Student Web Reviews, Summer 2005
EDUC 222, EDEL 516, EDSE 516
Web reviews in alphabetical order by student name:

Here, for your information, are the web site reviews from my educational computing students for the Summer 1 2005 semester.

After studying a number of sites, the students wrote reviews for Web Sites they judged to be well designed and useful to educators.  Please feel free to forward these reviews to anyone who might be interested.

The reviews are organized by class and alphabetically by student name.  To find what you want, you can use your web browser to search all the reviews by keyword or character string.
The URLs are "hot linked."

 

 AAA Math
http://www.aaamath.com/
Reviewed by Sharon Ervin
e-mail: skervi01@morehead-st.edu

 This is a website for children grades kindergarten through eighth grade.  There are activities which provide practice in basic math skills. Many of the activities are provide interactive practice in different concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, statistics, geometry, fractions, decimals and almost any concept you can think of which is math related.  There are numerous examples of each type of problem.  The problems are given in random order.  This is especially good because it encourages the children to learn the concept and not only memorize the answers in order to do well on the game.  This allows the children to understand the concept or learn the facts.

 I picked this website because it provides interactive practice of basic math skills. You select the grade level and the math concept which you want to practice and you are presented with a number of problems.  I think children would benefit from this site because of this.

 

 Learn to Read at Starfall – teaching comprehension and phonics
www.starfall.com
Reviewed by Sharon Ervin
e-mail:  skervi01@morehead-st.edu

 This website is designed mainly for first grade students.  However, it can be useful for students kindergarten through second grade for additional practice and reinforcement for concepts being taught.  I have used this program with older students who lag behind in reading skills who have enjoyed and benefited from it also.  It is a proven fact that the more a student reads the better he/she will get.

 The activities on the website are fun for young children.  The children are actually learning or practicing to read. There are four main activities:  ABC’s, Learn to Read, It’s fun to Read, and I’m Reading.  Each activity focuses on specific skills.

 This is a fun website for the child which reinforces basic reading skills.  The children have fun while reading.  It is important to build the love of reading when a child is young. 

 

 Houghton Mifflin
www.eduplace.com

Reviewed by Sharon Ervin          
e-mail:  skervi01@morehead-st.edu
 
This is a really good website which correlates with textbooks published by Houghton-Mifflin.  This is good because it has links to correlations for your particular state. Topics for the state of Kentucky are:  Kentucky Core Content, NCTM Standards for 2000, Terra Nova objectives and subskills, teacher’s place, student’s place, parent’s place and state resources to name a few.
 
It provides teacher resources, lesson ideas, suggestions for developing ideas, “tips and tricks” and suggestions for when students ask specific questions.  It also provides a section for students which include Test Prep, Test Quest, and Brain Teasers.  Each of these provides practice in specific skills taught in each chapter and lesson in the text.   There is also a section for parents, in this section the parents can view the same type of information which is presented in the student’s section along with information for the parent. 
 
I really like this website.  I have used it with some of my students.  I have even used it with some of my classes for which I used a different text.  The concepts practiced can be used even if you are not using their text.
 
 
Brains Rule
http://www.brainsrule.com/
Reviewed by Belinda Gibson
Email: bmgent@tgtel.com
 
This is a website created at the University of Nebraska Omaha which provides a user friendly venue for studying all aspects of the human brain.  On this fascinating website kids of any age will enjoy exploring the various aspects of the brain and its inner working.  These are direct teaching areas as well as a section of games that explore the scientific make up and functioning of the brain through colorful, engaging animated tutorials.  The concepts presented on this site are geared toward students however; it does not sacrifice the true scientific nature of the brain.  This site also offers a section on brain scientists and researchers.  Students can read biographies and contact these scientists with questions
 
As a guidance counselor, I was very interested in this site because of my own interest in the brain. I was interested as well by the possibilities it offers as a teaching tool.  This website will be very useful in science classrooms.  It offers much more than a textbook could ever offer.  The contact possibilities offer and excellent real world aspect to the site.  Because of the format and graphics and ease of navigation it will be a very effective site for use by visual and kinesthetic learners.
 
Kathy Schrock
Discovery for Educators
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/
Reviewed by Belinda Gibson
Email: bmgent@tgtel.com
 
This is a website designed to serve as an educational tool for teachers and parents by Kathy Schrock.  Teachers can find lesson plans, teaching tools and activities on numerous content areas.  There are also activity tools which can be used to individualize unique games and puzzles for any subject matter being taught.  There are also great research links which help parents and teachers find information on other sites.
 
