All of the sites listed on my top 10 list serve as some of the best resources and websites for those interested in history, government, politics, current events and geography- just some of my favorite parts of Social Studies! Enjoy!
1. Library of Congress
www.loc.gov/families
This site provides students and teachers with an unlimited amount of information from a variety of sources. The Library of Congress covers everything from the current day in history, to the local legacies, songs that are relevant to specific time periods, allows visitors to take a virtual tour, as well as current events that are going on worldwide. This site not only allows students to research different topics, but provides teachers with a great deal of information and resources for lesson plans, as well as tips and strategies for making the lesson successful.
2. Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for kids
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/index.html
This site provides students and teachers with an unlimited amount of information from a variety of sources. Ben’s guide provides students with information on the government both state and national, the election process, and citizenship. This site also provides activities for the students to do both collaboratively and individually, online and offline. The information presented on this site is provided in an organized and fun manner for the students. This grabs the students attention and allows them to work “hands-on”.
3. The Smithsonian Institute
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/students/index.html
The Smithsonian Institute site for students allows students of all grade levels to explore their interests in the following topics: art, science, nature, history, culture, people and places. The Smithsonian allows students to participate in online labs, play educational games and discover the secrets of the Smithsonian. This is an amazing site that can be used in so many ways in the classroom. The most important part of this site that puts it on my top ten is that it allows students to explore what interests them.
4. iCivics
http://www.icivics.org/
This site provides students and teachers with an unlimited amount of information from a variety of sources. iCivics provides both teachers and students with a variety of educational information. From lesson plans for the teacher to games and activities for the students iCivics is a valuable resource for any government classroom. This website allows students to participate in activities to help save an international problem, run in a presidential election, and examine the separation of powers. This is a site that should be utilized in every High school Social Studies classroom!
5. The History Channel
http://www.history.com/
This site provides students and teachers with an unlimited amount of information from a variety of sources. The History Channel covers everything from the current day in history, to the local legacies, songs that are relevant to specific time periods, allows visitors to watch video clips of important pieces of history, as well as current events that are going on worldwide. This site not only allows students to research different topics, but provides teachers with a great deal of information and resources for lesson plans, as well as tips and strategies for making the lesson successful.
6. American Heritage
http://americanheritage.org/high_.html
This site is really for the teacher of a United States history class however, it provides activities and resources for the students so that they may better understand important documents and events that happened throughout history. This site helps the students travel back in time to play the role of several different characters in history in regards to working collaboratively to solve a problem, come up with a better solution, or understand the importance of an event in history.
7. Kids in the House
http://kids.clerk.house.gov/
This site provides students and teachers with an unlimited amount of information from a variety of sources. Kids in the House, also breaks the content of the government into four different age groups. This site allows students to explore all of the parts of government in terms of congress. This site is perfect for a high school government class because it explains all of the parts of congress, how a bill becomes a law, and allows students to look around the house chamber without leaving the classroom! Kids in the House also provides a method of communication for teachers to allow them to contact representatives and set up a time that they may come into the classroom, giving students a real life experience.
8. eLECTIONS- Your Adventure in Politics
http://broadband.ciconline.org/elections/
This site provides students and teachers with an unlimited amount of information from a variety of sources. eLections provides both teachers and students with a variety of educational information. From lesson plans for the teacher to games and activities for the students eLections is a valuable resource for any government classroom. This website allows students to participate in an actual classroom election. This site is inspired by the “game of life” and is based upon your decisions.
9. The Week in Rap
http://www.theweekinrap.com
The week in rap is a site which is updated every Friday with a new rap on the week’s current events. Although you cannot do anything other than watch that week’s rap video it is one of the top educational sites because it allows the students to relate to the events that are occurring every day. Students are also able and more willing to discuss current events after watching the week in rap because they are interested and entertained by the rap. This is a great tool to use before a debate on current events.
10. World Maps- Geography Online Games
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm
This site provides students and teachers with an assortment of maps for students to use to study and learn the world geography. many students struggle when trying to memorize a map for a map test! So why not allow them to have a little fun by playing a game designed around geography? With maps of the United States to Eastern Europe, South Africa and South America, every student who plays is bound to improve his or her geographic skills.