Instructional Resources
Best Websites for Teaching and Learning
Peruse recommended websites by the American Association of School Librarians that foster inquiry-based learning and 21st-Century Learner standards.
eThemes
This database catalogs websites by topic to help educators find appropriate teaching-related resources more quickly. Websites are evaluated for classroom use according to age appropriateness, reading level, safety of external links, and accuracy of information.
Finding Missouri: Our History and Heritage
This program consists of nineteen video units that explore the excitement and drama of Missouri history. Videos feature documentary film footage, images of and spoken words from primary sources, reenactments of historical events and people, footage of historical sites, and interviews with experts. Each focuses on a single topic and lasts approximately 10-15 minutes.
Library of Congress
The world’s largest library has compiled themed resources for teaching various topics using their digital collections. This website includes primary source sets, exhibitions, special presentations, and lesson plans for educators.
National Archives
The Digital Classroom of the National Archives provides lesson plans and resources for teaching with primary documents. Links to online exhibits are included.
NetSmartz
The NetSmartz Workshop® is an interactive, educational safety resource from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® and Boys & Girls Clubs of America that uses age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children ages 5-17 how to stay safer on the Internet.
Teacher’s Domain
This online library features more than 1,000 free media resources from the best in public television, including video and audio segments, Flash interactives, images, documents, lesson plans for teachers, and student-oriented activities.
WatchKnow
This directory highlights some of the best educational videos on the Web in 2,000 categories and is designed to be safe and useful for students ages 3 to 18.
Professional Development
Annenberg Media
Provides access to professional development materials for educators including free video-on-demand, live streaming video events as well as other materials available for purchase. The site also provides access to the Annenberg Channel, a free satellite channel for schools, libraries, colleges, universities, and other public access channels.
Copyright
Copyright Applies to Everyone
Consult this primer to learn the specifics of how to be copyright compliant in the classroom.
Movie Licensing USA
CIS has a public performance site license to show movies not covered under general fair use guidelines. Check this website to determine whether this license includes a particular movie.
