Posts Tagged ‘maps’

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Travel the Oregon Trail!

March 3rd, 2022

History Globe: The Oregon Trail

(www.historyglobe.com/ot/otmap1.htm)

Grades 4-12, with parental supervision

At this website, you can virtually follow the pioneer path along the Oregon Trail and see the natural landmarks, forts, and trading posts that they saw on their long and dangerous journey West.

When you get to the site you will see a menu tab at the top of the page. Click on “1843 Map” and “Modern Map” to compare the path of the Oregon Trail then and now.

Click on “Trail Tour” to begin your virtual journey through photographs and historical paintings accompanied by interesting facts and trivia about:

  • Independence, Missouri
  • Courthouse Rock
  • Chimney Rock
  • Fort Laramie
  • Independence Rock
  • Fort Bridger
  • Soda Springs
  • Fort Hall
  • Fort Boise
  • Whitman Mission
  • The Dalles
  • Oregon City

You can also view information about the landmarks by clicking on their locations on the maps.

NOTE: The “Travel Links” button was originally intended to lead to travel information for those who wanted to visit the Oregon Trail. However, most of the links now lead to error messages and/or to redirects that we have not reviewed. Parents, AS ALWAYS, MUST PREVIEW AND SUPERVISE USE of this website.

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Begin Learning a Foreign Language Today!

February 5th, 2022

Polly Lingual

(pollylingu.al/en)

Grades 6-12, with parental supervision

With this commercial website, visitors can use the free lessons to learn basic foreign language skills.

While some of the lessons are for paid members only, indicated by the Polly Lingual icon, there is still a lot of great material available for free on this site, especially in the Beginner sections. Language choices include:

  • French
  • Spanish
  • English
  • Italian
  • German
  • Portuguese
  • Hebrew
  • Arabic
  • Russian
  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Dutch

Lessons can include vocabulary audios, grammar instructions, interactive games such as Memorama, Alphabet Soup (word searches), Whack-a-Word, and Hangman as well as additional downloadable worksheets. There is a Verb Conjugation Trainer tool to brush up on verb conjugations as well as interactive maps showing locations a language is spoken which also provides some additional information about that location.

Even if visitors may need to search for the free material, there are some great teaching opportunities available on this site that might make checking it out worthwhile.

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All About the 50 U.S. States

February 3rd, 2022

The US50

(www.theus50.com/)

All grades, children with parental supervision

This ad-supported website is a one-stop location for information about all of the 50 states.

When arriving at the site, use the map to locate the state of choice. When the page opens you can then use the links to find concise information about that state including:

  • Historic Figures
  • Information – State symbols, seal, flag, quarter, license plate, flower, stamp, and more
  • Geography & Maps
  • Outdoors – State parks, hiking, and more
  • Tourism
  • Governors
  • Cities
  • Colleges
  • And much more

There are even online trivia quizzes for each state to test your knowledge and links to other state-related websites. Also on the home page, scroll below the map to find links to an image of the Declaration of Independence, downloadable audio of the national anthem, and fast facts study guides which include printable outline maps of the states and mailing addresses to the state governors and tourism offices.

This site is bookmark-worthy and a great place to get general information for all of your state studies.

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Explore with Henry Hudson

January 20th, 2022

Ian Chadwick: The Life and Voyages of Henry Hudson

(www.ianchadwick.com/hudson/hudson_overview.htm)

Grades 5 and up, with parental supervision

English navigator and adventurer Henry Hudson, his teenage son, and 7 crew members were set adrift by mutineers during a failed expedition to find a fabled route to the Indies. They were never seen or heard from again.

At this website, you can read a fascinating account of Hudson’s failed expedition to find the “Northwest Passage” as well as details about the mutiny, Hudson’s other voyages, his life as an explorer, and information on his times, contemporaries, and crew. This is a great way to integrate language arts with history and social studies!

When you get to the site, use the menu on the left side of the screen to learn about Hudson’s:

  • Early Years to 1607
  • First Voyage – 1607
  • Second Voyage – 1608
  • Third Voyage – 1609
  • Fourth Voyage – 1610
  • Aftermath – 1611-on
  • Maps of Voyages
  • Hudson Family Tree

It is helpful to read this account in chronological order.

Click on “Short Story” to read a piece of historical fiction about Hudson. It was written by Canadian writer Ian Chadwick, the creator of this website. He also offers a compilation of the “Sources & Links” he used to create this work. You can read his bio too.

There are also links to the author’s “Home” page and other websites, but we did not visit these pages, and they are not included in this review. Therefore, as always, parents should preview the site, determine the suitability of the content, and supervise Internet use.

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Dig Into Aztec History!

December 9th, 2021

Aztec History

(www.aztec-history.com/)

Grades 6-12, with parental supervision

Through text, images, maps, and much more, explore the fascinating history of the Aztecs with this website.

When arriving at the site, use the sidebar menu to navigate through the following areas of study:

  • Aztec Empire
  • Timeline
  • Aztec Religion
  • Family Life
  • Aztec Food
  • Aztec Art
  • Jewelry
  • Calendar Stone
  • Aztec Temples
  • Language
  • Aztec Culture
  • Games
  • Government
  • Weapons
  • Warriors
  • Aztec Map
  • The Fall
  • Montezuma

Visitors will not only review a survey of the rise and fall of the Aztec empire, but will also discover what everyday life may have been like for a family living in Aztec society. Learn about the foods that were eaten, the clothes that were worn, religious beliefs and traditions, games that were played, and what it may have been like to growing up in the social classes of the Aztecs. Explore the fine craft of Aztec jewelry and the influences on their art. Discover the structure of Aztec government, the weapons of warfare, and the significance of being a warrior.

This website provides a simple overview of the Aztec empire that will be a great supplement to your studies.

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U.S. & International Geography Game!

December 4th, 2021

Challenging & Fun Geography Game!

(www.globalschoolnet.org/geogame/index.cfm)

All grades, with parental supervision

Sponsored by Microsoft and affiliated with the Global SchoolNet Foundation, this website links children around the world through a myriad of FREE features and activities that you can explore when you get to the site

You must register to participate in the activities including the incredible Geo Game and GeoGame Project that helps kids learn geography terms, teaches them how to read and interpret maps, and increases their awareness of geographical and cultural diversity. It’s designed for middle to upper ELEMENTARY students, but students in all grade levels are encouraged to play.

When you get to the site click on the “Project Description” in the center of the screen. It will explain the GeoGame project and the GeoGame. Don’t skip this, as it will really make navigating the site MUCH EASIER. It provides teaching strategies and explains what materials you will need to play the game (i.e., U.S. map with time zones & latitudes, road maps, atlas, almanac, encyclopedia, etc.). This is especially helpful if you want to participate in the project — which is a little different than just playing the GeoGame.

Of course, you can just play the GeoGame without participating in the project. In that case, read through the directions for playing the game and then click on “Play the Game” on the menu at the top of the screen. (Don’t forget, you will have to register to play.) A new page opens with a selection of traditional GeoGames. Select a game category of interest and a new page opens listing the games in that category by I.D. number. Click on a specific game and a new page opens asking you to match the geography clues with the names of various cities and geographical locations. You will need the suggested materials (maps, etc.) to decipher the clues in order to match them to the city or location they describe. Allow at least 30 minutes or more to play the games — as research is a big part of the challenge in order to win!

This really is a remarkable use of technology and cooperative effort by students, teachers, parents, and educators to improve everyone’s knowledge of the world.

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