I think this site will be a great resource for busy teachers who want to maintain the curiosity of their students without having to spend hours searching the web for interesting and intriguing activities.  While exploring this site, I found some of the most wonderful mazes I have ever seen.  Theses mazes can be downloaded and printed for use in the classroom.  There are difficult and require much attention.  There were several genres, enough to accent any lesson.  There was also a puzzle maker that was great.  Words from any lesson or topic can be used to create easy or challenging puzzles.  I look forward to using this website in planning lessons for my own classes.
 
Teen Health
http://www.teenshealth.org
Reviewed by Belinda Gibson
Email: bmgent@tgtel.com
 
Teen Health is a website designed to help teenagers learn about most all aspects of their lives.  We all know that teenagers are very reluctant to discuss changes in their bodies, social problems and issues of acceptance among peers.  This website provides a non-threatening arena of exploration for all teenagers.  There are numerous articles on most any subject pertaining to teenagers.  Each of these articles has been reviewed by a doctor.  Teens can also submit questions of their own to doctors who will provide answers and information for further research.  Another important feature of this site is a peer relations section where teens can go for advice on dealing with an extremely broad range of topics.
 
As a mother of three teenagers, I know all too well that teens are reluctant when it comes to issues of physical change, sexual maturity and relationships with friends.  This site provides a great starting place for teens to go to for information.  Some topic inquiries will be fulfilled on the site while acting as a springboard for others.  I look forward to sharing this website with my kids and offering them the opportunity to explore areas that interest them.
 
 
  Weather Dude
www.wxdude.com/basics,html
Debbie Gray
dgray@fleming.k12.ky.us
djgray01@morehead-st.edu
Nick Walker designed the site for teacher and educator use. It appears like new information is added or upgraded when necessary.
 
This site is a wonderful recourse for teachers who want to teach the basics of weather. The site was designed for elementary teachers but the information the site covers can easily be used in middle school as well. The site covers all aspects of weather, from the study of meteorology and the atmosphere to lightening, thunder, clouds and even optical effects the atmosphere can fool you with.  The site also has songs that go along with each unit that can be downloaded to use in the classroom. Each section of text provided links for student exploration. Pictures and video clips of weather in action help the student visually understand the dangers our weather can bring.
 
I picked this site because it provides teacher resources like activity sheets, lab activities and on going student activities, home activities and also sing-along music to help students remember concepts. The site is easy to manipulate by the student and would take little or no help from the teacher. The site covers every part of weather that the student needs to learn. I plan to use this site with my eighth grade students.
 
 
Learning Module on Ozone Depletion
www.met.sjsu.edu/~cordero/ozone
Debbie Gray
dgray@fleming.k12.ky.us
djgray01@morehead-st.edu
This site was designed to clear up misconceptions that the ozone layer is being destroyed over the continent of Australia. This site first explains its purpose and how the Australian students are taught each year in school that the most important issue to all Australians is environmental issues. There is a very high rate of skin cancer in Australia. 
 
This site is very student oriented and is set up in modules. The student views the information provided in each module before going on to the next. Slide shows are provided with each module so that the information could be presented or viewed individually or as a whole group. Each module has links for “background” information, “learning diagrams” and then “learning activities.” The site is up to date and gives other references if the student wants to find out more. The site not only explains about the ozone but also skin cancer and the major part our sun plays in both.
 
I like this site because it provides power point slid shows that can be used for the entire class. It also provides pre and post quizzes and student activities with each section of discussion. The site also provides a link to the university where students can ask questions if they don’t understand something or wish to investigate farther into a subject.
 
Periodic Table of Elements
www.periodic-table.com/
Debbie Gray
dgray@fleming.k12.ky.us
djgray01@morehead-st.edu
This site will help students learn basic information about the elements of the periodic table.
 
The first page of this site displays the periodic table in full color (color coded) according to its family. The student can click on the element of their choice to find the basic information like: atomic number, atomic weight, boiling point, melting point, and density of the element. Then if they need more information they can click on “analytical periodic table.” This gives them information like: the storage of the element, chemical compatibility, and stability of the element. There is also much more information on each element and several links if the student wanted to explore further.
 
I like this site because it is easy to get around in. It is simple and to the point. The lower level students as well as the gifted students could use this site. The site also offers an “Expert Advise” link where you can ask direct questions to Dr. Paul Gains; the periodic table expert. The site is color coded so that visual learners can easily decide which family the element they choose would react or combine with.
 
