Community Bookmarks
9/27/99 -- This is a very plain, bread and butter site -- definitely filling but no eye candy. Please let me know any information or feature you may find helpful or not. I'll look forward to hearing from you . . . cris@writinglife.org
Welcome to our community bookmarks. It is a tangled Web we weave, and so we all appreciate efforts to help with the untangling. You can make a contribution to this effort in three ways:
First, post a personal review [sorry, not quite operational yet] for those sites we've already listed. We hope you find these sites as useful as we do and that you will find some worthy of adding to your own list. Your advice about how you've used these sites could be valuable for others.
Second, while reviewing your personal bookmarks, please consider sending us any that you think we should add here. Again, be sure to include a comment about how you use the site.
And, third, if
you enjoy searching the Web for your own bookmarks, you may consider volunteering to become one of many Web editors for this site. As a Web editor you could keep the community apprised of the latest and greatest websites that you find for a specific area in which you are interested.Since it’s true that the only thing that changes more than the weather is the Web, please let us know when you discover that any of the URLs that we have are not current. Just drop us a note.
Also, we have posted a couple of TechTips that you may find helpful as you work on the Web. Let us know if there are any other TechTips you may have.
Categories of Bookmarks
Just for Kids (and cool adults)
Study/Reference Pages for Students
Writing Competitions, Publishing Opportunities
Languages, Bilingualism, and English as a Second Language
Literature -- Middle and Secondary
Intellectual Property and Copyright Information
Community-based Reading Programs
Directories of School Websites
Just for Kids (and Cool Adults)
Kids' Space
http://www.kids-space.org/index.html
Kids can publish their creative works from many media/genres -- from musical compositions to poetry to artwork. Part of the fun is checking out the totally impressive websites by many of the contributors. It's inspiring!
Ask Jeeves for Kids
Way cool site where kids can ask questions, seek advice, give advice, learn a vocabulary word for the day, and more. There are also links for teachers.
Little Explorer's Picture Dictionary
http://www.LittleExplorers.com/Dictionary.html
Kids can explore the links for each letter of the alphabet to find activities ranging from how to create a computer-generated electronic kaleiscope for kalesicope to all about Queen Alexandra's Birdwing, the largest butterfly in the world (up to a foot wingspan, can you imagine?) This is a commercial site so there will be ads for books and kits.
Yahooligans
http://www.yahooligans.com/School_Bell/Language_Arts/Authors/
This Yahoo for kids site has a Language Arts section filled with wonderful links to poets, authors' websites (including J. K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame), online stories, and much more.
Great Sites
http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/index.html
700 + sites for kids (up to age 14) and the adults who care for them! This is a wonderful contribution to Web resources by the Children and Technology Committee of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.
PBS Ready to Learn
Activities and resources for preschool children and their caregivers.
Teen Hoopla
http://www.ala.org/teenhoopla/main.html
Teen Hoopla offers links to resources for 12-18 year olds and provides special features such as a survey of favorite books, reading tips, website nominations. Sponsored by theYoung Adult Library Services Association, a division of tthe American Library Association.
Connecting Students
http://www.connectingstudents.com/interact.htm#WebquestsThese are interactive sites for students -- everything from stock market simulations to learning to write two-minute mysteries. Lots of projects in all content areas! Teachers will want to check this site out, too!
Online Publishing for KidsCollab-O-Write
http://library.advanced.org/2626/A ThinkQuest winner (site created by pre-collegiate students, in this case, high school students) that publishes students' stories as well as includes an interactive, cumulative story they can add to. This site's unusual feature is that students can also publish illustrations for their stories and write stories for illustrations already posted.
Young Writer On-Line
http://www.mystworld.com/youngwriter/index.html
Young Writer is a magazine that publishes creative writing from children aged 6 to 16 from around the world. Fun, instructive and designed to build a writer's confidence, Young Writer is a forum for young people's writing fiction and nonfiction, prose and poetry.
Yahooligans
http://www.yahooligans.com/School_Bell/Language_Arts/Online_Stories/Yahooligans's listing of sites that publish students' work online.
Global Wave
http://www.cs.bilkent.edu.tr/~david/derya/gwmain.htm
Global Wave is a World-Wide-Web magazine published by The Young Writers Club. Most of the authors are in the 7 to 15 age group, however, all contributions are welcome.
Young People's Press Online
This site accepts opinion pieces, news stories, or features from youth ages 14-24. Read pieces from other teens about music, race, art, and many other issues. Helpful journalism tutorial.
Midlink Magazine
http://longwood.cs.ucf.edu:80/~MidLink/
This electronic magazine was created by kids, for kids in the middle grades -- generally ages 10 to 15. Browse through the interactive space to enjoy art and writing that will link middle school kids all over the world. There are lots of exciting class projects to engage in and opportunities for publishing products on the Web. The students of Ligon Middle School in Raleigh publish this magazine. They make a wonderful contribution to Web! To learn the story of how this outstanding project began, read teacher-founder Caroline McCullen's interview in MIDtech (http:www2.ncsu.edu/midtech).
New Moon
Part of the famous New Moon publishing effort, this is a commercial site dedicated to helping girls find their voice and making their dreams come true. The editors and contributors are girls ages 8 to 14. There is also a New Moon Network for Adults Who Care About Girls online (Valid 8/21/99).
The Diary Project
http://www.diaryproject.com/There are daily questions and prompts for teens to consider. These "diary entries" are a window on what it's like growing up and becoming digital (Valid 8/21/99).
Interactive Stories and Books -- The Electronic Classroom
http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/watch/
Web Watches now posted include a focus on interactive stories and books for young writers.
Writes of Passage: The On-line Source for Teenagers http://www.writes.org/netscape/index.html
Clearly intended for a teen audience, this WWW site will appeal to the growing numbers of 16 - 18 year olds in ABE and GED programs, and maybe to older adults. Includes interviews with professional writers.
Windows on the Writing Life
http://www.bookwire.com/NBF/docs/wwl.html
Designed by The National Book Foundation to provide opportunities for readers to explore -- both in cyberspace and in selected public libraries -- the ways in which the experience of reading informs the act of writing. National Book Award authors participate in this project by speaking at libraries to Reading Circles and others. Transcripts of their presentations in which they discuss their writing as well as the books that changed their lives are then posted on the Web.
PAGE ONE Literacy Newsletter
PAGE ONE is an award-winning newsletter and website for writers and others who appreciate the literary world. News, author interviews, contests, quotes, writing tips plus a lengthy list of links to historical and contemporary authors' sites. Best of all is the rich resource section with lots of links.
Also, see Journalism sites.
Study/Reference Pages for Students
Ask Jeeves for Kids
AJKids uses natural language processing to accommodate plain English Web search queries
such as "Where can I learn about the brain?" The site will come back with a limited list of search
results, all of which have been preapproved as appropriate for children. Teachers will find the site to be a great classroom resource; there's even a teacher's guide with suggestions on how to integrate AJKids into the curriculum.
Citing Electronic Resources
http://library.lib.binghamton.edu/webdocs/citing.html
How to cite electronic resources for a report (or website) plus a cogent article on plagiarism with clear examples.
The One-Stop Study Shop
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/aactchbard/index2.html
Carleen Ibrahim, web mistress, describes her site as a "wonderful hodge-podge of homework and study resources designed to assist the serious-minded student." And she does not understate! An amazing collection of resources! Check out The Literary Life for Mythology, Medieval Life and Literature, Renaissance Life and Literature, 17th Century Literature, Victorian Literature, World Literature, American Literature, Children's Literature, and Write Right. The Children's Literature Site is hosted by Molly, an adorable mouse from the Mousepad Orphanage who finds a wonderful home in Authorville. This is a charming collection of author sites. Also, here is Ibrain's link to more megastudy websites http://hometown.aol.com/aactchbard/index2.html
And her link to the best sites on the Web to help writers write: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/aactchbard/write.htm#links
Ibrahim even offers to help with individual questions and will take suggestions for a monthly topic. This site is a gift to students and teachers everywhere! And it is a feast for the eyes as well as for thought. Thank you, Carleen Ibrahim.
The Internet Public Library
There is a Books and Writing Section for Youth and for Teens (as well as many other sections for content areas and issues and/or topics of interest to students). There is a General Section with subsections include Authors, Books, and Writing Instruction.
KidsConnect
http://www.ala.org/ICONN/AskKC.html
This is a question-answering, help and referral service to K–12 students on the Internet. The goal of the service is to help students access and use the information available on the Internet effectively and efficiently. KidsConnect is a component of ICONnect, a technology initiative of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association. Designed especially for school library media specialists, teachers and students, ICONnect offers anyone the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to navigate the Web.
School library media specialists from throughout the world are collaborating on KidsConnect to provide direct assistance to any student K-12 who is looking for resources for school or personal interests. Through e-mail, students contact the main KidsConnect address and will receive a message from a volunteer library media specialist with assistance within two school days. The ICONnect Task Force is looking for school library media specialists interested in being trained as KidsConnect volunteers, which would provide rich dividends in many ways regardless of your present Web skills.
