Senior School Library Learning Commons
- Main
- Video Streaming
- Passwords
- Academic Honesty
- Taking Action
- Board Games
- Book Club Sets & Library/Writing Clubs
- LLC Senior School Student Newsletter
- Teacher Resources
- Evaluating Sources/Research Tools
- Request a Book/Resource & Suggestions
- Databases & Encyclopedias
- Subject Guides
- Ebooks/Magazines & Audiobooks
- Library Catalogues
- News/Newspapers
- STREAMING EVENTS
- PLAY: tech & physical world
Main
Senior School Learning Support Email for COVID-19 Shutdown srschool.learningsupport@stratfordhall.ca
Ms. Kirsten Morozov M.Ed. (Teacher-Librarianship), B.Ed, B.A.
Teacher-Librarian (Senior School)
Extended Essay Coordinator
kirsten.morozov@stratfordhall.ca
Ms. Brianna Turner Dip. Lib. Tech.
Library Technician (Junior School, Senior School)
brianna.turner@stratfordhall.ca
Video Streaming
Video Streaming
Passwords can be found here. You must be logged in to your portal to access this page.
Includes documentaries, animations, experimental films, fiction and interactive works.
Students can access more than 6,000 films and other media simply by going to NFB.ca while using any school computer for which an IP address has been provided. Additionally, students have access to playlists and chapters, created and shared by teacher, while using any computer at home or school.
Targeted toward ages 6-14. National Geographic Kids will take students on amazing adventures in science, nature, culture, archaeology, and space.
Resources from a variety of excellent sources. Built for the COVID shutdown (so a bunch of quality materials not usually available for free). Organized by subjects and topics, and being added to over time.
Passwords
Academic Honesty
Ms. Morozov, Sra. Peñafiel, and your subject teachers are happy to assist you with academic honesty. Please do not hesitate to ask us!
Your teachers will either have you create your own account on the Turnitin website, and sign up for their courses, or you will submit your work to Turnitin via ManageBac.
This infographic from Turnitin has useful information and examples for you.
Taking Action
Taking Action
“tracking voices of protest” - sourced and curated resources from across the web.
For “moving beyond hashtag activism”. There are some really great ideas here - choose the type of cause in which you are interested, how much time you have, and the type of action you’d like to take.
A “global grassroots climate movement that can hold our leaders accountable to science and justice.”
Free public domain audiobooks in various languages! Volunteer to record a book.
Develop Understanding of Issues and Other People's Perspectives
- Grades 6-8 LGBTQ2S+ library books.
- Grades 8 - adult LGBTQ2S+ library books.
- Aboriginal/Indigenous MYP/DP library books.
- Diverse: Grades 6-8 (may also include books written by BIPOC authors even if main characters are not, to support those authors in their work).
- Diverse Grades 8 - adult (may also include books written by BIPOC authors even if main characters are not, to support those authors in their work).
- Civil Rights: Grades 6-8
- Civil Rights: Grades 8 to adult.
- Non-Western Authors
- Disabilities: Grades 6-8
- Disabilities: Grades 8 - adult
Board Games
CLICK HERE FOR BOARD GAMES IN THE MYP/DP LIBRARIES
- Games stay on campus, but should be checked out (like our books, these have Stratford Hall barcodes)
- Join the Library Club if you'd like to play at lunch (Fridays - Grades 6-7, Thursdays for Senior School).
- Don't have enough time to finish a game? Take photographs of where you are in your game play. We can also set aside a game you have going if you plan on coming back to it soon.
Book Club Sets & Library/Writing Clubs
Writing Club
- Currently grades 6+ with some grade 9s helping to organize it.
- Part of regular library club days for your grade range.
Library Advisory Clubs
- Influence library book purchases and promoting reading.
- Read.
- Plan library events and programming, e.g. genre-themed parties and book-trailer development.
- Chat about books or book genres we’ve read together, as well as current events and life in general (sometimes over hot chocolate and popcorn).
- Play board games, colour, make crafts, journal.
