Figure This!

Figure This! demonstrates challenging middle school mathematics and emphasizes the importance of high-quality math education for all students. This site provides interesting mathematical challenges that middle-school students can do at home with their families. Although the site targets middle school students, it can certainly be used with younger students who are strong in math as well as high school students. Its a site that you have to play around with for a few moments to figure out the ins and outs. But after the initial learning curve, its a wonderful resource. Warning! The colors are a waker upper. Funding for the project was provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Education.

English Online Writer's Window

"Practice makes perfect" and Writers' Window provides lots of practice for young writers. Writers' Window is a site for school aged young writers (aged from 5 to 18) to publish their writing. Writer's Window will publish all writing that complies with their guidelines. Categories include short stories, poetry, research papers, plays, and television, book and movie reviews. There are also continuous stories that young writers can add to. And, what better motivation than to see your work showcased on the web? Grades K thru 12

HubbleSite

What's out there, where did it come from, and what does it mean? HubbleSite is the place to keep on the top of the latest findings to these questions about the universe. Although site centers around the Hubble Telescope it provides so much more information about our universe. It is not only informative but the images are spectacular. This is the site of all sites for those interested in astronomy and space. HubbleSite is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute's Office of Public Outreach.

Smithsonian Institutution Online

In 1826, James Smithson, a British scientist, drew up his last will and testament, naming his nephew as beneficiary. Smithson stipulated that, should the nephew die without heirs (as he would in 1835), the estate should go to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. Thanks to Smithson we have this wonderful national resource. Visiting the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. remains as one of the most breathtaking ventures in my lifetime and I have traveled extensively. Today, looking at the wonderful online resources, although not as delightful as being there, is still an exciting and enlightening experience. The website designed for ease in finding resources for everyone with gateways, such as, the student section and frequently asked questions about the Smithsonian with links to resources on subjects from Art to Zoology.

Grades 5 thru 12+

The World's Greatest Places

Pack a lunch, take a seat in front of a computer, and travel abroad to Madagascar, Greenland, Tibet, Namib, Okavanga, Iquazu, or the Amazon. Don't let your budget or time limitations stop you from seeing the the world's greatest locations. The World's Greatest Places enables you to take an online trip to seven of the most geographically diverse places on Earth. At first glance its not a fancy site, but with a few mouse clicks the world opens up to you.

Grades Pre-K thru 12+

AAA Math

Aside from the advertising, which is really pretty light, I really like this site. AAA Math features a comprehensive set of interactive arithmetic lessons. Unlimited practice is available on each topic which allows thorough mastery of the concepts. A wide range of lessons enables learning or review to occur at each individual's current level. Immediate feedback (simply the right answer)prevents practicing and learning incorrect methods, which is a common result of traditional homework and worksheets. Practice can continue as long as desired in a non-threatening format which helps build self-esteem and confidence. This is a really good tool for building a solid math foundation.

Kindergarten thru 8th Grade

HistoryNet.com

You can lose yourself for hours in the wealth of resources at HistoryNet.com. The HistoryNet.com is brought to you by the Weider History Group, the world's largest publisher of history magazines. If you are interested in history you are bound on this website to find something to pique your interest. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 1,200 articles originally published in our various magazines. We generally don't recommend sites that require registration to get to the really good stuff or sites that have a lot of advertising. But this is an instance where the juice is definitely worth the squeeze. Once you register there is so much information and you can get loads of information without purchasing one thing--no pop-ups either. The Daily Quiz alone is worth the minute it takes to register, but the site features history quizzes, news, photos and so much more for those interested in history.