Homework Help

Databases vs. Web Sites

A database contains information from encyclopedias, dictionaries, magazines, newspapers, reference books and other sources. You can search a database to find information you need. Web sites can be created by anybody and while some websites have great information, some websites may contain information that is not accurate. On this page, our library staff has selected some of the best websites we know about to help you find what you're looking for. We've also highlighted some great databases (you can find more databases on our Teen page).

If you see a , that means the source is a library database, and to use it from home, you'll need your library card and password.

Need Help?

Check out our tutorials on Doing Research at the Library (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader))

Arts & Crafts

Crafts for Kids - Locate printable projects and crafts, including educational and holiday themes.
Family Crafts Category Index - Craft ideas for a wide variety of topics are shared in an easy-to-find format.
Jim Spier's Craft Recipes - You will find hundreds of craft recipes for children with an easy search method.
Kaboose Crafts - Find fun, kid-friendly crafts, activities, and recipes.

Fine Arts

Artcyclopedia - Use this comprehensive database to locate artists, their works, and art museums.
DOS Kids - Learn about instruments, listen to what they sound like, and even play music-related games.
Smithsonian for Kids - Learn all about the Smithsonian's 19 museums and what they contain.

General

Grolier Online Kids - Allows you to search seven databases all at once! The New Book of Knowledge, Multimedia Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Americana, Amazing Animals of the World, America the Beautiful, Lands and Peoples and the New Book of Popular Science.
Multimedia Encyclopedia - Use this database to find both information on a variety of topics, plus great graphics, photographs and sometimes video and audio clips as well.
New Book of Knowledge - Search encyclopedias, atlases and dictionaries all in one spot. Search a broad range of subjects including world history timelines, animals, new words and more.
Searchasaurus - Searching is easy in this search engine for kids! The database contains various images, offers brief biographies as well as information in a variety of subject areas.
Ask for Kids - This is a search engine designed for ages 6 to 12.
Fact Monster - Information from the dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas, and almanac is available in this reference site for ages 8-14.
Kids Click -This search engine guides children to helpful and appropriate web sites.

Geography/Culture

America the Beautiful - Everything you want to know about any of the 50 states – from basic facts to important people and history. Includes some maps and pictures
Culture Grams - You can learn so much about states and countries using this website. You can hear a country’s national anthem, see pictures and find recipes for dishes from around the world.
Kentucky Encyclopedia- Everything you want to know about our home state. Includes people, places and events.
Lands and Peoples - Maps, flags, and reference articles about the land, people, economy, and history of countries around the world. An online tool lets you compare countries and there is also an electronic atlas!
50 States.com - Find information on each state, as well as, the commonwealths and territories of the United States.
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government - Learn how the government works and how you can be a better citizen.
Kentucky Kids Project - Facts and trivia are presented on the state of Kentucky.
Kids.gov - This is the official portal to the United States government for children.
World Factbook - Learn all about over 266 world entities in this CIA publication.

Health & Safety

FDA Kids Page - Through games and songs, learn about health and safety topics.
IPL Kidspace - Health - Learn all about your body, and how to keep it healthy and safe.
Kidd Safety - Geared to prevent injuries to children associated with consumer products, find out how to stay injury-free.
KidsHealth - Find information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.

Historical & Current Events

Courier Journal - Find full text articles printed since 1/1/1999. There are no graphics or photographs included.
Primary Search - Search for articles from magazines, books, journals, almanacs, primary sources and more. Easy to use search tools even include searching by lexile reading level.

Language Arts

International Children's Digital Library - This digital library of outstanding children's books allows access to stories from different cultures and world communities.
Literacy Center - Explore numbers, letters, and learn colors and words with fun activities.
Little Explorers Picture Dictionary - Find over 2,000 illustrated dictionary entries, including example sentences.
Read Kiddo Read - You will find book suggestions and reviews for four different age categories, interviews with authors, and more.
Spell Check - Play this fun game to identify misspelled words.
Word Central - This dictionary, thesaurus, and rhyming word finder will help you polish any homework assignment.