TelementoringTeach2000
http://www.ncte.teach2000NCTE's TEACH2000 introduces a powerful way for teachers at all levels of the professional continuum to share knowledge and experience. The National Council of Teachers of English will provide a free membership, journal subscription, mentorship support, and online resources to every first-year English language arts teacher at any level—kindergarten through university—during the 1999-2000 school year. Experienced teachers are being recruited as cyber-mentors
visit www.ncte.org/teach 2000 or call 800-369-6283 to answer the call.
TeacherFEST is an online conference for preservice and teachers early in their careers or teachers making changes in their careers. Beginning Thursday, October 21, 1999 through November, there will be special online opportunities to talk online with leading educators and authors and find rich resources in the papers they post on the TeacherFEST site. For more information, visit www.ncte.org/teacherfest, email teacherfest@ncte.org. or call toll-free 800 - 369 -NCTE (6283).
Take Aim and Mentor Match
http://www.womenhelpingwomen.com/Take Aim is a special message, mentoring, and art forum for young women ages 12 - 18. Mentoring is available for personal, career, and life challenges. Efforts to respect privacy are commendable. Mentoring is done on a private message board that only the mentor and protégé can access so emails are not exchanged.
Mentor Match service is available to all adult women using this site. Mentoring is a guided, informed way for women to communicate with one another about career, business, relationship, or health/wellness issues. You could seek mentoring here and/or become a mentor for someone else. Again, no emails are exchanged.
Writing Competitions, Publishing Opportunities
Highwired.Net
http://www.highwired.net/HWN/0,2006,120,00.html
The New York Times Learning Network and Highwired.Net have teamed up to
bring outstanding high school journalists an opportunity to be published on The New York Times Learning Network.
The Concord Review
The Concord Review is a journal which publishes exemplary essays by high school students studying history. Some of the best essays from the printed journal are published on this website. Also, if you are a writer interested in history, TCR encourages submissions and awards several monetary prizes each year.
The Fourth Annual Writers' Corner Contest for Youth 14 - 24
Young People's Press, a national news service for youth, invites young writers to submit original articles of 500-800 words on a variety of topics. A panel of judges made up of professional writers/journalists will pick the winning submissions from each category. Cash prizes will be awarded.
Paul A. Witty Outstanding Literature Award for Student Writing
International Reading Association's Special Interest Group for Gifted and Creative Students
Educators from any IRA affiliate can nominate gifted young writers. Send self-addressed, stamped envelope to Cathy Collins Block, Professor of Education, Texas Christian University, TCU Box 297900, Fort Worth, TX 76129 for guidelines.
Letters About Literature
An essay contest cosponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the Weekly Reader Corporation. The contest invites students from grades 4 - 7 to write to an author describing how the author's book changed their outlook on life. Winners at the national and state levels win cash awards. For guidelines call Weekly Reader at 203-705-3500.
JournalismCRAYON
http://crayon.net/CReAte Your Own Newspaper each day. CRAYON is an interactive newspaper -- a personal one you create. Credited as a harbinger of the newspaper of the future.
CNN's Interactive Learning Resources
http://www.cnnsf.com/cgi-bin/cnn/education/ed.cgiThe CNN WWW site provides up-to-date news stories in full and edited format.
The Write Site
An interactive language arts and journalism project for middle schools.
Highwired.Net
World's largest network of online newspapers! Special offer to schools to publish their own online newspaper free.
Children's Express
This site is for sharing news stories written by kids for everyone.
CNN Newsroom
http://learning.turner.com/courses/enrollment/intro.html
This is a course (either for certificate credit or graduate credit) developed by CNN/Turner Learning. Teachers explore the use of television news programming in the classroom (a daily 30-minute, commercial-free, television program CNN NEWSROOM is provided).
CNN Student Bureau
www.learning.turner.com/sb/index.html
CNN Student Bureau is the official student newsgathering and reporting program for CNN and provides authentic opportunities for students to be published on the CNNSB website, on CNN NEWSROOM and, even occasionally, on the CNN News Group. Participation is open to high schools, colleges, and universities worldwide. Certified CNNSB schools receive print and multimedia materials including CNN student reporter and production style guidelines, curriculum guides, procedures and access to CNN Newsource materials.
North Carolina Scholastic Media Association
The North Carolina Scholastic Media Association (NCSMA) serves scholastic journalism and works for its advancement. Member schools include middle/junior high schools, high schools and a few elementary schools. Special services include a bi-monthly newsletter, a four-day summer institute, fall and spring regional workshops, publication critiques, and yearly contests for individuals and publications. Workshops and/or special programs for schools are also available.
Artondale (WA) Elementary School Online Newspaper
www.peninsula.wednet.edu/Artondale/KidSpeak/index.html
Elementary school online newspaper created by fifth graders. Recognized in the School Library Journal as the July 1999 Website of the Month. Read an interview with their media specialist/advisor at http://www.bookwire.com/slj/site.articles?date=current
WritingNational Writing Project
http://www-gse.berkeley.edu/Research/NWP/nwp.html
The Website of the National Writing Project, this site provides a wealth of information about the Project and rich resources for helping teachers learn how the Web can support learning and writing. A special feature this fall is an online conference with Donald Murray. A real service is the Wealth o' Websites email list that provides a weekly list of Web sites that publish student work online; support web-based projects for cross-classroom collaboration; and provide forums for teachers to document and develop their own work (Valid 8/21/99).
The Celebration of Women Writers
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mmbt/women/writers.html
The Celebration of Women Writers recognizes the contributions of women writers throughout history. The Celebration provides a comprehensive listing of links to biographical and bibliographical information about women writers, and complete published books written by women. A major focus of the Celebration is the development of on-line editions of older, often rare, out-of-copyright works. Volunteers are needed to help type the chapters from books to be published online. Out-of-print books suitable for publishing online are also sought.
Teachers & Writers Collaborative
Teachers & Writers Collaborative, a nonprofit organization, was founded by a group of writers and educators who believed that writers could make a unique contribution to the teaching of writing.
WriteNet
WriteNet's mission is to serve as a valuable resource for writers and teachers interested in teaching imaginative writing. There's a popular listserve on methods for teaching writing to students in grades K - 12.
WriteNet's Featured Writers-in-Residence
http://www.twc.org/forums/fwir_dhollander.html
These writers-in-residence share stories and lesson plans – more like a journal entries -- from their work with students. David Hollander shares "The Imaginary Piano"using music to teach poetry. Fresh, ideas outside of the box.
Writersclub.com
For independent authors – interesting, well-written, of course, articles to "inspire the writers who inspire the world. Interviews with authors; news of online courses for writers. There are moderated, synchronous chats scheduled by genre.
Inkspot's Resources for Young Writers
Especially for young writers, this page includes featured articles slanted toward young writers, links to useful sites, classifieds, marketing info, and more. Adult writers can check out Inkspot's main page.
The Writer's Ring
This is a free virtual community and resource guide for the "literary professional." Special features include workships on various genres in which others critique the posted writing and forums for writerly talk. Free Web sites for members are advertised.
Writers' GroupsCarolina African American Writers Collective
http://www.blackwriters.org/public/CAAWC.html
The Carolina African American Writers Collective is a workshop and readers' group of poets, fiction writers, dramatists, children's writers, graphic artists, publicists, photographers, and editors who meet monthly to read and critique each other's work. They also read and discuss books by other African American authors and share information about the literary scene, publishing and performance opportunities. CAAWC serves as a literary and cultural arts liaison for the North Carolina community.
PoetryFavorite Poem Project
"My dearest hope is that this project will affect the teaching of poetry," writes Robert Pinsky, Poet Laureate of the United States. Though the collection of poems for this cultural archive has ended (April 30, 1999), there are exciting plans to create broad access to the archive through various media, potentially including: a public television documentary; radio broadcasts; an expanded, interactive Web site; and specialized educational products. Check out this site to learn about hosting poetry readings, to find ideas for incorporating The Favorite Poem Project into a learning activity, and to stay abreast of the latest developments in this massive project.
Poetry Sites from NCTE's Notes Plus
http://www.ncte.org/notesplus/web/poetryweb1999aug.html
In this issue of Notes Plus from the National Council of the Teachers of English, teachers list some of their favorite poetry sites of interest to high school students.
Poetry Dr. Seuss Style
http://www.ncte.org/teach/hannah6505.htmlDr. Seuss fans take note: Here's an activity recommended by a high school English teacher who motivate her students to study poetry by using Dr. Seuss's poetry and the real-world purpose of writing such poetry to share with first graders.
The Atlantic Monthly Poetry Pages
http://www.theatlantic.com/atlantic/atlweb/poetry/poetpage.htm
Each month both contemporary and classic poems are featured with an "audio anthology" available of the poets reading their poems. There are also some fascinating print articles including interviews with some of the poets and a discussion group about the poems and poets for readers. Archives of previous pages are available.
The Academy of American Poetry
http://www.poets.org/index.html
Interesting articles and updates on poetry in our culture, i.e., a Millennium Evening at the White House with three poets laureates (with transcript and video); discussion forums, contests, and "Find a Poet" with bio info on poets featured on the site. Currently featuring an instructive and compelling essay, "How to Read a Poem," by Edward Hirsch, http://www.poets.org/LIT/poet/ehirfst2.htm.
