It’s difficult finding kid-safe research websites that really are. Even Google SafeSearch has issues at times. Here’s my list of safe spots to send your students for research. Before rolling any of these out, preview them all to be sure they fit your unique student group:
- BrainPop–with the BrainPop characters, a launchpad to curiosity
- CoolKidFacts–kid-friendly videos, pictures, info, and quizzes–all 100% suitable for children
- CyberSleuth Kids–free kid-friendly graphics
- Dimensions–academic research geared for college-level
- Fact Monster–help with homework and facts
- History Channel–great speeches
- How Stuff Works–the gold standard in explaining stuff to kids
- Info Please–events cataloged year-by-year
- Library Spot— an extensive collection of kid’s research tools
- National Geographic for Kids
- SchoolsWorld.TV--an eclectic collection of educational videos
- Smithsonian Quest–sign up your class; student research/explore with the Smithsonian
- SqoolTube Videos–educational videos for Prek-12
- TagGalaxy–search using a cloud
- Wild Wordsmyth–picture dictionary for kids
- World Almanac for Kids
Citation Resources
Once students have found the information they need online, here are great places to make sure they provide the proper citations:
Kids Search Engines
For the youngest researchers, you want more than kid-safe websites. You want an entire search engine that will point students to only the safest, G-rated sites. There are a lot out there but these are the only I recommend at this point:
How to Research
To properly research requires training and practice. Here are sites that will provide both:
- A Google A Day
- How to Search on Google
- Power Searching (with Google)
- Teaching students to search/research
- Internet Search and Research–a lesson plan for K-8
Pictures
Finding sites that only provide safe images I find almost impossible. Even Google safe-search shows inappropriate thumbnails too often. Here are a few I recommend:
- National Gallery of Art–for kids
- Photos for Class–large collection of images
- Pics4Learning–a more limited collection but always safe
- Smithsonian Wild–200,000 animal pictures!
More
5 Lesson Plans to teach researching in the classroom
Use Unconventional Research Sites to Inspire Students
How do I teach Inquiry and Research in Middle School
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
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