- Note: you don’t have to be a library advisory member to participate in a book club, and those meeting can happen other days.
Grades 8-12: Wednesdays from 12:10-12:45pm in the MYP library with Ms. Morozov.
Grades 6-12: Thursdays from 12:10-12:45pm in the MYP library with Ms. Morozov.
Grades 6-7: Fridays from 12:10-12:45pm in the MYP library with Ms. Morozov.
LLC Senior School Student Newsletter
Library/Learning Commons Student Information Newsletter: Information on books and resources in our collection, and on learning and living, from Ms. Morozov, MYP/DP teacher-librarian.
https://tinyurl.com/StudentLLC
Teacher Resources
Evaluating Sources/Research Tools
Evaluating Sources & Research Tools
- SweetSearch: a search engine for students where all sources listed have been vetted by librarians.
- Research F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions)
NewsGuard browser extension: rates news websites (see example in the picture below). To get access, please visit our Passwords Page.
Evaluating Sources
- John Green's Crash Course: Navigating Digital Information (video series)
- Resource Evaluation Using the IB's OPCVL (used to be CARRDSS)
- Noodletools Information Evaluation Guides:
- Middle to High School Version
- High School to University Level Version (provides more resource options and information)
- OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue: evaluating sources of information.
- Tutorials and practice
- Various research resources (not recently updated, so see subject guides for the latest).
- Writing Advice (various topics) from the University of Toronto.
Be a Detective
- Wayback Machine: see what a website looked like in the past with this Internet archive.
- Politwoops: an archive of deleted politicians' tweets, from around the world.
- Tin Eye and Google Reverse Image Search for computer or phone. Use these tools to:
- figure out who is the artist of a painting on the wall in a photo of a living room.
- determine the authenticity of a photograph.
- critique infographics (many are exaggerated). - YouTube DataViewer (Amnesty International): extracts thumbnails from YouTube clips to help find original video source.
- Handy chart to help determine to what extent a science news website bases its articles on evidence.
- Snopes: a myth-busting website.
- Openlinkprofiler.org: use this site to see which other websites link to the website you're trying to evaluate.
- FactsCan: Canadian fact checker (especially politics), follows code of journalism ethics of Poynter.
- Politifact: specializes in rating the truthfulness of reporting on politics and government.
- Poynter: evidence-based fact checking in journalism, journalism tools.
- FactCheck.org: a project of the University of Pennsylvania. Heavily U.S.-politics oriented, but also looks at science and Facebook rumours etc.
- Media Bias/Fact Check: Recommended and used by various universities as well as news outlets. Great way to check the bias/leanings of news sources from around the world, and current events stories (albeit largely U.S.-focused).
- Country Internet domain extensions
Request a Book/Resource & Suggestions
Although I cannot guarantee I will purchase your book and resource requests for the library or follow your suggestions, as there are many elements I must consider, I certainly appreciate your input. Please complete this form.
Databases & Encyclopedias
Databases & Encyclopedias
- KnowBC
- Encyclopedias
- Primary Sources Collections
- GALE
- EBSCOhost
- JSTOR
- Open Access Journals
- BrainPOP
- Others
- Temporary Access for COVID-19 Shutdown
KnowBC
Passwords can be found here. You must be logged in to your Stratford Hall Google account to access this page.
The Encyclopedia of British Columbia is the definitive reference work on British Columbia. With more than 4,000 entries and 1,500 accompanying photographs, maps, charts and tables, as well as sound and video clips, The EBC is the source of readable and authoritative information on all the significant British Columbian people, places and things.
The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names: A Complete Reference to Coastal British Columbia is an indispensable companion and an essential reference for anyone interested in British Columbia history. Read details of the intriguing stories behind more than 5,000 BC coast places: who bestowed the names and why, and what they reveal. |
Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest
The most comprehensive collection of photographs of Pacific Northwest marine life ever published, with more than 1,400 saltwater plants and animals and 1,700 superb photographs. A must-have resource for serious biologists, scuba divers, beachcombers and anyone interested in marine life and beautiful underwater photography.
