Gainfield Elementary School

Connecticut Digital Library

The State of Connecticut has made available a rich array of electronic information databases. Use your Public Library Card number to access the CT Digital Library from home.

• Kids InfoBits - For K-5 students, this searches magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and other reference works.  (Click here to view Cole's tutorial on doing an advanced search in Kids InfoBits.)
• Biography in Context- Need information about a person? Check this out. Search by name, occupation, nationality, and gender.  (Click here to view Dylan's tutorial on doing a person search in Biography in Context.)
• Discovering Collection - This database includes information about people, places, and events; history, literature, biography, science and social studies. It searches reference sources, creative works, primary sources, and multimedia.
• CT Digital Library Resources for Elementary Schools
• CT Digital Library - All databases

Online Encyclopedias and Databases

You will need Region 15's password to access these encyclopedias from home. See Mrs. Parker if you forgot it.

• World Book Kids
• World Book Student
• Pebble Go 

(Learn how to use World Book Student's Biography Center, Explore Connecticut and timeline features in this tutorial by Jason.)

Animals

• World Wildlife Fund
• Encyclopedia of Life
• Animal Diversity Web - An online encyclopedia with information on just about every animal group within the animal kingdom.
• Endangered Species Guide - Animal Planet
• ESpecies Fact Sheets - Fact sheets of endangered animals sorted by continent and type.

Almanacs 

• Almanac from Fact Monster
• The Old Farmer's Almanac

Biographical Resources

• Biography.Com - 20,000 short biographies
• Famous Americans

Atlases and Maps

• MapQuest - Driving directions anywhere in the U.S.
• World Atlas Outline Maps and Map Tests - Outline maps for any country in the world and a series of map quizzes to test your geography skills.
• Historical Atlas of the 20th Century - Click on maps, graphs, and charts to learn more about 20th Century history.
• Atlapedia Online
• Maps - Blackline Masters compiled by Pat Elliott, Canadian library specialist.

News

• GoGo News - News site for kids.
• Online News Hour Extra (PBS)
• Kids Post (Washington Post)
• The New York Times Learning Network
• News & Current Events
• World Book Student - Click on the "Today" section for headlines from PBS News

Dictionaries

• Word Central
• Merriam-Webster Online
• Visuwords - Graphical dictionary that shows word meaning and how it relates to other words.
• Rhyme Zone - Rhyming dictionary and thesaurus
• Little Explorers - A free online picture dictionary of more than 1,100 entries.
• Word Spy - Learn the definitions of some new words.
• Forvo - Learn the pronunciations for words in dozens of languages.
• Wordsmyth - pronounces words, gives definitions, lists synonyms, related words, and roots. 

Other 

• Fact Monster - A great reference site for students that includes an encyclopedia, almanac, thesaurus and dictionary. (Check out Kayla's tutorial on using FactMonster.)
• Information Please - The adult version of Fact Monster.
• Kidspace@ The Internet Public Library - Follow the subject headings to great links chosen by librarians.
• Library Spot - Very handy, well organized ready reference links.
• Enchanted Learning - Great educational web sites and games that are designed to capture the imagination while maximizing creativity, learning and enjoyment.