Positively Poetry
http://advicom.net/~e-media/kv/poetry1.html
Kelly Vaughn, the young poet and poetry love, who manages this site is on an hiatus (too much homework and too many chores to do) and so no new poetry is currently being accepted. It's still an inspiring site for other poets and poetry lovers to check out with poems from many countries. This young poet-webmaster has made an admirable contribution.
Young People's Poetry Week
A new annual event sponsored by The Children's Book Council to be observed each April. This week-long celebration of poetry for children and young adults will encourage more librarians and educators to include reading and writing poetry in their libraries and classrooms. The CBC will coordinate promotional efforts with the Academy of American Poets, the sponsor of National Poetry Month in April, and the Center for the Book in The Library of Congress.
Virtual Poetry Workshop
http://www.state.nh.us/nhsl/gsl/35-1poetry.html
See how a poetry workshop unfolded online. Teachers & Writers Collaborative featured a workshop led by poet Hoa Nguyen of Austin, Texas. Eight student writers from around the country participated, starting in February of 1999 and lasting through May of 1999. Adapt Hoa's writing exercises for your own students, and learn how to critique student poetry by reading Hoa's responses on the forum page. The workshop will begin again in September 1999.
WriteNet
Interviews with poets-in-residence and Poetry Chats with contemporary poets (8/19/99).
StorytellingStoryNet
http://www.storynet.org/index2.htm
Information about the National Storytelling Festival (Jonesborough, TN), and a print directory of storytellers and storytelling programs.
The Storyteller’s Ring
http://www.tiac.net/users/papajoe/ring.htm
Over 100 websites the world over dedicated to preserving and sharing stories. Particularly compelling is The Moonlit Road with audio clips of featured stories. The Ring includes promotional sites of professional storytellers, organizations, guilds and festivals, and resources.
Early Literacy InstructionReading Matters
http://congress.nw.dc.us/neareaders/
Free e-mail newsletter published by NEA (National Education Association) called Reading Matters, twice monthly, for updates on reading issues and teaching tips.
ERIC's Reading Recovery
http://www.indiana.edu/~eric_rec/ieo/digests/d106.html
This digest discusses elements of the Reading Recovery program, describes a typical reading recovery lesson, addresses issues of the importance of teacher education and teacher role in those lessons, reviews the existing literature in the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) databases regarding the effectiveness of Reading Recovery, and discusses the cost effectiveness of the program. Good introduction to and overview of RR.
The Reading Recovery Council of North America, Inc.
http://www.readingrecovery.org/
The Reading Recovery Council of North America, Inc. is a not-for-profit association of Reading Recovery professionals, advocates, and partners. The Council provides a network of opportunities for leadership and professional development.
4-Blocks Literacy Model
http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/column.html
Cheryl M. Sigmon, author of Implementing the 4-Blocks Literacy Model (Carson Dellosa, 1997) and the co-author (with 4-Blocks creators Pat Cunningham and Dottie Hall) of The Four Blocks Literacy Framework: Teaching All Our Children in Primary Classrooms (Carson Dellosa, Fall 1998), has many articles posted here devoted to the 4 blocks literacy model plus a new weekly column to be published here online. There's also a 4-Block mail ring you can join to submit questions and comments for the column.
ERIC: Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) has a clearinghouse devoted to elementary and early childhood education. Two special links are:
http://ericeece.org/reggio.html
Contains information and resources related to the approach to early childhood
education developed in the preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The Project Approach is a central component (8/19/99).
http://ericeece.org/project.html
The Project Approach, as defined by ERIC, is the approach practiced in early childhood, elementary, and middle level education, that includes an in-depth study of a topic undertaken by a class, a group of children, or an individual child.
Projects designed and implemented by teachers are described in the Project Approach Catalogs.
ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication
http://www.indiana.edu/~eric_rec/
The ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication (ERIC/REC) is dedicated to providing educational materials, services, and coursework to everyone interested in the language arts.
Family Literacy FamiliesConnecthttp://www.ala.org/ICONN/familiesconnect.html
A website created for families to use together. Families may participate in a 5-lesson course on Internet use, find the Top Ten list of family sites, and read an article introducing parents to Information Literacy. This helpful site is another contribution made by the American Library Association's ICONnect Committee.
National Parent Information Network
http://ericps.ed.uiuc.edu/npin/npinhome.html
NPIN is a project sponsored by two ERIC Clearinghouses (Urban Education and Elementary and Early Childhood Education). The purpose of the network is to provide information to parents and those who work with parents and to foster the exchange of parenting material. This site should be of value to practitioners working in the area of family literacy.
The National Center for Family Literacy
The National Center for Family Literacy is a non-profit organization supporting family literacy services for families across the United States through programming, training, research, advocacy and dissemination.
International Reading Association
The International Reading Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving reading instruction and promoting literacy worldwide. Resources for parents include brochures, booklets, books, and four reading lists: Children's Choices, Young Adults' Choices, Teachers' Choices, and More Kids' Favorite Books.
Read Write Now!
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/RWNactivities/Index.html
Read Write Now! Activities for Reading and Writing Fun has been developed by national reading experts for use with children, ages birth to Grade 6. The booklet has three sections, one for activities for infants and preschoolers, the second for children through Grade Two, and the third for older children. It's a free download from the Web.
National Parent Information Network
National Parent Information Network is a project sponsored by two ERIC clearinghouses: the ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City; and the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Full Texts of Parenting-Related Materials are free for downloading:
Helping Children Learn at Home
http://npin.org/respar/texts/home/learnabo.html
Helping Children Learn about Reading
http://npin.org/respar/texts/helping/read/helpread.htm
Helping Your Child Learn to Read
http://npin.org/respar/texts/home/metacog.html
Developing Metacognition
http://ericps.crc.uiuc.edu/eece/pubs/digests/1991/maehr91.html
Encouraging Young Children's Writing
http://npin.org/respar/texts/home/readwell.html
Learning to Read Well: Some Simple Facts
American Library Association
The American Library Association has prepared several special resources for families interested in online learning. These include: FamiliesConnect -- instruction for parents and children about how to use the Internet; The Librarian's Guide to Cyberspace for Parents and Kids -- an introduction to the Internet and tips on how to have a safe online experience; and the Top 10 Internet Sites for Families.
The National Head Start Association
NHSA is a private not-for profit membership organization representing the 750,000 children, 139,000 staff and 2,051 Head Start programs in America. This site provides information on the programs, specifically who is eligible and what are the guidelines. There are also some resources for parents.
MOTHEREAD
Its national office located in Raleigh, North Carolina, MOTHEREAD, Inc. is an internationally recognized private, nonprofit organization that works to help families learn to support children's literacy development. Its mission combines literacy with child development and family empowerment (8/21/99 -- site is under construction).
Adult LiteracyDirectory of National and State Literacy Contacts -- North Carolina
http://novel.nifl.gov:80/NSDirectory/northcarolina.htm
State-level contacts for adult literacy including Literacy Hotline, GED State Office, Refuge/ESOL Education, and many others (note this site last updated in 1997 so some information may be outdated).
North Carolina Literacy Resource Center
http://www.nclrc.state.nc.us/NCLRC/home/
NCLRC fosters networking among organizations concerned with literacy and basic skills education for adults, assists North Carolina's literacy community in providing quality services to adults in the state, and serves as a link between the National Institute for Literacy and the North Carolina literacy community.
National Institute for Literacy
http://novel.nifl.gov/NILC operates at the national level to address areas of concern in adult literacy -- especially building capacity and quality of services by exercising leadership in the policy realm and building a strong research and development agenda.
The National Center on Adult Literacy/The International Literacy Institute
http://www.literacyonline.org/
The National Center on Adult Literacy focuses primarily on literacy research, technology, and innovation in North America, while The International Literacy Institute, co-sponsored by UNESCO and PENN, focuses on international literacy and development with an emphasis on developing countries. Both organizations have a strong focus on promoting the use of new technologies in adult literacy education. This site provides information on current and upcoming policy-related activities and events, as well as policy reports and short policy briefs. On this page are listed selected conferences, workshops, and discussion forums that are opportunities where literacy professionals can exchange ideas and information that help shape policy decisions.
MetroBoston Community-Wide Educational and Information Service
http://www2.wgbh.org/mbcweis/mbcweishome.html
Resources for adult students and teachers of adult students including Web-based lesson plans.
PBS LiteracyLink
LiteracyLink is an instructional service that will integrate an multimedia approach to adult education by combining online interactivity with video. Of its three major components -- LitHelper, LitLearner, and LitTeacher, LitTeacher is the most developed. LitTeacher is a technology-based continuing education resource for adult educators and administrators. LitTeacher offers four certificate programs that can be earned online.
National Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education
This Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) provides full-text publications of major research to practice reports, links to pertinent electronic journals, news, links, and much more.
National Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education
This comprehensive site offers a wealth of information and services including chatrooms, lesson plans, grants and scholarships, test preparation courses, and others.
