Junior English Websites

CultureGrams

Go to: http://www.remc13.org/online_resources.html
Log in (username & password found on "green sheet")
Click on CultureGrams
Click on World Edition

China
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html
http://www.chinavitae.com/
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cntoc.html
http://www.pbs.org/kqed/chinainside/
http://www.cnto.org/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1287798.stm
http://condensedchina.com/
http://www.china.org.cn/english/
http://www.llrx.com/features/prc.htm

Dominican Republic
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/dotoc.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1216926.stm
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/dr.html

India
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/intoc.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/india
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/country_profiles/1154019.stm

Nigeria
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/africa/cuvl/Nigeria.html
http://www.population.gov.ng/

South Africa
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sf.html
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/zatoc.html
http://www.southafrica.net/
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1071886.stm
http://www.powa.co.za/
http://www.afroaidsinfo.org/

Tibet
http://www.tibet.org/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tibet/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/people/dalailama_1.shtml
http://www.tibet.net/

Basic Research - start here!

Subscription Databases (passwords - found on "green sheet")

REMC databases: http://www.remc13.org/
Michigan Electronic Library: http://www.mel.org/
CQ Researcher: http://www.library.cqpress.com/
Issues and Controversies: http://www.2facts.com/


Free Internet (remember, you must evaluate theses sites before using them!)

Current social issues: http://www.multcolib.org/homework/sochc.html
Debatabase: http://www.idebate.org/index.php
Hot paper topics: http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/Hot/hotindex.htm
MeL social issues: http://web.mel.org/SPT--BrowseResources.php?ParentId=187
Google social issues directory: http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Issues/

Website Evaluation

Task

You will be working in groups of four to evaluate a group of Web pages on the topic of tobacco and smoking or cloning. Each of you will be examining sites from a different perspective. You will be ranking the sites and comparing your rankings with the rest of the class.

Your group will evaluate the 3 of the 6 selected Web sites. Divide your group into the following four specialties to cover ground more efficiently:

1. content specialist
2. authority/credibility specialist
3. bias/purpose specialist
4. usability/design specialist

• Each student in the group should complete his/her own organizer through the perspective they are assigned.
• As you examine each site, record any relevant information in your chart/organizer. Begin to rank the sites 1 through 5, with 1 being the best. It may be easier to think to yourself, "Which is the best site in the set; which is the worst?"
• Be prepared to discuss/compare your group's findings and rankings with the rest of the class.

Cloning Websites

1. http://www.humancloning.org/
2. http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8018&news_iv_ctrl=1021
3. http://www.eurekascience.com/ICanDoThat/cloning.htm
4. http://www7.nationalacademies.org/cosepup/Human_Cloning.html
5. http://www.roslin.ac.uk/
6. http://www.geocities.com/americansforcloningelvis/

Smoking and Tabacco Websites:

1. http://www.no-smoke.org/
2. http://www.rjrt.com/home.asp
3. http://www.who.int/tobacco/en/
4. http://www.forces.org/evidence/pharma/index.htm
5. http://www.costkids.org/
6. http://tobaccofreekids.org/

Reminder

You will find yourself using the Internet for information. The Internet is only one of a variety of information options. Remember that journals, books, videos and other sources are available as well. Evaluating information is a skill you will be using throughout your lifetime.

(Huge thanks to Springfield Township High School & Joyce Valenza for the lesson ideas!)