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=Search Tools:= === These tools are meant to help you find appropriate content and for your students to search safely on the web, while still allowing them to use critical thinking skills to determine which sites are best for their assignment. === = Google Custom Search = WHAT is Google Custom Search? Google Custom Search is a search engine created by you. You can input sites that you want students to use. When the student types in what they are searching for, a list of sites input into the custom search engine related to their query is displayed.

WHY a Google Custom Search? HOW do I create a Google Custom Search?
 * allows for a safe, age-appropriate search
 * requires students to discern which of the teacher-chosen sites works best for the project they are doing (critical thinking skills)
 * Actually...there's already one that has been created for you! Lauri Brady created a Google Custom Search Engine for each grade level. This means that we are able to pull our resources and have a safe, age-appropriate search engine that can be used across the district!




 * But...she needs our help. We must go beyond being a consumer, but also must contribute to it.
 * Everyone at the primary level has been invited to contribute to their grade level search engine.
 * Sign into your Google Account (NOT the cypanthers.org, it will not work).
 * Go to "My Account." Click on Custom Search, My Search Engines


 * Scroll down to "Custom Search"


 * Click "My Search Engines"


 * Click "Control Panel"


 * Use the control panel to add sites or exclude sites. See what sites other teachers have added too!
 * What if only PART of the site is useful for the students? Not a problem!
 * Can I create my OWN Google Custom Search? You bet! We just ask that you share the great sites you have with your grade level community too! Just take note of the different parts of the control panel.





=Net Trekker=

It's Back! Here's the scoop: Search By Keyword/Phrase:       Search By Topic:
 * We can share user name/password with our students via newsletter, but cannot post to online. Why? If it's online potentially anyone can access it and the subscription is for CYSD teachers and students.
 * Teachers and students have the same log-in. That means that even teachers are recognized as "students."
 * Type the subject into the search engine OR click on the topic you'd like to search.

More Tools:

Image Search: Remember to ALWAYS have students cite the source of the picture even if it is copyright-free!

Famous People Search:



Timeline Search:

Checking Out A Site: Once you find a site that seems appropriate, find out more to see if it actually is.





Features in Net Trekker:
 * Read Aloud: Press the "Read Aloud" button at the top left of the screen. Then highlight the section of text to be read aloud. (The site must be within Net Trekker in order for this to work.




 * Locate the actual URL of the site you are using (the true URL, not the one within the Net Trekker search engine).




 * Like/Dislike Feature: Vote whether or not you (or your students) like a site. Remember, you are signed in as a student!



=Discovery Education= Why bring up Discovery Education during a session on Internet Searches? It provides a tremendous amount of resources for teachers and students to use. Finding material relating to a unit of study can be compiled into an "Assignment" allowing students to access the information (from Discovery and what you selected from the Internet) in one location. Discovery Education Highlights: What's even better than Discovery Education? Becoming A STAR Discovery Educator!!! You become a STAR educator by completing an online form pertaining to the site and sharing what you know with others. Here's some perks... = =
 * Includes thousands of resources (videos, articles, explanations, games, etc.) on a wide range of topics
 * Houses your content on site in folders for related materials.
 * Allows you to create assignments for students to access from your site via a link.
 * The ability to search by grade level, content standards, and media type.
 * professional development opportunities (webinars, blogs, forums)
 * connecting with educators across the globe
 * access to PETE&C pre-conference (for free!)
 * the list goes on...Click here to learn more. It's definitely worth the time!!

=Sweet Search= Sweet Search Highlights:
 * Includes thousands of sites all reviewed by researchers.
 * Sweet Search hosts additional search engines that are topic specific (see list below).
 * Ability to add Sweet Search to the search box on browser.
 * Embed on your web page.

=ipl2= ipl2 Highlights: = = =Wolfram Alpha=
 * Resources from Internet Public Library and Librarians Internet Index
 * Safe to use
 * Additional features such as a Reading Zone, Authors' Page, and more.

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=Quintura for Kids=

Quintura Highlights:
 * Kites on each side of the screen display pictures of most popular items searched
 * Students can select kite, word from word cloud or type a word/phrase into the search box. Related tags are displayed in word cloud for students to refine their search.
 * Web sites are listed below the search box.
 * Have a great site you would like to add? Submit it! The developers will check it out and add it to the search engine.

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