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Use only one or two
keywords. For example, search for "the Declaration of
Independence" with the keywords "declaration independence."
Search for General Topics, Not
Specifics. The Awesome Library search engine (above)
works best at finding sources of information. For example, if
you are trying to find song lyrics, first search for
"lyrics," then select a source to find the actual lyrics.
If you are trying to find the biography of someone famous, type
"biographies" in the search box. This will give you sources
of biographies. If you are trying to find the biography of
someone who is very famous, such as "Abraham Lincoln," you
may be able to find him or her by typing his or her last
name. If you do not find the biography by using the last
name, then type "biographies" and find a source.
Simply put, simple works. Try these suggestions on other
search engines too.
That Having Been
Ask a question. We
realize that the easiest way for some to search is to ask a
question. We therefore added natural language so that you can
ask a simple question (in the search box), such as: "Who is
James Earl Carter?" or "Where do penguins live?"
Please keep the questions short and simple.
Finding a Specific
If you must have a specific article,
and you know its name or the name of the author, then go to "Finding a
More on the Awesome
You can also make more focused
searches using the Awesome Library's Advanced
Searches instructions. The Awesome
provides an alphabetical list of major topics. If you want
the criteria by which sites are included in the Awesome Library,
please see the Ratings
page. If you are interested in our star ratings, please visit our Star
Ratings page. If you are interested in the
history of the development of the Awesome Library, see
the Awesome Library. If you are interested in
how the Awesome Library has been recognized, see Awards and
One of the best ways to find
information about a topic is to start with the Awesome
Library. The Awesome Library is a gateway for the
rest of the World Wide Web, designed especially for teachers,
students, parents, and librarians.
You can use several methods to search the contents of the
Search. Go to the search box at the top of most
pages inside the Awesome Library. Enter up to three
keywords in the blank provided. For example, you can search
for The Declaration of Independence with the keywords
"declaration independence. " Try it.
No Matches If you get no matches, try
using one less word. Also, use the shortest form of the
word. For example, if you are looking for something related
to "teens," use "teen" instead of teens, teenage, or teenagers. If
that does not work, try another word.
If you still do not find what you need, select "Web" next to the
search box. This takes you to additional search engines.
Too Many Matches If you get too many
"Specific Results" on your "Search Results" page, simply add an
additional keyword in the search blank to narrow the search. Since
the contents of the Awesome Library are already the result of a
search for K-12 education resources, no more than two or three
keywords are generally necessary.
Too Many Matches, Too Few, Then Too Many Again
Searching the Internet is a skill that takes time to
develop. It can be frustrating at times, even for
experienced researchers. If you feel stumped, try "Who Can
Help Me?" at the end of this page.
Search by Grade Level within a Subject.
Authors of Web pages often provide grade level information within a
range, such as "Grades 4 - 6." The most effective way to
conduct a Word Search by grade level within the Awesome Library,
therefore, is to search for the word "grade" plus a subject.
For example, "grade geometry" will provide the materials that are
classified by grade level in geometry.
Search within a Page. Once you have the
resource you want, you can find specific information on the page by
going to "Edit" at the top of your screen in Netscape or Internet
Explorer and selecting "Find."
Search for the Stars. Less than 2% of
sites receive a "star" rating, indicating that the site is either
one of the most comprehensive sources for the topic or has
essential information for the topic. Go to a search box in
the Awesome Library and type in the subject you are pursuing
plus the word star. For example, social studies
star will provide you with the sites in Social Studies that
have a star.
What if you want the stars for just one type of resource,
such as Lesson Plans? No problem: lesson plans star
will provide you with lesson plans that have a star.
2.) Subject Search.
Another way to search is to select a subject, such as
"Social Studies." To find The Declaration of
Independence, go to the page designed for you, such as
"Teacher," select "Social Studies," then "History," then "Colonial
America." Try it. You can also search for "Titles" or
"Authors" from our main or Home page.
3.) Index Search.
A third way to search the Awesome Library is to use
the alphabetic list of topics, the "Index." This provides
the major topics and sub-topics, not detailed sub-headings within
sub-topics. For example, you can expect to find a major
topic within "Biology," such as "Insects," but not a detailed
topic, such as a specific type of insect.
4.) Type of Resource within a Topic.
If you need just one type of resource within a topic, such
as lesson plans, you can find it by typing one or two keywords
within the search blank at the bottom of most pages in the Awesome
Library. For example, the keywords history lesson
will provide the lesson plans within the "history" section and
history discussion will provide the areas in "history" that
have contacts. "History projects" will result in a list of history
projects; and "history standards" will provide curriculum standards
for history classes.
Some types of resources were assembled for you below.
"Curriculum Standards" were assembled for you and lesson plans were
also organized for your convenience. "Lessons" are also
available on the main page of Awesome Library for Teachers.
A few "Projects" were assembled for you below as
examples. "Projects" are also provided as a category of
Awesome Library for Students. You can ask questions
of experts under "Ask a Question." If you are a teacher you
can find kindred spirits under "Discussions" assembled below and if
you are a student you can find friends in "Making Friends" below or
in the Awesome Library for Students. If you are
looking for information about the Internet, such as how to design a
Web page, try the selection of resources available below under
"Guides," under the subject of "Technology." For example, if
you need help with downloading a program from the World Wide Web,
try the resources assembled under "Internet for Beginners" in
"Guides." You could also start out with the article
"Downloading Files." Keeping children safe on the World Wide Web is
also discussed in a separate paper with links under Parental
Ask a Question
Discussions (for Teachers)
Making Friends (for Kids)
Web Page Design
Internet for Beginners
5.) Geographical Search If you are
looking for information related to a particular place, such as a
city, state or country, look in "Your Town" on the Home Page.
If you are trying to find a phone number or an address, you
will find the information inside of "Reference" on the Home Page.
If you already have an address and need a map surrounding
the address, try "Maps."
City, State or Country
Phone Number or Address
6.) Measurement and Conversion. If
you need to convert between metric and standard measurement
systems, just type each of the two units of measurement. For
example, to convert between inches and millimeters, type "inches
millimeters" in the Awesome Library search box at the top of the
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and Dr. R. Jerry Adams
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