Search Tools
Explora Middle School Version
Explora is an easy-to-use tool that can help you complete research and classroom assignments. Discover reliable information on topics covering a wide range of subjects including art & music, literature, language arts, geography, history, social studies, world cultures & languages, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health, and sports. Search results are aligned with a student’s grades in school.
Watch a tutorial on using Explora for Middle School here.
Middle Search Plus
Middle school students can access biographies, historical essays, encyclopedias, and popular, middle school magazines.
Databases
Britannica Annals of American History
This online chronicle provides a year-by-year documentary of American thought and action. Read the original words of more than 1,500 authors who made and analyzed American history through their speeches, writings, memoirs, poems, and interviews. (for access inside, the library click here| for access from home or school, click here )
Britannica School
This link will take you to research material appropriate for elementary school, middle school and high school students. Adults will be very happy with the information from the high school level of Britannica, too. (for access inside the library, click here | for access from home or school, click here)
Contemporary Authors
Provides biographical and bibliographical information and references on many U.S. and international authors.
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
Access to thousands of encyclopedia entries on a variety of topics.
GreenFile
GreenFILE offers well-researched information covering all aspects of human impact to the environment. Topics include global climate change, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more. Read up on PV cells, greenscaping, and much more.
Learning Express Library
Explore the Learning Express web site – sharpen your skills and improve your score with online practice tests and self-paced courses.
Find tutorials to help you use Learning Express here.
Mango Languages
Learn a language from the following list: Spanish, French, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Greek, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, AND English for Polish, Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish speakers.
Newspaper Source
Selected full text from national and regional US newspapers including the Denver Post, Greeley Tribune and Pueblo Chieftain, and transcripts from TV and radio news.
NoveList K-8 Plus
This reader’s advisory tool for students also contains author information.
TOPICsearch
This current events database allows researchers to explore social, political & economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics discussed in today’s classrooms including controversial opinions and viewpoints.
Suggested Homework Websites
Multi-Subject 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.
- 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.
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
- 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.
- Grammar Check – useful site filled with lessons on grammar rules, common confusions, and alternatives to overused words, as well as, academic and creative writing tips.
- 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.
- Why is grammar important –
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.
- 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.