Literacy South
Based in Durham, North Carolina, Literacy South is an independent nonprofit which seeks to improve the quality of adult literacy services in the Southeast region through a combination of training, research, evaluation, consultation and advocacy in participatory literacy work.
American Library Association
The Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) addresses 21st century literacy and equity of access in libraries, two of the five key action areas of the ALAGoal 2000. OLOS initiatives encourage opportunities for maximum intellectual participation for underserved populations in America's libraries. OLOS's mission focuses on new and non-readers, people geographically isolated, people with disabilities, rural and urban poor people, and people generally discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, language and social class. Priorities include the dissemination of information and training within the Association as well as partnerships with other national organizations serving similar populations.
LILAA is a $4 million, three-year national initiative designed to strengthen selected library-based adult literacy programs through grants from the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fund through June 1999. With the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) administering the initiative, thirteen leading public libraries in four states are receiving support to improve the curriculum and instruction available to adult new readers. This support also allows for the Association to increase its capacity for providing leadership in literacy in America's libraries.
Exploring Adult Literacy
http://www.vcu.edu/eduweb/CRA/ealenter.html
Exploring Adult Literacy is an online journal devoted to adult literacy published by the Adult Literacy Division of the College Reading Association.
National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy
http://gseweb.harvard.edu/~ncsall/
NCSALL is a collaborative effort between the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and World Education. The Center for Literacy Studies at The University of Tennessee, Rutgers University, and Portland State University are NCSALL's partners. One more partner in the Midwest will be added in the future. The goal of NCSALL is to help the field of adult basic education define a comprehensive research agenda; to pursue basic and applied research under that agenda; to build partnerships between researchers and practitioners; and to disseminate research and best practices to practitioners, scholars, and policy makers. NCSALL is funded by the U.S. Department of Education through its Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) and OERI's National Institute for Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning (PLLI). The goal of NCSALL's research is to improve practice in programs that provide ABE, ESL, and ASE services. 10 current research projects described with project directors – research briefs and some full reports are available on line.
http://gseweb.harvard.edu/~ncsall/viens.htm is the location for the past newsletter Focus on Basics devoted to relating multiple intelligence theory to adult learning.
Wake County Literacy Council
WCLC has been teaching adults how to read and write better through the use of volunteer, one-on-one tutors. The WCLC also has an English as a Second Language (ESL) program designed for students whose native language is not English. By training tutors and matching them with students, the WCLC helped almost 300 adults work towards their personal reading and writing goals last year.
Languages and Literature
http://www.june29.com/cgi/HLPsearch.cgi?stype=DIV&DIVS=Languages+and+Literature
A list of over 150 languages with links to lessons, literature, newspapers, etc. "Web Language" is introduced – an ambitious effort to create a universal language for the Web.
NETPALS
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2028/
This is an electronic penpal link-up for individuals aspiring to improve their English writing effectiveness. Tutors, described as "qualified teachers of English," engage in dialogue with their penpals and offer constructive criticism. This service is free thanks to government and foundation grants.
Language Immersion Resources from The Electronic Classroom
http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/watch/
This site, a feature of the International Reading Association's readingonline electronic journal, provides Web Watches for all areas of literacy learning. One of the Web Watches is for Language Immersion Resources, and there is an annotated list that describes Web sites where valuable information about language immersion can be found.
The Internet TESL Journal
http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/A comprehensive site for Teachers of English as a Second Language, this monthly web magazine includes articles, research papers, lesson plans, classroom handouts, teaching ideas, and more.
Centro para el Estudio de Libros Infantiles y Juveniles en Espanol
Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents
http://www.csusm.edu/campus_centers/csb/
A large site on books written in Spanish for children.
AltaVista Translator
http://www.altavista.digital.com
A translator program that you can use to change Web pages to and from five different languages.
Encarta Online
http://encarta.msn.com/LanguageChoice.asp
A free abridged version of Microsoft's CD-ROM encyclopedia is available in several languages.
PEAK English: Distance Learning ESL
You can join this site for free and access some valuable tools for ESL. The Picture Dictionary is extremely detailed (even "candy corn" is included in the Fall Holidays category) though phonetic respellings would help. There are other reference tools such as a dictionary (with phonetic respellings, YES), a thesaursus, and grammar guides. You can also work through and receive coaching on several Core Lessons. There's a charge for the online chat lessons and other features.
Information Literacy Standards
http://www.ala.org/aasl/ip_nine.html
The nine information literacy standards for student learning created by the American Library Association and Association for Educational Communications and Technology (8/19/99).
Media Literacy Online Project
http://interact.uoregon.edu/MediaLit/HomePage
A support service for teachers, and others, concerned with the influence of media in the lives of children and youth.
E- Server
http://english-server.hss.cmu.edu/The E-server at Carnegie Mellon publishes collections in the arts and humanities. Ten years now in the making, it is an extremely rich resource. Writers in many genres will find opportunities for online publication. There are also opportunities for conversation through the mailing lists.
The Reader's Ring
http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=readring&listFor people who love to read . . . sites of all types with information for book lovers.
Quail Ridge Books Online Newsletter
A weekly online update from Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh with news of great reads from the co-owner Nancy Olsen and many loyal customer-reviewers. Also, a schedule of visiting authors and special programs is included. To subscribe simply send your email address to qubooks@aol.com.
Oprah's Bookclub
http://Oprah.com/bookclub/bookclub.html
Check out Oprah's latest bookclub recommendation. The American Library Association distributes free copies to high school and public libraries that are organization members of ALA and to the ALA chapters. To learn more and get a list of Oprah's bookclub books to date, see http://www.ala.org/events/promoevents/oprah_undone.html
BookSpot
BookSpot describes itself as the "information sweetspot of the book-related resources on the World Wide Web." Links to many book-related sites including best-sellers are listed plus many genres and features about authors, publishers, book-related events, and more .
BookBrowse
BookBrowse features excerpts (in some cases, up to the first chapter), reviews, summaries, and author bios of many current (fiction and non-fiction) books.
The Great Books Foundation
The Great Books Foundation is an independent, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to providing adults and children with the opportunity to read, discuss, and learn from outstanding works of literature. The Foundation offers training in shared inquiry, organizing discussion groups, and leading discussion groups.
The Project Approach
http://ericeece.org/project.html
The Project Approach, as defined by ERIC, is the approach practiced in early childhood, elementary, and middle level education, that includes an in-depth study of a topic undertaken by a class, a group of children, or an individual child. Projects designed and implemented by teachers are described in the Project Approach Catalogs (9/19/99).
Paideia Seminar Approach
http://www.unc.edu/depts/ed/Paideia/paideia.htmlThe Paideia Seminar is a dynamic exploration of ideas gained from a piece of literature read by a group of students and teachers. The teacher or teachers serve as facilitators and their goal is to create the conditions for students to deepen their understanding of ideas that can transcend the literature and have meaning for their lives (Valid, 8/19/99 but notice is up that the site for The National Paideia Center in Greesnboro, NC, will be moving soon.)
MidLink Magazine
http://www.ncsu.edu/midlink/cs/middle.home.html
MidLink Magazine Showcase is a web gallery, organized by subject area, where visitors browse through some of the most creative work on the web. In the MidLink tradition, the work is created by students. Most projects include "How-to's" and guidelines for teachers. It's a great place to discover fresh ideas and be inspired by the genius of kids. Read interview with and article by founder Caroline McCullen at MIDtech (http://www2.ncsu.edu/midtech/mccullen/caro_1.html).
Kidlink
Kidlink is a non-profit grassroots organization aimed at getting as many youth through the age 15 as possible involved in a global dialog. The work is supported by 76 public mailing lists for conferencing, a private network for Real-Time Interactions (like chats), an online art exhibition site, and volunteers living throughout the world.
The Matilda Project: A Telematic Literature Circle
http://www.edu.espoo.fi/~matilda
Roald Dahl's Matilda was an avid reader and so are the grades 4 - 6 students who participate in these online discussion groups. The project has a double purpose -- to encourage students to read and engage in talking about books while learning more about technology. It has proven to be an especially effective way to entice girls into exploring technology. Though this is a project in Espoo, Finland, the model is one that could easily be replicated or modified for North Carolina schools. The project won a 1998 International Reading Association Award for Reading and Technology.
U.S. Literary Map
http://www.ncteamericancollection.org/lit_map.htm>
A particularly appealing collaborative project included in National Council of the Teachers of English's American Collection Project <http://www.ncteamericancollection.org> is The Literary Map. This map includes short biographical reports written by students who nominate authors who were born or lived predominately in the United States. North Carolina (as of August 12, 1999) has no authors on the map! As a state known for its writers, it's time we filled the state map. Please notify NCTE of your interest in participating before you begin so they can reserve the specific area you're interested in covering.
N.C. Literary Hall of Fame
http://www.ncwriters.org/lhof.htm
Here's a good place to start that research on NC writers. The Literary Hall of Fame is an educational resource as well as a way to celebrate the state's rich literary heritage (Valid, 8/26/99).
