This website was originally designed (after much frustration -- my own and my students) to make Internet research easier for younger students. I found that many 4th through 6th graders have a very difficult time using search engines--even those designed for children ('Yahooligans' and 'Ask Jeeves, For Kids').
Kids are often simply overwhelmed by the large amount of information returned through a web search and confused as to which links to choose. Even after directing students to specific websites to find particular pieces of information, they are often frustrated when they fail to find the information they need (and which I know is contained in the site). This project directs students to each link, with instructions on how to use each related website.
You might find this project to be a good introductory lesson on using the Internet. Students become familiar with 'what's out there' without being overwhelmed by ALL that's out there.
Please don't limit use of this project to younger students. It has been used and enjoyed by middle, high school, and college students.
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">I've learned from using this website with my students that they often fail to read the somewhat detailed introductory instructions found on each research page (before being directed to each outside link). With younger students you might want to demonstrate using the outside links before you send them off on their own. style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">I tell my older students, who are capable of working independently, style="mso-spacerun: yes"> style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Go back and read the instructions”.
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">No evaluation tools are included on the website because I feel that each individual teacher is the best judge of their students' competence.
