Title

Annotation & APA citation for Student Information Resources

Submitter

Student Research 

National Geographic. (1996).  National Geographic for kids. Retrieved on March 12, 2013 from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com

National Geographic for Kids is a free website based on Science, Social Studies, and Geography facts for kids.  The website provides resources, multimedia, games, real-world examples, and activities related to specific Science, Social Studies, and Geographic lessons.  The site was awarded both a Parents Choice Award in 2008, as well as The 14^th Annual Webby Award.

Student Research

Google. (2012). Kidtopia.  Retrieved March 12, 2013 from http://www.kidtopia.info

Kidtopia is a free search engine school librarians helped Google create for preschool and elementary aged students, as well as their teachers.  The site has specific links to the following subject areas, Science, Social Studies, Arts, Language Arts, People, Animals, Math, Games, and Countries.  When you click on your specified link, it takes you to a list of student and teacher friendly websites, as well as games.

Hughes

Student Research

BrainPOP. (1999). BrainPOP.  Retrieved March 12, 2013 from http://www.brainpop.com/

BrainPOP is a website full of animated educational videos on all content areas for grades K-12. BrainPOP has introduced BrainPOP Jr. for students in grades K-3.  The site also allows access to BrainPOP Española for your ESL students.  The site requires a paid subscription, which most schools purchase.  If your school does not purchase the subscription, BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr. randomly offer free videos. BrainPOP also is home to GAMEUP, which has free educational games for the classroom.

Hughes

Student Research

Information Please. (2000). Fact monster. Retrieved March 12, 2013 from http://www.factmonster.com

Fact Monster is a free reference website for parents, students, and teachers to use.  The site offers access to an almanac, encyclopedia, dictionary, and thesaurus.  The site also offers facts, trivia, as well as games in regards to all content areas. 

Hughes

Research and Homework

Helps for Students

Pearson Education. (2013). Fact Monster. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.factmonster.com/

This site is best suited for grades 3 and up and offers tools including an almanac, atlas, dictionary, thesaurus as well as a Homework Center to allow students to complete research for information and answers safely.

D.Strunk

Science Fair Ideas for Students

Science Made Simple, Inc. (2013). Science Made Simple. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/

This site, which targets elementary and middle school students, offers some great ideas for those sometimes challenging and time-consuming science fair projects that most schools require students to complete every year. I wish my daughter had known about this site, especially when she was doing her middle school science fair projects.

D.Strunk

Math Help for Students

Math.com. (2013).  Math.com. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from

http://www.math.com

This site offers help with basic math skills including addition, subtraction, multiclipation, and division to advanced material such as calculus, algebra, geometry, trig, and statistics. I especially like that it has practice exercises that are automatically graded for the student to receive  immediate feedback.

D.Strunk

Literature Analysis and Test Prep for Students

Novelguide.com. (2012). Retrieved March 13, 2013 from

http://www.novelguide.com/

This site is an on-line (and free) version of Cliff Notes, which gives analysis of classic works that students in middle and high school are often asked to read such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Pride and Prejudice. It also includes test pret material for ACT and homework help. 

D.Strunk

Student Information

White, D. (2011).  Social studies for kids.  Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/

This website is a great place for students to go to in order to find information on hundreds of Social Studies topics (i.e. history, culture, geography, religion, holidays, economics).  The site offers links to article readings, glossaries (to answer who/what/when/where), a newsletter, and various forums that students might want to take part in.

Hays

Student Information

Stevens, P. (2013).  Biographies for kids, famous leaders for young readers.  Retrieved March, 13, 2013 from http://gardenofpraise.com/leaders.htm

This website offers students a chance to read the biographies of various people from history.  Topics include:  presidents, world leaders, inventors, explorers, scientists, educators, physicians, athletes, composers, authors, and artists.

Hays

Student Information

Ibis Communication, Inc. (2013).  Eyewitness to history.  Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/  

This website allows students a chance to do research by studying the history through those that lived it.  It offers actual photos, video clips, and sound clips, along with various articles and readings on the topics.  A great way to bring life to otherwise boring historical events! 

