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Click on a subject category to view links for that subject. You can jump back to the "top of page" at the end of every block of subject links. More links to be added soon!
Math | Science | Language Arts | Social Studies
Math
A Maths Dictionary for Kids
This site provides fantastic definitions and examples for all math terms — handy for both students and teachers.
Figure This! Math Challenges for Families
Especially for middle-school students and their families, produced by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. This site includes a Teacher Corner, Family Corner, and a variety of math activities and problem-solving challenges for students in the Challenge Index and Math Index sections.
Interactivate
Produced by the Shodor Educational Foundation, the Activities at this site are grouped by topic: Numbers and Operations, Geometry, Algebra, Probability, Statistics, Discrete, and Other miscellaneous interactive educational games for a variety of learning levels.
Aplusmath Homework Helpers
Includes interactive tools for all types of math operations — from addition to division with remainder. Especially cool is the Order of Operations tool, where a student can type in an algebraic equation and the tool shows step-by-step which parts of the equation get solved first.
Study Guides and Strategies: Evaluating Algebraic Equations — Order of Operations/PEMDAS
Students should focus on the box in the middle of the page and step through the example to interactively help solve the equation with some helpful guidance. When done with that exercise, students can continue their practice with the Second exercise and Third exercise.
Virtual Manipulatives
Interactivities for grades Pre-K through 12 that show relationships between numbers and proportions; topics include Number & Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis & Probability. Once an activity has been selected, make sure to read the instructions for the activity, located in the upper-right corner of each module screen.
Education Place — Kids' Place: Brain Teasers
Weekly math questions to challenge your student's brain power for problem-solving. Categorized by grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8, and includes an archive of questions.
Everyday Math Games
This site offers a wealth of off-line activities with printable worksheets and instructions for playing a variety of math-related games for grades K-6. Click either EDM Games K-3 or EDM Games 4-6, to choose from a variety of activities presented primarily in Word documents. (Don't have the Microsoft Word software program? Check out our Cool Tools section for info about downloading and using Open Office as a great substitute program).
Quia: Shared Activities in Math
Choose a learning game by Activity type (eg, Quiz, Challenge Board, Hangman, etc.) and by Subcategory, if desired.
Banking on Our Future
Hang out with Gabriel and Joy who want to earn and save up some money to buy things they want. They'll also explain why banks are good places to keep your money and how they work. They'll tell you about checking and savings accounts, how credit and ATM machines work, and they'll also help you understand how to budget and invest your money and get the most out of your money when shopping. You'll need to register to enter and explore the site, but it's free and secure and you can return later to pick up where you left off.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) Thinking Mathematically — Real World Applications: apply math concepts and operations to real life decisions involving time, distance, money, and construction.
iknowthat: Math
Fun, colorful, interactive games to learn some basic math concepts. This commercial site will prompt you to register (for free), or you can opt to do so "Maybe Later."
Data Handling: Tree Diagrams
Use this introduction to how tree diagrams work to create your own probability maps and predict outcomes of random drawings and other events.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Probability — use tree diagrams and sample spaces to make predictions about independent events.
Basic Math: Fractions — Multiplcation & Division
Use this interactive quiz game to refine and test your fraction skills in multiplication and division.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) Decimals & Fractions — Fractions: multiply a whole number by a fraction; multiply and divide two fractions; compare fractions with different denominators; compare a fraction to its lowest term; find a missing number in a fraction equation; order fractions with different denominators; compare a fraction to 1; compare equivalent and mixed fractions.
Science
Field & Research Guides
Amphibians
Insects
Gardening
Clean Energy
- HYDRO POWER
Visit the Hydro Research Foundation and read the overview about Hydropower Today. Then, jump into the HydroVenture to learn more about how hydro power works. When you have completed the adventure, Test Your Hydropower IQ with the interactive quiz.
You can also find more advanced information at the Department of Energy's Hydropower Technologies site.
- WIND POWER
Wind with Miller provides a Crash Course on Assembing a Wind Turbine, explains How It Works, and offers some Activities, including an interactive Wind Turbine Simulator and some hands-on Practical Activities.
For a more advanced exploration of wind power, visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Energy Technologies site. For more information on how individual consumers can harness wind, read through the Consumer FAQs. Also, check out the Wind Powering America section, which explains what programs are currently running in each state, and includes more detailed State Wind Resource Maps.
- SOLAR POWER
Learn about how solar power works at Project Sol. To solar power in action, explore some of the Solar Sites at Project Sol. Compare those projects to a home in the northeast, the Maine Solar House. Explore the home thoroughly to see how the couple became independent of the mainstream power grid.
