Links to Recommended Sites

Primary | Secondary | Homework & Research | Parent/Supervisor Support

Bill Siddells and the staff of TCS Library regularly provide URL's of sites they recommend as suitable for a wide range of topics.   They have spent time researching these sites to ensure they are suitable.  We trust you will find these links helpful and informative.

If you would like to subscribe to the Library mailout of useful sites  
email bill.siddells@correspondence.school.nz and TCS Library will
email you outlining the service [must have email address].

Primary

 Click on the 'Resources' link to select from over 40 free games for use with Infant School children. Suitable for both home and school use, each game is listed with the corresponding learning objective, mostly Numeracy and Literacy. You will need to download the free Flash Player plug-in to play these games'.

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/toftwood/

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A (US) list of primary, fun online maths and logic games:

http://www.theschooldaily.com/articleView.asp?articlePK=9274


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This is a web-based NZ childrens' book discussion site (years 1-8) '

"UNITEC in schools book backchat programme about to get underway for term 1"

The books for this term are (see for more details
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/bookchat/current.html) -
"Walters planet" by Richard and Pamela Wolf
"The Riddle of the Frozen Phantom" by Margaret Mahy
"Stone Soup" by Tony Bonning
"Owl" by Joanne Orwin
"Jessica Haggerthwaite ; Witch Dispatcher" by Emma Barnes

Details are at

http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/bookchat/home.html
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* "Enchanted Learning produces children's educational web sites and games which are designed to capture the imagination while maximizing creativity, learning, and enjoyment.

Ease of use is a hallmark of our software. Children need the clearest, simplest computer interface, and our material is created so that the navigation and controls are intuitive. Our mission is to produce the best educational material, emphasizing creativity and the pure enjoyment of learning".

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
(See attached file: Home[1].html)

Go to the Site Map for a clear outline of its scope -

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/siteindex.shtml

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* KidsOnline Magazine

Most children's sites feature articles written by adults, and it shows.
But KidsOnline Magazine gives the young ones the floor.

From movie reviews and fashion advice to off-the-wall flights of fancy, the
site includes the online fridge, featuring reader works of art.

Link: www.kidsonlinemagazine.com/index.html

 

US Homework sites. Some - eg. High school hub - will repay some study

http://www.forbes.com/bow/b2c/category.jhtml?id=219

 

While the Correspondence School Library doesn't yet have it's own pages on the
School's web site, you might find these Australian School Library sites
valuable.

Most will be for secondary schools, but some - for instance, the first site
- has both junior and senior libraries with a range of net-based tools to
support students of those ages.


http://www.fahan.tas.edu.au/libraries/libraries.html
http://www.stpaulswgl.vic.edu.au/library/index.html
http://www.kormilda.nt.edu.au/KICPages/KICIndex.htm
http://sanclemente.mn.catholic.edu.au/library/library.htm
http://www.waverley.nsw.edu.au/Library/index.htm
http://www.neutralbay-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/library/contents.htm
http://www.glennie.qld.edu.au/irc/index.htm
http://www.plc.vic.edu.au/Library/Library.htm
http://www.santamaria.wa.edu.au/rod/library.html
http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/academic/library/
http://www.uq.net.au/~zzemills/
http://www.sac.nsw.edu.au/library_resource_centre.htm
http://www.trinity.intime-online.net/about/welcome.htm
http://www.dicksonc.act.edu.au/Library/library.html
http://www.lyndale.vic.edu.au/resource_centre/default.htm
http://www.lasalle.wa.edu.au/departments/library/library.htm


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*Extracts from 'Overcoming underachievement: a simple plan to boost your
kids' grades and end the homework hassles' -

http://www.msnbc.com/news/657085.asp?pne=msn

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* There are lots of encyclopedias on line suitable for primary through to
senior secondary.