Hays

Student Information

Awesome Stories. (2013).  Awesome stories.  Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.awesomestories.com/

This website’s focal point is on primary sources.  It links students to primary sources without having to go through the hassle of using a larger search engine.  Each of the links provides a short summary first to allow the student a chance to see if that source has the information they were looking for. 

Hays

Oracle. (2013). Thinkquest. Retrieved March 14, 2013 from

http://www.thinkquest.org

ThinkQuest has over 8,000 websites for students to ask question about many different topics in wide range of subject areas

Nichols   

National Geographic Society. (2013). National Geographic Kids. Retrieved March

14, 2013 from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com

National Geographic for kids is a website that students can look at all the different countries, animals and news about different topics.  This website will allow students to find out important information about countries, animals, people and environment.

Nichols   

Andrew Rader Studios. (1997-2012). Chem4kids.com. Retrieved March 14, 2013

from http://www.chem4kids.com

Chem4kids is a website where students can learn about different parts of chemistry at their grade level.

Nichols   

U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2013). Eia energy kids. Retrieved March

14, 2013 from http://www.eia.gov/kids/

Energy Kids is website where students can learn about energy, energy sources, how to use energy and save energy, and the history of energy.

Nichols   

Kids.gov. (2013). The U. S. government’s official web portal for kids. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://kids.usa.gov/index.shtml

This site allows users to search based on age, Kids (grade K-5), Teen (grade 6-8), and Grown ups (teachers and parents). There are categories listed for students to search from a broad topic.  Within the categories are sub-categories from which to choose.  There are links to numerous sites where students can click to read information about their topic.

Woford

School of Library and Information Science. (2011). Kidsclick! web search. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.kidsclick.org/

KidsClick is a website designed by librarians with kids in mind.  Students may use a keyword to search or use the advanced search settings, which has the ability to limit the results, based on reading levels. The results contain a link, brief description, tells if illustrations are included, the reading level, along with the subject area.

Woford

Quintura. (2010). Quintura for kids. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.kidsclick.org/

This site allows users to type in a keyword, phrase, or click to select one of the listed subject areas. It offers suggestions to narrow the search results. The search results are links to sites where students will be able to view information about their topic. 

Woford

AOL. (2011). AOL kids – kids games, homework help, entertainment, sports & more. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://kids.aol.com/

This site allows users to search a keyword or topic. The search results provide links to information both within KOL.com as well as external links. Some of the links are to information, pictures, and videos; others are links to interactive sites that allow students to practice skills or manipulate items based on the researched topic.

Woford

HowStuffWorks, Inc. (2013). Howstuffworks. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Kids are always asking questions.  Do you always know the answer?  Well here is a website that can tell you the answers to your kids questions such as, “Why is the sky blue?” or “How is peanut butter made?” On this site all you have to do is type a query into the search window and soon you will find your answer.  It also includes free newsletters, surveys, and printable answers to your questions.  Kids will love this site and a few adults too.

Sullenger

Science Made Simple, Inc. (2013). Science fair projects:  ideas, topics, & samples, science articles, easy kids science projects & experiments. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/

This site is for elementary and middle school students to get answers to many different science questions, read news articles related to science, get ideas for school projects and other important information pertaining to science.  It is very easy to navigate and find information.  Great place to find ideas for science fair projects that students have each year.

Sullenger

National Geographic Society. (2013). National geographic kids. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

This site is excellent for kids.  You can find out lots of cool information about all kinds of things.  The pictures are amazing and very attention grabbing.  You can find current events, news bites, book blogs and so much more. 

Sullenger

Time Inc. (2013). Time for kids. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://www.timeforkids.com

This site is news around the world in kid friendly language.  It takes the important topics going on in the world and shares it with kids.  It discusses the world, nation, science, entertainment, health, sports, and also has kid reporter scoops.  Very interesting and the kid reports are great.

Sullenger

Social Studies for Kids (2002). Jamestown: First english colony in america. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from  http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/jamestown.htm.

This is a great website that highlights some important information for kids about the settlement of Jamestown in the colony of Virginia. This site is informative without being overwhelming, and it also offers lots of opportunities to learn about other topics in history.

Spatola

Kids.gov (2013). Kids.gov: A safe place to learn and play. Retrieved March 13, 2013 from http://kids.usa.gov/index.shtml.

