Hot websites

Teaching Pre K-8, Mar 2002 by Lindroth, Linda

March...in like a lion, out like a lamb. Whether you're investigating ing weather, looking at the influence of art on our society or playing Mozart for Music in Education Month, these terrific websites will brighten your curriculum.

National Museum of Women in the Arts www.nmwa.org/index.htm

The mission of the National Museum of Women in the Arts is to recognize the achievements of women artists from all periods of history and all nationalities. This terrific resource can help you integrate Art Month and Women's History Month.

You can download a complete museum tour to view offline or select individual video clips to download based on the art period or style being discussed in your curriculum. The video tour is an online "walk" through the permanent collection with the museum's founder, Wilhelmina Cole Holladay. Beginning with the history of the museum building, and moving from the Renaissance to Modernism, art students of all ages will learn much about these celebrated women artists.

Each work of art in the collection can be enlarged to fill your computer screen. Extensive artist profiles for each artist in the exhibit help students understand the art of the period and the life of the artist. There's also a link to Washington, D.C. art resources.

Best Children's Music www.bestchildrensmusic.com/

Here's a well-organized music site which offers a wide range of music reviews for children. The music resources are categorized to make it easier to find what you need. The music samples allow parents and teachers to try the resource before purchasing a product online. Music reviews by Fred Koch are reprinted from Chicago Parent Magazine.

Children's Music Web www.childrensmusic.org/

This music portal is in partnership with KidsMusicPlanet, Music4Kids Online, Radio Refrigerator, Best Children's Music and Playhouse Radio. There are many lessons and activities for teachers to use in the classroom.

Playhouse Radio Workshop shows children how to make their own musical instruments. Music4Kids offers musical games and teaching ideas for primary students as well as a link to the National Standards for Music Education. You can use the calendar at KidsMusicPlanet to stay informed about children's concerts and music events in your area.

You'll find many useful music resources by clicking on Links on the Children's Music homepage. KIDiddles is one of my favorites. It features MoJo's Musical Mouseum, a searchable database with more than 2,000 kids' lyrics and music clips.

America's Library

www.americaslibrary.gov/

Learn about America's Story from America's Library - the Library of Congress. Click Meet Amazing Americans and try the Presidents Scavenger Hunt, or discover trivia facts such as what Lincoln had in his pocket the night he was assassinated. The Jump Back in Time area contains stories of our nation's history. Click on Explore the States for facts and stories about each of the 50 states or try the Treasure Hunt on the states. Use See, Hear and Sing with movies and tunes from the past to integrate your history and music curriculum. +

Linda Lindroth is a K-5 Technology Teacher, a Teaching Editor and Website Coordinator for Teaching K-8. Email: Linda@TeachingK-8.com