Raincoast Chronicles 20: Lilies and Fireweed: Frontier Women of British Columbia
From fearless immigrants to indigenous women in the workforce, award-winning journalist Stephen Hume unmasks the stories of British Columbia’s Frontier Women. Abounding with historical photographs and rare glimpses into the daring, and often difficult, lives of pioneering women, Lilies and Fireweed reveals the voices and hands of women who helped shape and build British Columbia.
Far West: The Story of British Columbia
British Columbia’s colourful story has been told many times, but until now no one has attempted to relate the chronicle specifically for young readers. From the gold rush to the Gumboot Navy and from “bride ships” to W.A.C. Bennett, BC history comes alive in this highly illustrated and vivid account by award-winning writer and historian Daniel Francis.
It has often been observed that the First World War jolted Canada into nationhood, and as Mark Forsythe and Greg Dickson show in this compelling book, no province participated more eagerly in that transformation or felt the aftershock more harshly than British Columbia. |
Tofino and Clayoquot Sound delves into all facets of geographically and culturally rich land's history, bringing to life the chronicle that started with the dramatic upheavals of geological formation and continues to the present day. |
The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia
The Strait of Georgia is one of the world’s great inland seas, a 6,515 square kilometre body of water lying between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island. Rich in history, teeming with wildlife and marine traffic, the waterway is essential to British Columbians for food, jobs, travel and recreation.
This updated and expanded guide is the authoritative guide to over 100 common species of seaweeds in the Pacific Northwest. From species identification and seaweed biology to the essential roles seaweed plays in the marine ecosystem and our everyday lives, Pacific Seaweeds thoroughly documents every aspect of seaweed life. |
Encyclopedias
Primary Sources Collections
Gale Points to the Past: (broad search) primary source documents free for all British Columbians (so don't use a VPN location outside of BC)
Search by specific database: (narrow search)
- Sweet Search History
- Internet Archives
- UBC Digital Objects (Primary Sources)
- Library and Archives Canada
- Early Canadiana Online
- SFU Digitized Collections
- City of Vancouver Archives
- McCord Museum
- The British Library
- Library of Congress
- New York Public Library Digital Collections
This is just a sampling - don't forget to check the websites of various other universities, museums, and public libraries for more.
Many resources have not been digitized so you may have to go to the library/archives in person to look through their collections/shelves.
GALE
GALE Database Interfaces
Passwords can be found here. You must be logged in to your Stratford Hall Google account to access the passwords page.
Big database search - search ALL of our GALE products EXCEPT Points to the Past (use the more narrow searches below for fewer results).
For more narrow searches, see these databases and interfaces :
Gale Points to the Past: (broad search) primary source documents free for all British Columbians.
Search by specific database: (narrow search)
Global Issues in Context
Global Issues in Context offers international viewpoints on a broad spectrum of global issues, topics, and current events. Featured are hundreds of continuously updated issue and country portals that bring together a variety of specially selected, highly relevant sources for analysis of social, political, military, economic, environmental, health, and cultural issues.
EBSCOhost
EBSCOhost Database Interfaces
Passwords can be found here (you must be logged in to your Stratford Hall Google account to access the passwords page).
Big database search - search MOST of EBSCOhost databases and interfaces.
For a more narrow search of specific databases and interfaces, click on the big EBSCOhost button below.
- Secondary
- Primary
- Educator's Edition
- EBSCOhost French
- Academic Search Premier
- Image Search
- GreenFILE
- MasterFILE Premier
- Professional Development
- Funk & Wagnall's
- Regional Business News
- Staff Resources
NOTE: Business Source Premier cannot be accessed individually. You can ONLY get it through the big round EBSCO Discovery Service button above.
Canadian Reference Centre
Canadian Points of View
Consumer Health Complete
Poetry & Short Story Reference Centre
Literary Reference Centre
NoveList K-8 Plus
NoveList Plus (all ages)
JSTOR
"JSTOR provides access to more than 12 million academic journal articles, books, and primary sources in 75 disciplines."