This is a great website developed by the government to help educate kids in a wide range of ages on important topics related to the United States government, as well as various aspects of being a citizen of the United States.

Spatola

Science News For Kids (2013). Science news for kids: Publication of the society for science and the public. Retrieved March 14, 2013 from http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/.

This is a great resource for older kids looking to learn more about science in the world around them. This site offers information on a wide variety of scientific topics and many are often connected to current events around the world.

Spatola

Science Kids (2013). Science kids. Fun science & technology for kids. Retrieved March 14, 2013 from http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/.

This website offers kids information on how to conduct experiments, as well as giving them opportunities to take quizzes, play games, and watch videos. Kids can search by topic to find experiments, videos, games, quizzes, and learn facts about multiple topics.

Spatola

Social Studies for Kids. (2013). Geography. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/geography.htm 

This website provides students with mini lessons involving a wide range of geography topics such as the equator, prime meridian, GPS, latitude and longitude, and rivers around the world.

Anderson

Khan Academy. (2013). Khan Academy: Learn Almost Anything for Free. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.khanacademy.org/

Khan Academy is a great resource for students to use. The website is filled with thousands of helpful videos that students can view anywhere to help their comprehension in many different academic fields.

Anderson

Math Playground. (2013). Math Playground: Play with Math and Give your Brain a Workout. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.mathplayground.com/games.html

This website offers kids a wide variety of fun math games. This website will help kids improve their math skills such as multiplication, division, and fractions.

Anderson

Scholastic. (2013). Studyjams. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/index.htm This website offers students online math and science games. These games covers a wide array of topics such as estimating, place value, integers, plants, animals, and the human body.

Anderson

U.S. Government Printing Office. (2008). Ben’s guide to U.S. Government for kids. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://bensguide.gpo.gov

This site provides resources to K-12 students, parents and teachers.  These resources explain how the U.S. Government works, how to locate U.S. Government websites that are developed for kids, and how to use materials from the U.S. Government Printing Office.

Wollam

Belzer, J. (2013). KidsKonnect.com…a safe internet gateway for kids. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.kidskonnect.com/

KidsKonnect.com is a free site that allows students to safely utilize the Internet.  It covers a wide variety of curriculum topics that include facts and links to further information on safe sites.

Wollam

Howard Hughes Medical Institute. (2013). Cool science for curious kids. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/forkids/

K-3 science site designed to help children appreciate science.  The developers teamed with museums from across the country to provide online science projects that are fun, practical, and realistic.

Wollam

Eather, J. (2013). A maths dictionary for kids. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/

An animated, interactive online math dictionary for students which explains over 600 common mathematical terms and math words.  Also includes over 200 printable math charts. 

Wollam

Dictionary.com (2013). Dictionary.com.  Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://dictionary.reference.com/

This is a fantastic site for researching vocabulary.  The site has a dictionary feature for looking up specific words, a thesaurus, word of the day feature, crossword puzzle, translator, word games, “hot” word for popular words, “in the news” for information about the latest newsworthy event, word dynamo to turbo charge vocabulary, quotes, and a reference section.  My class has been discussing dictionary skills, and this is the perfect complement to our lessons.

Hicks

JIKOmetrix.net (2013). Figurative language.  Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/20-educational/language-arts/343-figurative-language.html

Kidskonnect.com is a great site for many types of research, but beneficial for my students in particular because we have been reviewing figurative language in class.  The site offers a definition and an example for each type of figurative language.  The site also provides several links so students can learn even more about figurative language.  Many more content areas are also addressed on the site. 

Hicks

Houghton Mifflin Company (2013).  Write source.  Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.thewritesource.com/studentmodels/ws2k-summer.htm

Write Source offers students to see and read writing pieces of other students.  The site allows students to search by grade and type of writing.  They can read persuasive, narrative, expository, poetry, and research pieces written by students their age and grade level.  I think this is an excellent site for student research because it allows them to see strategies and techniques used by writers of their own age.

Hicks

Straus, J. (2012).  Grammarbook.com. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.grammarbook.com/GrammarBook.com is a helpful site for students to use when in doubt as to how to use specific types of grammar.  The site offers rules, examples, and quizzes for many topics including subject-verb agreement, parts of speech, punctuation, spelling, commonly confused words, and much more.

