The Librarian's Internet-Kids As Web Masters

Tek Camp for Kids
www.pawisland.com/mainmenu.html

Gr 1-6--The animals of Paw Island lead kids through seven graphic click-and-learn adventures. Topics covered are using a mouse, printing, e-mailing, downloading files, copying and pasting, and Web searching. Sponsor: Junior Achievement. Don't Miss: "Adventure 3," where kids send and receive an e-mail message, and "Adventure 7," which offers a simulated Web search with a twist at the end. Every adventure ends with a clue and a ranking. When kids complete the clues and solve a puzzle, they qualify as a "Web Guide" and receive an official certificate. Plug-ins: Shockwave.

Worlds of Web Searching
www.worldsofsearching.org

Gr 3-6--Kids explore the "universe" of Web searching on this fun, educational site. Nine "planets" to explore cover search techniques (spelling, truncation, operators), Web search tools, and searches for graphics, sound, and visuals. Graphic examples used to illustrate teaching points are real, clickable Web sites. Sponsor: KidsClick! and the Ramapo Catskill (NY) Library System. Don't Miss: "World 6," for one of the best explanations of Boolean search techniques around. "World 4," for a great explanation of term truncation as well as interactive truncation activities. "World 2" explains the hierarchical arrangement of information, using both coins and real screen examples from Yahooligans!

Internet for Kids
www.burlco.lib.nj.us/Classes/Intforkids2

Gr 1-6--This text-simple site includes mouse skills, scrolling technique, and an Internet tutorial and was written by public librarians. Useful as a model for your library's first kids' tutorial. Sponsor: Burlington County (NJ) Library System. Don't Miss: The "linked icon" page, where kids must click on all linked pictures to continue the tutorial. Check out the link to the "adult" stuff--it's not what you think. Detour: Online tutorials for adults and teens, including "Net Basics" and "Web Searching" at www.burlco.lib.nj.us/Classes/Intforkids2/cns/Inforkids2h.htm.

Mousercise
www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html

Gr 3-6--An information-packed, 30-page mouse tutorial for young kids (and adults). Sponsor: Central Kansas Library System, written by Chris Rippel. Don't Miss: The "What You've Learned" quiz (p. 29) to practice new skills. Also, play hangman and checkers, or take the typing test (p. 30). Detours: Chris's "Keyboard" and "Finding Stuff on the Web" tutorials for older kids and adults at www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/index.html.

Webmonkey for Kids
hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/kids/index.html

Gr 6-12--A "kid cool" site that teaches kids how to create Web sites. Lessons cover planning and design basics, HTML, graphics, tables, frames, and even counters and guestbooks. Six accompanying projects allow kids to put their skills into action by creating cool Web pages. Fairly text heavy, but well organized and easy to follow. Language, examples, and graphics are appropriate for older kids. Sponsor: Wired Digital (publishers of Wired magazine and creators of HotBot).

Don't Miss: "Learning HTML" with kid-appealing HTML examples. The "Self Portrait" project, a creative learning exercise; and the "Slide Show" project, which kids can use to do online class presentations (and you can use for library instruction). Check out the fun practice game "Lenny Goes Spelunking" in the "Playground" section. Detour: Teachers and parents working with kids to create their first Web site should visit the Planning Guide, at hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/kids/planning/index.html for advice and teaching tips. Plug-ins: Quicktime, Shockwave, Flash.