Web Quests
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquest.html
The WebQuest site provides online resources that show teachers how to construct their own Web-based research units. At http://www.esc20.net/techserv/projects/default.html#intro you can learn about the many WebQuests and other Web-based projects developed by teachers in Texas's Region 20. You can also access the WebQuest Ring which will take you around a number of such sites -- all shared through the spirit of WebQuest -- to create high quality Web-based projects and then share them with the world.
Curriculum Using Technology
Miquel Guhlin and Jim Baldoni out of the Region 20 Regional Education Center in San Antonio, TX, with the help of many teachers in summer workshops are contributing to the evolution of Problem-based Learning as a model for Web-based teaching and learning. Sample projects by teachers!
MIDtech
Interviews with and articles/unit plans written by fifteen teachers who demonstrate how they integrate technology in their teaching. Two of the teachers are Microsoft's National Technology and Learning Teachers of the Year (1996 and 1997) Caroline McCullen – Midlink (online journal written by and for middle grades students) founder; Lucy Miller; SWAT (Students Working to Advance Technology) founder.
The Annenberg/CPG Exhibits Collection
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/
Interactive learning exhibits inspired by the video series in the Annenberg/CPG Multimedia Collection. Cinema is an exhibit on filmmaking that gives you a chance to write dialogue for scripts. http://library.advanced.org/10015/ is a ThinkQuest site (award-winning student-developed site) that provides lots of information on filmmaking and a simulation so you can work through the process.
ThinkQuest
http://library.advanced.org/library/index.html
ThinkQuest is an annual contest that challenges, "Students, ages 12 to 19, to use the Internet as a collaborative, interactive teaching and learning tool." You and your students will be impressed by the winning sites!
Discoveries of the Millennium
http://www.bookitprogram.com/invent.html
Inventions and Discoveries of the Millennium is a two-year optional theme starting with the 1998-99 BOOK IT! Program. The 1998-99 program covered the present millennium through the 19th century. The 1999-2000 BOOK IT! Program will cover the 20th century, when there was an explosion of inventions and discoveries, and then take a look at the 21st century and beyond. An annotated bibliography of both fiction and nonfiction books based on hundreds of inventions and discoveries, as well as the inventors, discoverers, and their times. A chronology of inventions and discoveries that teachers can use to develop their own bibliographies and reading goals. Ideas for developing a reader's timeline of favorite books related to inventions and discoveries through the millennium. Information on how students can find reading materials about inventions and discoveries in the library. Theme-related activities that promote reading and/or library usage and are fun, too.
Mustang: A Web Cruising Vehicle
The University of Minnesota Mustang project (the vehicle for teachers to cruise down Web66 on the World Wide Web. The goals of this project are:
1.To give K12 educators a management model for integrating the World Wide Web into their curriculum.
2.To help K12 educators design and implement Internet projects for their curriculum and graduation standards.
3.To provide an on-line staff development program for teachers who wish to integrate the Internet into their classroom.
Sample projects created by students are shared – especially appealing are the Internet slide shows.
Blue Web'n
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn
A searchable directory of "Blue Ribbon learning sites" on the Web. There are many spin-off project ideas from these sites.
Madera Method: Learning Through Research
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/MaderaMethod/
The Madera Method aims to make history come alive for middle and high school students.
The Jason Project
This massive project offers exciting distance-learning opportunities utilizing videoconferencing and the Web. Each year the JASON Project selects novels that relate to upcoming expeditions in order to integrate literature into the multidisciplinary programs.
Virtual Fieldtrips
http://metalab.unc.edu/cisco/trips.html
Links to virtual field trips around the world.
Live at the Estuary Virtual Fieldtrip
http://www.marinegrafics.com/livecam
Visit this site to learn about what's become a semi-annual (Fall and Spring) "live" virtual fieldtrip to the Rachel Carson North Carolina National Estuarine Reserve in Beaufort, NC. Classes can interact with fieldtrip students as they explore the estuary. There are extensive resource materials including lesson plans, field guides, links, and photos and movies for students' multimedia products. Check out plans for the 1999-2000 trips.
Millennium Sites
http://www.ncte.org/notesplus/DuncanApr1999.html
This is a collection of millennium-oriented web sites -- some geared to students while others are more general. Global implications are a major focus.
Library of Congress
From professional library services to historical data to current exhibits -- the Library of Congress site is a wealth of information. The Learning Page features history and current events.
The Smithsonian: America's Treasure House for Learning http://www.si.edu/newstart.htm The Smithsonian is often called "America's Attic" -- full of something for everyone. Learners can overview museum contents and find information in the reference section.
ERIC's Project Collection
http://ericeece.org/pubs/books/projapp1/initial.html
In the displays presented in this exhibit, twenty-six teachers from nine schools in three countries present the results of their experience with incorporating the Project Approach into their curricula. The projects you are about to read about reflect the work of children and teachers in many different types of schools—urban and rural, large and small, public and private. These schools serve families from a wide range of socioeconomic levels. The teachers whose work is displayed here are among the many teachers around the world who are involving their young pupils in projects. The project method was further developed in the 1960s and 1970s in the infant schools in England. Project work is a vital part of the preprimary schools of Reggio Emilia.
Exploris
Exploris is "The World's First Global Experience Center." Located in downtown Raleigh, NC, Exploris is dedicated to helping children learn about how the world works -- global trade, the environment, communications, changing cultures -- and their role in it in all. The website descriptions of many of the exhibits can inspire spin-off project ideas.
DoubleTake Magazine
http://www.doubletakemagazine.org/teachersguide/
DoubleTake magazine has launched a Web site that can help teachers create lesson plans and students do research. This archive of poetry, photography, fiction and essays that have been published in the magazine explores subjects such as race, identity, and politics.
The Apple Learning Interchange Projects
http://ali.apple.com/FMPro?-db=projects&-format=ali/projects.html&-view
The Apple Learning Interchange sponsors a growing number of collaborative projects. Each is an example of technology-rich multidisciplinary instruction. Projects vary in length and scope. Educators who join the Apple Computer Interchange (it's free) may propose projects and receive modest stipends if their project is selected.
Northwest Regional Education Laboratory -- Assessment & Evaluation Program
The "6 + 1 Traits of Analytic Assessment Scoring Guide (Rubric)" is comprehensive rubric for writing. There are also reading rubrics for assessing students' reading performance and creating a common language to use in talking about texts and oral communication rubrics useful for assessing oral presentations and work-related communication behaviors.
Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing
http://cresst96.cse.ucla.edu/index.htm
CRESST provides access to educational research about assessment reform in American schools. This website contains assessment information presented in a variety of formats tailored to meet the needs of multiple audiences.
Online Learning Record
http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~syverson/olr/The Online Learning Record was developed from the Learning Record which was modeled after the Primary Language Record (originated in London in the 1980s). It's the next evolutionary step in portfolio assessment by way of computer-enhanced literacy development. The Online Learning Record is intended to extend a successful existing model of evaluation and assessment, the Learning Record, into online environments from K through college. Research and development of the Online Learning Record is a cooperative project of the Computer Writing and Research Lab, the Institute for Teaching and Learning, and Dick Richardson, professor of biological sciences, University of Texas at Austin; the Center for Language and Learning, San Diego, California; and the Center for Language in Primary Education, London, England.
Project Gutenberg
Download books for free. There are thousands of out-of-print books available. Categories include: Light Literature; such as Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass, Peter Pan, Aesop's Fables, etc. Heavy Literature; such as the Bible or other religious documents, Shakespeare, Moby Dick, Paradise Lost, etc. References; such as Roget's Thesaurus, almanacs, and a set of encyclopedia, dictionaries, etc. This site is a great resource for looking up quotations that you have read but memory can't pull up or to locate those you've heard about.
The On-line Books Page
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/books.html
Over 9000 English works in various formats that are free for personal, noncommercial use. Listed are books, definitive collections, and serials. Links to other online libraries are provided.
Database of Award-winning Children's Literature
http://www2.wcoil.com/~ellerbee/childlit.htmlCompiled by Lisa R. Bartle, librarian, whose purpose is "to create a tailored reading list of quality children's literature." She has created an incredible resource for families and teachers, compiling a database of over 1700 award-winning books. A search form enables you to search by keyword, and limit by a number of criteria including age of reader, format, setting, genre, ethnicity of protagonist, historical period, publication date, and award. Particularly helpful is her attention to multicultural literature. This site is on The Children's Literature Ring, a number of sites designed for people who want to learn about children's books. Begin with this one and work your way around!
Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute -- 1997, Vol. II, American Children's Literature
http://130.132.143.21/ynhti/curriculum/units/1997/2/Twelve curriculum units developed by teachers about a wide range of children's literature topics -- from read-alouds to bibliotherapy and many related to multicultural literature.
My Favorite Author
http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/online-ed/
A Web-based, collaborative learning unit in which students work in groups to research a favorite author. It was designed by Lee Fowler a Library Media Specialist in Washington State for her library endorsement. The benchmarks are part of the Essential Academic Learning Requirements/Benchmarks for Washington State. You can find more information in a Web site by the Center for the Improvement of Student Learning at http://cisl.ospi.wednet.edu/NAVIG/INFORM.html Thanks to Lee for sharing such a good model of a Web-based project.