Passwords can be found here (you must be logged in to your Stratford Hall Google account to access the passwords page).
YouTube tutorials to help you use JSTOR:
Open Access Journals
- DO NOT RELY on Google Scholar. It can provide some good resources, but BEWARE:
- Articles freely available via Google Scholar are often too old to be useful.
- Many other good sources are behind a journal paywall (you might then be able to find those articles on one of our database providers). There is a reason why many of the best sources are not free.
- You cannot search for peer-reviewed only articles on Google Scholar.
- There is less vetting/quality control as to what gets included on Google Scholar than is the case with a paid database.
- Check in with Ms. Morozov for how best to use Google Scholar.
These tools will find legally free versions of research papers if you cannot find the same version on our library databases:
- Unpaywall is a Chrome browser extension
- Open Access Button allows you to search for free versions from any browser.
Select here for the Directory of Open Access Journals
- ResearchGate: where researchers share their work. You'll need to create a free account.
- Full Text Reports: "A top-tier research professional's hand-picked selection of documents from academe, corporations, government agencies, interest groups, NGOs, professional societies, research institutes, think tanks, trade associations, and more."
BrainPOP
Passwords can be found here. You must be logged in to your Stratford Hall Google account to access this page.
Others
Passwords can be found here. You must be logged in to your Stratford Hall Google account to access this page.
Resources from a variety of excellent sources. Built for the COVID shutdown (so a bunch of quality materials not usually available for free). Organized by subjects and topics, and being added to over time.
Temporary Access for COVID-19 Shutdown
Some books and other resources from Project Muse are being made available for COVID-19 shutdown - select "Only content I have access to":
Subject Guides
Subject Guides
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 10
- Grade 9
- Diploma Programme - General
- History (DP)
- Extended Essay
- English
- Science (MYP)
- Aboriginal/Indigenous Peoples Resources (MYP/DP)
- Individuals & Societies (MYP)
- Grade 8
- The Arts
- Diversity Resources
- Science (DP)
Grade 6
Grade 7
- Grade 7L Resource Evaluation
- Grade 7SP Resource Evaluation
- Climate Change
- Ancient Civilizations
- Mythology Resources
- OPCVL Chart (evaluate resources)
- Bias vs. Perspective (Point of View)
- How to use NoodleTool
- Research F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions
- Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources in Science
- Earn your Library Website Navigator Credential Badge
Grade 10
- Evaluation of Resources Slide Show
- Destiny catalogue: geography books in Stratford Hall Libraries plus sampling of websites
- Laminated wall maps (kept in the DP library): these can be checked out for e.g. your classroom wall for a unit and presentations.
- How to use NoodleTools
- Bias vs. Perspective (Point of View)
- Research F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources in Science
- How to Cite Sources in Speeches
- Space Technology
- Resource Evaluation Using the IB's OPCVL (used to be CARRDSS)
Grade 9
Diploma Programme - General
- Data Analysis Resources: especially useful for geography, economics, sciences, math projects
- Social Science Research Methods: brief introduction
History (DP)
- History Resources (DP) Google Doc: a variety of suggestions of different source types to get you started.
- 20th and 21st Century (mostly) Indigenous History Subject Guide
- How to use NoodleTools
Extended Essay
- Introduction to the Extended Essay
- Session 2
- EE Resources for DP Students and Supervisors
- Research ethics tutorial: useful for those conducting studies on human participants
- How to use NoodleTools
- Data Analysis Resources
English
Science (MYP)
Aboriginal/Indigenous Peoples Resources (MYP/DP)
- Stratford Hall Library Resources
- Indigenous Peoples of North America (BC Points to the Past) Database
- Look at e.g. our databases, streaming video services, etc.
Maps
Canoe Kids digital magazines celebrate the differences and similarities among Indigenous cultures.