Britannica is one of the better known ones, though after a 14 day free use
period there's a US$7.50pm/$50pa charge - see
http://www.britannica.com/

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* Microsoft's Encarta is also well known, and pitched at a slightly lower
level

http://encarta.msn.com/
http://encarta.msn.com/column/whatdidyoulearnmain.asp
But there's also lots of others, mostly free - check for details at -
http://askeric.org/plweb-cgi/fastweb?getdoc+listservs+LM_NET+2118+2+wAAA+siddells

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* This US site is recommended by EducationGuardian.co.uk -

"A brilliant children's site with filtered content appropriate for ages
7-11. A directory of thousands of links makes this an excellent way of
introducing your class to searching the web. Includes a very useful
teachers guide. ..."

http://www.yahooligans.com/

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* "One of the web's great strengths is its ability to create simulations,
puzzles, and games. We've assembled a collection of stumpers that will
challenge the thinking and reasoning skills of students of all ages. Our
Mind Stretchers page contains lots of sites that can help build logic
and higher order thinking skills while keeping students engaged. Try one
of these if you have a student who needs an extra challenge..."

NB: The Grades are US Grades - to identify the appropriate age, add '6' to
the number e.g. grade 6 = 12 years old; grade 12 = 18 years old

http://www.teachersfirst.com/mind_stretchers.shtml

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*Netguide NZ March 2002 pages 36 - 46 -

101 great reference & homework sites - may interest.  Copy available from Library.  It's not yet on Netguide's web site http://www.netguide.co.nz,/ but could turn up in a month or two.

Covers -
# 'General Help'
# All curriculum areas at most levels
# 'Resources for parents and teachers'
# NZ sites
 

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*The Wellington Library

The Library's just installed a new catalogue. It's also upgraded its web site - http://www.wcl.govt.nz/

So I thought this might be a good time to draw curriculum-relevant aspects
of them to your attention -

1. Catalogue - 'a new library system with wonderful functionality meaning
you can do your own reserves so much more easily, find out what you have on loan and even check the catalogue in Te Reo or Samoan' - (http://www.wcl.govt.nz/ and
hover your cursor over 'Catalogue Search' to see what's offered).

The catalogue also offers Subject or Pathfinders Guides to a variety
of difficult-to-find subjects -
http://www.wcl.govt.nz/pathfinders/index.html

2. New kids catalogue - 'Check out the new Kids Catalogue, which is our new
database especially for kids. You can find lots of information about many different topics in "ExploreIt" or "FindIt", or get hints for great books in "Best Stories".
Want to type in your own search? It's easy, there's even a spell checker' -
 http://www.wcl.govt.nz/kids/index.html.
Includes reviews, useful links (including 'Abiator's   Active   Classroom'
http://www.berghuis.co.nz/abiator/index.html, a NZ curriculum site new to me) , homework help

3. New Teens area - http://www.wcl.govt.nz/teens/ - including hot topics,
reviews, study links (maths, science and general study guides at the moment; more to come)

4. E-City - finally, a reminder of E-City http://www.e-city.co.nz/ - not a
new service, but a massive collection of information, search engines and databases from eg. World Magazine Bank, Electric Library, Australisia, Gale Biography, and Groveart. Accessible only to WCC Library card holders, or on payment of a $20 pa fee.
 

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* ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology (ERIC/IT)

http://www.ericit.org/weblinks/weblinks.shtml

Hosted by the Information Institute at Syracuse University, has released a new
publication on Internet resources for children. This site provides links to some of the best educational resources available online and describes over 50 high quality, (mostly) annotated Internet resources for children in grades K-8. Categories include art, current events, health, history, literature, math, science, and more.

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* Becoming WebWise
http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/learn/index.shtml

Sponsored by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Becoming Webwise is an online course for the novice Internet user that wants to learn at his/her own pace. The course consists of eight sections that take users through the Internet basics in a simple and easy-to-follow format. Becoming WebWise covers topics such as getting connected, emailing, searching, bookmarking, creating address books, and the basic fundamentals of building a Web page. Users will also learn about technological developments like
Digital TV, WAP phones, legal online rights, the history of the Net, as well as other ways of accessing the Internet. The course is estimated to take up to ten hours to complete, and users are able to return to any of the sections as often as they choose.
 