Listserves for Children's Literature
http://www.loiswalker.com/catalog/index.html
Listserves for those interested in all phases of children's literature including storytelling and writing children's books.
Harry Potter Fan Site
http://www.angelfire.com/wi/harrypotter/mainharry.html
Read stories about Harry Potter written by people around the world and have a chance to post your own. Also, opportunities to chat about this phenomenal book series on this site. This is just one of many sites in the Harry Potter Web Ring.
Seventy-Five Authors and Illustrators Everyone Should Know
http://www.cbcbooks.org/pubs/seventy.htm
This list was originally compiled by Bernice E. Cullinan, noted reading specialist, for Read Across America, the reading initiative celebrating the 75th anniversary of National Children's Book Week. The list is meant to introduce children, and the adults who care for them, to newer books in the field of children's literature.
Great Sites
http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/index.html
This guide to Web resources by the Children and Technology Committee of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, provides a multitude of sites for authors and illustrators.
National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature
http://www.nccil.org/home.html
This center, in Abilene, TX provides recognition of the artistic achievements of illustrators and gallery exhibition of their works.
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site
A collection of reviews, curriculum ideas, activities, and an online newsletter. Reviews are organized by title, author, type of book, and grade level, and educators can also look for ideas based on curriculum areas or themes. Note: This is a commercial site but there is plenty of valuable information for free.
Children's Literature Web Guide
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/
This site offers Web resources related to books for children and young adults. Links are to authors on the web, stories on the web, resources for teachers, parents, storytellers, etc. A guide to individual authors' sites. A few faves:
Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden
http://www.multnomah.lib.or.us/lib/kids/cleary.html
There are sculptures of Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby, and Ribsy in a park only a few blocks from the real Klickitat Street in Portland Oregon.
Virginia Hamilton
A beautifully designed site that features each of Hamilton's books plus much more, including updates on her important travels.
Jan Brett's Website
http://www.janbrett.com/index.html
Jan Brett's charming artwork makes this a lovely site but there's much more than meets the eye. Elementary teachers help out with theme activities for many of Jan's books. You can learn about the author through some interesting videos (Jan flies with the Blue Angels), send e-postcards with her artwork, learn about special contests (even a free visit to your school) and much more.
CBC Online's Teachers and Librarians Page
http://www.cbcbooks.org/navigation/autindex.htm
CBC Online is the website of the Children's Book Council. You will find here bibliographies, including Children's Choices, links to author and illustrator websites, a monthly author interview, and much more.
The Landmark Project
http://www.landmark-project.com/
Resources include: Words of literature (full text books, etc. on web) and authors (in addition to the Children’s Literature Web Guide there are bio sites for adult authors from George Eliot to Jack Kerouac; Words of power – important speeches, audio clips, etc. from history and literature; Words of Faith – great minds of scientists, philosophers.
100 Favorite Children's Books
http://www.nea.org/readacross/favbooks.html
National Education Association (NEA) surveyed its members to come up with this list of teachers’ 100 favorite children’s books.
Booklist
http://www.ala.org/booklist/index.html
This digital counterpart of the American Library Association's Booklist magazine posts reviews and information about new books and other media for young, middle school, and older children.
Editors' Choice of the top picks of books, videos, and CDRoms for each year (with reviews) (1995 - 1998) are posted.
BookSpot
BookSpot describes itself as the information sweetspot of the book-related resources on the World Wide Web." Links to many book-related sites including children's literature are listed plus many other topics and features.
School Library Journal Online
News, ideas, and software reviews (by Information Technology Evaluation Services, a section of the North Carolina Department Public Instruction) for school and public librarians who work with children and young adults.
Book Adventure™
Book Adventure™ is an free online program that uses interactive technology to motivate students nationwide to read. Students go off-line to read the books on their lists, then return to Book Adventure where they earn points by answering questions on the Quiz-O-Matic. They also receive rewards, prizes and incentives for their reading success. With parental consent, these rewards can include prizes from corporate sponsors including barnesandnoble.com, Lycos, and Houghton Mifflin. Founded by Sylvan Learning Foundation, the program’s Educational Advisory Committee includes the International Reading Association, Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., National Center for Family Literacy, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Catholic Educational Association, National Alliance of Black School Educators, DC Public Library System, and Baltimore Reads, Inc.
Pizza Hut/BOOK IT!®
http://www.bookitprogram.com/orgspubs.html
The BOOK IT!® National Reading Incentive Program motivates children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade to read by rewarding them for their reading accomplishments. Its purpose is to develop in children a lifelong love of reading. Sponsored by Pizza Hut®, readers who reach their goals receive Pizza Award Certificates. All program materials and rewards are free of charge to teachers and schools enrolled in the program. No purchase is required at the restaurant, and the pizza may be taken to go.
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc.
RIF is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to help young people discover the joy and importance of lifetime reading. It works for national literacy by bringing books to children, by motivating them to read, and by helping parents play an active role in their children's development as readers.
Young Adult Literature
http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/watch/
Here is a Web Watch published on the International Reading Association's online journal, readingonline, with an eye out for Young Adult Literature. There are numerous outstanding sites related specifically to literature for older elementary and middle school learners.
NCTE American Collection
http://www.ncteamericancollection.org
Resources, lesson plans, activities, collaborative projects, databases and links to American literature. Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in support of "Mobil Masterpiece Theatre's American collection," a television series premiering in January 2000 on PBS. Particularly appealing is the collaborative project, The Literary Map, which will include short biographical reports written by students who nominate authors who were born or lived predominately in the United States (http://www.ncteamericancollection.org/lit_map.htm)
EDSITEment
A joint project of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Council of the Great City Schools, MCI WorldCom, and the National Trust for the Humanities, this site brings together "the best of the humanities on the Web." There are links to worthwhile sites and outstanding lesson plan guides.
Young Adult Librarian's Help/Homepage
http://yahelp.suffolk.lib.ny.us/
Designed to gather resources on and off the Web to help librarians serving teens. A resource to note is Jennifer Hubert's Reading Rants: Out of the Ordinary Teen Booklists -- because there is literary life after Judy Blume and Gary Paulsen. Also, magazines for teens, some written by teens, are listed.
Young Adult Library Services Association
Events and information (booklists and reviews, special projects, teen sites, etc.) for librarians serving young adults (Valid, 8/19/99).
Sunday Reader
www.news-observer.com/day/columns/reader/
The Sunday Reader of The News & Observer features each week an original work of short fiction or poetry by a Southern writer. These stories are usually fairly short and many deal with issues/questions/concerns that would make for good seminar discussions.
Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet
http://daphne.palomar.edu/shakespeare/
Films and the Web have given a new generation a chance to experience Shakespeare beyond the English classroom. Created by Terry Gray, "Mr. William Shakespeare" is an annotated, scholarly guide to William Shakespeare, his works, life, and times. Features of this outstanding site are a Shakespearean Timeline, Works (synopses of plays, study guides, canons and more), Criticism, Critical Resources, a bibliography, and even a Shakespeare Biography Quiz.
The Nobel Prize for Literature
http://www.almaz.com/nobel/nobel.htmlYou can use the search engine to bring up background information and occasionally photos of laureates.
Pulitzer Prize Winners
http://www.pulitzer.org/archive/
An archive of all Pulitzer Prize-winning works from the past three years, including photos, editorial cartoons, music clips and the full text of all winning articles.
English Resources on the Web
http://www.umsl.edu/services/gwp/index.html
Everything for the English teacher, including lesson plans, other links, discussion groups, reading and writing resources for students and teachers, library collections and anthologies, ideas for integrating technology, and online writing lab resources for students.
NCTE's Notes Plus
http://www.ncte.org/notesplus/
This newsletter well known for its practical ideas for teaching in the secondary classroom is published online by the National Council of the Teachers of English. There are also in-depth articles on literature, poetry, and writing, as well as classroom management tips, recommended websites and resources, and advice for new teachers.
The English Server
http://blues.fd1.uc.edu/~RETTBESR/links.htmlHumanities texts on topics ranging from poetry to rhetoric to Marxism, all courtesy of Scott Rettberg of Carnegie Mellon University. Fan pages for such authors -- a great place for bibliophiles.
CNN/Turner Learning
Developed by Turner Classic Movies and Turner Learning, Inc. for middle and high school students, TCM By The Book provides educators with cost-free curriculum materials and special taping rights to assist them in teaching great works of literature by introducing students to the classic movies which have been adapted from these works.
Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia
http://www.esc20.net/techserv/workshops/graphicsandsound/fairusem.pdfFair use guidelines for the creation of multimedia projects by educators and students who use portions of "lawfully acquired copyrighted works." Also, specifics on the process of citing these works.
Citing Internet Resources
http://www.esc20.net/techserv/workshops/graphicsandsound/Citation guide for graphics, sounds, and movies.
Who Will Own Your Next Good Idea?
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/98sep/copy.htmCharles C. Mann discusses intellectual property and copyright (September, 1998 Atlantic Monthly).
