This WebQuest allows students to become authors as they research an explorer and write a "chapter" about his accomplishments and achievements in a student created book entitled: Exploring Explorers. The WebQuest includes guidelines, explorer choice list, and rubric. This is a possible project idea for the explorer unit.

This site is a companion to "The Vikings" a two-hour NOVA program originally broadcast on May 9, 2000. This site will give students the opportunity to: explore a Viking village, read new theories about the Norsemen, see what it was about the longships and other Viking vessels that helped their makers get around so successfully, locate the extraordinary breadth of the Norse Diaspora, write their names spelled in runes, learn the meaning of each of the letters in the Viking alphabet, delve into the history of the Norse writing system, and learn about tree ring counting.

This site provides multiple-choice questions about Colonial times. Often additional links are provided to expand on concepts presented in the question. (Caution! This site contains many pop-up advertisements.)

This site contains interesting historical facts about the real Oregon Trail. Background information about the trail is given, historical sites along the trail are revisited, strange but true fantastic facts are intriguing and trail archives provides a look at actual trail diaries and books. Fantastic use of primary sources!

Students can take a trip back to an era in American history by using the time period links in the Jump Back in Time section. Timelines are provided to offer a visual cue as to the time frames. Stories from a variety of historical events are included.

This site provides background information on the scientist who named cloud formations, as well as how clouds are classified. A brief explanation is given as to how clouds form.

Meteorologists need many kinds of data before the weather can be predicted. This site illustrates and explains the many tools used by meteorologists.

Web Weather for Kids is a valuable weather resource. A variety of weather related topics are covered. The ingredients used in "making" weather are explained in kid-friendly language and are demonstrated with visuals. Students can test their understanding of various concepts with one question quizzes and games. Safety tips for thunderstorms, floods, and winter weather are given to encourage safe weather watching. Ten easy-to-do hands-on science experiments are also explained.

Satellite and radar images provide current weather updates for the United States. State and local weather forecasts from the National Weather Service are available.

Current weather radar images and storm maps are available. A 15-day local weather forecast is available by typing in the zip code. A variety of weather related links are highlighted.

Local and national forecasts are available. This site contains links to various weather related articles so readers can "connect with the weather."

The latest severe weather news headlines from around the world are highlighted. Links provide access to actual storm footage, games, and photographs of wild weather.

This site takes students through a discussion on air pressure and how it affects the weather and daily life. Three air pressure experiments with their results are explained. Five discussion questions are posted to help stimulate discussions about air pressure. Students can find hidden pressure terms in a word search, control a hot air balloon to see the affects or air pressure or create their own barometer. This site is a great resource for both teachers and students.

Basic information about a variety of biomes is covered. Locations, conditions, and animal adaptations are featured. Pictures, charts and printouts are great features to of the site.

This site is a great place for students to visit when doing biome research. Six "basic" biomes are covered in detail. Location, conditions, and plant and animal adaptations are explained for each of the biomes. The Biome Summary provides an overview of moisture, temperature, vegetation, and animals for all six biomes. Students are also introduced to reading a climograph.

This is a wonderful resource for fast biome facts. Each biome has a quick reference guide that includes: temperature, precipitation, vegetation, location (with highlighted map), temperature graphs, descriptions, and additional related biome links. Students can participate in two "missions" to practice the information covered. The teacher resource link provides a great deal of support. Goals, outcomes, standards, lesson plans, discussion questions and related book lists are featured.

BrainPop provides short animated web movies and activity pages dealing with many 5th grade Science unit. Click on Science Movies to access all movie topics.

This site serves as an on-line fraction tutorial. Users can choose whether examples are shown using a number line or circles. Instruction and practice is given for the following topics: identifying, renaming, comparing, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions.

FunBrain.com offers a variety of math games at a variety of difficulty levels. Students choose an age (or level of difficulty) and a listing of games for that particular level will appear.

A novel guide for Charley Skedaddle. Unit includes a story synopsis, comprehension questions, vocabulary worksheet, and writing prompts. There is also a listing of civil war related websites. Novel guide must be downloaded.

A very well written teacher's guide for "Drummer Boys and Fifers" from the December 1999 Cobblestone issue. The site features a complete lesson plan, extension activities, and a graphic organizer. A bibliography of related Civil War novels is included.

This site provides definitions, examples and templates for a variety of writing forms and concepts. Most lessons include a free printable worksheet. Great teacher resource!