Resources: Homework & Research Links
Databases |
Biography |
English and Literature |
Geography
Government |
History |
Math |
Science |
Science Project
Reference Shelf |
TAKS
Austin Public Library Databases
The Austin Public Library and the Texas State Library provide free access to many databases including homework helpers organized by grade level. Some recommended databases are:
- Student Research Center
Designed especially for youth in grades 6-12, the Student Research Center can be searched by keyword or by topic. Results can be sorted by source type - magazines, reference books, biographies, transcripts, country and state reports, primary source documents, and photos, maps, and flags. The Columbia Encyclopedia and the American Heritage Dictionary are included. - MasterFILE Premier
For assignments that require full-text journal or magazine articles this is the place to search. MasterFILE Premier provides full text for more than 1,950 general reference, business, consumer, health, general science, and multi-cultural periodicals. It also contains full text for nearly 500 reference books, 84,500 biographies, 100,500 primary source documents, and an image collection of 202,000 photos, maps, and flags. - While Cliffs Notes is not a substitute for reading the book, it can be helpful. To use them online:
- Log in at netLibrary
- Click on Try Advanced Search. In the publisher box type "Cliffs"
- Type in the name of the book or author of the book you want and press "search"
- Browse online
AISD Catalog Databases
Follow the link for your school and then the one for Knowledge Portal in the center of the toolbar at the top. You may be required to have a log-in ID and password. From reference databases, like Encyclopedia Britannica, to newspaper and journal resources, many of the sources your teachers will require and trust can be found here.
Biography Resource Center
Combined with the complete Who's Who, this resource represents a comprehensive source for biographies of all kinds. You can also search by occupation, dates, ethnicity, gender, and nationality.
The Biography Channel
This is one of the best sources for celebrity biographies, including musicians, athletes, and movie stars. It also features video clips, sound recordings, and photos.
Eric Weisstein's World of Scientific Biography
Extensive biographies with clickable links to term definitions make this resource invaluable. You can even search by gender/minority, nationality, branch of science, prize winners, and historical period.
Thompson-Gale Black History Page
Free biographical sketches of notable African-Americans. This site is maintained by a highly trustworthy source-normally Gale database resources require a subscription.
Thompson-Gale Hispanic Heritage Page
Free biographical sketches of notable Latinos. This site is maintained by a highly trustworthy source-normally Gale database resources require a subscription.
Thompson-Gale Women's History Page
Free biographical sketches of notable women, historical and contemporary. This site is maintained by a highly trustworthy source-normally Gale database resources require a subscription.
Books online (full-text)
Sometimes you just have to read something you can't find at school or the library. It might be online!
- Project Gutenberg wants to make all world literature available free, online, and full text. A staggering and noble effort!
- The Austin Public Library's access to netLibrary
Citing Sources
University of Texas Libraries' Style Manuals
If you not only need to cite the sources, but also need to know the rules, check out UT's Style Manuals page. There is a link to guides for each formatting style, as well as additional resources for writing your bibliography.
Literature
Literature Resource Center
APL's link to this great resource for literary criticism. Literature Resource Center provides access to biographies, bibliographies, and critical analysis of authors from every age and literary discipline. The Literature Resource Center covers more than 90,000 novelists, poets, essayists, journalists, and other writers, with in-depth coverage of 2,000 of the most-studied authors. Search by author name, title, genre, literary movement or literary themes, or combine criteria to create a custom search path.
United States
Stately Knowledge
Internet Public Library offers a clickable map of the US, with information about each state. Each entry includes important facts, a picture of the state flag, state links, and trivia.
World
The CIA World Factbook
This fount of geographical and cultural information is maintained by the CIA and updated regularly. Maps and political information are included.
National Geographic
People, Places, Animals, and more. If you're looking for information about our world (and beyond) accompanied by spectacular photos, this is the site for you.
Austin
Austin City Connection
Official site for the City of Austin contains links to every department (including the library!). It also features a list of current events in and around the city.
Texas
Texas Legislature Online
Official site for the Texas House and Senate. You can find information about the Tx constitution, how bills work, and links to both the Kids' House and Senate Kids.
