Resources Found Online

Online Reference Sites Online Databases Search Engines




Online Reference Sites:

Dictionaries:

Merriam Webster Dictionary - a good resource for older elementary and middle school students.

Word Central - a good resource for elementary students.  It has a dictionary, thesaurus to find synonyms, and a rhyming dictionary.

Encyclopedia:

GEMS has a subscription to World Book Online Encyclopedia.  It will give you up to date information on many topics.  It includes articles, pictures, time lines and videos.  You will need to get the password from
Mrs. Rider in order to access this resource.  There are two different versions to choose from:

World Book Kids -A good choice for elementary students.

World Book Student -A good choice for students in 4-8.


General:

Fact Monster - a reference site where you can find homework help and fun facts.

Back to Top

Online Databases:  

Databases give you access to magazines, newspapers, and other reference material.  GEMS has a subscription to EBSCO and Vermont Online Library (InfoTrac) databases.  You will need to get the passwords from Mrs. Rider in order to access these. These databases contain citation links for you to use.  You may have to look for them a little but they will make your citing easier.

EBSCO - Searchasaurus-  A good choice for elementary students.  This database will allow you to access articles from many magazines and encyclopedias. There are also links to other websites.

EBSCO - Kids Search - Great for both elementary and middle school students!  Allows students to search many different resources including magazines, newspapers, an animal encyclopedia, current events and an encyclopedia. "Top Searches" links to topics of high current interest.

InfoTrac Main Page- This page provides you with a choice of all the databases available through VOL.

Kids InfoBits- Uses pictures to help you find the information you are looking for.  A good choice for elementary students.

Junior Edition K-12- A good choice for upper elementary and middle school students.

Junior Edition- A good choice for middle school students.

Newspapers- This part of VOL provides online access to many US and international newspapers.

Biography Database-
This database from Wilson Web
allows you to search for biographical information about many people.  The reading level of this information makes it more appropriate for upper level elementary and middle school students but younger students could use it with help.  

Back to Top

Search Engines:

Ask Kids- This search designed for kids allows you to search by using a sentence to ask a question.

Noodle Quest- By asking questions about your research needs this site will help you find a useful search engine.

NoodleTools--This site is a great resource to find the best search engine or resource for your searching needs.  It gives choices based on the specifics you are looking for.

Back to Top

Web Gateways:

These links will give you prescreened links to other websites. They are organized by subjects and will help you search for information more efficiently.

Awesome Library- This web portal will give links to lots of informational sites as well as sites just for fun. You can focus your search by clicking on "kids" or "teens" on the home page.

Dewey Browse- This gateway designed for students in grades K-12 has its links organized by the Dewey Decimal System.  

Great Web Sites for Kids - This gateway for students is maintained  by the librarians of  the American Library Association.

The Internet Public Library- This web gateway is maintained by librarians and provides links to many sites on many subjects including a large reference section.  Also part of the site are:  

The Internet Public Library Kidspace- Designed for elementary and middle school students.

The Internet Public Library Teenspace- Designed for upper middle school and high school students.

KidsClick- This site maintained by librarians will give you links to lots of other sites on various subjects that students will find helpful when researching.   

Kids.gov- This is "the official kids' portal for the US government".  It will give you links to many government sites to help your research.  Your search can be arrowed by grade groups of K-5 and 6-8.

  Back to Top

Back to Learning Center Home Page                                                Back to Research Pathfinder Home Page