 
 
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
http://www.aafcs.org
Reviewed by: Mary Gullett
E-mail: msgull01@morehead-st.edu
 
For Family & Consumer Science teachers, this site is a must! This site is the American Association of Family & Consumer Science. The site offers FCS National Standards, Multimedia sites with ordering information, FCS text and teaching aids, organizational sites (i.e. Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America), media sites, and commercial sites that include puzzles, games, and other resources. When a person enters this site, they can choose their topic through a topic index (i.e. child abuse) as well as going to government and other educational sites. The AAFCS website offers professional development opportunities, as well as news telling what’s going on in the world of Family & Consumer Science.
 
Being a teacher in the Family & Consumer Science profession, this site is the cornerstone to our curriculum! Vocational education has long been overlooked by other professions; however, vocational professionals come together and create their own website to help their fellow professionals succeed.
 
 
 
RubiStar
http://www.rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=NewRubric&module=Rubistar&
Reviewed by: Mary Gullett
E-mail: msgull01@morehead-st.edu
 
I discovered this website three years ago when I found myself continually needing various rubrics. RubiStar allows a teacher to grade oral projects, products, multimedia, science, research & writing, work skills, math, art, music, and reading. Under the titles (previously given) a teacher can choose to customize a project into a rubric. When customizing, a teacher must give their salutation, name (first & last), rubric project name, and zip code. The program also asks the creator if they wish for their rubric to be temporary or permanent. The creator can also fine tune specific categories (i.e. Writing-organization, pictures and/or graphics).
 
I chose this site due to the extreme demand upon myself for having five preps. I continually found myself sitting down and struggling to create numerous rubrics for each class. I felt that I spent more time creating a rubric vs. grading the projects. Now the problem is solved—RubiStar!
 
 
 
Resources for Vocational Family Consumer Science Secondary Lesson Plans
http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?keywords=vocational+family+%26+consumer+science&grade=9-12&x=27&y=8
Reviewed by: Mary Gullett
E-mail: msgull01@morehead-st.edu
 
While reviewing this website, I realized that I could become a member: bronze, silver, gold. To become a bronze member there is not a fee, however, to become a silver or gold member there is a fee. The bronze website offers access to three thousand lesson plans, the Lesson Planet newsletter, and a fifteen day trial to Teacher Web Tools. The contents of the curriculum include narratives, lesson plans, and resources for teachers, notes, Students’ Annotated Bibliography, and a Teachers’ Annotated Bibliography. When reviewing the lesson plan, you receive an overview and outline of the lesson.
 
I chose this site because it allows the teacher to visualize more than just the lesson plans. While using this program, the teacher also has questions, vocabulary, and homework attached that are based upon the lesson information. There is also more than one lesson pertaining to the topic given.
 
 
Bat Conservation International
http://www.batcon.org/
Reviewed by Terry Hutchinson
Email:  tehutc01@morehead-st.edu
 
BCI was established in 1982.  It is based in Austin Texas and devoted to conservation, education and research in bats and their ecosystems.  This web sit provides factual information and links to fun and informative sites on bats.   There are links to the Metro Washington Park Zoo’s bat exhibit, a general information page, and regional bat information, and detailed species information, resources for teachers, conferences and workshops.  A bat colony cam refreshes images every 30-60 seconds on a colony of flying fox bats.  Background information is provided along with sounds.  Anything you wanted to know about bats can be accessed at this web site and even research papers and public health information.   
 
The BCI mission is to teach people the value of bats, to protect and conserve critical bat habitats and to advance scientific knowledge through research.  This web site accomplishes this with vivid pictures and interesting activities.  My fascination with bats began when I found a baby bat on my back porch.  They are often misunderstood, but they are actually beautiful and beneficial to people.
 
 
The Busy Teacher’s Web Site
http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/BusyT/
Reviewed by Terry Hutchinson
Email: tehutc01@morehead-st.edu
 
This site includes topic ranging from Archaeology and Physics to Recess and Guidance Counseling.  Carolyn Cole, a teacher at Georgia Institute of Technology, began this web site as a way to access a variety of educational information from one web site.  It not only includes the core content areas but electives and a teacher’s reference section.  The web site includes student and teacher’s generated activities and projects.   Lesson plans are provided with links to background information.  Lesson plans are identified with grade level (E,M,H).  The lesson plans are easily modified to the teacher own individual needs.   This web sit is not just for teachers.  It also contains information on careers and family projects like using digital cameras.
 
