Geographical Reference Sources - "what's good?"

Are print atlases a thing of the past?  Are online sources a faster, speedier, more reliable source for geographical questions?

Happily, print atlases seems to be a steadily- used reference tool in my school.  I recommend the Nystrom Canadian Atlas as a whole-class set.  It has a great teacher’s guide, and colourful, clear images.  The student copies are soft covers, though and need reinforcing.  I agree with many of you that a class set is not a library budget purchase.  However, I do recommend a full class set being purchased out of learning resource money.  It is not always easy physically for students to share, and as a left-handed person, there are just some things I can only do ‘one way’ and leaning to the right to study from a book is not one of them!

I do also enjoy the Scholastic Children’s Atlas of Canada and the Scholastic Children’s Atlas of the World.  Both editions are reasonable priced for quality hardcovers (approx. $30.00 - $40.00) straightforward indexing, clearly labelled images.  It fits most of the criteria that Riedling sets out:  it has a simple, clearly- defined scale, colourful, clear, and legible images, and Scholastic Canada is a widely-used and recognized publisher of school learning materials. 

I have been checking out some of the online geographical sources that Riedling recommends, such as The Map Machine Atlas and The Lonely Planet.  The Lonely Planet was a bit too busy and full of advertising.  It is rather like a trip planning site than a site useful to elementary students.  I enjoyed the Map Machine Atlas.  It has a great downloadable feature which allows students to view maps in 3D.  It’s connection to the National Geographic Society lends authority and reliability to the site. 

It was interesting to read that Riedling states that any atlas (actually any reference material) five years or older is considered “historical.”  New class sets of atlases every four or five years will definitely stretch school budgets!