To much work...

...no time to read. Hopefully, regular posts on this and my other blog will start again next week.

Way too much stuff going on

U.S. History: Pre Columbia to the New Millennium

Discovering history is fun (right?)

U.S. History: Pre Columbia to the New Millennium, produced by ushistory.org, at http://www.ushistory.org/us/index.asp

Plot: A website dedicated to all major events in U.S. history from approximately 1300 A.D. to 2000 A.D. The site provides pages leading to a brief synopsis of important historical events and concepts. It also offers links offering further information addressing common questions, important locations, notable documents, and influential individuals.

Reading Level: Complex enough for an adult, intended for middle-schoolers.

Genre: Websites, History, Geography

Personal Thoughts: The Independence Hall Association of Philadelphia produces and maintains the site, ensuring accurate and relevant information. Like many topics on the Internet, American history is prone to misunderstanding and misinformation. By utilizing scholars to write and review the information, the website allows students to access a reliable resource. Additionally, many of the links connect to government documents which, while occasionally difficult to read, can allow viewers to think critically about the events forming their society.

Wildlife Library

Aminals!

Wildlife Library, produced by the National Wildlife Association, located at
http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library.aspx

Plot: A collection of information about the United State's wildlife. The library provides links describing the different classes of animals, as well as plant life, native to North America. Additionally, the site has pages dedicated to some of the most popular creatures, including gray wolves, bald eagles, and rainbow trout. Each page includes information about the creature's habitat, lifestyle, and appearance, as well as links to similar articles and adoption opportunities.

Genre: Websites, Animals, Biology, Science

Reading Level: Accessible and relevant to elementary-age students and tweens.

Personal Thoughts: The site is easy to navigate and attractive to view. Additionally, it provides information in an easy to read manner without appearing concending. However, it does tend to focus on famous animals, and it typically meshes less popular creatures, such as cacti and toads, under a single heading, despite the diversity of the creatures. Still, the site provides useful information, which may be especially appreciated as final projects for the school year approach.