 According to the welcome page it is“ designed to provide teachers with direct source materials, lesson plans, classroom activities with a minimum of site-to-site linking.” This is an accurate description.  It provides background information and even a place to buy materials such as mineral samples.  The variety of topics makes it beneficial for teachers of all levels and non-educators alike.  
 
 
Quest-NASA Interactive
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/
Reviewed by Terry Hutchinson
Email: tehutc01@morehead-st.edu
 
This contains six interactive NASA options for school-age students. In Future Flight Begins students design an aircraft of the future. What’s the Difference is interactive software that makes side-by-side-comparison.  In Personal Satellite Assistant students learn about the laws of motion, microgravity and more.  Virtual Skies explores the exciting worlds of aviation technology and air traffic management.  Astro-Venture is a search for and designs a habitable planet.  Robin Whirlybird students learn about rotorcraft research and design. Projects include Live from Mars, in which students travel (virtually) along with two NASA spacecraft currently exploring the planet Mars. Also Here Today Gone to Mars challenge students to use a mission on earth as an analogy to design plans for fieldwork on Mars.
 
Quest-NASA Interactive contains vivid pictures and interactive options for different age levels.  The projects are divided into K-4, 5-8 or 9-12.  The web site also provides quick links to space, aerospace, astro-biology and women of NASA.  Like all other NASA web sites this is full of up-to-date pictures, information and links to other NASA sites.  This is a great site for teachers of astronomy of all ages.
 
Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/
This web site was designed by GPO Access, a free on-line service of official government information.
Reviewed by Misty Little
E-mail: milittle@floyd.k12.ky.us
 
On this official government website site, Benjamin Franklin guides students and educators throughout the often complicated structure known as the government of the United States.  Information about the government is divided into different levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) to fit the needs of your classroom.  Within each grade level, you can explore such items as historical documents, branches of government, how laws are made, symbols of the U.S government, and much more.  There is even a glossary where students can look up words they are unfamiliar with.  In addition to the web-site, teachers can download or purchase Ben’s Activity Book to use in conjunction with the wealth of information already provided.
 
Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government is ideal for social studies teachers in the state of Kentucky.  It fits perfectly with the government and civics strand of instruction for Core Content and Program of Studies.  The web site is worded in a manner that is easy for students to understand and comprehend. 
 
 
EduHound Everything for Educators K-12
http://www.eduhound.com/
Reviewed by Misty Little
Email: milittle@floyd.k12.ky.us
 
EduHound contains a vast array of resources for any teacher from kindergarten to twelfth grade.  This web site actually does fit ALL teachers, including guidance counselors, related arts teachers, and special education teachers.  The resources are neatly organized into different categories.  Each category is filled with useful educational resources you can really use in the classroom.  Some of the categories include lesson plans, worksheets, back-to-school, standards & assessments, and teacher resources.  In addition, you can take your class on virtual tours, let them participate in WebQuests, and visit museums.
 
If you want to find a place with an abundant supply of educational resources all in one website, this is the place for you!  Before I found EduHound, I would have to surf several websites to get the same information available on this site.  Also, the lesson plans available on this web site are ones that real teachers would use.  I’ve been to several educational web sites were the lesson plans weren’t very realistic for a real classroom.
 
 
National Education Association (NEA) Classroom Management
http://www.nea.org/classmanagement/archive.html
Reviewed by Misty Little
E-mail: milittle@floyd.k12.ky.us
 
The National Education Association (NEA) developed this web site to help new and experienced teachers alike with classroom management.  The site contains many links from management experts and teachers who found success with various strategies in their classroom.  Some of the different topics to be explored are room arrangement, planning for your first day of school, the power of written praise, how to cope with the demands of teaching today, rules are back in style, and much more.  There are over one hundred tips to help you manage your classroom.
 
How many times have you tried a management tactic form an “expert” who never stepped in a classroom only to watch it fail?  If you have, this web site is a refreshing breath of air.  It contains a bounty of management tips from real teachers who actually tried using them in their classroom and found success.  If you are a new teacher or experienced teacher this web-site is a must visit. 
 
 
New York Philharmonic Website for Children
www.nyphilkids.org
Reviewed by Jay Matheney
Email: jmmath01@morehead-st.edu
 
This website is maintained and regulated by the front offices for the New York Philharmonic.  The site consists of educational information about orchestral instruments, musical periods, composers, musicians and much more.  There are all sorts of different rooms in the virtual ‘Carnegie Hall’ that contain illustrations, audio and video recordings about all the above information.  The format is easy to use, all one needs to do everything on this site is simply point and click with a mouse.  This site is great for all ages, students or teachers.  It covers all aspects of orchestral music in an easy to use format that is very informative and fun.
 
