books

978082258058 -4

2007

NSTA Horn Book

Popular Science Almanac

Various

Popular Science

978193193369 8

2004

School Library Journal

Journey into the Deep, Discovering New Ocean Creations

Rebecca L. Johnson

Milton Press

978-07613-41482

2010

Horn Book Book List

Rocks, Gems and Minerals

Herbert Zim and Paul Shaffer

St. Martins Press

978-158238-1329

2001

Science Dictionary for Kids

Laurie Westphal

Prufrock Press

97815936 33790

2009

This series covers topics such as The Biosphere Realm of Life, Earths Core and Mantle, Heavy Metal, Moving Rock, Earths Outer Atmosphere, The Hydrosphere, and The Lithosphere. 5 books in series Focuses on whats new and cool in the world of science and technology. It covers topics such as animals, earth science, weather, energy, sound and space, and controversial issues. Based on real scientists involved in the Census of Marine Life. From 2000 to 2010, more than two thousand researchers from eighty-two countries carried out the most extensive investigation of ocean life ever attempted. Meet new and old sea creatures. Identification guide to the most common kinds of rocks and minerals. It offers information on physical and chemical properties, oxygen and geologic significance, gems and semi-precious stones. It supplies information on how to find and locate specimens. Provides hundreds of science terms with kid-friendly definitions and illustrations. It covers topics from basic science equipment, to the physical sciences, to Earth Science.

$ 109.76

$ 24.99

$ 23.95

$ 6.95

$ 12.95

Reference Collection Online Supplements: http://supplementreferencecollection.pbworks.com/w/page/46213472/Reference%20Collection%20Online %20Supplement