Global Storybooks Project: Indigenous Storybooks
Individuals & Societies (MYP)
Grade 8
- Islamic Innovations
- Middle Ages/Feudalism: Stratford Hall physical resources collection
- Research F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources in Science
- OPCVL Chart (evaluate resources): used to be CARRDSS
- Bias vs. Perspective (Point of View)
- How to use NoodleTools
- Earn your Library Website Navigator Credential Badge
Using Extensions to Search Online
In Google, enter a keyword, then site:.extension into the search bar. The extensions used below take you to mostly academic/university websites (note that not all .edu sites are truly academic):
e.g. astrolabe invention site:.ac.uk
e.g. islamic inventions site:.mcgill.ca
e.g.”tin glazing” invention site:.edu
Use this same technique to find resources from the perspective of specific countries:
From universities in China:
e.g. Zhang Zeduan site:edu.cn
From Chinese government websites:
e.g. Huizong song emperor site:gov.cn
The Arts
Diversity Resources
Please note these are just a selection of our resources. The book lists do not include everything we have.
- Ms. Jansen’s Counsellor’s Corner: often includes diversity resources.
- Anti-Racism/Diversity Resources: includes various books lists
- See Aboriginal/Indigenous Tab above (teachers - see expanded resources by clicking on "Teacher Resources" tab above).
- Exploring Bias vs. Perspective (Point of View): gr. 7
- Disabilities Grades 8+ book list: learning differences, neurodiversity, physical impairments, etc. Mostly fiction.
- Disabilities Grades 6-8 book list: learning differences, neurodiversity, physical impairments, etc. Mostly fiction.
- LGTBQ2S+ Grades 6-8 book list
- LGTBQ2S+ Grades 8+ book list
- Aboriginal/Indigenous MYP/DP library books.
- Diverse: Grades 6-8 (may also include books written by BIPOC authors even if main characters are not, to support those authors in their work).
- Diverse Grades 8 - adult (may also include books written by BIPOC authors even if main characters are not, to support those authors in their work).
- Civil Rights: Grades 6-8
- Civil Rights: Grades 8 to adult.
- Non-Western Authors
Science (DP)
Ebooks/Magazines & Audiobooks
Ebooks/Magazines & Audiobooks
*** See also the "Databases and Encyclopedias" tab for more academic books
Our Overdrive system is for grades 8+ and staff.
*Teachers - check with Kirsten for class-set rentals.
Video for how to access Overdrive and Sora on computer or tablet/phone
OR, look at the instructions on this page.
Read/listen on the new Sora App: use on both browser and mobile devices.
- Track your reading habits
- Earn achievement badges
- Exportable notes
- Many more features
Browser http://isabc.lib.overdrive.com
|
Overdrive App for various devices:
http://app.overdrive.com/- DOES work on both iOS (Mac) and Android devices.
- Search for “Stratford Hall”
- Select “Independent Schools Association of British Columbia”
- Select “Stratford Hall” on the dropdown list
- Enter your SH Google login username and password
You can add other libraries to your Overdrive App, such as the Vancouver Public Library:
Ebooks can also be found in our databases - click on the database tab above.
See Passwords page for access.
Canoe Kids Indigenous Cultures Magazine
Interactive Ebooks for Education (temporary free access for COVID closure)
Spotify has audiobooks and meditations, etc.
- Official Books List
- Instructions for accessing ALL chapters of a book (it's not obvious).
- Guided Meditation Playlist: this is just one example of many.
"Global Storybooks is a free multilingual literacy resource for children and youth worldwide. Read, download, toggle, and listen to a wide variety of illustrated stories..."
Global Storybooks includes Indigenous Storybooks
Comics and Manga
Some being made free to read online during COVID-19 school closures. Note - parents should check the appropriateness of the various options.