I picked this site because I am a music education major and the New York Philharmonic is one of the world’s premiere orchestras.  I was amazed the amount of detail and fun ways to showcase elements of orchestral music.  The site is fantastic and is accessible to anyone. Whether you’re a musician or you can only play the radio, there is something to learn and fun things to do.
 
 
Play Music!
www.playmusic.org
Reviewed by Jay Matheney
Email: jmmath01@morehead-st.edu
 
This site was built and maintained by the American Symphony Orchestra League, which was founded in 1942.  This site is similar to the New York Philharmonic’s Kid Zone and is actually linked to it.  The site is an easy format consisting of just a simple point and click system with a mouse.  The site answers a lot of simple questions that children, or adults might have about music: how it’s made; interviews with musicians and composers; the instruments and their families; how to behave at a concert; etc.  All of these questions or concepts are in an easy to use, colorful format that is really well done.
 
I picked this site because it was linked to www.nyphilkids.com.  I see now where they get a great deal of their information and some of the information links are interconnected.  There really is a great deal of information to be attained through this website and it is presented really well.  I will be using this site in my classroom.
 
 
Morton Subotnick’s Creating Music
www.creatingmusic.com
Reviewed by Jay Matheney
Email: jmmath01@morehead-st.edu
 
This site is the property of Morton Subotnick, who also has CD Rom titles that consist of similar information.  This site is really interesting because it devotes more to the user creating music at a very, very basic level instead of just learning ‘about’ it.  The games and activities on this page are works of genius.  They do not necessarily deal with notation, because this page is for approximately K-5 grade levels.  It is a way for children to get a concept of how the sounds work and how to create them.  The format is simple, just point and click.  These activities are presented with instructions that are easy to interpret and apply.
 
This site is fantastic.  I have played around with just about everything on it and am truly impressed.  As a person who writes and arranges music, extensive theory knowledge and capability is a necessary thing.  This site begins the child with concepts that will translate into everything they learn as a beginning musician or music lover.  I will definitely incorporate this site in my classroom and try to utilize the software as well.
 
 
 
 
 
The Career Key
www.careerkey.org/english/
Reviewed by David A. Osborne
Email: dshosborne@bellsouth.net
 
The site will allow anyone to take a professional career test. The test will measure ones skills, abilities, values, interests, and personality. In the first section, one identifies which, of 42 jobs, is of interest to him or her. In section two, one is posed with six statements, one then must answer true, mostly true, or not true. Section three deals with questions pertaining to abilities. In section four, one will answer questions as to how one sees oneself. Section five lists questions dealing with ones values. After each section is completed, one will receive their results in the form of a Holland code.
 
As a teacher of Pathways to Careers, this site is an excellent resource for what I am trying to accomplish in class. After the students are finished completing the career key test, I will then have a list of jobs, specific to each student that we can explore together in class.
 
 
Keirsey Temperament Sorter II
www.keirsey.com
Reviewed by David A. Osborne
Email: dshosborne@bellsouth.net
 
This site will allow the user to complete a personality inventory. The sorter consists of 70 questions, each with two responses per question, dealing with personality. After completing the inventory, you will be categorized by your personality. The sorter breaks personality into four types of temperaments: artisans (they value freedom and spontaneity), guardians (they value belonging to a group or community), idealists (they value personal growth, authenticity, and integrity), and rationals (they value competence and intelligence). The results of the sorter will yield a personality type, and this personality type will direct one to jobs that will fit ones personality.
 
As an educator in career exploration, this site will definitely allow my career education students an opportunity to explore jobs that correlate with their personality. After completing the sorter, each student will be presented with a personality type that is related to several jobs. The students may then begin to explore those jobs to see which one is suited best for them.
 
 
Human Metrics
www.humanmetrics.com
Reviewed by David A. Osborne
Email: dshosborne@bellsouth.net
 
This site will allow one to take the Jung Typology Test, which deals with personality. The test works on the premise that all people can be classified using four criteria: extroversion-introversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling, and judging perceiving. The different combinations of the criteria forms a personality type, according to Jung’s test, there are sixteen types. Through the Jung Typology Test, one can learn their type formula, strength of preferences, and type description. It could help one determine the type of lifestyle they are best suited for, and could lead one toward an occupation for which their personality is best suited.
 
