Homework & Research Links

Databases | Biography | English and Literature | Geography
Government | History | Math | Science Project | Homework
Reference Shelf | TAKS | Typing

Databases

Austin Public Library
The Austin Public Library and the Texas State Library provide free access to many databases including homework helpers organized by grade level. Some recommended databases are:

• Student Research Center
  Designed especially for youth in grades 6-12, the Student Research Center can be searched by keyword or by topic. Results can be sorted by source type - magazines, reference books, biographies, transcripts, country and state reports, primary source documents, and photos, maps, and flags. The Columbia Encyclopedia and the American Heritage Dictionary are included.
• MasterFILE Premier
  For assignments that require full-text journal or magazine articles this is the place to search. MasterFILE Premier provides full text for more than 1,950 general reference, business, consumer, health, general science, and multi-cultural periodicals. It also contains full text for nearly 500 reference books, 84,500 biographies, 100,500 primary source documents, and an image collection of 202,000 photos, maps, and flags.
• While Cliffs Notes is not a substitute for reading the book, it can be helpful. To use them online:
  • Log in at netLibrary
  • Click on Try Advanced Search. In the publisher box type “Cliffs”
  • Type in the name of the book or author of the book you want and press “search”
  • Browse online

AISD Catalog Databases
Follow the link for your school and then the one for Knowledge Portal in the center of the toolbar at the top. You may be required to have a log-in ID and password. From reference databases, like Encyclopedia Britannica, to newspaper and journal resources, many of the sources your teachers will require and trust can be found here.

University of Texas Libraries Databases
UT offers a huge variety of databases. Some of these can be overwhelming, but it can also be quite useful. Not all of these databases are open to non-UT students; some require a UT EID or a TexShare account to access.

Biography

Biography Resource Center
Combined with the complete Who’s Who, this resource represents a comprehensive source for biographies of all kinds. You can also search by occupation, dates, ethnicity, gender, and nationality.

The Biography Channel
This is one of the best sources for celebrity biographies, including musicians, athletes, and movie stars. It also features video clips, sound recordings, and photos.

The History Makers
Here you can find both well-known and not-so-well known African-Americans who have had an impact on history, from politicians to artists. One of the best features of this site is high-resolution pictures of each person that serve as the link to their biographies.

Thompson-Gale Black History Page
Free biographical sketches of notable African-Americans. This site is maintained by a highly trustworthy source-normally Gale database resources require a subscription.

Wikipedia List of Asian Americans
By themselves, Wikipedia entries are not usually accepted by teachers as good sources. However, this list is very thorough and the References and External Links under each individual entry are great sources for any report. This is the most complete list of Asian-Pacific Americans found online at this time.

Scholastic’s Celebrate Hispanic Heritage! Latinos in History
Select biographies of important Latinos throughout history, as well as links to more information, make this a useful site. You can even use their biography sheet to record information and the extra links to find out more.

Thompson-Gale Hispanic Heritage Page
Free biographical sketches of notable Latinos. This site is maintained by a highly trustworthy source-normally Gale database resources require a subscription.

Powerful People
Both historical and contemporary Native Americans are featured in this resource.

42eXplore’s American Indian Biographies A-Z
This site provides an alphabetical index of biography sites with explanations about the source. More well-known figures may feature multiple entries.

POTUS
The Internet Public Library offers brief biographies of every American President. Each entry includes vital statistics, relevant election information, notable events, and additional internet resource links. There is even a section on trivia at the bottom of each President’s page.

Eric Weisstein’s World of Scientific Biography
Extensive biographies with clickable links to term definitions make this resource invaluable. You can even search by gender/minority, nationality, branch of science, prize winners, and historical period.

Lonestar Internet’s Famous Texans
Famous Texans offers biographical sketches and caricatures of a wide variety of Texas personalities, from ZZ Top to Nolan Ryan.

Thompson-Gale Women’s History Page
Free biographical sketches of notable women, historical and contemporary. This site is maintained by a highly trustworthy source-normally Gale database resources require a subscription.

English and Literature

Books online (full-text)
Sometimes you just have to read something you can’t find at school or the library. It might be online!

