Online Homework Resources
Here are links to some general reference tools, such as almanacs, atlases, dictionaries, and encyclopedias:
Reference Databases
The LLC subscribes to high-quality online databases, listed below, which are preferred reference sources for student research. Students can access the databases from LLC Internet stations, the school's Imac lab, classroom computers, or from home. If accessing the databases from home, you'll need to enter a user name and password obtained from the LLC staff.
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World Book - Atlas, dictionary, encyclopedia, detailed Colorado information. Visit http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Login |
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Gale Virtual Reference Library - Encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources. Opposing Viewpoints - Information on social issues. For both, visit http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/vrain |
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Contemporary Authors - Biographies of leading writers. Contemporary Literary Criticism - Essays about the works of writers. For both, visit http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/vrain |
General Reference Resources
- *Bartlett's Quotations
- Look up famous quotes by either the subject or person responsible for them.
- *Columbia Encyclopedia
- Contains over 50,000 entries on many topics.
- *Encarta Encyclopedia Center
- More than 42,000 articles in Microsoft's online encyclopedia.
- *Encarta Maps Center
- Navigate the globe by zooming in and out and by using directional arrow keys, or search for maps by keyword. From Microsoft.
- *Encyclopedia.com
- More than 17,000 short cross-linked articles in this online encyclopedia.
- *FactMonster
- Online dictionary, encyclopedia, and almanac. Also homework help and some fun links. From Information Please.
- *FedStats
- Statistics compiled by more than 70 agencies of the U.S. government.
- *Information Please Almanac
- Bits of information on a wide variety of topics.
- *KnowPlay
- Links to good online sources for looking up definitions, quotations, famous people, maps, encyclopedias, etc.
- *LibrarySpot
- Visit the "Reference Desk" for links to excellent research tools.
- *MapsArea.com
- Guide to world maps and atlases, map libraries, weather maps, historical maps, interactive directional maps, and more.
- *Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary
- Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition.
- *National Atlas of the U.S.
- Many "map-like views of America's natural and sociocultural landscapes." From U.S. government.
- *OneLook Dictionaries
- Indexes and allows you to search 357 dictionaries.
- *Outline Maps of the World
- Several outline maps of different types (political, historical, physical, etc.) useful for school projects. From Houghton Mifflin.
- *Refdesk
- A handy source for facts on the Net.
- *Roget's International Thesaurus
- Quickly and easily search for a synonym or antonym.
- *Student Dictionary
- A simpler dictionary from Word Central, part of Merriam-Webster. Site also contains a verse composer and other language tools.
Art and Multimedia Resources
Some good links to find electronic clipart, photos, animation, sounds, and videos for school projects are listed below.
- **Google Images
- This incredible search engine has an Images section that is great for finding photos and clipart by keyword(s).
- *Amazing Picture Machine
- Index to Graphical Resources on the Internet provided by the North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium..
- *Bells and Whistles
- Large free clipart collection, including animations.
- *Classroom Clipart
- Searchable by subject area or keyword.
- *FaganFinder's Image Search Engines
- Extensive directory of various sources for clip art, stock photos and galleries, educational images, etc.
- *Finding Images and Sounds on the Web
- Lots of useful "how to" and source information from Internet trainer and librarian Marylaine Block.
- *Finding Images on the Web
- A tutorial covering downloading and inserting images, syntax for searching images on different search engines, links to large image repositories, and image copyright issues. Written by art educator at Boston University.
- *Image Finders and All Purpose Picture Files
- Links to great sources for finding images of all types.
- *Kid's Image Search Tools
- Links to search tools that specialize in images for schoolwork.
- *Microsoft Office Clip Art and Media
- A variety of static and animated clip art, plus lots of tips on incorporating them into Microsoft Office software.
- *National Image Library
- Collection of photographs that can be freely used, from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Searchable by keyword, title, or subject.
- *Pics4Learning
- This library for teachers and students consists of thousands of images donated by students, teachers, and amateur photographers.
- *Yahoo's Clip Art List
- Extensive links to various clip art sites.
- *Yahooligans Downloader
- Search for photos, clipart, sounds, and videos.
Other Libraries
- Longmont Public Library - offers anonymous "Ask Marian the Librarian a Question Online" reference service
- Boulder Public Library - has several online databases in both English and Spanish, such as Grolier Online, LitFinder, NewsBank, and ReferenceUSA, which you can access by entering your Boulder library card data
- The Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries
- Colorado Virtual Library for Kids
- Colorado Virtual Library
- Library of Congress
- Virtual Middle School Library
