Kids Search provides access to four databases useful to students in grades K-8. These include: Primary Search (full text articles from kids' magazines and other sources), Newspaper Source (full text articles from around 230 local, national, and international newspapers, TV and radio broadcasts), Funk and Wagnells New World Encyclopedia, and the EBSCO Animals database (information and full text articles on the nature and habitat of familiar animals).
The Online Passport interface lets students search four online encyclopedias simultaneously (Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Grolier's New Book of Knowledge, Grolier's Lands and People, and Grolier's America the Beautiful.) Results can be sorted by originating encyclopedia and by format, such as encyclopedia articles, magazines, websites, and media.
The web-based catalog search tool allows for keyword, title, author, subject, call number and ISBN searches. Students and teachers can determine whether the public library has supplementary materials available before making a trip downtown.
FactMonster is not used often in this pathfinder because, generally speaking, I believe it offers similar information to other print and electronic encyclopedias which have already been suggested to the students. However, the series of entries for Cortez and the Spanish conquest of Mexico were worth adding. They are linked as a web page under Cortez.
The Colonial America (1492-1763) section provided two "stories" for this pathfinder, those on Columbus and Cartier. The section titled Meet Amazing Americans provided Lewis and Clark information. The text is broken up into short sections and there is an illustration on every page. A good choice for reluctant readers.
This site offers a huge number of primary sources, but those which are utilized in this pathfinder are the five colored maps of Drake's voyage that were published in 1588-89.
Part of a larger collection of international collaborative archives, Parallel Histories makes good use of primary documents. This pathfinder includes only one section, on de Soto, which includes a brief biography, a map and a portrait of de Soto.
While the larger site is a wonderful resource, the primary interest for this pathfinder is the page titled "Lewis and Clark, which is packed with photos of primary documents and actual artifacts of the expedition, and also gives short descriptions of what the Corps were doing and why. Tons of information, but easy to use.
Part of the American Memory archives, This collection of primary sources is presented in a fun, interactive way using Flash animation (Flash player required). Follow Lewis and Clark's journey across the country and see primary documents and images in movie-like presentations. There is so much here, it will take some time to explore, but it's worth it!
The animated features and images really make this biography of Zheng and history of Chinese seapower special.
Students can explore this huge site to learn about Mallory's disappearance, the search for clues, what happens to humans at high altitudes, and more.
The pathfinder references one page on Coronado from the People section of this large and informative site on the American West based on a PBS mini-series.
Lots of information at this site, including details about the different tribes of Native Americans the expedition encountered; an archive of maps and the original journals; a Living History section in which experts answer some common questions about the expedition (audio available with RealPlayer); an interactive activity where you lead the expedition and make choices; and an interactive map. Take a look at biographies of Sacagawea and York; they are both also featured in the Living History section.
This site provided several biographies for the pathfinder, including those of Amundsen, Byrd, Peary, and Glenn.
This public radio program provides a short biography, a map, and several audio clips (some require RealPlayer, some an mp3 player like Windows Media Player).
Only the page for Cartier is referenced in the pathfinder, but many other explorers can also be found here. The Cartier biography is broken up into short sections and includes many good pictures and maps.
The pathfinder references this site several times, linking to biographies of several explorers and the activities for students and teachers. The amount of information in the biographies varies from one explorer to another. However, there are many useful features, including illustrations, maps, and hyperlinks to explanations of unfamiliar terms and important people.
The pathfinder references several biographies from this site. Also of interest is the "life at sea in the age of sail" exhibit. The Fact File's question and answer format works well, breaking information up into manageable pieces.
A biography of Glenn is the main attraction here.
This site provides a biography of Neil Armstrong and several image galleries related to the Apollo 11 moon landing.
The short text on the de Soto expedition is supplemented by a video tour.
Another site loaded with information. Explore the interactive map on the main page, then check out the Corps of Discovery section for descriptions of the people who made the journey and the provisions they took with them. The Journey sections has photos of plants and animals the Corps saw along the way.
This site provides very brief information about the Apollo 11 moon landing, but the real reason to visit is the links to two video clips of the moon landing, which can be viewed in AVI or Quicktime formats.
An official NASA biography , with a link to the transcript of an online chat with Dr. Ride.
This brief biography of Cheng is part of a larger site on the history of the South China Sea.
Features maps of Cook's voyage and transcripts of Cook's journals; a very good site for primary sources.
This page from the library at Ohio State University links to several photographs from their collection of Byrd's papers. Includes portraits and photos of his expeditions.
Created by a team of three teenagers from Australia, the United States, and the Netherlands, this ThinkQuest has much to offer and is used as a major source for the pathfinder. Voyage of Exploration was awarded the ThinkQuest Platinum award.
A finalist in ThinkQuest Junior, this site was created by a team of fourth and fifth grade students from Illinois. The biographical information is brief, but students may be inspired to see a project created by people their own age.
While the articles on this site are too difficult for this age group, the interactive content is wonderful. It includes a virtual tour of Cook's ship the Endeavour, a Navigation Animation, and Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance.
A longer biography with some pictures.
This video clip of Byrd's expedition is from the original footage. There is a commercial first, but it's worth the wait.
An article from National Geographic about Henson. Be sure to view the photo gallery.
An interactive Web version of this picture book about Shackleton's expedition.
This site features a short biography, an interview with audio clips, and a photo gallery.
From Scholastic, this site lets you relive Hillary's journey. Also includes photos, an interview, and much more.
A look back at the life of Cousteau at the time of his death in 1997.
While the articles about Glenn's two space missions are useful, the real treasures here are the video clips, 360 degree images, and photo gallery on the right side of the page.
This news article tells what Ride has been doing since leaving the space program and how she tries to inspire girls to study science.
Social Studies for Kids functions as both an encyclopedia of sorts and a list of links to other sites. The pathfinder only includes one article from this site, on Ponce de Leon, which can be found under World History > Explorers.
Created by a fifth grade teacher in Newfoundland, this site describes the discovery of a Viking settlement on the island. Mr. Cornish cites several sources for his information, which is intended for use by students as part of the Centre for Distance Learning & Innovation, Newfoundland & Labrador Department of Education.
A full transcript of Peary's expedition diary.
While not a definitive source of facts, the My Hero Project is an interesting way for students to learn about the people who inspire others. Students can submit their own My Hero articles to the archive.