SIRS

Sirs Discoverer

1. I found information on the solar system for a 3rd Grader by typing in solar system in an advanced search.  I put 300-800 in the Lexile Range and checked only the easy reading level box so the 3rd grader with lower reading skills would be able to find information.  The search produced 3 newspaper, 6 magazine and 3 reference articles.

2. I found information about volcanoes first by using the Science button from the Topics/subtopics sidebar.  I clicked Geography and Geology then clicked on volcanoes.  The records with a little camera beside them offer graphics.  A second way to find volcano information is to search volcanoes in the basic search box.  Click on the Graphics tab which brings up a list of individual volcanoes.

Sirs Issues Researcher

1.  Under Database Features I picked Leading Issues from the Sirs Issues Researcher box and clicked Suicide from the list of topics.  In the narrow results sidebar, you can click Web Select Sites for websites about suicide.  Sirs is easier to find reliable and accurate information from reputable sites unlike google where patrons must discern the quality of information themselves.

2. I clicked Pro/Con above the basic research box on the main page and picked Water Use from the list of leading issues.  This lead me to lots of articles on water use and restrictions.  To find additional information I would use the subject headings from articles of interest.