Learning Tools Central Library Catalogue Search Engines Dictionaries Encyclopaedias Homework Help Maps News Reference Writing Guides Education Planning Career Planning Interactive Sites

Search Engines Yahooligans ( K-6 ) Kids can search in specific subject areas or simply type in a keyword on this site that also provides games, jokes, and links to "cool sites." KidsClick ( K-6 ) KidsClick! was created by a group of librarians at the Ramapo Catskill Library System, as a logical step in addressing concerns about the role of public libraries in guiding their young users to valuable and age appropriate web sites. Although more suited for elementary students, many sites are valuable starting points for research or are helpful for students who struggle with reading. Ask Jeeves for Kids ( K-6 ) This kid’s version of a popular site has dictionary, thesaurus, and an almanac, as well as homework help and clip art. Google ( 7-12 ) This site has a clean interface, no ads or clutter. The index pages of all the web sites in its database are cached for very fast searching. Results are ranked by how many other pages are linked to it. Default is "search the web" but the focus can be narrowed by selecting "pages from Canada." Teoma ( 7-12 ) With a clean interface, no ads or clutter, Teoma provides fast results. The "Refine" feature will offer suggestions to narrow your search. The "Resources" feature offers links to sites dealing with your topic. Librarian’s Index to the Internet ( 7-12 ) This is an annotated directory of high quality web sites, selected by librarians from the California State Library. You can use the search box or browse through the categories. The site offers themes as well (eg. Black history month, space shuttles) and a search page with direct search boxes to 14 top search engines and directories. BUBL LINK ( 7-12 ) A subject directory from the United Kingdom "covering all academic subject areas" is the slogan for BUBL LINK. The results organized by Dewey number. You can search by title, author, description, or subject, or simply browse through the categories. Dictionaries Merriam-Webster ( 4-12 ) This site provides access to a dictionary and thesaurus, has audio clips for pronunciation help, displays difficult words used in the definition hot-linked to their own definitions. OneLook Dictionary Search ( 7-12 ) This is not a dictionary, but a searchable index to 861 dictionary web sites. Enter a word and you will get a list of web sites that include that word. Link to dictionary sites which define, translate, and uses of the word. Dictionary.com ( 4-12 ) This site provides language translators, language tools, word games, and a dictionary and a thesaurus. Encyclopaedias Most good, unabridged encyclopaedias, including Britannica Online, are no longer free. The following is a list of a few concise encyclopaedias that are free but have drawbacks, chiefly the shortness of the articles, the ads, and the links to fee-based services. Columbia Encyclopaedia ( 7-12 ) The encyclopaedia is copyrighted 2000, 6th edition. While it has some ads and personals, it features nearly 51,000 entries and short articles, with hyper-text cross-references. Encyclopedia.com ( 7-12 ) Based on the Concise Columbia Electronic Encyclopaedia, this site has no ads or personals, but does promote elibrary. With over 17,000 entries, the site provides short articles with hypertext cross-references. Encarta ( 4-12 ) A free, concise encyclopedia. The main page is cluttered and confusing. Canadian Encyclopaedia Online ( 4-12 ) This site, by Histor!ca features a clear main page with no ads and includes archived Maclean’s articles. Also includes a Daily Feature, "On this day in Canadian History," "Explore Canada," Student Guides, "Canucklehead" Quiz, "100 Canadian Originals," and "100 Greatest Events in Canadian History." You can also search MacLean's articles. Homework Help Ask A Teacher ( 4-12 ) The Eureka site has evolved into the current "Ask A Teacher" site which now offers online homework help, and chats with certified Ontario teachers. 2Learn.ca ( 4-12 ) 2learn.ca, the Telus Learning Connection, offers two links: one for intermediate students and another for senior students. Both links provide tips for research, test or exam preparation, as well as quick access to dictionaries, calculators, atlases, and much more. About.com ( 4-12 ) About.com offers a homework/study tips page that features essentials such as study habits, organizational techniques, subject-specific resources, and reference materials. Encarta – homework help page ( 4-12 ) Encarta provides links to homework sites as well as homework tools, math help, science fair project ideas, and writing tips. 700+ Great Sites ( K-12 ) This collection of web sites described as "amazing, spectacular, mysterious, colourful web sites for kids and the adults who care about them" provides sites in the following categories: arts and entertainment, literature and language, people past and present, planet earth and beyond, and science and technology. Ask an Expert ( 4-12 ) Pitsco’s Ask an Expert site provides information in the following categories: science/technology, animals, money/business, career/industry, law, home improvement, arts/humanities, internet/computer, international/cultural, health, recreation/entertainment, and repair/trades. These categories then link to specific topics and their resources. Maps Mapquest ( 4-12 ) In order to access maps for countries other than U.S., you must click on "Maps" icon and be taken to a separate search screen before you select your country. Click "Zoom-in" radio button and then click on map to zoom in. You can print, email, PDA download or save your map. Blank and Outline Maps ( 4-12 ) This site has blank and outline maps of continents, countries, provinces, states, or counties for educational or personal use. Other geography links are on the left-hand sidebar (cartography, Census/Population, Cities & Transport, etc.). Atlas of Canada ( 4-12 ) From the MNR, this site features: Environment, People & Society, Economy, History, Reference, Climate, Freshwater, and Health. Each heading contains Quizzes, Learning Resources, a glossary, Data & Services, and other useful links News Google News ( 4-12 ) This site features top world news stories, is searchable, and has sections for: Top Stories, World, US, Business, Sci/Tech, Sports, Entertainment, Health World News Network ( 7-12 ) More global than Google News, the World News Network contains a directory to jump to various sections. The Globe and Mail ( 7-12 ) A "national" news source with top world news stories, The Globe and Mail