Try It:  Find Out About Jane Yolen
Follow the steps to do your own research or study this sample.  Special instructions for your research are in the yellow boxes.  This is a practice unit.  Click on the dragon at the bottom of each page to return to the Web Wizard Research.  Use the blue buttons to move around in this unit.
    Choose Research Strategies

Ask yourself:
Where are all the places I can find information?
What are all the ways I can find information?
 

What are all the possible sources of information?
    Brainstorm about the information sources you might use. For ideas, click here to visit an example of a resource list. It may contain sources you haven't considered.

(Don't forget to click the back button to return to this page!)


 What are the best sources for my question?
     After you've taken a look at several sources, stop to think about which ones will give you the kind of information that you need. You will find that there are many resources beyond the Internet that offer good information. Although we all love to click around in cyberspace, don't forget to use magazines, newspapers, books, people, videos, and references materials, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other written materials files your library might have.
 
 

ASK YOUR LIBRARIAN OR LLC DIRECTOR

 
Sometimes it is difficult to find information about present day authors.  Make sure you use the reference books from your school library.  Most school librarians have files with information about current authors.  Remember, don't be afraid to ask.  The reference librarians at the public libraries welcome your questions.  They get paid for helping people find information.  Don't be afraid to ask!  You do need to know what you are looking for before you ask.          Library Sources:
Something About the Author
Young Adult Authors
Don't forget the books written by the author.  Read at least one.  You will be able to use the book to explain its connection to Yolen's life.


Hot Tip: Talk to your librarian
about specialized materials your library has available!

    Each library has a different collection, so be sure to check your school and local public libraries.
 

How do I search for information on the Internet?

  Even though we all love the Internet, it is not the only place to find information, and sometimes it's not even the best place to find good information. Searching on the Internet can be frustrating and time-consuming, so it's best to know all you can about the search process before you begin.

Hot Tip: You do not search the web by making up URLs or by surfing.
      If that's what you've been doing,  wasting your time!
 

Searching with the Internet
Visit one of these search engines:
           http://hotbot.lycos.com
           http://www.google.com
  • Type Jane Yolen (or the name of your topic) into the window. 
  • Click on the Search button and wait for the results.
  • On your screen will be a list of web sites that will have some information about Jane Yolen. 
  • Visit those sites and bookmark the ones that look promising.
  • Do not start taking notes or printing pages until you have evaluated the quality of the site and the information.

Hot Tip: Look around the site to find the name of the person, business, or organization who wrote the site. It's frequently at the top or bottom of the home page. If you can't find any information to identify the page, think twice about using the information there!
Become a wiz at Internet searches.
Click on the wizard to be magically transported to the  Alphabet Superhighway page.  At that site, click on this button:
 
 

Links to Jane Yolen Sites
 http://www.janeyolen.com         http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/yolen.htm

 http://www.ipl.org/youth/AskAuthor/Yolen.htm

Remember to use the BACK button to return from the Yolen sites.

Click here to send e-mail to a school librarian who will answer your questions about Internet searches.

(Don't forget: any time you use a link, click the back button to return here!)

 
Use these buttons to find other pages in the Jane Yolen example.
 Step 1
Identifying Topic
Step 2
Choose Strategies
Step 3
Start Searching
Step 4
Organize Info
Step 5
Presenting Info

 

 
  Back to Research Web