This internet site provides a variety of resources for learning about the state history of Nebraska. Searching through the wide historical collections online, I discovered a wealth of photographs, maps and even information about individuals and families. The society does provide a specific "Teacher Materials" link. For fourth grade Nebraska social studies standards!

This site is a national history education clearinghouse. It's beautifully designed, well organized and inviting to the user. Divided into three main sections -- teaching materials, history content and best practices. It provides reviews of history websites and collections. One especially cool feature is "Beyond the Textbook," which asks a historical question and looks at how the question is addressed by textbooks vs. historians vs. primary sources.

The Newseum is an actual brick and mortar museum located in Washington, D.C. Its website contains an eye-opening feature called "Today's Front Pages," which publishes front pages from newspapers around the world (see link on the right sidebar). Excellent source for teaching Media Literacy by demonstrating how differences in societies and cultures frame news stories differently. Especially fitting for journalism and social studies classes. Varies from many of my chosen sites because it displays current primary sources.

This website, created by the US Dept of Energy's Information Administration, answers students' questions about energy -- from what is energy to the history of energy to saving energy. Website provides teachers with lesson plans, teacher guides, virtual field trips, energy career information. All teacher information is categorized by student age group.

On a note of local interest for all OPS teachers, the Media Technology Center Library and the Joslyn Art Museum have worked together to provide classroom access to these historical, informational traveling exhibits. From Douglas County History to Native American History, call 557-2500 and have the trunks delivered to your classrooms to use for two full weeks. I work in this department one day a week -- and was totally thrilled to be introduced to these marvelous sets of get-your-hands-on primary sources. They can be used in primary grades through high school.

This website is designed for use in education and features historical documents and images of historical artifacts, mainly from early american history in New England. Super cool tool in the Just 4 Kids section is the Magic Lens -- which "translates" old cursive writing of primary documents into a more easily read font. I also found interesting the images of everyday artifacts. Excellent resource for "Thanksgiving" history.

From the Government Printing office... a fabulous and most interesting collection of links to primary and "Core" government documents -- the Declaration of Independence, Presidential Papers, Supreme Court decisions, and more! Great basic resource to help you "GET TO THE SOURCE!"

Labeled "Facts and Fun for all Ages." Photos and basic information about the White House, the presidents, presidential pets and fun historical facts. Main focuses: presidents and White House. Visually pleasing, easy-to-use.

Today in History is part of the Library of Congress' American Memory project. As the title implies, the site pulls a signicant event in history, reports about it and shows primary sources -- photos and documents -- attached to the event. The writers generally pick one or two topics for the day and elaborate on those. Excellent for upper grades.

Library of Congress Teachers Page, with links to using primary sources, etc. The LOC has created "Themed Resources" that include specific, common topics into easy to use sets. The combined resources include grouped primary source sets, lessson plans, exhibitions, etc. Love IT! Also provides user with pre-made LOC professional development sessions called "Teaching with Primary Sources."