Krista McCormick
SLM 521
May 2005
Children Around the World
A Bibliography of Useful Websites
Grades 1 – 5
Purpose
of Bibliography: This list of links was created to support a
social studies unit in which the geography, language, and culture of other countries
are explored. The bibliography contains
web links for 6 countries on different continents. The links include sites where teachers can gain information to
teach or present. It also includes
sites where students can navigate with teacher guidance or independently,
depending on the grade level.
This
site belongs to the Presidency of the Republic of Mexico. It was a bit tricky to navigate, but full
of information for teachers and students.
When visiting the site with students, use the Surf Control to go to the Talking
About Mexico link. Here you will
find information about music, toys, food, traditions, stories and the native
people. Also check out the games link
to put together puzzles and print out post cards to color. Date visited: 5/19/05
http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/index_kids.html
The magazine Time
For Kids created this site. Primary
grades may need teacher assistance but intermediate grades can navigate
independently. It is an appropriately simple site. It includes a site seeing guide with pictures and short
paragraphs describing important sites.
It also has a currency exchange feature. Students can learn basic vocabulary as they listen to the correct
pronunciations. Students can show what
they learned by taking a quiz, and they can email questions to 11-year-old
Scarlett or author Carlos Fuentes. There is also a special section written
entirely in Spanish. Date visited: 5/19/05
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/goplaces/0,12405,176084,00.html
Discover what
mealtime is like for the Mexican people.
Learn when they eat, where they eat, and what they eat. Learn how to make popular Mexican dishes and
explore the links to many other Mexican recipes. Date visited:
5/20/05 http://www.schools.ash.org.au/thscompst/Mexico/Mexico1.html
Kids Web Japan This is an
incredible site full of information, photographs, and fun. It is very easy to navigate. It would be appropriate for teachers to use
as research or to present portions of to elementary classes. It would also serve as a place for
intermediate students to research Japan.
Students can explore the geography, history, and culture of Japan and
then take a quiz on each section. The
site also includes a culture corner where students can learn how to make
origami or read a folktale. There are
also sections on cooking, language, kids’ life, and Japanese technology. Date visited: 5/20/05
http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/index.html
This is aimed
toward people who are traveling to Japan, but is full of interesting
information that you can share with your students. A favorite section is Do’s and Don’ts. Learn to never give someone 4 of something in Japan and never
point your toes at someone while sitting on the floor. Definitely slurp your noodles and make sure
you wash before getting into the bath.
The site has wonderful, although small, pictures to share of food,
housing, clothing, art, and sites. Date visited:
5/20/05 http://www.geocities.com/traveljapaneasily/jpkid.html
Find out about a
day in the life of a Japanese girl. The magazine Time For Kids created this
site. Primary grades may need teacher
assistance but intermediate grades can navigate independently. It is an
appropriately simple site. It includes
a site seeing guide with pictures and short paragraphs describing important
sites. It also has a dictionary with
basic vocabulary with pronunciations.
Students can show what they learned by taking a quiz, and they can send
an e-postcard. Date visited: 5/20/05 http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/hh/goplaces/main/0,20344,555016,00.html
This is the kids’
site of the French Embassy. It contains
the categories; History & Geography, Culture and Art, Economy, Life in
France, Learn French, and Entertainment. Under each category are
subcategories. Each description is
short and appropriate for a teacher to read to a primary class or an
intermediate class to read independently.
Games include a test of color words and a test of facts about France.
The teacher also has the ability to search the French Embassy’s site to gain
more background knowledge.
Date visited: 5/18/05
http://www.info-france-usa.org/kids/
This site is a
must for someone who is teaching commonly used French words and phrases and
doesn’t know a bit of French. It
contains basic vocabulary and pronunciation. When you click on an underlined word you hear it pronounced in French. You need
to have an audio player installed on your computer - download RealPlayer
for free. Date visited: 5/18/05
http://french.about.com/library/begin/bl_begin_vocab.htm
A second grade class
created this site. It is a very
interactive experience that is geared toward the primary grades. It includes kid created slide shows
presenting interesting facts and also counting from 1 to 10. There are fun games including a vocabulary
guessing game, a variety of puzzles, and a printable counting book.
