Search Engines for Kids **
Ask Kids	Ask Kids has consistently been rated one of the best, if not the best, search engine for children (middle school and younger).
Awesome Library	Awesome Library offers different "libraries" for teachers, kids, teens, parents, librarians, and the community.
elibrary	This site has a wide variety of subjects with fairly extensive information.  You can choose reading level.
Google for Kids:	This site has a lot of information--all geared for elementary students.
Yahooligans!	Yahooligans! is the kids' version of Yahoo!, the father of all directory search engines.   It is explicitly designed for children ages seven to twelve years old.
SIRS	A variety of resources including magazine articles on wide variety of topics.
Kids Click	Children’s librarians have categorized thousands of sites by subject, so that you can easily discover great sites for math games, butterflies, presidents, physics, pharaohs, etc.  This site is great for primary kids.  You can specify what reading level for the selections.

Dictionary
Webster's Dictionary	Look up words in a dictionary or thesarus, plus word games, etc.
Picture Dictionary	The Little Explorers picture dictionary is great for younger kids to look things up.  There is also a Spanish version.
Encyclopedias
World Book Online	provides informational articles, atlas information, sounds, table, pictures, and videos on thousands of different topics.
Encyclopedia Britannica Online	A great resource--with a special section for Primary Students.  Check this out!!!
Encarta Online	Entries can be brief but helpful.
Encyclopedia.com
The Encyclopedia Mythica	An encyclopedia on mythology, folklore and legend.

Online Databases
SIRS Discoverer	has information on: animals, arts, cultures, drugs and alcohol, environment, fiction, health, history and government, just for fun, notable people, personal growth, science, social issues, sports and technology.
Electric Library	has information from hundreds of magazines, international newswires, classic books, hundreds of maps, thousands of photographs, as well as major works of literature, art and reference.
The Reading Zone Books and Authors	Internet Public Library Youth Division

Reference Sites (Sites that can answer Questions)
Fact Monster	“Fact Monster combines essential reference materials, fun facts and features, and free, individualized homework help.
Seattle Times	has a site search and archive.
How Stuff Works	clear, straightforward information on how stuff (everyday to fascinating) works.
Sites that can help you with research projects
So you have to do a research project?	This site has all kinds of information if you are stuck on a research project and don't know what to do next.

Tips For Searching with Search Engines   Back to top Be as specific as possible.  Start with specific terms or phrases, and then choose more general terms or use fewer terms if you are unsuccessful. Enclose phrases in quotation marks.  This is very effective when using most search engines.  Enter proper names with capital letters.  Search engines are case-sensitive. Word order can be important.  Enter your most important concept first.  Be aware of ambiguous words.  Think of the possible various meanings of words when conducting a search (e.g., China vs. china dishes or Ireland vs. Kathy Ireland). If you don't find what you want in the first twenty-five to thirty hits, start over.   Change or modify your search. Learn one or two search engines well.