As a counselor or career education teacher, this site will allow my students yet another look into their personality. This test will provide my students with a description of their personality and will provide a list of celebrities of which they share the same personality type. This alone will draw my student’s interests.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
http://www.teachers.net/index.html
 Terri  VanCleve tmvanc01@moreheadstate.edu
The sources for most of the content on Teachers.net are teachers.  
 
This site offers many different options to help educators as much as possible. It has an active chat room where teachers can go to discuss problems or ideas.  The web site also offers lesson plans to meet most teacher’s needs.  It also provides links for different projects.  The website also offers a free monthly column by Harry and Rosemary Wong. 

I picked this website because I have had the opportunity to use it in the past and have found it very helpful.  This site allows educators to speak with other educators and get real feedback.  Teachers.net is very easy to navigate and always offers new material. 


 
http://www.edhelper.com/
Terri VanCleve tmvanc01@moreheadstate.edu
The sources for most of the content on Teachers.net are teachers
 
This website offers a wide variety of materials that are very useful to anyone working with children.  You are able to view a lot of the materials without being a member but you can join the website and get full access to all that it provides. The website offers ideas for themed ideas as well as individual lesson plans.  It also offers puzzles that you can make to enhance your lesson.  You can receive the newsletter free through your e-mail address. 
 
I chose this website because it offers many different resources for a classroom.  I am able to go there and attain ideas for lessons that I would like to teach.  I also love the puzzle maker.  The puzzle maker is a fun, educational way to reinforce concepts that have already been taught.  


http://www.worksheets4teachers.com/generators.php
Terri VanCleve tmvanc01@moreheadstate.edu
 
Worksheets 4 Teachers provides a unique way of making different types worksheets. This web site allows you to pick from several types of handouts as well as numerous subject areas.  You are able to incorporate all subject areas as needed.  This allows you to customize your worksheets to fit the topic you are discussing.  
 
I like this website because I can take the materials I am using and incorporate it with different types of worksheets.  As an educator you are always looking for different ways to reinforce the concepts being taught and this web site provides that opportunity. You do not want to rely solely on worksheets, but having supplemental materials are always a plus in the classroom.  


 
ZOOM by kids, for kids
http://pbskids.org/zoom/
Reviewed by Brittany Wilson
Email: brittanykw@hotmail.com
 
This website is created by PBS Kids and is created to go along with the PBS television show “ZOOM.”  The website not only goes along with the T.V. show but it also provides science experiments and other fun activities children can do.  It has an area dedicated to children volunteering. It also has a message board where the children can write in and tell why they enjoy volunteering and everyone can view that information.  There’s also a section for teachers and parents to check out and print off worksheets and other fun things for students.  The website’s activities range from engineering activities to human senses to arts and crafts, to recipes. 
 
I chose this website because it’s for kids, by kids.  The website allows kids to submit their own work and display it for everyone to see.  The students can also get ideas on projects by looking at the other kids’ work.  I also really liked the volunteer section of the website which shows kids all kinds of activities they can help with. 
 
Great Websites for Kids
http://www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm?section=greatwebsites&template=/cfapps/gws/default.cfm
Reviewed by Brittany Wilson           
Email: brittanykw@hotmail.com
 
The American Library Association created this website for teachers and parents.  This site allows you to view all kinds of different websites that are suitable for children.  It first breaks the websites into subjects, then into categories and age groups.  Also, when you use the search tool you can search for an intended audience.  The website also offers a “Website of the Month” that can be useful during holiday seasons.  This site also allows you to view the committee for the website search and allows you to suggest a website. 
 
I chose this website because it’s very useful for all teachers because it has the various age groups’ websites.  Also because there is an assortment of websites to choose from and they’ve been reviewed by a committee.  The site also has a “Reference Desk” which offers other links and library links.
 
NGA Kids
http://www.nga.gov/kids/
Reviewed by Brittany Wilson           
Email: brittanykw@hotmail.com
 
This is the National Gallery of Art for kids website.  It allows students to review different forms of artwork and play with different games.  This website also allows children to experiment with paint, but online and create their own works of art.  The website also gives examples of art projects the children can do themselves.  The art is both fun and educational for the kids.  This website is for elementary school students but It is very fun for everyone. 
 
I chose this website because it was very different than other websites.  This site is dedicated to art and allows children to explore art in ways they couldn’t do by just looking at a book.  This site has created a fun new way to look at art for children.