• Project Gutenberg wants to make all world literature available free, online, and full text. A staggering and noble effort!
• The Austin Public Library’s access to netLibrary
• The Online Books Page from the University of Pennsylvania
• Bartleby specializes in the classics.
• Some full-text plays by Shakespeare
• Classic Reader offers thousands of full-text books online.

Citation Machine
This handy-dandy tool does all the work for you. Just pick your style and follow the step-by-step instructions to create a perfect bibliography for your project!

University of Texas Libraries’ Style Manuals
If you not only need to cite the sources, but also need to know the rules, check out UT’s Style Manuals page. There is a link to guides for each formatting style, as well as additional resources for writing your bibliography.

Literature Resource Center
APL’s link to this great resource for literary criticism. Literature Resource Center provides access to biographies, bibliographies, and critical analysis of authors from every age and literary discipline. The Literature Resource Center covers more than 90,000 novelists, poets, essayists, journalists, and other writers, with in-depth coverage of 2,000 of the most-studied authors. Search by author name, title, genre, literary movement or literary themes, or combine criteria to create a custom search path.

Geography

Stately Knowledge
Internet Public Library offers a clickable map of the US, with information about each state. Each entry includes important facts, a picture of the state flag, state links, and trivia.

50 States
Links to even more information about each state. You can even search the Yellow Pages for that state or sign up to get a pen pal.

The CIA World Factbook
This fount of geographical and cultural information is maintained by the CIA and updated regularly. Maps and political information are included.

Lonely Planet
Clickable map leads to read travel information for various countries of the world. The image gallery, transportation info, and money guide are all particularly useful.

National Geographic
Games, info, and activities about the people, places, and animals of our world. Be sure to check out the homework help for when it’s time to get back to work.

U. S. Dept. of State Background Notes
“These publications include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty. The Background Notes are updated/revised by the Office of Electronic Information and Publications of the Bureau of Public Affairs as they are received from the Department’s regional bureaus and are added to the database�”

Visual Geography Series
Created to accompany Lerner’s geography books, this site provides maps, flags, photos, and an assortment of links to find almost any information about almost any country in the world!

Government

Austin City Connection Official site for the City of Austin contains links to every department (including the library!). It also features a list of current events in and around the city.

Texas Legislature Online
Official site for the Texas House and Senate. You can find information about the Tx constitution, how bills work, and links to both the Kids’ House and Senate Kids.

Texas Online
The official site for the State of Texas includes links to the governor’s website and the state government, as well as information on day-to-day activities, like how to get your driver’s license or where to pay your taxes.

USA.gov
This megasite created by the Federal government contains practically everything you would want to know about the US. Investigate Kids.gov for homework help, games, and other links. There is even information for new immigrants and visitors to our country.

Government 101
Basic information created by Project Vote Smart helps you better understand the Federal government and civic systems.

History

Austin Treasures: Online Exhibits at the Austin History Center
From its beginnings in 1839 to the World War II years a century later, the Austin History Center provides a unique link to Austin’s weird past. You can even look at a timeline of famous streets with pictures.

Handbook of Texas Online
The Handbook of Texas Online is a multidisciplinary encyclopedia of Texas history, geography, and culture sponsored by the Texas State Historical Association and the General Libraries at UT Austin.

Library of Congress’s American Memory Project
Useful pathfinder allows you to search through the Library of Congress’s extensive American collection, including video, photographs, documents, and sound files.

Thompson-Gale’s Dictionary of American History
Thousands of entries covering a wide range of American history topics make this an invaluable resource for browsers and history buffs alike. Available through the Austin Public Library databases.

Year by Year: 1900-2007
This one is just fun! Pick a year and get historical facts about world and U. S. events, sports, even entertainment.

History World
This site uses interconnected timelines and encyclopedia-like entries to detail historical events and persons throughout the world. You can even make your own custom timelines.

Math

Ask Dr. Math
Grade level and subject specific answers to common math questions.

Mathematical Conversion Utilities
Convert from anything to anything�

The World of Math Online
This site offers homework help, practice, tutoring, conversion calculators, and even games.

Science

Exploratorium
This great science museum offers all kinds of information from the weird world of science.

