National Geographic

National Geographic is known the world over for producing a quality product. The National Geographic website is a fine example of a webpage resource that teachers from any grade can use, especially in science, history or social studies classes.

The website has a huge array of video's, amazing pictures and interesting articles that would be useful to students. There is also a Kids section and an area for educators and a searchable database for past articles, pictures and videos.

Because it is an American publication the information on Canada is not as obvious, so any research involving Canada usually has to be searched out. That being said, as with all National Geograpic material, it's worth the look.

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Because of the wide variety of stuff on the webpage I would use the National Geographic website when teaching a lesson on ancient History. There are plenty of opportunities for learning about past cultures in both the magazine but also the webpage.

When dealing with Unit Two: Measuring Time a fun class project might be a class time capsule like the time capsule from 1791 that was found in Mexico and highlighted on the National Geographic website.

The class would each get to put in an item or two that would stand the test of time, say something about who they are and be able to justify its inclusion.

The article states: "The lead box—filled with religious artifacts, coins, and parchments—was hidden in a hollow stone ball to mark the moment on May 14, 1791, when the building's topmost stone was laid, 218 years after construction had begun on the cathedral."

So I think it would be important to have a good reason for doing this, like a school anniversary or the completion of an addition to the school. Of course if nothing is happening it can still be a fun project for the class to do.