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Topic Guides - Social Studies

This how-to guide helps students and their parents navigate resources connected to Social Studies topics.

Search Terms

Specific key words or phrases are necessary to find information in databases or the library catalog. We recommend: 

  • Western Hemisphere
  • North America
  • Central America
  • South America
  • Americas
  • Mesoamerica (includes civilizations of Aztec, Maya, Inca)

Search Strategies

  • You can use names of countries, peoples, civilizations, and wars as search terms in databases.
  • You can use these search terms to find books in the library catalog and eBooks or eAudiobooks in the eLibrary.
  • To narrow your search, type two terms into a search bar in this format: "Term 1" AND "Term 2". This search will only provide resources that include both terms. Combine any two search terms from the box into a database search bar to see what you find. 
  • Find more database search tips on the Debate Issues & Paper Topics guide, in the Database Search Tops box. 

Standards and Knowledge Building

This guide is connected to the following Colorado Academic Standards 

  • Use geographic tools and resources to research and make geographic inferences and predictions about the Western Hemisphere.
  • Regional differences and perspectives in the Western Hemisphere impact human and environmental interactions.

This guide will support students by building further knowledge in: 

  • How to interpret geographic tools found in the provided resources.
  • Different library resources –what they are and how they are useful for understanding elements of the Western Hemisphere.
  • How to effectively find information in these sources using search terms.

Contact

Profile Photo
Mikaela Fortune
Contact:
5550 N. Union Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO
80918
(719) 531-6333

Welcome to the Western Hemisphere Topic Guide!

Databases

Databases are subject-specific search engines that provide access to journal articles and other reliable resources. The following PPLD databases are recommended for students studying the western hemisphere:

Reference Materials

Reference materials are things like encyclopedias and handbooks that provide quick facts and summaries of different subjects. The following encyclopedias and dictionaries in the PPLD catalog support the study of the western hemisphere:

Reference materials are things like encyclopedias and handbooks that provide quick facts and summaries of different subjects. The following books in the PPLD catalog support the study of the western hemisphere:

Explore (multimedia and recommended websites)

You can use trusted, online sources to find information. For more information on reliable, online sources, please visit PPLD’s Debate Issues & Paper Topics guide. PPLD recommends:

Use these multimedia sources to watch or listen to information on this topic.