Life, Liberty, and . . . the Pursuit of Copyright?
http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/forum/copyright/intro.htm
A roundtable discussion by Charles C. Mann, John Perry Barlow, Lawrence Lessig, and Mark Stefik who search for principles to guide our thinking about cultural ownership in an information age (September, 1998 Atlantic Monthly).
10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained
http://www.templetons.com/brad//copymyths.htmlBrad Templeton is a Web pioneer whose point of view is well worth considering.
The Copyright Website
http://www.benedict.com/contents.htm
Check this site for the latest on copyright issues and loads of interesting developments concerning the slippery topic of copyrights. Includes visual, audio, and digital arts as well as print. You will find a helpful "Fair Use Test," the proper Copyright Notice to use, and you can download copyright registration forms. The site is copyrighted by Benedict O'Mahoney who provides a valuable service.
The Foundation Center
Gateway to philanthropy on the Web.
GrantsWeb
http://sra.rams.com/cws/sra/resource.htm
Research and education funding opportunities. Sponsored by SRA (The Society of Research Administrators), the site is free but there is a charge for the newsletter alert service.
American Association of School Librarians
This association is dedicated to the general improvement of media services for children and young people. It has also dedicated its members to taking leadership roles in the use of the Internet in the school community and has created outstanding resources for educators and families.
Association for Library Service to Children
Includes ALSC partnerships, activities, and the Newbery and Caldecott Medal pages.
International Reading Association
The International Reading Association seeks to promote high levels of literacy for all by improving the quality of reading instruction through studying the reading processes and teaching techniques; serving as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of reading research through conferences, journals, and other publications; and actively encouraging the lifetime reading habit. IRA's online journal is located at www.readingonline.org.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
The nationwide professional organization for early childhood educators.
National Council of Teachers of English
The NCTE site contains curriculum ideas for teachers, resources for parents, and information on English language standards. With 80,000 members and subscribers worldwide, NCTE is dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education.
North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children
NC-AEYC is a non-profit organization dedicated to forming partnerships which will support programs and professionals serving North Carolina's young children from birth to age eight.
North Carolina Library Associaton
NCLA's purpose is to "to promote libraries, library and information services, and librarianship;and to champion intellectual freedom and literacy programs." Special sections/affiliates include Children, College and University, Community and Junior College, Documents, Library Administration and Management, NC Association of School Librarians, NC Public Library Trustee Association, Public Libraries, Reference and Adult Services, Resources and Technical Services. There is a listserve and an online newsletter which provides news of continuing education activities, advocacy opportunities, legislation, committee/round table/section minutes and announcements, news releases and jobs.
NEA Teaching, Learning and Technology
Advice for educators on using technology in the classroom from the National Education Association.
Teachers Applying Whole Language
http://www.webimprovements.com/internet/paml/groups.T/tawl.html
TAWL has a dynamic listserve that you can subscribe to at this site.
Newspapers In Education
http://www.ncpress.com/edu.html
Sponsored through the North Carolina Press Association, this non-profit association offers summer workshops across the state in how to use the newspaper in the curriculum. An online lesson plan project is a current special project. Other student-powered contests and special projects are offered throughout the year.
Read Across America
http://www.nea.org/readacross/index.html
This project sponsored by the National Education Association is celebrated on the anniversary of Dr. Seuss's birthday. In 1999, over 20 million American children and adults joined in the celebration. Read Across America is more than a one day event. The National Education Association has created a web site that provides a wealth of resources for teachers, parents, and anyone who is interested in helping America's children read.
America Reads
http://www.ed.gov/inits/americareads/
The America Reads Challenge calls on all Americans to support teachers and help ensure that every American child can read well and independently by the end of 3rd grade. Volunteers can play an important role in the America Reads Challenge by working with students who need extra help beyond the classroom to read well.
http://www.baltimorereads.org/index.html
Baltimore Reads is a unique non-profit organization founded to "improve the qulaity of life of the educationally disadvantaged adults, students, and families in Baltimore. Tutoring services for adults and children are provided. Baltimore Reads also develops collaborative programs among the city's other literacy/education related agencies and encourages public involvement.
Reach Out and Read
http://www.aecf.org/initiatives/success/school.htm
Reach Out and Read was developed in 1989 by a group of pediatricians and early-childhood educators who wanted to make early-literacy development part of pediatric primary care. The program, which has three components, makes reading and books a part of every doctor visit for children ages 6 months to 6 years. First, volunteers in each of the 88 participating doctors' offices and clinic waiting rooms across the country read aloud to children as they wait for their appointments. Then, during the check-up, pediatricians who are trained to counsel parents about the importance of reading with young children offer tips for making books a regular part of the family's routine. Children are asked to read a developmentally appropriate book, and pediatricians evaluate children's progress in speaking and reading. Finally, at the end of every check-up, each child receives a new book to take home.
There is a ROAR program sponsored by Friends of the Children at WakeMed. Books are read and provided to children receiving care in the WakeMed Clinics. Call 919.250.8293 to learn more about the program.
Smart Start
The Smart Start program, developed in 1993 by North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, aims to give every child in the state the proper health care, child care, and other critical services they need to enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Smart Start is a comprehensive private-public initiative where communities pool their resources as well as their best ideas and practices to provide a safety net for children who might otherwise not have one. The program is based on the belief that in order for children to become successful teachers, parents, community members, and workers, they need a healthy, supported start.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
http://www.aecf.org/initiatives/success/school.htm
This is a private, charitable organization dedicated to helping children in the United States. On this site, you can learn about its many projects, publications, and grants.
family.com
This is a commercial site designed to provide useful information about parenting and access to rich Web resources. Raising a Reader by Joan Quinn Paramore supplies several wise tips for parents on how to create the conditions at home for their child to become and evolve as a reader. Find this article at http://family.go.com/Features/family_1997_08/bapp/bapp87read/bapp87read.html
Children's Book Council, Inc.
The Children's Book Council, Inc. promotes the use and enjoyment of children's trade books and related literacy materials, and disseminates information about books and literacy materials for young people. It is also the official sponsor of National Children's Book Week and Young Peoples' Poetry Week, celebrated each year in November. The CBC offers reading-promotion materials, pamphlets, and bibliographies that promote literacy.
Junior Great Books
Junior Great Books is a program of interpretive reading, writing, and discussion for grades K-12. This program is part of the Great Books' continuum of learning that also includes the Great Books Reading and Discussion program for adults.
Education Week Online
In addition to being an excellent source of articles about education-related issues (both policy and practice), this site maintains a page of Online Education Resources, as well as Quality Counts, a report card on the condition of public education in the 50 states. The site is an excellentexample of an online publication, including searchable archives of past issues.
Educational Technology
North Carolina Department fo Public Instruction
K-12 Computer/Technology Skills
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum/Computer.skills/compcurr.html
K-12 Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course of Study includes competency goals for learning about technology and with technology in the discipline areas.
NC Technology Competencies for Educators
http://www.ofps.dpi.state.nc.us/OFPS/hm/te/techcomp.htm
These competencies, organized into Basic and Advanced, are required for all North Carolina educators so that they can use information technologies to support effective teaching and enhance their overall productivity.
President's Panel on Educational Technology Report
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/EOP/OSTP/NSTC/PCAST/k-12ed.html
This is a report from the Panel on Educational Technology of the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology. Issued in March 1997, the full title is Report to the President on the Use of Technology to Strengthen K-12 Education in the United States. The report describes the constructivist approach to teaching and learning as one of the potential promises of integrating technology.
PBS TeacherSource
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/thismonth/index.html
Questions & Answers on Technology Training -- reports on two important research studies about how computers are used in the classroom.
Technological Horizons in Education
http://www.thejournal.com/magazine/current/default.asp
T.H.E. provides the latest research on the integration of technology and education. Articles concerning policy and practice are included.
Horizon
Online journal dedicated to exploring and extending the educational community's thinking about the changes we face. A special feature is a free bimonthly webzine called Technology Source designed to inform faculty and educational leaders about how they can integrate technology into their work. Check out Alan Cummings's futuristic look at schools in 2020 at http://horizon.unc.edu/TS/contents/1999-07.asp
International Journal of Educational Technology
http://www.outreach.uiuc.edu/ijet/v1n1/index.html
This new (first edition, Spring '99) journal is of interest to academics, students, practitioners, and educational leaders. Includes scholarship, theory-building, evaluation and empirical research in areas where educational instruction is offered through computer-based technologies. Premiere edition offers interesting new interactive paper format with opportunities for feedback built-in throughout the paper -- sort of a technological reader response format. Look to this journal for leading-edge theory and practice.
Connected Teacher
http://www.connectedteacher.com/home.asp
Education-related resources, products, information and support with a Web-based focus.
www.4teachers
Published by the South Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium, this is a comprehensive site designed for teachers by teachers. There is a Webzine devoted to helping teachers integrate technology with teacher stories, lesson plans, project ideas, class sites, and much more. There is a big focus on Problem-based Learning enhanced by technology.
Meridian
Meridian is an electronic journal dedicated to research and practice of computer technology in middle school classrooms. This online journal features research findings, practitioner articles, commentary, and book excerpts by middle school teachers, technology designers, educational researchers and others interested in using technology to enhance teaching and learning at the middle school level.
