An almanac is a reference book with up-to-date (current) information that is organized in alphabetical order by subject. Almanacs are published annually and they include a variety of information, much of it statistical.
An encyclopedia is a reference book with articles on subjects that are arranged in alphabetical order.
An almanac contains information that can answer simple factual type questions such "What is the population of Saint Paul?", "What is the distance between the Earth and the moon?", or "What is the longest bridge in the world?" Almanacs are not as detailed as encyclopedias. In other words, they give very little explanation of the facts they present. Instead they leave it up to you, the user, to draw conclusions from the material. The information they do provide is usually numerical or statistical about countries, people, and events. As a result, almanacs use many lists, tables, graphs, and charts to present information. Most almanacs have a table of contents and an index which make it easier to find information. The Dewey Decimal Classification call number for almanacs is REF 031.02.
The best way to get know almanacs is to use them. So let's start!
An almanac contains information that can answer simple factual type questions such "What is the population of Saint Paul?", "What is the distance between the Earth and the moon?", or "What is the longest bridge in the world?" Almanacs are not as detailed as encyclopedias. In other words, they give very little explanation of the facts they present. Instead they leave it up to you, the user, to draw conclusions from the material. The information they do provide is usually numerical or statistical about countries, people, and events. As a result, almanacs use many lists, tables, graphs, and charts to present information. Most almanacs have a table of contents and an index which make it easier to find information. The Dewey Decimal Classification call number for almanacs is REF 031.02.
The best way to get know almanacs is to use them. So let's start!
Getting to Know Almanacs
Click on the worksheet. Log-in and answer all of the questions using the almanacs in the library. Be sure to finish and log-out.
1. Find Facts Fast
2. Cross-Country Trip
3. Stars and Galaxies
4. Flags of the World
5. Imagination, Ideas, Inventions
6. Speaking of Language
7. Picking a President
8. Spare Change
9. Facts Take Many Forms: Tables, Lists, and Graphs
10. Looking Up
Online Almanacs
Explore this online almanac on your own. Click on the picture to get started then do the worksheet.
11. Online Almanac Worksheet
11. Online Almanac Worksheet
