Web Resources
CivicsPolitical Cartoons
This site shows current political cartoons that classes can use to discuss what the picture is representing and how it relates to the current political issues. Also, if you click on a cartoon you like it will lead you to a slide show of similar cartoons that all fall under the same topic. Project Vote Smart This site gives information on upcoming elections, government officials, and current issues. It can simplify who to vote for and gives kid friendly information on everything you could vote for in the upcoming elections. Congress for Kids Here you can find simplified information about government. The information includes independence, the three branches of government, citizenship, and more. After each section they read there is a mini quiz to show what they know. Sticker Race This PBS website allows students to create their own political sticker that advocates issues in politics or elections. It allows students to be technically creative to show what they know about politics and what is currently happening. Step Inside the Voting Booth This PBS site shows students how important one vote can be, what it is like to vote, and what it was like to vote in the past one hundred years. |
EconomicsEconEdLink
This site gives economic lesson ideas for students in grades 3-12, there are interactive tools for students, and there are even parent tools in the after school section. The Ice Trade Game This game may be better for older students (grades 6-8), but it allows them to try out their own ice business. Students have to decide how much ice to buy, how much sawdust to buy for insulation, and how far they are going to travel to make the greatest profit. Economics for Kids This is an interactive site that has many different economic games for kids. There is matching, a lemonade stand, how products are made, and a whole lot more. Could be a fun way to reward kids in social studies to have them play a game. Goods And Services This site has a drag and drop game for students to practice understanding the difference between goods and services. It also has a virtual farm for students to learn the goods and services that occur on a farm. TheMint.org This site teaches students all about money and has interactive games for kids, economic tips for teenagers, information for parents, and lesson ideas for teachers. |
GeographyGeocaching
This site allows you to find geocaches nearby so students could go on a field trip to find them. It also allows you to create new caches and post them so others can go explore them. Road Quest This PBS site has a game that allows students to test their states recognition skills. It shows them a picture of a state and they have to match it with its name. Peace Corp Challenge This game allows students to get a taste of what it's like to be in the Peace Corp in this mystery as to what is wrong with the local water of a village by asking around and solving the mystery. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? This game uses geography to have students figure out the mystery of where Carmen Sandiego is. You do have to purchase the game to use it. Map Puzzle This game is a map of the United States that students can either match the states or the capitals. It allows students to guess until they get it right. |
HistoryLibrary of Congress
The Library of Congress has all sorts of primary sources that can be used to teach history from pictures to maps and even recordings. Archiving Early America This site allows you to see images of historical documents. You do have to download a special PDF reader to view these images. National Archives This site gives teachers access to primary resources along with other lesson plans and activities. CNN Student News This is a kid friendly online news website. It gives news stories that students may be interested in and in a language they can understand. Library of Congress Lesson Plans This is a whole list of lesson plans provided by the Library of Congress for all different grades. News-2-You This is site that gives news stories in a language that special education students can understand. It is written in words and pictures. You do have to purchase it to use it. |
General EducationPBS
PBS gives teachers lesson ideas and students educational games to play. There are lessons for all ages and all subjects. Time For Kids This site is like a magazine made for kids with current events and issues. This magazine is for kids of all ages and for all topics. It is written in a very kid friendly way. Michigan eLibrary This is an online library for any topic. You can even search for lesson plans, activities, and videos. Fact Monster This site has a ton of help and information for kids. It has encyclopedias and dictionaries for kids, it gives help on different subject areas, and there are quizzes and games for students to explore. Brain Pop This site covers all subjects and show short educational videos on a number of topics and then has a quiz after. Some videos you do have to purchase to watch but many are free. |
TechnologyWall Wisher
This site allows you to create a digital wall where you can post sentences of vocabulary words, it's like making a digital bulletin board. Polls Everywhere Crate your own question to present to your class and take a poll by students texting their response. Shows the results right on the website. Quizlet Quizlet allows you to make your own flashcards with your vocabulary and then generates little quizzes to test yourself on them. Prezi Prezi is like Power Point but much cooler. You can create a slide show on one board and create paths to zoom around on the board. It is a good tool for making presentations. Voki Create your own avatar and recording of what you wish to be taught to teach your students. It's a different way to present information to students and gets them a little more interested. |