The Librarian's Internet - Kids Go Wild

Each year Teachers assign reports and class projects on endangered animals. Help them, and homeschooling parents, take a more inspiring approach to the topic with these highly creative sites. Go wild and take a look at them all!

Kids will love helping detective Jake G. Panda figure out what happened to Eddie Tapir and the other "missing" animals. This site playfully engages upper elementary and middle school kids. Consider having students write their own missing animal mystery, instead of another boring species report. Creator: Michael Rasmussen, Linda Wheadon, Barking Moon Press, Cambridge, MA. Don't Miss: Visit the "Hotel" and investigate Jake's office and the Watering Hole Lounge. Plug-ins: Flash 4.

This nicely done site for middle and high school kids can serve as a template for those creating PowerPoint presentations on individual animals. Creator: Craig Kasnoff, Kirkland, WA. Don't Miss: "In the Wild" features a "Classroom" section where you'll find creative student activities and a glossary. In "Resources," read all about the U.S. laws and agencies that protect animals (one of the few sites that includes this information). Detours: For great pictures of endangered animals, check out the related site at imagineanimals.com/gallery.html . Plug-ins: Microsoft Windows Media Player (for streaming videos).

This prize-winning ThinkQuest site written by high school kids is an excellent resource for any kid who wants to create a media-based species report. Check out the "Media Gallery" for lots of pictures, sounds, and video clips. In English and Dutch. Creator: ThinkQuest 1999 team: Galvin Sng, Singapore; Zane Amiralis, Netherlands; Helen Cheng, San Diego, CA. Don't Miss: The "Why" section explains why animals become endangered, the "What" section explains the situation animals face today, and the "How" section explains how kids can help. Requirements: Java and frames-enabled browser, 56K+ Internet connection, RealPlayer (for media clips).

Don't miss the 45 fun and educational original stories written and illustrated by fifth grade students. This site could inspire a similar project in your school or library. Creator: Pocantico Hills School, Sleepy Hollow, NY. Don't Miss: "Sammy the Sea Lion and the Big Oil Spill" by Kim, a delightful story.

This Australia-based site contains more than 350 original endangered species reports created by elementary through high school kids all over the world. Consider having your students select an endangered species and contribute to this project. Creator: The SchoolWorld Team, Australia and the U.S. Don't Miss: The "Report Guidelines" link will help your students structure their reports.

This international site contains almost 700 reports and other information, in Portuguese, English and Dutch, written by and for elementary students. Creator: Cannelton Elementary School, IN; Primary School De Wadden, Netherlands. Don't Miss: "Animal Diaries" features stories written by K–6 graders, plus related activities.