Must-See Websites

Alicia Eames, Curriculum Connections -- School Library Journal, 9/3/2008

Must-See Websites for Busy Teachers (Shell Education, 2007).

As ubiquitous as use of the World Wide Web has become in school libraries and classrooms, there are many teachers and librarians whose confidence level with computers and the Internet still hovers in the uneasy range. That discomfort can undoubtedly impede integrating instruction with online resources. Additionally, given the huge number of sites from which to choose on any given subject, sorting through search results can be an enormously time consuming task.

Lynn Van Gorp's Must-See Websites for Busy Teachers (Shell Education, 2007) is a superb entry point for educators who need a little extra help getting started or who are looking for reliable sites in a hurry. In her introduction, the author offers encouraging words, citing research that points to the instructional benefits of developing expertise with technology along with providing practical information about Internet use and safety, search engines, and copyright issues. The remainder of the book is a guide to dependable Websites for teachers and their students in grades K-12. 

Chapters are arranged by subject and include major areas of study such as art and music, health, language arts, science, and social studies as well as "Classroom Management" and "Test Practice and Homework Help." The full Web address for each site is provided along with a brief annotation describing content and use, and each chapter begins with an easy-to-follow idea for incorporating Web content into a particular content area. Best of all, a matching CD contains a PDF file with active URL links to all the Websites making access quick and easy.