Texas Online
The official site for the State of Texas includes links to the governor's website and the state government, as well as information on day-to-day activities, like how to get your driver's license or where to pay your taxes.
United States
USA.gov
This megasite created by the Federal government contains practically everything you would want to know about the US. Investigate Kids.gov for homework help, games, and other links. There is even information for new immigrants and visitors to our country.
Government 101
Basic information created by Project Vote Smart helps you better understand the Federal government and civic systems.
Austin
Austin Treasures: Online Exhibits at the Austin History Center
From its beginnings in 1839 to the World War II years a century later, the Austin History Center provides a unique link to Austin's weird past. You can even look at a timeline of famous streets with pictures.
Texas
Handbook of Texas Online
The Handbook of Texas Online is a multidisciplinary encyclopedia of Texas history, geography, and culture sponsored by the Texas State Historical Association and the General Libraries at UT Austin.
United States
Library of Congress's American Memory Project
Useful pathfinder allows you to search through the Library of Congress's extensive American collection, including video, photographs, documents, and sound files.
Thompson-Gale's Dictionary of American History
Thousands of entries covering a wide range of American history topics make this an invaluable resource for browsers and history buffs alike. Available through the Austin Public Library databases.
Year by Year: 1900-2007
This one is just fun! Pick a year and get historical facts about world and U. S. events, sports, even entertainment.
World
History World
This site uses interconnected timelines and encyclopedia-like entries to detail historical events and persons throughout the world. You can even make your own custom timelines.
Number Nut
Enough math can make anyone nutty, so Number Nut explains it all.
The World of Math Online
This site offers homework help, practice, tutoring, conversion calculators, and even games.
Exploratorium
This great science museum offers all kinds of information from the weird world of science.
Geology.com
A great resource for all things Earth science-rocks, landforms, even maps.
How Stuff Works
The folks who actually know....how stuff works!
Rader's Science4Kids sites:
www.chem4kids.com/
www.biology4kids.com
www.cosmos4kids.com
www.physics4kids.com
Each of these pages covers the major topics in their fields with simple, descriptive tutorials. Quizzes help you determine how much you have learned and what you need to study.
Science News for Kids
Keep up to date on the latest topics as well as check out science fair project tips.
WebElements
Clickable periodic table provides information about each chemical element, its properties, reactions, compounds, and uses.
Science Project Sites
(a category all its own!)
- Home Experiments. Put together by a University of Wisconsin-Madison Chemistry Professor.
- Homework Spot. This is a good place to start. Everything from "why bother" to specific experiments, organized by grade level.
- The Mad Scientist at work. Need we say more?
- Science Bob lists some experiments with instructions
- Science Kids have more experiments for you.
- At the Cyber-Fair, you'll find descriptions of each step in the process, and help with the mechanics of creating your display board
- Check out the Discovery Channel's Science Fair Central.
- Scifair.org, sponsored by the Society for Amateur Scientists, walks you through the whole process.
- Visit Science Fair Prep for preparation tips and ideas by grade level
- Super Science Fair Projects takes you through every step to a winning display.
- Experimentos en español
(resources for short, factual answers)
American FactFinder
The U.S. Census Bureau created this site to distribute census information from around the country. You can search by area or subject.
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations
"A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature." Although published in 1919, this resource can still help you with your English homework!
Earth Calendar
This calendar details holidays, events, and celebrations around the world.
Merriam-Webster Online Search
Four standard resources in one place! M-W features an online dictionary, thesaurus, Spanish-English dictionary, and a new medical dictionary.
The Old Farmer's Almanac
The original resource for weather, astronomy, and gardening advice.
Online TAKS Practice Tests & Readiness guides
TAKS study Guides
TEA offers released copies of previous year's TAKS tests for study and practice. You can use the printable or interactive online versions.
Track
UT's Telecampus provides this online study guide to determine your knowledge of the TEKS and your readiness for college.
Have problems, questions, or comments? Ask a Librarian! Get the answers you need!