Unfortunately, vocabulary presented does not include pronunciation. An
extensive list of resource books and websites are included. Date visited 5/18/05
http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/france/france.htm
A family created
this photo scrapbook of their trip to France.
It is well organized and contains beautiful photographs from various
parts of the country. Short captions include
descriptions of sites as well as information on such topics as food, art,
industry, and government. This could be
used with any grade level and would make a great introductory or culminating
lesson. Date visited 5/18/05 http://www.europeanphotoalbum.com/france.html
The magazine Time
For Kids created this site. Primary
grades may need teacher assistance but intermediate grades can navigate
independently. It is an appropriately simple site. It includes a site seeing guide with pictures and short
paragraphs describing important sites.
It also has a dictionary with basic vocabulary with pronunciations. Students can show what they learned by
taking a quiz, and they can send an e-postcard. Date
visited 5/18/05
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/goplaces/0,12405,442279,00.html
Learn what life is
like in Kenya for 12-year-old Caroline and then send her an email. Meet Wangari Maathai and find out how she is making Kenya a better
place to live. Primary grades may need teacher assistance but
intermediate grades can navigate independently. It is an appropriately simple
site. It includes a site seeing guide
with pictures and short paragraphs describing important sites. It also has a dictionary with basic
vocabulary with pronunciations.
Students can show what they learned by taking a quiz.
Date visited: 5/20/05
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/goplaces/0,12405,182122,00.html
Kenya Beasts Experience
pictures and descriptions of many animals of Kenya. The site contains over 50 animals of the region from the
well-known hippopotamus to the more obscure vervet. You can click on
photographs to enlarge them and there are several photographs of each animal. Date visited: 5/20/05
http://www.kenyabeasts.org.uk/four.htm
Cool
Planet: Kenya This is a good site for teachers to gain background
information. It may be used by 4th
and 5th graders for independent research. Topics include history,
geography and environment, and people and society. There are some small
photographs. Date visited: 5/20/05
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb/world/kenya/index.htm
The magazine Time
For Kids created this site. Primary
grades may need teacher assistance but intermediate grades can navigate
independently. It is an appropriately simple site. It includes a site seeing guide with pictures and short
paragraphs describing important sites.
Learn the history of Australia in a timeline format and pick up some
Australian slang words. Experience a
slide show of unique Australian animals. Students can show what they learned by
taking a quiz, and they can send on e-postcard.
Date visited: 5/20/05
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/goplaces/0,12405,428502,00.html
This site was
created by a teacher who could not find an appropriate site for younger
children. It is appropriate to share
with primary students and for intermediate students to navigate on their own. Read the picture book to learn interesting
facts about Australia, learn Australia slang, and take a quiz. The Australian flag and a map of Australia
are included. There is an extensive
bibliography of books on Australia and links to other websites. It also includes
links to games. Date visited: 5/20/05 http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/australia/australia.htm
Is a wallaroo a kangaroo?
Click on one of over 60 thumbnails to see photographs and read descriptions of
Australia’s unique animals. This would be a perfect site for an animal study or
just sparking the interest of your students. Descriptions include physical
characteristics, habitat, feeding, breeding, history, and fun facts. Date visited: 5/20/05
http://australian-animals.net/
The magazine Time
For Kids created this site. Primary
grades may need teacher assistance but intermediate grades can navigate
independently. It is an appropriately simple site. It includes a site seeing guide with pictures and short
paragraphs describing important sites.
Learn some words and phrases in Portuguese, Brazil’s official
language. View an annotated slideshow
of animals of the Amazon. Students can show what they learned by taking a quiz.
Date visited: 5/20/05
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/goplaces/0,12405,104221,00.html
This is the kids’
site of the Brazilian Embassy in the UK. It includes descriptions of the land,
the environment, the country and its people, and living and working. You can
also meet families from different parts of Brazil and find out what life is
like for them. It is useful for teachers to gain background knowledge and
intermediate students to complete research. Date visited:
5/20/05 http://www.brazil.org.uk/category.php?catid=64
This is a good
site for teachers to gain background information. It may be used by 4th and 5th graders for independent
research. Topics include history, geography and environment, and people and
society, and a collection of interesting facts and figures. There are some
small photographs. Date visited: 5/20/05
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb/world/brazil/