MIDtech
MIDTech is dedicated to the infusion of technology into middle school classrooms. The site serves as a clearinghouse for state and national standards and resources. Its most unique aspect is the human touch provided by interviews with and vignettes by middle school teachers. From technological wizards to technological neophytes they describe their efforts to create 21st century classrooms for 21st century students.
TechLearning
Teaching ideas, websites reviewed by teachers, contests, funding, and professional growth opportunities for integrating technology into teaching and learning. Produced by Technology and Learning Magazine, The Well Connected Educator and SchoolTech Expo and Conference with the contributions of many teachers. The Millennium Survey about teaching and technology is currently being conducted with the results to be presented in the December edition of Teaching and Learning.
Tech Top Ten
http://fno.org/techtipten.html
This index of "Tech Top Ten" sites has been created by the editor of From Now On: The Educational Technology Journal (http://fno.org/index.html). These sites focus on learning rather than instructional technologies. From Now On, a commercial site, has some valuable resources (the article, "Beyond Clip Art," encouraging teachers to help children develop their own "clip art" files from their drawings is a good example).
SyllabusWeb
SyllabusWeb is the online resource that provides information on technology to enhance high school, college, and university curriculum. Syllabus offers conferences around the country and consulting for faculties onsite. Free subscriptions for hard copy Syllabus Magazine.
Web Teacher
http://www.webteacher.org/winnet/indextc.html
Developed and sponsored by TECH CORPS and the Cable TV Industry, this site was designed for teachers by teachers. Topics include: E-mail, video conferencing, chat rooms, Web page design, Internet safety, and curriculum searches. There is both a basic, beginning level or Web Primer and a more in-depth, advanced Web Tutorial. The beauty is that you can choose your own pace and depth of knowledge desired. And as any good teacher would do, the developers have included online interactive exercises and activities for guided practice.
Online Culture
http://www.webteacher.org/cable/isafety.html
A reasonable and practical approach to the issue of web safety. Parents and teachers are encouraged to model online safety and learn how they can create the conditions that make the Internet a safe, valuable learning resource. Considered are "Acceptable Use Policies" for home and school, how best to supervise and direct students’ online experiences, and how filtering programs can be used to screen out inappropriate materials.
Netiquette
http://www.webteacher.org/winnet/newsgroups/netiquette.html
The Net can seem a bit alien to a newcomer. Netiquette or net etiquette refers to the usually unwritten rules that users of the Net should learn. Particular attention is given to learning to negotiate within Newgroups.
Netscape Composer Resource Guide
http://www.sit.ecu.edu/FacultyResources/Netscape/titlepage.htm
No bells and whistles but very straightforward and helpful tutorial for using Netscape Composer to create webpages.
Graphics and Sounds Resources
http://www.esc20.net/techserv/workshops/graphicsandsound/
Online tutorial, Getting Graphics and Text Off the Web, suggested software you will need, and valuable information about how to cite graphics as well as sounds and movies on your Web page and/or multimedia products.
Mind Manager
http://www.esc20.net/techserv/workshops/wordclassroom/
Mind Manger is a concept-mapping tool (Windows Platform) similar to the commercial Inspiration. It's freeware and functional, including export of the concept map to the clipboard for pasting in other programs. Download it from the MS Word for the Classroom page at the URL above.
AOL Instant Messenger
http://www.newaol.com/aim/friend.html
Free service that enables you to carry on an email conversation with one or more friends -- works like an online pager. The software works with any Internet service provider.
The Annenberg/CPB Channel
http://www.learner.org/channel/about.htmlThe Annenberg/CPB Project is a leader in helping colleges, universities, high schools and community organizations use telecommunications technologies to improve learning for all students, including the growing number of older and part-time students, and informal learners in their homes. The Annenberg/CPB Channel offers a wide range of educational programming from across the curriculum, with additional emphasis on professional development programming for K-12 math and science educators. Check with your local public TV channel for availability of programming.
Public Broadcast System
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/learn.html
Educational resources include the Adult Learning neighborhood, TeacherSource (K-12), and Ready to Learn!
CNN's Interactive Learning Resources
http://www.cnnsf.com/cgi-bin/cnn/education/ed.cgiThe CNN WWW site provides up-to-date news stories in full and edited format.
LEARN North Carolina
http://link.unctv.org/index1.html
A clearinghouse for lesson plans developed and evaluated by North Carolina teachers. The focus is on collaboration in the education community.
Newspapers-In-Education
http://starnews.wilmington.net/nie/
Online archive of lesson plans based on newspaper stories.
National Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication
http://www.indiana.edu/~eric_rec/bks/lessons.html
Lesson plans from the Educational Resources Information Center -- Clearinghouse for Reading, English, and Communication that integrate writing and reading in dynamic ways. Many also integrate technology.
Classroom Connect Mailing List
http://www.connectedteacher.com/home.asp
Join this mailing list and receive weekly updates on outstanding sites or listserves. Many are collections of lesson plans.
EDSITEment Lesson Plans
http://edsitement.neh.gov/guides/g_intro.htm
EDSITEment is a resource and a forum for humanities education. The Web learning guide is titled, Crossing Borders, and each edition is dedicated to a variation on that theme. These are incredibly rich and detailed lesson plans that integrate outstanding Web resources. High School English teachers will be impressed.
ERIC Lesson Plans
http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/
Educational Resources Information Center(ERIC), federally funded project, is massive. In this askERIC section there are more than 1,000 lesson plans developed by teachers from across the United States.
Also see many of the other sites, including www.4Teachers, TechLearning, and MIDtech (listed under Educational Technology).
Connecting Students
http://www.connectingstudents.com
Lots of relevant links, Web-based lesson plans and many project opportunities. For literacy, there are many children and young adult books listed with lesson plans -- many include links to great websites.
The Global Schoolhouse
The Global Schoolhouse provides meaningful educational opportunities for schools, teachers, parents and students to use the Internet for teaching and learning. Web projects are advertised and CU-SeeMe teleconfercing opportunities are announced. There are free software offers to members (shipping and handling must be paid but programs are free).
TeachersConnect's Town Meetings
http://www.ofps.dpi.state.nc.us/OFPS/tc/town/tcpres.htm
TeachersConnect of the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction organizes desktop teleconferences (CU-SeeMe) for teachers and students.
Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research
http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/~ctd/networks/journal/current/
Articles by teacher researchers are published.
National Board Certification for Teachers
http://www.nbpts.org/nbpts/seeking/about.html
Competencies are identified and explained.
North Carolina Standard Course of Study
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/Curriculum/CrrclmMtrx.html
Curriculum Matrix for the Standard Course of Study
Standards for the English Language Arts
http://www.ncte.org/standards/
Sponsored by the National Council of the Teachers of English (NCTE) and the International Reading Association (IRA), these 12 standards are opportunity standards that describe the opportunities and resources that students should have to develop effective language skills.
Continuum of Children's Development in Early Reading and Writing
http://www.naeyc.org/about/about_index.htm
From the position statement issued jointly by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NCAEYC) and the International Reading Association (IRA). These are descriptions by developmental phases and grade levels of what children can be expected to do and suggestions for how families and teachers can help them.
Directories of School Websites
Web66: International School Web Site Registry
http://web66.coled.umn.edu/schools.htmlSpecial Categories include: [ Arts | Charter | Gifted&Talented | Handicap | International | Math |
Montessori | On-Line | Parochial | Private | Science ] SJCPL's List of Public Libraries on the Internet and United States Post-Secondary Institutions.
America's School Directory
More than 70,000 school sites are included linked to this ASD Web Site.
Teacher Resources
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/index.html
A well-managed, categorized list of sites for educators – updated daily.
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction -- Web Resources
http://www.ofps.dpi.state.nc.us/OFPS/tc/webres.htm
Listing of Web resources for English/language arts, preK- grade 8.
MetaLab
MetaLab (formerly SunSite) is sponsored by UNC's School of Information and Library Science, School of Journalism, and Mass Communication, and Information Technology Services and several major corporate sponsors. It's an eclectic site well worth searching through the Collections Index. The site motto is "a cool, tall glass of sweet tea on a hot day" and it is steeped in Southern history and culture.
Reading Hall of Fame
http://www.reading.org/publications/newspaper/hallfame.htm
The Reading Hall of Fame honors lifetime achievement in the field of reading education. Members represent countries throughout the world and cover the entire spectrum of reading levels and interests. It's interesting to read more about those researchers and authors you have come to know through their work.
The NCTE Award for Outstanding Educator in the Language Arts
http://www.ncte.org/elem/educator/
The National Council of the Teachers of English (NCTE) Award for Outstanding Educator in the Language Arts recognizes a distinguished educator who has made major contributions to the field of language arts in elementary education. The interviews with each of the Award winners are fascinating for those of us who are drawn to biographies (in this case, autobiographies) and how the personal and the professional lives are integrated.
WebRing
http://www.webring.org/#ringworld
An exciting new effort to wrap the Web around your little finger -- WebRing is an index of Webrings on a diverse variety of topics.
For Webrings specific to literacy, check out the Storytelling, Reading, and Writing categories of this index.