- BIOENERGY
Visit the Educational Web Site on Biomass and Bioenergy. Start by reading the Definition of Biomass, which explains the source's Characteristics, Energy Content, Harvesting, Transport, and Processing. In the Tools menu on the left, click to use the Biomass-to-Energy Calculator and compare different types of wood. Click the Advanced button in the top-right corner of the screen for more detailed calculations. Continue reading through the sections and using the related interactive tools.
Learning Objectives:
Grade 6 Science — Physical Science: Energy: define energy and explore the concept of the conservation and transfer of energy in classroom experiments; identify types of energy sources.
Grade 7 Science — Science in Everyday Life: Environmental Issues: identify, analyze, and explore issues affecting the environment including the spread of deserts, the cutting of rain forests, the paving of wetlands, the destruction of endangered species habitat, the burning of fossil fuels, the dumping of toxic wastes, the spread of industrial poisons into the food chain; analyze the complex relationship of environmental and economic issues; discuss conservation, use of renewable resources, the economic of alternative energy sources.
Grade 8 Science — Science in Everyday Life: Resources: discuss the current state and issues related to energy, technology, the environment and conservation; identify and discuss the environmental and economic impact and viability of alternative energy sources.
The Virtual Solar System
Tour the solar system to understand planetary scale, make comparisons between planets at the site's Datastore, and launch the Planet 10 interactive for a 3D Solar System Fly-through, which illustrates relative sizes and orbits. Use your math skills to compare the planets in mathematical terms (For example, Mercury is one-twentieth the mass of Earth.)
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Earth & Space Science — Solar System: describe and diagram the solar system; describe the planets, their orbits and satellites, atmosphere, size, composition, gravity, density, and temperature; diagram solar and lunar eclipses; compare the size, orbit, gravity, atmosphere, and temperature on surface of the earth and its moon.
Chem4Kids: Periodic Table & the Elements
An excellent, easy-to-read introduction to chemistry and how and why the elements are organized the way they are in the Periodic Table. Use the top-right menu under "Overview" to move through the related sections. Click on an element's name, where underlined, to read about each one.
Lenntech's Periodic Table
Click each element to review its chemical and physical properties, see a photo of it, and read about some real-world applications using the element, along with learning about any health and environmental effects.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Physical Science — Atomic Theory: study atomic theory including its history and scientists; discuss the conservation of matter and energy and the application of this concept to physical and chemical changes; define and describe the action of sub-atomic particles including protons, neutrons, and electrons; read and understand the organization of the Periodic Table of Elements.
(Grade 8) Physical Science — Periodic Table: accurately read the Periodic Table of Elements and explain the principles of the composition of matter.
The Scientific Method
Learn about the Scientific Method, from how to generate a hypothesis to experimentation to proving (or disproving) a theory.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 8) Research & Inquiry — Experimental Design: apply the scientific method to solve problems, construct inquiries, make predictions, develop models, and answer real world questions; organize an inquiry team with task list, time table, budget, techniques and equipment, and measurement methodology.
Cells Alive!
Great interactive graphics and animations delve into the microscopic world of animal and plant cell structure and function.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) Life Science — Cells: compare and contrast plant and animal cells; discuss the functions of cells and the production of energy; describe the functions of single celled organisms.
Biology In Motion
Check out these cartoons and animations to learn about how the digestive and cardiovascular systems work. The site also explores how the thyroid gland works and offers an interactive cell division exercise.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 8) Life Science — Human Health: define the processes and functions of human systems including the digestive, respiratory, reproductive, circulation, excretion, coordination and immune systems; explain the relations between cells, tissues, and organs; list and explain requirements for good health including avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and drugs and use of good nutritional and exercise habits.
How Everyday Things Are Made
Launch the virtual tour to explore how things like motorcycles, candy, clothing, and packaging are made and think about how these items and related technologies affect our lives.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) Science in Everyday Life — Benefits of Science: identify and analyze a specific instance in which science has benefited or changed life in the community or affected the student’s own life, activities, health, or recreation; write a 2-page report.
DNA Interactive
Piece together the DNA puzzle by exploring how scientists have done this over the years, contributing to our deeper understanding of DNA Code, Manipulation, and the Genome.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Life Science — Heredity and Evolution: diagram and explain the function of genes, chromosomes, and DNA.
Nuclear Energy: Students' Corner
Uncover the mysteries of nuclear reactors, from understanding nuclear reactions to dealing with radiation waste.
The Atoms Family
Visit the Phantom's Portrait Parlor to see how the phases of matter can change when the temperature changes.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Physical Science — Changes of Matter: explain the physical changes of matter when exposed to heat, chemical, and mechanical energies.