Hicks

Independence Hall Association. (2013). U.S. history.  Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://www.ushistory.org/index.html

This website has many links for older elementary and middle school students to conduct research on various aspects of United States history.  It includes articles on prominent Americans, battles fought by the United States, and other historically significant events.

Hamilton

Encyclopedia Britannica. (2013). Kids encyclopedia. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://kids.britannica.com/

This website has divided its resources into those appropriate for 8-11 year olds, and those for students 11 and older.  Topics covered include arts, geography, math, science, and social studies.  To have full access to all articles, a subscription is required.

Hamilton

San Diego Zoo Global. (2013). San diego zoo – kids.  Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/

This website would be very helpful to elementary students who are doing research on animals.  The website has facts about many different kinds of animals and how and where they live.  Students can also watch some of the animals at the zoo on video clips or live cameras.

Hamilton

Discovery Channel. (2012). Discovery kids.  Retrieved March 17, 2013 from http://kids.discovery.com/

This website would be most appropriate for older elementary and middle school students who are conducting research.  This website has links to information on lots of different topics, including animals, space, machines, people and places, weather, and health.

Hamilton

Student Research 

The Central Intelligence Agency. (2013). CIA – the world factbook. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

This is a great website for students to use to research information about the countries of the world. It provides information about population, government, and economics of countries as well as maps and flags. There is even a feature that  shows comparisons of characteristics of countries.

Jolley 

Student Research 

 WGBH Educational Foundation. (2010). American experience. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/

This is a rich and interesting website about American History that includes articles, biographies, videos, and transcripts. It could be used by students in an American History class or by students in a world geography class.

Jolley 

Student Research 

Pearson Education. (2013). Fact monster almanac. Retrieved March 17, 2013 from

http://www.factmonster.com/

This is a visually engaging website that provides facts about a variety of subjects including science, geography, and math. It is easy to navigate and definitely kid-friendly. 

Jolley 

Student Research 

 Trustees of the British Museum. (1999). British museum. Retrieved March 18, 2013 from

http://www.britishmuseum.org/

The website of the British Museum contains information about their permanent collections as well as special collections. Of particular interest are the pages about Ancient Egypt. The website also contains a special kids section with lots of information geared just for them.

Jolley 

Oklahoma State University. (2013). Department of Animal Science.  Retrieved March 19, 2013 from  http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/

This website contains information about a wide variety of animal science related topics.  This website is especially helpful to students when they are studying livestock breeds.

Griffith 

University of Kentucky. (2013). College of Agriculture. Retrieved March 19, 2013 from http://www2.ca.uky.edu/

The UK College of Agriculture website has a vast amount of research information about agriculture that can be applied to local operations.

Griffith 

Farm Journal. (2013). AgWeb. Retrieved March 19, 2013 from http://www.agweb.com/

This website has great articles about all sectors of farming.  There is also up to date information on the latest prices on grain commodity prices and how they have changed.

Kentucky Department of Agriculture. (2013). Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Retrieved March 19, 2013 from http://www.kyagr.com/

This website give information on local agriculture promotions and programs for Kentucky's agriculturalist.

Mc Graw – Hill Co. (2004). Mathematics Applications & Concepts: Course 3. Retrieved March 12, 2013 from http://www.glencoe.com/sec/math/msmath/mac04/course3/webquest/  

This site offers various resources and tutorials to students. The WebQuest walks students step-by-step through a long-term project using the Web. One WebQuest for each unit is explored using the mathematics from the unit studied 

Coolmath.com Inc. (1997-2012). Coolmath. Retrieved March 12, 2013 from http://www.coolmath.com/home.htm This site offers fun educational games and links that keep students engaged in learning while challenging skill levels. This site also offers links to other subjects of study as well. 

Funbrain. (2011-2011). Funbrain. Retrieved March12, 2013 from http://www.funbrainworks.com/ 

This is a cool site for educational games and interactive materials. 

Study Island. (2013). Study Island.com. Retrieved March 12, 2013 from http://www.studyisland.com/web/index/ 

Good site for students to do independent work and play educational games. Students can also compete with other students and acquire immediate feedback.