The unit area is a broad section within the Beyond Books program. The first page of the unit identifies subjects that are explored in more detail on the focus topic pages.

On this page

Areas of a Beyond Books unit area page [Click to enlarge]

1. User information: In the top left of the screen, a welcome message appears followed by two links: "Your Desk" and "Log Out". To access your personal information, click on "Your Desk." To log out and end your Beyond Books session, click on the "Log Out" link.

2. Program navigation buttons: In the left column below the Beyond Books logo are two yellow navigation buttons. Click on "Back" to go to the previous page of the program. Click on "Next" to go to the next page of the program. These buttons may be used to move sequentially through the program.

3. Resource buttons: In the left column below the yellow "Next" button is a set of purple resource buttons. Click on a button to access supplemental resources for this program.
   • Study Qs: Click on this button to open a list of study questions directly related to the content and links on this page.

   • Cite This Page: Clicking on "Cite This Page" opens a window containing information needed for citing that specific page of the Beyond Books site. This is a particularly helpful resource for those who are new to utilizing Internet resources for research. When you are finished with the citation information, click on "Close This Window" to return to the content page.

   • Printable Maps: Some Beyond Books programs, such as social studies programs, include access to a complete set of printable maps. These are outline maps of countries and regions that students can fill in with labels and geographic features. To access the maps, click on "Printable Maps." A new window will open. Choose a map for download, then click on the link. The Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in is required to use the printable maps.

4. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: The dictionary function, located in the upper-left column of the screen (just below the yellow navigation buttons), allows users to quickly find the definitions of words by using the online Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

   In the text field, type the word you want to define (or, if you prefer, copy the word from the text and paste it in the text field). Click on "Go!" A separate browser window will appear with a definition from the online Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. You can also use the online Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus by clicking on the tab "Collegiate Thesaurus" above the word definition. When you are finished using the dictionary and thesaurus, close the browser window to return to the Beyond Books site.

5. Teasers: In the purple column on the left are some of the most engaging and fascinating stories and facts to be discovered in the unit area. These lead to the "best of the best" websites for that subject matter. Beyond Books calls these items "teasers" because they are intended to draw students immediately into deeper discovery. Clicking on the picture or on "Read More!" at the end of each teaser opens a new browser window and links to the Internet site containing the information source. To return to the Beyond Books site, close the new browser window.

6. Search Beyond Books: The search function allows users to search for names or topics located throughout the Beyond Books site. This search feature is limited to the Beyond Books website, and the search results refer only to Beyond Books content or approved links. You can access content and links only for programs to which you subscribe. To search the Beyond Books website, type a name or topic in the "Search for" text field, then click on "GO!" Search results will appear in a new browser window.

   Open the Beyond Books Search page

7. Yellow navigation bar: At the top of every page of a program is a yellow navigation bar containing several icons. Each icon leads to a different area of Beyond Books with additional information or functions to enhance your use of the site.

   

   • BB Home: The Beyond Books homepage.

   • Programs: The program contents page for this program. View the entire program outline or move to another discipline, subject, or program.

   • Your Desk: The Your Desk function of the Beyond Books site, used to manage personal information, portfolios, and classes.

   • Portfolios: The Portfolios section of Your Desk. Students can click on "Portfolios" to access their own work. Teachers can click on the button to access submissions from their class(es).

   • Help: The Beyond Books help directory.

   • Teacher: If you are logged in as a teacher, the "Teacher" button will appear. Click on this button to reach the Teacher Door area of the Beyond Books site. Student users do not have access to the Teacher areas.

8. Program drop-down menu: Beneath the yellow navigation bar is a drop-down menu containing all of the unit areas and focus topics of the program. Use this drop-down menu from any page of the program to quickly jump to another section. Click on the arrow to the right of the drop-down menu, then scroll up and down through the program outline. When you find the topic you want to study, click on its title.

9. Program title bar: Underneath the program drop-down menu is a thin colored bar labeled with the title of this Beyond Books program. This program title bar appears near the top of every unit, focus, or links page. Click on the program title bar to return directly to the program introduction page.

10. Unit area banner: At the top of the screen is a banner with the unit area title. This banner appears at the top of every focus topic within a unit area. Click on the banner in any focus topic page to return directly to the unit area page.

11. Focus topics box: The titles of each focus topic in this unit area are listed in the black box on the right of the screen. Move to the related focus topics by clicking on "Go" under the topic title.

12. Unit area text: This page provides an introduction to the broad topic of the unit area. Award-winning teachers and experts write Beyond Books content specifically for the Internet. The lively narrative uses a direct and active voice to raise the curiosity of students and drive them toward further exploration.

13. Body pictures: The content of the page contains many pictures, maps, photographs, charts, and diagrams. Not only do these graphics add a visual element to the page, but in most cases clicking on a graphic leads to the website that is its source. These sites often provide additional images as well as great background information on the topic. Please note that clicking on a picture opens a separate browser window containing the source website. To return to the Beyond Books site, close the new browser window.

14. Ad icon: We prefer linking to web resources that do not use advertising; however, we do link to some valuable web resources that do contain advertising. We have marked them with a blue ("AD") icon. This icon indicates that the website we link to may contain advertisements, such as banner ads or pop-up windows.

15. Talk to us!: Below the content on the page is a yellow-shaded area titled "Talk to us!" Use this to send comments, suggestions, or questions to the Beyond Books staff. Using the "Talk to us!" form from the Beyond Books page about which you have a comment will send your comments to the production team in charge of this specific academic discipline. Type your name (if it does not already appear), e-mail address, and comment in the appropriate text fields, then click on "Send it!" We will need your e-mail address if you would like a response. Also, if you find a problem with any of the links on the page, please use the "Talk to us!" function to let us know so we can correct the situation immediately.

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