[CALIBK12] bibliography lesson

[nadinep at juno.com]

Maybe the following goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway.

I think one of the most important parts of teaching bibliography is to make sure students know where to find the information required. Title, author (surname first, comma, first name and initial), the use of et al. for multiple authors (although I usually have younger kids cite only the first author), publisher, year of publication (look for the copyright symbol), city (and which one to choose if given an exhaustive list). I emphasize that they need to find this information as officially cited on the title page and verso or copyright page. 
Finding correct information is half the battle, and it takes some practice.

I agree that it's a good idea to have kids learn to format their own bibliographies before using a generator. I think it helps them understand the importance of formatting and being consistent. Then they truly appreciate the beauty of a generator. A generated bibliography will only be as good as the information they plug into it.

Nadine Pinkerton
Library Media Teacher
Cesar Chavez Elementary School
Davis Joint Unified School District


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