Website: DLESE

The Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE) is a free resource for earth science teachers.

This website supports teaching and learning about the Earth system for all grade levels. Resources include lesson plans, scientific data, visualizations, interactive computer models, and virtual field trips. Resources can be accessed by key word, education level, subject, or resource type. Or, users can browse nearly 16,000 resources.

The Earth Science Literacy Maps provide an easy way to explore Earth science concepts by topic such as changes in the earth’s surface, flow of matter in ecosystems, and plate tectonics. Users are presented with clickable maps to explore concepts and connected science benchmarks.

Librarians will find the resources at this website useful in addressing science standards. Work with teachers to mine the site for useful curriculum materials.

To visit the website, go to http://www.dlese.org.

Website: Middle School Chemistry

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEMISTRY from the American Chemical Society contains lessons and multimedia for educators and their students.

The Lesson Plans section is divided into six chapters. Each chapter contains a series of lessons that include a video and multimedia, lesson plan, activity sheets, readings, standards alignment, and teaching resources.

The Multimedia section takes students step-by-step through the lesson with embedded interactives, illustrations, and videos.

Librarians will find that the lessons and multimedia resources align well with the science curriculum. Of particular note are the Spanish language versions and hands-on activities and animations.

To visit the website, go to http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/.

Website: New Jersey Center for Teaching & Learning

The NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR TEACHING & LEARNING is a nonprofit website providing STEM learning materials along with other educational resources.

The website contains classroom teaching materials in the areas of mathematics, math intervention, science, English and Language Arts, and computer science. A section on teaching methods includes specific areas such as assessment and technology resources. The website also contains self-guided open courses for students and teachers.

Librarians will find a wealth of lesson and classroom ideas to weave across the curriculum. Of particular note are the many English Language Arts lessons that can be integrated into information literacy activities.

To visit the website, go to https://njctl.org.

Website Review: Disability History Museum

THE DISABILITY HISTORY MUSEUM website hosts a digital collection, educational materials, and museum exhibits exploring the historical experience of people with disabilities and their communities.

The Library Collections section contains a broad range of digital objects including letters, memoirs, chapbooks, postcards, photos, cartoons, and more that shaped the experiences of people with disabilities. Users can browse by category or search the collection.

The Education section provides ideas for teaching with primary sources. The materials explore ways to weave disability history topics into history, civics, and literature classes. After exploring an overview, users can examine lesson plans and other teaching tools of interest.

The Exhibits section is currently under development.

With over 3,000 primary source documents and images to explore, librarians will find this website to be an excellent tool for weaving the historical experiences of people with disabilities into the curriculum through the use of primary sources.

To visit the website, go to http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/.

Book Review: Bookopolis

BOOKOPOLIS is a website designed to ignite a passion for reading in children ages 7-12.

Intended to build a community of readers, this social network provides a safe environment for elementary and middle school youth to connect with other book lovers. Youth can find books to read as well as share their book reviews.

Students can explore new books, create a bookshelf, share with friends, and earn points. The website also offers book suggestions and features new releases.

In addition to being a resource for children, the website also provides resources for teachers and librarians including lesson ideas, book recommendations, and standards connections. Educators can sign up for a teacher account to set up classes.

To explore the website, go to https://www.bookopolis.com.

Website Review: Tracked in America

TRACKED IN AMERICA focuses on the history of U.S. surveillance. An outstanding tool for exploring the constitutionally guaranteed rights of Americans, the website contains a section for educators containing lesson plans, worksheets, and links to primary source materials.

Sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union, California Teacher’s Association and others, the website explores seven time periods in history including Pre-World War I, World War I, Pearl Harbor, McCarthy Era, Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam, Sanctuary, and After 9/11. Each era contains a narrative with hyperlinks for additional information. Primary source documents such as posters and photographs bring the time period to life. Audio files provide historical perspectives from historians and a timeline detailing key events.

By exploring the stories of individuals who were targeted for surveillance, students are able to better understand the dangers of government surveillance and the courage of the individuals affected.

When using this website with students, it’s important to discuss the role of the American Civil Liberties Union in advocating for individual rights.

Go to http://www.trackedinamerica.org/.

To connect this idea to libraries, go to the ALA Liberty, Privacy & Surveillance page at http://www.ala.org/advocacy/privacyconfidentiality.