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* 'Research the net like a pro' -

This short to-the-point piece is quite useful and may interest?


http://www.bcentral.com/articles/enbysk/144.asp?cobrand=msn

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* A one page list of links (including  some for adults advising on suitable
childrens' search engines) from the journal 'Teacher Librarian' -

http://www.teacherlibrarian.com/pages/28_4_web_clyde.html

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* Library Links

Wellington Public Library - Secondary students might be interested in
Wellington Public Libraries' E-city service at
http://www.e-city.co.nz/index.html, 'a massive collection of information,
search engines and databases...'.

For example, the Ebsco file gives access to 4, 500 journals, 3,000 full
text; and the Electric Library Australasia file provides access to NZ and
Australian papers as well as 'extensive photographs file, full-text books,
journals, maps and radio/television transcripts'

There's one small catch if you're outside Wellington - there's a $20 annual
sub (see http://www.wcl.govt.nz/e-city/regform.html ).

Auckland Public Library - check 'Kids' Pages' and 'Teen Bytes' at
http://www.akcity.govt.nz/library/tools/site_map.html

Hamilton Public Library - try their 'Knowledge Map'  or 'Search
engines'... at http://www.hpl.govt.nz/

Christchurch Public Library - at http://library.christchurch.org.nz/
check out 'Search ... databases'  for their 'Internet gateway'; 'Internet'
- offers gateways, and search tools; and 'Kids stuff' for material targeted
at both children and adults

Dunedin Public Library -
http://www.cityofdunedin.co.nz/city/?page=sites_dpl . Try their useful
'Internet seaching' pages
 

National Library - Te Puna Web Directory - a directory listing of New
Zealand and Pacific Island websites maintained by the National
Library of New Zealand. A great starting point for information on New
Zealand organisations, schools, tertiary institutions and businesses. You
can
browse by subject category or search by keyword.
http://tepuna.natlib.govt.nz/web_directory/
 

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* BRAIN FOOD FIRSTGOV FOR KIDS   http://www.kids.gov/

In a world where kids' sites are dominated by edutainment, FirstGov for
Kids is refreshingly educational. A portal to kid-tailored government and
other sites, including the perennially fascinating ones of the FBI, CIA and
White House, FirstGov for Kids also links to the Smithsonian Institution,
NASA space photos and special collections at the Library of Congress
(including rough drafts of the Declaration of Independence). And there's
lots of information for kids and parents on how to protect kids' privacy
online. Not for nerds only.
 

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* "Smart parenting" - articles on various aspects which may be useful (though it's US in origin so not all will apply)

http://encarta.msn.com/parents/features/SmartParenting.asp
 
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* With Internet Safety being in the news again e.g. -
http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,3882-1098941,00.html

.... detailed at -
http://www.netsafe.org.nz/ie/research/research_netgeneration.asp

.... now may be a useful time to refresh memories from the Internet Safety
Group -
http://www.netsafe.org.nz/ie/home/index.asp

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'This week, in a New Zealand first, schools are being offered safe
Internet connections that will block pornography, hate sites and
harmful web material in a self-funded programme promoted by
Napier- based Global Knowledge Solutions Ltd ...'

http://www.theschooldaily.com/articleView.asp?articlePK=10969

and http://www.netconnect.school.nz/ is the company offering the service

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Some of the topics may be of interest

e.g. -
# Early Childhood Education
# Helping Your Child, Internet Guide [for parents]
# Learning Activities
# Reading Improvement

http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/

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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=1040369&thesection=news&
thesubsection=general

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* Keyboarding kids

Never too early to teach good ergonomics, experts say.  Young children naturally fidget, which may actually help protect them from repetitive stress injuries, one expert says. This is an interesting item on ergonomics and Keyboarding Kids.
 

http://www.msnbc.com/news/610811.asp?pne=msn

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* A Free Net-Filter Option

http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,51252,00.html?tw=wn_ascii

The ICRA site is
http://www.rsac.org/
 

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* Parenting journals which, while mainly American, may have material of interest

http://www.ecola.com/news/magazine/home/parents/

 

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