Online tools to enhance research skills	Ready Reference Sites and Subject Directories	English/Language Arts
Mathematics	Science	History
Geography	Visual and Performing Arts	Great sites in Spanish

“Nuts and Bolts of the Big 6” Game	Make research fun and interesting for your 5th and 6th graders with this printable free board game. Print the game rules—also available in Spanish—and gaming pieces in color or black and white. There are scorecards and cheat sheets too (all Word documents). Created by: Linda Woods Hyman, SBC Knowledge Network Explorer, ST. Louis, MO.
Mt Baker Middle Schoool Library	This site provides guidance on Big6 topics such as “Information Seeking Strategies” and “Keeping Track of Resources.” Created by: John Lees, librarian, Mt. Baker Middle School, Auburn, WA.
Introducing the Big6	This noncommercial section of the Big6 web site offers creative ideas for teaching information and technology skills to K-12 students. Three “Know How” sections provide student tips on how to take good notes, ask good questions, and more. Created by: Big6 Associates, Syracuse, NY.
The Big6 in Many Languages	If you teach ESL students, this site provides the Big6 research steps in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages. Created by: Big6 Associates, Syracuse, NY.
Do the Dewey	Here’s a basic guide to Dewey for older kids, teenagers, and adults. Grades 4-12+. Created by: Robert Tiess, librarian, Middletown (NY) Thrall Library.
Dewey Browse	This comprehensive list of sites arranged by DDC number is a great resource for homework help. Grades 4-12. Created by: Gail Grainger, media specialist, Chesterfield (NH) K-8 School.

Ready Reference Sites and Subject Directories

Word Central	A Merriam-Webster site for the younger audience that includes an online dictionary, rhyming dictionary, word of the day, and activities that encourage students to play with language.
Encarta	The free version of this resource offers at least one article on most subjects.
Awesome Library	Links are organized by school subject.
Internet Public Library	A well organized list of resources designed by the University of Michigan School of Information.
Kids Click!	Librarian selected, evaluate, and grade level noted sites for kids.
Yahooligans	Organized sites, games, and lots of popular topics for kids.

English/Language Arts

100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know	A recommended picture book list compiled by the New York Public Library.
Little Explorer’s Picture Dictionary	Select a litter and display a screen of illustrated words beginning with the letter. Some words link to more information.
Encyclopedia Mythica	An encyclopedia of articles, definitions, and images on Mythology, folklore, legends, and more. Grades 7-12.
World of Reading!	With hundreds of reviews from all over the world, this is one of the best kids book review sites created by a public library. Kids can sift through 33 different topics ranging from autobiography to suspense, or they can click “Write a Review” and complete the online form. Created by: Ann Arbor District Library, Ann Arbor, MI.

Mathematics

A+ Math	Games, flashcards, worksheets, puzzles, and homework help are available to help elementary school students improve their fundamental math skills interactively.
Math Forum	A gateway to a wealth of math related resources, including activities, puzzles, and recommended links. It is accessible to all grades and hosts Ask Dr. Math.
Math League Help Topics	Straightforward explanations with examples on topics for students in grades 4 through 8.

Science

Endangered Species	The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife provides this site which contains lists of threatened and endangered species in the U.S. and abroad as well as information about policies and laws. The site contains a “Kids Corner” which includes a link for teachers.
Ocean Link	These pages include information on many marine science topics, including marine biology, oceanography, marine mammals, seabirds, marine pollution, and much more. There is a section on marine animal records, such as deepest, fastest, smallest.
Geo Web	Geology master ste. Volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, dictionaries, geologic time sites, organizations, maps, minerals and much more. A great list of links to other sites.

History

Mummies of Ancient Egypt	Plenty of information about mummies, as well as a hieroglyphics key, a timeline and a glossary.
The Middle Ages and the Renaissance	Developed in partnership with the Annenberg Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, these informative sites offer well organized information about these periods of history.
13 Originals	Overview of the original thirteen colonies, with maps and related links.
The Presidents of the United States	This site contains a picture and brief biography of every president, plus links to first lady bios and quizzes.
California Gold Rush	A virtual tour of the Oakland Museum’s exhibit on the gold rush, this site contains plenty of history, as well as photographs and art from the period.
Black History Month Activities	Here you’ll find 20 terrific classroom activities freely available from the Gale Group’s Black History Moth Resource Book. Grades K-12. Created by: Thompson Gale Group Publishers, Farmington Hills, MI.
Stand Up for Your Rights	A nice interactive site about the civil rights movement. Click on “Buzz” and meet Melba Beals, who describes her experience as on e of the first black students to integrate Little Rock High School during the 1960s. Grades 6-9. Created by: WGBH-Boston and the Public Broadcasting Service
Women’s History Month	Here you’ll find 15 classroom activities based on the Gale reference Celebrating Women’s History—from Mythic Women to the Best of Aretha Franklin—as well as biographies of famous women, and an interactive online quiz. Created by: Thompson Gale Group Publishers, Farmington Hills, MI.
The Great War	Understand the history and effects of World War I. PBS provides interviews with historians, maps, timelines and recommended resources
The Second World War Encyclopedia	This well organized site provides biographies of important political figures, as well as a thorough history of the war.
The Holocaust	The Holocaust Memorial Museum provides a wealth of online activities and resources for educators and students.

Visual and Performing Arts
 

Jazz Kids	This PBS site introduces Jazz interactively to kids.
National Gallery of Art	Learn about famous art and artists and tour the sculpture garden.
Art Safari	An interactive site from the Museum of Modern Art that invites kids to express what they see.

Great Sites en Español

Excelente Biblioteca	This subject index is a comprehensive homework help site for kids and teens, as well as a good place for teachers to find Spanish resources on lots of subjects. The original site (Awesome Library) is in English. Grades: 3-12. Created by: Dr. R. Jerry Adams, Evaluation and Development Institute, Portland, OR.
EduHound Español	A nice directory site that offers links to Spanish-only resources on Hispanic culture, history, health, reference, and more. There’s also a Bilingual Tutorials (Tutoría Bilingüe) section and links to Spanish language media, from newspapers to radio and television stations. Grades: 1-9. Created by: EduHound, Inc., Broad Brook, CT.

The information on this page was compiled from Gail Junion-Metz’s “Technowedge” columns in School Library Journal and from Cynthia MacDonald for the Infopeople project www.infopeople.org.