Geology.com
A great resource for all things Earth science-rocks, landforms, even maps.

How Stuff Works
The folks who actually know....how stuff works!

Rader’s Science4Kids sites
www.chem4kids.com/
www.biology4kids.com
www.cosmos4kids.com
www.physics4kids.com
Each of these pages covers the major topics in their fields with simple, descriptive tutorials. Quizzes help you determine how much you have learned and what you need to study.

Science News for Kids
Keep up to date on the latest topics as well as check out science fair project tips.

Science Net
Toronto Public Library presents this directory of science links and information. You can search by subject or by using an A-Z list. You can also filter it by grade level or specific subject, like spiders under zoology.

SeaWorld’s Animal Education page
Learn more about your favorite animals, from baleen whales to walruses. Check out their sound library to hear all kinds of wild animal sounds.

WebElements
Clickable periodical table provides information about each chemical element, its properties, reactions, compounds, and uses.

Science Project Sites
(a category all its own!)

• Homework Spot. This is a good place to start. Everything from “why bother” to specific experiments, organized by grade level.
• SciencePage. Murray Hart, lists sites that help you select, perform and report your project in an A+ way.
• The Mad Scientist at work. Need we say more?
• The Fun Science Gallery has instructions for many typical projects.
• At the Cyber-Fair, you’ll find descriptions of each step in the process, and help with the mechanics of creating your display board
• Check out the Discovery Channel’s Science Fair Central.
• Reeko’s Mad Scientist Lab. K-12 educational and fun science experiments for kids, children, teachers, and parents.
• Scifair.org, sponsored by the Society for Amateur Scientists, walks you through the whole process.
• Want to make that volcano explode? Find instructions for various kinds at Volcano World.
• See what other kids are doing in the E-Journal of the National Student Research Center.
• Arts Magnet School Science Fair Tips focuses on scientific method, ideas, final display
• Visit Science Fair Prep for preparation tips and ideas by grade level
• Science Fair Handbook includes keys to a successful project and ideas by grade level
• All Science Fair Projects has detailed projects with grade level difficulty
• Super Science Fair Projects takes you through every step to a winning display.
• Project instructions in another language
• Experimentos en español
• NASA en español
• More info about the mechanics or doing a science project
• Some more ideas

Homework Sites

(Lists of Sites Specifically for Students)

The Awesome Library for Kids
Keep clicking until you get the info you need. It will be worth it.

BrainPOP
Here’s a place for you visual learners to watch animated shorts about various topics. Some of the animations are free, but others you have to subscribe to watch.

High School Ace
Easy-to-use guide to most high school subjects includes reference sites, college guides, news links and fun links like crossword puzzles.

Multnomah County Library’s Homework Center
If you haven’t found it here, you’ll probably find it there.

Reference Shelf

(resources for short, factual answers)

American FactFinder
The U.S. Census Bureau created this site to distribute census information from around the country. You can search by area or subject.

Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations
“A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature.” Although published in 1919, this resource can still help you with your English homework!

Earth Calendar
This calendar details holidays, events, and celebrations around the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica Online-School Edition
Available through APL’s online databases, this resource includes Compton’s for middle schoolers and Britannica Elementary as well.

Merriam-Webster Online Search
Four standard resources in one place! M-W features an online dictionary, thesaurus, Spanish-English dictionary, and a new medical dictionary.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac
The original resource for weather, astronomy, and gardening advice.

Online TAKS Practice Tests & Readiness guides

Texas Education Agency
TEA offers released copies of previous year’s TAKS tests for study and practice. You can use the printable or interactive online versions.

Track
UT’s Telecampus provides this online study guide to determine your knowledge of the TEKS and your readiness for college.

Typing Practice

Learn 2 Type for Kids
Requires you to complete a brief sign-up form. Then it takes you through touch typing step by step.

Mr. Kent’s Typing Tutor
Starts with the keyboard and goes from there.

Typing Exercise
Use what you’ve learned in these typing quizzes.

Typing Pal Online
Lets you exercise your digits without registering.

Typing Tutor
Lets you practice by playing a game.

Have problems, questions, or comments? Ask a Librarian! Get the answers you need!