Trivia (and Not-So-Trivia) Central

Do ants ever sleep? Where in the U.S. is there a vast river of grass? The answers to these questions and more are found in FactsforLearning, an Internet subscription service for schools and libraries. The service recently unveiled its 2003–2004 interface, specifically designed for students in grades two through eight.

FactsforLearning (www.facts.com) aims to show kids the world of research without overwhelming them. Its colorful graphics and searchable table of contents lead to articles from Weekly Reader, World Almanac Education Library Services, and Funk & Wagnalls, to name a few. The online resource also includes Wordsmyth Children's Dictionary and the Oxford American Children's Encyclopedia.

The new interface boasts two modules, an elementary version for grades two through five, and a Middle School edition for grades six through eight. The elementary module lets users select a grade-specific or grade-inclusive home page. Every listing and search result then matches the selected grade level. The middle school module provides current events, history, health, and career information.

All FactsforLearning services include free remote access. Basic pricing for FactsforLearning starts at $399 annually for the elementary school module and $499 for the middle school module. Discounts for multisite purchases apply, and basic prices include unlimited users within a site. (By the way, the answers to the above questions are: yes, and the Florida Everglades.)