The Particle Adventure
Dig into the fundamentals of matter and force by examining what the world is made of and how it's put together.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Physical Science — Sub-atomic Particles: define and describe the action of sub-atomic particles including protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Amusement Park Physics
Learn how park rides — like rollercoasters, carousels, free falls — use the power of gravity and other physics laws to thrill us but not spill us. You can even design your own roller coaster!
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Physical Science — Gravity: tell how gravity affects the motion of objects with different densities in a trajectory; distinguish between mass and weight; analyze the action of forces on an object.
The WeatherWorld 2010 Project
Use the Online Guides to explore meterology and what factors influence weather. Includes detailed explanations of radar and satellite imagery, air masses and fronts, cloud formation, the hydrologic cycle, hurricanes, cyclones and tornadoes.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 8) Earth & Space Science — Water Cycle: diagram the water cycle and list its effects; tell how clouds and oceans affect weather and climate..
Wind with Miller
Let Miller show you how wind energy works. Start with the Crash Course, then try some of the related Acitivities.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Environmental Issues — identify and discuss the use of renewable resources and the economics of alternative energy sources.
Project Sol
Discover how people capture the sun's energy and turn it into usable electrical power.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Environmental Issues — identify and discuss the use of renewable resources and the economics of alternative energy sources.
The Nature of Diamonds
Explore the world of diamonds — their structure and composition, how they are created, how they have been part of human cultures for millenia, how they are mined, and how they are used for not only jewelry but also for a variety of technologies.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) Earth & Space Science — Earth Products: identify earth products such as petroleum, diamonds, coal, and obsidian, and compare their origins and the processes which produced them.
What did T. rex taste like? — An introduction to how life is related
Follow the tree of life's branches to explore taxonomy and relationships between different types of organisms.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Genus & Species Classification — Explain the factors that define genus and species classifications.
The Virtual Body
Take guided tours to explore the human brain, skeleton, heart and digestive tract.
Human Anatomy Online (includes some commercial advertising)
For more in-depth views of the body's systems, check out this site's sections on the muscular system, endocrine system, nervous system, reproductive systems and more!
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) Human Body Systems — Describe the muscular, circulatory, and reproductive systems of the human body; identify components and function on a diagram.
(Grade 7) Human Body Systems — Describe the muscular, circulatory, and reproductive systems of the human body; identify components and function on a diagram.
Language Arts
Touch Typing
Use this interactive typing program to improve your keyboarding skills.
Learning Objectives:
(Grades 6-8) Technology — Keyboarding: touch type effectively using home keys at least 40 words per minute.
Social Studies
The U.S. Constitution
Kids in the House
Learn about Congress, How Laws Are Made, and more.
Explore the Civil Rights Movement through personal stories, compelling images, and clear explanations of historical events:
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) Historical Perspective — Current Events: use historical information to process and understand current events, regional issues, and personal decisions.
(Grade 7) Historical Perspective — Personal Impact: analyze three examples of how historical information impacts the student’s own life.
(Grades 7 & 8) United States History — 20th Century American History: study in depth the events, leaders, wars, conflict, and issues of the 20th century in America; match the names and accomplishments of famous 20th century Americans; place events on a timeline; analyze issues such as the environmental movement, freedom of choice, civil rights for women and racial minorities, and gun control.
UN: The CyberSchool Bus — This site includes a UN Introduction, an excellent review of the organization's Millennium Development Goals, ways to compare country statistics using InfoNation, provides a variety of Curriculum on pertinent topics, and other educational resources.
Delve Inside the Secret State of North Korea and examine The Korean War at BBC.
Learning Objectives, Grade 7:
Social Studies — World History: 20th Century World History: study in-depth world events, wars, conflicts, leaders and villains of the 20th & 21st centuries; discuss trends such as the fall of colonialism and of communism, the globalization of communications, and world trade as well as major issues such as genocide, ethnic cleansing, ozone layer degradation, population explosion, and impact of technology.
A-Z of Religions & Beliefs
Learn about the world's religions, from Atheism to Zoroastrianism, at this comprehensive site at the BBC.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) World History — World Religions: describe and tell the origin of major world religions; identify the primary leaders and sacred writings of each religion.
Banking on Our Future
Hang out with Gabriel and Joy who want to earn and save up some money to buy things they want. They'll also explain why banks are good places to keep your money and how they work. They'll tell you about checking and savings accounts, how credit and ATM machines work, and they'll also help you understand how to budget and invest your money and get the most out of your money when shopping. You'll need to register to enter and explore the site, but it's free and secure and you can return later to pick up where you left off.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) Economics — Personal Financial Management: open, use and balance a checking account; define credit and credit cards and figure costs of monthly fees and loan charges; comparison shop for a consumer item in local community, urban stores, catalogs, and internet; develop a monthly family budget.
