Encyclopedias, Open Resources and Online Repositories as Research Tools

Image via Wikipedia Our world is changing with the exponential tide of information, and the ebb of the one authoritarian voice on a particular topic.  Wikipedia is still a hot favorite with students as a first resource in projects, but as most university students will attest they are sometimes not reliable, and should be used as a starting point for further research.  So where do we send our students for current factual information on particular topics especially in the K-4 grades where fact getting is still based on encyclopedia resources?

Here is a list of links for starting your research topic, from learning how to write your first paper, to using many free tools to make your project look professional !

How to Write a Report
Learn some basics!

Note Taking Tools
Discover some new tools!

Search Engines  
Search safely!

Encyclopedias 
Elementary students learn how to research using encyclopedias!

Book Reports
Discover some techie book reporting tools!

Bibliographies
Don't forget your bibliography!

Subscriptions for high school students include Ebscohost for academic secondary resources, and Discovery Streaming for great archived images.  Ask your teacher for sign in information:)

Open source textbooks which are all the rage right now will allow students to build their own learning tools, and will enable teachers to find learning outcomes that match their needs in building lesson plans.  Here are some of my favorite finds for searching, during project season, or during homework time for tutorials.

Open Source Textbooks

Blessings to you as you enjoy researching!
Pippa 

Financial Literacy!

Financial literacy is the new buzz word in high school education these days, and many teachers/parents are not equipped to pass on financial wisdom to students.  What are your high school or elementary students spending their disposable income on?  Are they learning how to be good stewards with saving, tithing and budgeting?

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.


My son has a paper route and he is learning the value of researching his purchases online, before he spends his hard earned money.   He is learning more in his HCOS Planning 10 course about financial literacy. Understanding the importance of saving money in a bank account or investing your money is all part of being a responsible and Godly Canadian citizen.  How do we as teachers encourage this process and prepare them for their adult years?

Here are some good sites that will help you get your students launched.  Note; some of these may have secular content.

HIGH SCHOOL

Getsmarteraboutmoney.ca 
themoneybelt.ca
investrightorg
Planning10 course HCOS
funnymoneyinc.com
smartcookies
BizKids  Activities for teachers and students as well as videos from PBS show.



ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Richkidsmartkid
HomeschoolcurriculumandSupport.
MoonjarCanada

For further links go to HCOS Linking Library.

If you have a site that helps your students learn some financial literacy skills I would love to hear from you? 
Blessings to you!

Pippa