Middle School Resources

• Internet Public Library – Reference center, searching tools, subject guides and special collections.
• Information Please – Encyclopedia, almanac, atlas and dictionary all in one.
• Khan Academy – Video lectures with online practice for math, science, economics, arts, history, and computer science.
• Discovery Education – Homework help resources, plus interactive games, videos, virtual labs and activities.
• Library of Congress – Historical records and digitized books, photos, maps, manuscripts, film, and sound recordings.
• BJ Pinchbeck’s Homework Helper – Over 700 top-notch websites for students and life-long learners.
• Shmoop Learning Guides – Literature, math, science, history, social studies, art, music, and a few life skills. (En Espanol)
• Diigo – Jumpstart researching any topic by using websites recommended by Colorado librarians. Type in a tag word like biology or economics and hit Enter. Some tags are two words and need to be typed inside quotes like “current events” or “primary sources.” Start a new search by clicking CoLibraries (top left) to clear the field and enter a different tag.

Study Skills

• Study Tips – Tips on note-taking, test-taking, organizing, studying for tests, concentrating, and more.
• Study Guides & Strategies – Learn to develop better listening, reading, note-taking, writing, and independent study skills.
• I Can’t Remember What I Read! – 5 steps to improve reading retention.
• Test Anxiety – Manage test anxiety to work for you, instead of against you.

Biography

• Biography.com – Over 7,000 biographies of people past and present.
• Nobel Prize – Biographies of Nobel Prize recipients and laureates.
• Gallery of Achievers – Read about individuals who have shaped the 20th century by their accomplishments.
• Miller Center – In-depth information on each U.S. President and administration and presidential speech archive.
• More! – Spotlights historical figures and distinguished women.

Finance

• aicoach.co – Connects kids and parents to sites that teach children about personal finance, business, economics.

History

• 101 Great Sites for Social Studies Class – Teacher recommended websites for history, civics, government, and economics.
• Crash Course YouTube Channel – John Green teaches U.S. history and World history (each in 47 12-15 min videos.)
• 100 Milestone Documents – Chronicling U.S. history history from 1776 to 1965.
• Timeline of Art History –  The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents 300 timelines, 930 essays, and about 7,000 objects.
• American Heritage Magazine – Collections and articles about people, places, events, invention and innovation in America.

Literature

• Shmoop – For all your assigned reading, summaries, themes, quotes, characters, and analysis to spark critical thinking.
• Literary Criticism – Websites about authors and their works to browse by author, title, or nationality and literary period.
• Free Book Notes – Book summaries and study guides for thousands of books, compiled from several major study guides.
• No Fear Shakespeare – Shakespeare’s plays with page-by-page translation into modern English. More Shakespeare links.
• Poetry Foundation – Browse classic and contemporary works, by subject, style, period, or poet. More poetry links.
• More! – Links to literary classics, poems, short stories, plays, films, and reference works.

Math

• Webmath – Step-by-step answers to hundreds of math questions and the option to type in your own problem.
• Dr. Math – Q&A to commonly asked math questions. Browse the archive by level or search by keyword.
• Purplemath – Need help with algebra? This is the place for illustrated step-by-step examples and videos.
• More! – Links to librarian recommended math websites for students, teachers, and tutors.

News & Social Trends

• PBS NewsHour Extra – World news and reports written for students.
• The Guardian – Online newpaper covering American and international news.
• Pew Research Center – Nonpartisan reports about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world.
• ProCon.org – Today’s controversial issues presented in a balanced, comprehensive, straightforward pro-con format.
• Channel One – News stories, hot issues, and student opinions.

Primary Sources

• Library of Congress – Maps, photographs, letters, diaries, newspapers, sound recordings, interviews, and historic films.
• National Archives – Written documents, images, maps, charts, graphs, audio and video.
• American Rhetoric –  Audio and video of public speeches, sermons, legal proceedings, lectures, debates and interviews.
• Duke University Collections – 150 years of  print and TV advertising illustrate consumerism and the advertising industry.
• Western History Collection at Denver Public Library – Documents, photographs, maps, art, newspapers and more.

Research & Writing

• Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Sources – Explanations and examples for each category.
• Common Types of Papers – Examples and resources for writing research papers and a wide range of essays.
• Evaluating Resources – CRAAP! Currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, purpose.
• Research Skills – Step-by-step guide to the research process, evaluating resources, and writing a research paper.
• The Research Process – Resources to help with writing skills, thesis statements, style and language, and citation.
• Where’s the Information? – Strategies for researching at the library, on the web, and other tips for researchers.

Science

• Science.gov –  Search across 15 federal agencies with just one query for science articles, news, studies, data, and more.
• Explain that Stuff – Easy to understand articles on how things work, cutting-edge science, cool gadgets, and computers.
• GenEd – Explore cell biology, DNA, genes, chromosomes, heredity, genetic conditions, evolution, and biotechnology.
• Classification of Animals – Amphibians, invertebrates, birds, mammals, reptiles and the conservation of animals.
• The Physics Classroom – Physics concepts explained and quizzes to test your understanding.
• Rader’s Chemistry – Basic information on matter, atoms, elements, the periodic table, reactions, and biochemistry.

Technology

• Codeacademy – Learn javascript, html, CSS, how to make an interactive website, and Camore.
• Hour of Code –  Intro designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics (and beyond.)
• TED Talks Technology – Over 500 video talks on topics of technology.
• CNN Tech News – News and video covers the internet, business and personal tech, video games, and more.