- Comixology
- Shonen Jump/VIZ
- Various webcomics: middle grades and young adult
Choose your own adventures
(and ask Ms. Morozov how to make your own with Google Forms):
- Choice of the Dragon
- Total Darkness
- Quandary (designed for grades 8+)
Free ebook and audiobook options
(some only available free temporarily for COVID-19 school closures)
- Public Libraries have lots of e-book and audiobook options. You'll need your library card and PIN number (usually the last four digits of your phone number). Here's the link to digital books at Vancouver libraries and Burnaby libraries.
- Apple Books: ‘stay at home’ collection of free read-alongs for kids, cozy mysteries, and audiobooks.
- Sync free audiobook program for teens 13+ - starts April 30th: continues for 13 weeks until July 29, SYNC gives participants two thematically paired audiobooks a week.
- Open Library (Internet Archives): mostly older books/classics, but Harry Potter, The Book Thief etc. available. Check publishing date of nonfiction carefully before using for research (remember CARRDSS!)
- Librivox (older books): free audiobooks
* Note: readers are volunteers so quality varies. You too can volunteer to record a book! - Time for Kids magazine
- Audible audiobooks for kids
- Celebrities read books aloud(video)
- International Children's Digital Library (in various languages)
- 12-Story Library series book sets (mostly nonfiction)
- Pearson Textbooks and how to access them.
- Junior Library Guild: elementary, middle, and high school collections
- RivetedLit: free books from SimonTeen
- Project Gutenberg
More
Follow Ms. Morozov at Twitter: @SHcommons or Instagram @sabresread where virtual book tours, book read-alouds, etc. will be shared.
Library Catalogues
Library Catalogues
Stratford Hall
Additionally, studies show people read more deeply when reading print rather than on a screen (and with fewer distractions).
Universities
We have UBC community library cards that can be checked out like a book: see Ms. Morozov to get one.
University librarians usually specialize in certain subjects: here is the UBC librarian directory if you're looking for expertise.
SH students get their own SFU community library cards in April of grade 11.
University librarians usually specialize in certain subjects: here is the SFU librarian directory if you're looking for expertise.
Public Libraries
News/Newspapers
STREAMING EVENTS
Streaming Events
Drawing & Writing Sessions:
- Tony DiTerlizzi "Drawn to Fantasy" video series
- Draw Every Day with Jarrett J. Krosoczka (weekdays 11am PST)
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
- Kate DiCamillo teaches writing
Author Read-Alouds and Book Talks:
- MIT Press Live! Book Talk Series
- Oliver Jeffers live (weekdays 11am PST) and recorded video. His books are technically for younger kids, but actually, fun for all ages.
- Mac Barnett live (weekdays 12pm PST)
- Kwame Alexander
- Celebrities read books aloud
- Neil Gaiman reads The Graveyard Book and Coraline
Museums etc.:
- Vancouver Aquarium live streams, DIY tutorials, etc.
- Virtual museum tours from around the world.
- Science World films
Concerts, Theatre, etc.:
- One World Together at Home Global Special Event: music and more April 18th.
- Western Canada Music Livestreams and Webinars: e.g. Daily guitar lessons from The Arkells. User beware as this is crowd-sourced. Also, don't be logged into Google when you look at this document (stay anonymous).
- NPR's list of live-streamed concerts from around the world
- Globe Theatre, London: free streaming Shakespeare plays (starting April 6th)
- Met Opera Nightly: 4:30pm PST weekdays. Schedule of events.
- Look up #songsofcomfort on social media (e.g. Twitter & Instagram) for videos performances. Movement started by Yo-Yo Ma.
- Patrick Stewart is reading a Sonnet a Day
- Billboard's calendar of music events
- Vulture's list of music events
PLAY: tech & physical world
PLAY: Technology, Coding, Experiments, Maker Ideas and Resources
Online Simulators, Datasets, etc.
- See this document for everything.
Timeline Tools
- Timelines (World Book's + make your own)
- Free interactive timelines | HSTRY for Education
- Timeline JS3 - Beautifully crafted timelines that are easy, and intuitive to use.
- Timeglider: web-based timeline software
- Timeline - ReadWriteThink
- Storify · Make the web tell a story (put social media into time line)