The Renaissance Connection
Be a patron of the arts. Design your own innovation. Investigate Renaissance artworks in depth. Discover how past innovations inform life today. And more, all enhanced with quirky visuals, irreverent humor, and engaging interactivity that reveal the ways that Renaissance life and culture resemble our own.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Technology — The Renaissance: describe the tools and inventions which fueled the Renaissance and Age of Exploration.
Civil War Explorer
Understand The Big Picture of what led to the Civil War, learn how Warfare was carried out, meet some of the Historic Figures involved, and discover more about American life during the 1860s.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 8) United States History— Major Events in US History: analyze in detail and describe the causes and effects of major events and periods in United States history, including the Civil War.
Transcontinental Railroad
Track the race to Utah and explore how the railroad affected Plains Indians.
Atomic Archive
Explore the science, history, and interactive models of the Atomic Bomb. Includes comparisons between fission and fusion reactions, as well as the effects of nuclear weapons and example scenarios.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 8) Technology — Inventions & American History: analyze the impact of the following inventions on American history and culture: cotton gin, railroad, automobile, telegraph, radio, television, atomic bomb and computer.
Ellis Island: The Immigrant Experience
Explore The Peopling of America timeline and read some of the Family Histories to learn about how people living today have ties to immigrants who passed through the port at Ellis Island.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 8) Immigration — describe and place on a timeline the major waves of immigrants from around the world to the United States from 1609 to 2000.
American Presidents
Follow the timeline to learn more about the Presidency in History, and discover the roles and responsibilities of the Presidency in Action.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 8) US Presidents — list the names, approximate dates, and accomplishments of the first seven presidents of the United States.
The Supreme Court
Learn about The History of the Court and How the Court Works. Also, explore the link to Landmark Cases to review cases that have shaped American law.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 8) Federal Judiciary — describe the structure and function of the federal judiciary; follow a Supreme Court case from first appeal to final decision.
U.S. Cabinet
Explore the different departments of the President's Cabinet.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 8) Federal Government Offices — analyze the functions and offices of the federal government: explain the role of each member of the Cabinet and his/her department.
The Mint: It Makes Cents
This site is packed with all kinds of tips about what to do with your money. Because the
plain fact is — you've got choices. Discover how to make the most of your money.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 6) Economics: Personal Financial Management — Open, use and balance a checking account; define credit and credit cards and figure costs of monthly fees and loan charges.
Computer History Museum
Online exhibits exploring computer technologies.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Computer History — Trace the history and technology of the development of the computer; analyze the impact of the computer on modern life; match the names and achievements of people involved in the development of the computer; draw a timeline of the development of the computer and its function in society and economy.
America on the Move
Choose from three interconnected routes to explore how transportation shaped our lives, landscapes, culture, and communities.
Learning Objectives:
(Grade 7) Technology — Discuss the impact of the automobile on American society and economy as an example of how technology and social change interact.
Clean Energy Economics/Geography
- HYDRO POWER
Visit the Hydro Research Foundation and read the overview about Hydropower Today. Then, jump into the HydroVenture to learn more about how hydro power works. When you have completed the adventure, Test Your Hydropower IQ with the interactive quiz.
You can also find more advanced information at the Department of Energy's Hydropower Technologies site.
- WIND POWER
Wind with Miller provides a Crash Course on Assembing a Wind Turbine, explains How It Works, and offers some Activities, including an interactive Wind Turbine Simulator and some hands-on Practical Activities.
For a more advanced exploration of wind power, visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Energy Technologies site. For more information on how individual consumers can harness wind, read through the Consumer FAQs. Also, check out the Wind Powering America section, which explains what programs are currently running in each state, and includes more detailed State Wind Resource Maps.
- SOLAR POWER
Learn about how solar power works at Project Sol. To solar power in action, explore some of the Solar Sites at Project Sol. Compare those projects to a home in the northeast, the Maine Solar House. Explore the home thoroughly to see how the couple became independent of the mainstream power grid.
- BIOENERGY
Visit the Educational Web Site on Biomass and Bioenergy. Start by reading the Definition of Biomass, which explains the source's Characteristics, Energy Content, Harvesting, Transport, and Processing. In the Tools menu on the left, click to use the Biomass-to-Energy Calculator and compare different types of wood. Click the Advanced button in the top-right corner of the screen for more detailed calculations. Continue reading through the sections and using the related interactive tools.
Learning Objectives:
Grade 8 Social Studies — Geography: Human/Environmental Interaction: explore and analysis human and environmental interactions; compare how environmental resources have impacted different societies; compare the impact of societies on the environment; discuss and analyze current environment impact issues including energy conservation and alternative renewable energy resources such as wind farms, hydroelectric dams, and solar energy.
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