is searchable and has sections for: Front Page, Report on Business, National, International, Sports, Arts & Entertainment, Technology, Polls, and many other sections. Toronto Star ( 7-12 ) The Toronto Star’s site provides Canadian and top world news stories, is searchable, and has sections for: News, Ontario, Ontario, Canada, World, Business, Sports, Breaking News, and Education in Ontario Canoe ( 7-12 ) CANOE/CANOËË is a network of news and information sites that offer the best in world, national and local coverage. Sports, business, entertainment and health sections are all continuously updated. Newsmakers take part in regular chats with users and discussion forums give them a chance to share their views. Users can also shop, book a vacation, or complete the latest crossword on sites with an unmatched range of opportunities. Reference Internet Public Library ( 7-12 ) This web portal of links, by the University of Michigan, has a clear, easy to use index page and contains section headings. Main Section Headings include: Reference, Reading, Search Tools, Youth Resources, Subject Collections and Special Collections. As well, it features "A+ research and writing guide for high school & college students. Bartleby.com ( 7-12 ) This Internet publisher of literature, reference, and verse provides students with unlimited access to books and information on the web, free of charge. Awesome Library ( 7-12 ) Awesome Library organizes the web "with 22,000 carefully reviewed resources," including links for parents and the community. LibrarySpot.com ( 4-12 ) LibrarySpot.com is a free virtual library resource center for educators and students, librarians and their patrons, families, businesses and just about anyone exploring the Web for valuable research information. Sites featured on LibrarySpot.com are hand-selected and reviewed by an editorial team for their exceptional quality, content and utility. refdesk.com ( 7-12 ) Produced by Bob Drudge, the site’s main page is pretty cluttered because it tries to offer access to so many different things. This makes it more difficult to find things quickly. Fact Monster ( 4-12 ) In addition to featuring an almanac, Fact Monster provides games and quizzes, homework help, information on the world, and cool stuff. World Almanac for Kids Online ( K-12 ) This online version of the popular kids’ magazine not only features its almanac, but also invites kids to explore and to play games. Writing Guides Guide to Grammar & Writing ( 7-12 ) This is an easy to use grammar guide maintained by Charles Darling, Professor of English at Capital Community College in Connecticut. Although it is not searchable, the main page is divided into 6 sections including Word, Paragraph< Essay & Research, and Grammar. Or, use the index to find your query. Explanations are sometimes wordy, but offer lots of examples. Tricky rules are highlighted by using coloured boxes. A+ Research & Writing ( 11-12 ) This site, by Internet Public Library (University of Michigan), is for high school and college students and outlines the basic steps to research and write a paper. The UVic Writer’s Guide ( 11-12 ) The Writer’s Guide, by the University of Victoria, has an in-depth guide for essay writing. It is not searchable, but has a table of contents divided into sections. Topics include Planning & Organization, Development, Writing, Diction, Acknowledging your Sources, Rhetorical Language, Logical Presentation of Arguments, Summations, and Basic Grammar. Researchpaper.com ( 7-12 ) Researchpaper.com touts itself as "the Web's largest collection of topics, ideas, and assistance for school related research projects." The site guides the student through the writing process in subject areas such as business, science, society, art and literature, and history. Inkspot.com ( 7-12 ) This is a great site for aspiring writers as it allows students contact with authors and experts on writing. There are articles, advice, interviews, tips, and guides to how to write well, in addition to links to other good writing sites. Education Planning Ontario Ministry of Education ( 7-12 ) The Ontario Ministry of Education’s site provides information on Ontario universities and colleges as well as links to Distance Education sites. The College-University Consortium Council ( 7-12 ) The College-University Consortium Council pages provide links to Ontario universities and colleges. The first link features Ontario universities, while the second link features Ontario colleges. Go to College.com ( 7-12 ) GotoCollege.ca provides information on Canadian colleges. University Report Card.com ( 11-12 ) The University Report Card site requires that users register. However, the registration is free, and once accessed, the site provides student views on Canadian universities – their programs, their extra-curricular activities, and their campus life. Career Planning Fort Frances Rainy River Atikokan Search for jobs in your home town. ( 7-12 ) TVO ( 7-12 ) This site by TVO provides secondary students with information regarding post-secondary destinations. Ministry of Education ( 7-12 ) The Ministry of Education’s Career Gateway site allows students to search for possible career destinations. Careermag.com ( 7-12 ) This online magazine helps visitors to search for jobs and to create a web portfolio. Resources to aid with resume writing are also available. Careerbuilder.com ( 7-12 ) An American site, Careerbuilder.com searches for positions and provides other resources to assist in finding a job. Career Owl ( 7-12 ) Career Owl, a fairly new service for Canadians looking for employment, is particularly effective for recent graduates. It features over 3,000 available jobs and more than 36,000 job seekers are registered. As with many other sites, job-seekers must first register and create their e-resume and can then browse or search job listings. Human Resources Development Canada ( 7-12 ) HRDC’s site describes the activities of HRDC’s Youth Employment Initiative. The site features tools and resources regarding youth employment, student business loans, and summer career placements. Interactive Sites PBS Kids ( K-6 ) With links to favourite television shows, games, stories, music, and colouring, this site has also links for parents and teachers. Funbrain.com ( K-6 ) This site features games and puzzles that are simply for fun or educational (words and numbers). Family Education Network ( K-6 ) This site, from the Family Education Network, offers two options: school help or "goof off time." TVO Kids ( K-6 ) This bright site features games, contests, "Reading Rangers," a math maze, and much more.