Links to Resources for Children

Federal documents are more than just dusty, old books in the library. Federal documents are books, comic strips, posters, magazines, CD-ROMS, and newsletters. Federal documents can help you buy a car, house; can help you get student loans; can help you find a job; can help you live a healthy lifestyle; help you save and spend money wisely, and many other ways to help you and your family. Federal documents can help you learn about our country and how laws are made.  Want to know more???!!!

Websites For Teaching & Kids

DocsTech, http://docsteach.org/ – Great primary source educational tool. Students and teachers can explore thousands of letters, photographs, speeches, posters, political cartoons, maps, patents, videos, audio recordings, graphs, legislation, telegrams, court documents, amendments, draft cards, executive orders, citizenship documents, census records, and more from the National Archives. Teachers can also create or edit lesson plans on historical topics.

Ben’s Guide, http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ – If you want to learn about government, how laws are made, how our President and Congress get elected, and facts about the United States-you can find that here.   In addition to information, there are games and activities for different ages and skill levels!

Youth.gov, http://youth.gov/ – promotes community involvement, outreach, and support for as one transitions from childhood to adulthood. Explore 26 different topics, read personal accounts of overcoming adversity, as well as browse a mapping feature to allow viewers the ability to search for community programs in your area.

Kids in the House,  http://kids.clerk.house.gov/grade-school – This site is provided by the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives.   You can learn the history of the U.S. Government; notable, fun facts; and how laws are made in this country.   The site has information for young learners, grade school, middle school, and high school-something for everybody!

U.S. Department of Education, http://www.ed.gov/ – This website has information and resources for parents, families, teachers, and young adults.   You can find out the current issues in education by reading their blog; learn about getting money for college; and learn about colleges to find out which one has the degree you want and how to apply.

Library of Congress presents America’s Story, http://www.americaslibrary.gov/index.html – America’s Library, the Library of Congress, provides a wide range of topics and information for people of all ages.   You can learn about American history, famous Americans, the states, etc.

Founders Online, https://founders.archives.gov/ – Founders Online provides access to nearly 120,000 free searchable online documents from the Founders of the United States. Researches can look through full text correspondence from George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, as well as historic documents like the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Read firsthand accounts on the birth of the republic from those helped found it.

U.S. Department for Agriculture, USDA for Kids, http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=FOR_KIDS – USDA kid’s site provides information for kids, parents, and teachers about agriculture.   You can learn about science, nutrition, gardening, nature, weather, animal health, etc.   There are games and other fun facts and resources for people of all ages.

The United States Mint for Kids, http://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids – Website teaches about money, how money is made, and the history of the U.S. Mint. You can also learn about coins from the U.S. and other countries.  There are also games and cartoons to make learning about money less painful!

Treasury Direct Kids, http://www.treasurydirect.gov/kids/kids.htm – This site teaches about debt, bonds, history of the treasury, and games on how to save money.

President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, http://www.fitness.gov/ – Learn about healthy eating, exercise, physical activity guidelines, and other tips and resources to help live a healthy lifestyle.   You can also get stories and inspiration by reading others’ stories about physical activity and how to fit it into your routines.

Girls Health, http://www.girlshealth.gov/ – This website is dedicated to the issues and concerns for girls only!  Find out information about health, beauty, nutrition, drugs, alcohol, relationships, and other matters of interest to young ladies.   This site is maintained by the Office on Women’s Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthy Schools, http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/chronicconditions.htm – Many people only think of the CDC when there’s a public health crisis such as bird flu, food recalls, etc.   The CDC has a page dedicated to the concerns/issues of young adults, such as:  STD’s/Pregnancy, young worker safety and health, and spotlights on special topics such as LGBT youth, etc.

American Presidency, https://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/home.html – from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History has activities, resources, and teaching materials on the lives of the U.S. Presidents.

Children’s Books and Web Sites about the U.S. Government, https://www.senate.gov/reference/bibliography/kids/kids.shtml – from the U.S. Senate includes Web sites and books for kids and young adults on congress, the Constitution, elections, how Government works, the Presidency, and more.

Library of Congress Classroom Materials, https://www.loc.gov/programs/teachers/classroom-materials/ – from the Library of Congress has classroom activities, lesson plans, primary sources, and additional educational resources on Congress and legislation.

Smithsonian Learning Lab, https://learninglab.si.edu/ – has lesson plans on government and law, American history, and other areas. Search on standards by state, grade, and state Standards of Learning categories.

Tools for Educators, https://www.ourdocuments.gov/ – from the National Archives has links to a Teacher Sourcebook, teachable documents, and tips on integrating historical Government documents into the curriculum.

U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/education/teachers#.VYq0NtJVhBc – site includes student programs, lesson plans on U.S. Government and history topics, and educational resources to implement in the classroom as well as to prepare for visiting the Capitol Building and Visitor Center in Washington, DC.

U.S. Census Bureau Statistics in School, https://www.census.gov/schools/ – has lesson plans and teaching resources that utilize national, state and local population and geographical data.

U. S. Courts Educational Resources, https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources – has information on the Federal courts, learning tools on debating and deliberation, and civic engagement exercises on legal and constitutional topics.