Louisville/Kentucky

America the Beautiful - Everything you want to know about any of the 50 states – from basic facts to important people and history. Includes some maps and pictures
Culture Grams - You can learn so much about states and countries using this website. You can hear a country’s national anthem, see pictures and find recipes for dishes from around the world.
Kentucky Encyclopedia- Everything you want to know about our home state. Includes people, places and events.
Derby Museum - Learn all about Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.
Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana - Play games and learn what Girl Scouts has to offer for all grade levels.
JCPS Student Page - Find homework help, lunch menus, and other tools to be a successful student.
Kentucky Art & Craft Foundation - Learn about the exhibits at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft.
List of JCPS Schools - Find schools, contact information, and links to school websites.
Louisville Zoo - Planning a trip to the zoo? Look here first for information about zoo hours, rates, and special exhibits.
Speed Art Museum - Find out about the exciting events, programs, and special art exhibits at this one-of-a-kind museum.

Mathematics

A+ Math - Improve your math skills with games, flashcards, and worksheets.
Ask Dr. Math - Here you will find help with many math topics so that you can tackle your homework.
IXL - Practice math skills through interactive games and practice questions. You can even select games that are aligned with your state's math standards.
Khan Academy - Ten minute videos demonstrate K-12 Math skills, as well as, Science and Humanities topics.

Physical Education & Games

Children's Folk Games - Through games and activities, learn the traditions of many cultures.
Games Kids Play - Learn the rules or verses to all types of favorite childhood games.
Sports Illustrated for Kids - This is the online version of the magazine, with sports news and games.

People

Lands and People - Maps, flags, and reference articles about the land, people, economy, and history of countries around the world. An online tool lets you compare countries and there is also an electronic atlas!
Biography Resource Center - An easy way to search for people and their importance. Articles are from journals and reference books.

Reference Materials

Encyclopedia Americana - Look up specific topics or simply browse current events and research topics.
Grolier Online Kids - Allows you to search seven databases all at once! The New Book of Knowledge, Multimedia Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Americana, Amazing Animals of the World, America the Beautiful, Lands and Peoples and the New Book of Popular Science.
New Book of Knowledge - Search encyclopedias, atlases and dictionaries all in one spot. Search a broad range of subjects including world history timelines, animals, new words and more.
Searchasaurus - Searching is easy in this search engine for kids! The database contains various images, offers brief biographies as well as information in a variety of subject areas.

Science

New Book of Popular Science - For all things science this is the place to stop. Science projects, biographies, astronomy and much more.
Age of the Dinosaurs - Learn all about dinosaurs that roamed the earth and how they may have become extinct.
Amazing Space - Learn about the universe, based on the Hubble Space Telescope's greatest discoveries.
Animal Information Database - Discover a wealth of information about all types of animals, with photographs included.
Atoms Family - Educational activities relating to different forms of energy are told through gothic horror characters.
EEK! - If you like the great outdoors, you will want to check out this electronic magazine for grades 4-8.
IPL Kidspace - Make the grade with this resource guide just for science fair projects.
Jungle Walk - Find animal information for nature and wildlife lovers.
Museum of Unnatural Mystery - Learn about obscure scientific mysteries.
Window to the Universe - A rich array of Earth and Space science topics are presented at different reading levels.

Technology

The Kids Simple Guide to the Internet - Learn all the internet has to offer, including search engines, educational web sites, and chat tips.
NetSmartz Kids - Through the use of 3-D activities, learn how to stay safer on the internet.
Nick.com Online Safety Guide - What makes the internet amazing can also make it dangerous. Learn how to stay safe.
Robotics:Sensing-Thinking-Acting - See how robots are used all over the world.
Zoom Inventors & Inventions - Search inventions and who created them alphabetically or by category.

World Languages

Japanese Kids Picture Dictionary - This is the English-Japanese version of Enchanted Learning's picture dictionary.
Jennifer's Language Page - Learn how to say words and phrases in hundreds of different languages.
Say Hello to the World - Learn how to say hello in a variety of languages, including Braille and Sign Language.
Languages Online: Espanol - Build spanish vocabulary through games and exercises.

Last Updated: 10/15/09