When you load a page through Wordbot (such as the page you are now viewing), you can click on any word to look up its meaning in an online dictionary. Choose Java or Non-JavaScript, with frames or multiple windows.
You can view this page in Wordbot and then follow the links to other sites. Try this with the links to literature below!!
NOTE: The definitions will appear in a separate window; if you'd
prefer the frames version (the meaning will appear on the same screen), you'll have to select that version from the main Wordbot page AND type in (or cut and paste) the URL yourself.
Keith Golden; Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington
CyberStory is devoted to uplifting, feel-good stories that will bring a smile to your face, inspire you, offer you a new perspective or get you thinking about how you too can make a difference in someone's life. If you've got a great story to tell, why not share it with the world. Submissions are welcome:
Why not make your story a CyberStory!
Explore and enjoy the enormous variety of short works, including fiction and non-fiction as well as stories about cats, made available online by this group. You can even submit you OWN story, if you wish.
Each section features all new weekly worksheets, provided free for teachers and parent-teachers to copy for their kids. Especially suitable for upper elementary and middle school skill levels, as well as enrichment and remediation. English Basics and
Reference Skills sections are also available.
CNN news stories for educational purposes. Includes original text, as well as an edited version, of current news stories; an archive of past features is also available. Also, check the keyword index from the News Media Vault.
Can YOU solve this wicked dilemma? (This Action Maze will open in a separate window; when you are finished, close that window by clicking the x in the top right corner of that browser window.) Good luck!!
This is a simulation of a trip to a British
language school. Students are encouraged to work together to decide which action to take or choice to make, and then see the
consequences, discuss, and defend their actions. The maze can also be completed individually, but the collaborative, communicative and interactive
aspects or the group process can be valuable.
These Fables will help you to improve your reading comprehension. A very brief version of each fable is provided along with your choice of Matching, True or False, and Sentence Completion questions with instant feedback provided. Try The Father and His Sons or one of several others.
From The Unabridged Stories of Thoth complied at DragonMud [a MUD is a Multi-User Domain]; DragonMud is a text based
virtual reality -- the oldest of it's kind and a fine place to visit!!
Reading Comprehension, Notable Quotes, and Language Activities are provided for each holiday, as well as songs, games, arts and crafts, etc. to make reading and language learning enjoyable. [NOTE: reading comprehension questions are not provided for all selections; answers are NOT included.]
Antelope Publishing presents a free online serial story, with new chapters added monthly. Many categories of E-Books are available and sample chapters (as well as ordering info) are provided; check out the Joke Book for a healthy laugh.
Described as "the definitive e-zine resource", this annotated listing includes a variety of different digital journals and online magazines; topics include: Science Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Literature, Poetry, Artwork and Music. An online search form is also available.
An "e-zine" is a 'zine that is distributed partially or solely on electronic networks like the Internet. Browse this A-to-Z listing of e-zines by title, or look at the
Top 80 Keywords.
One section from The Children's Literature Web Guide which includes Resources for Teachers, for Parents, for Storytellers, and for Writers and Illustrators, as well as other links to an incredible array of online materials.
This is an excerpt from the story which received an Honorable Mention in The Year's Best Science Fiction, Thirteenth Annual Collection and is a pastiche of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories; Karawynn also provides an illustrated version of the Kipling's How the Leopard Got His Spots.
Read the story behind the story on this page and then immerse yourself in this outstanding (and unnerving) piece -- you'll find yourself thinking about the many levels long after you finish reading it!!
Provides information and Etexts of works in the public domain or out of copyright. Listings are searchable by title and author with links to the books as text files (as well as zip format).
Read this classic short story, "A Jury of
Her Peers," by Susan Glaspell; you'll have a chance to solve
the mystery, of whether Minnie Wright killed her husband,
and explore the story's literary elements. Also, read about
The Elements of Plot Development.
Try out this free site demo of this Instant Computer Assisted Reading Program by using the online demonstration: Enjoy Reading Without Eye Movement; choose from selections in several categories:
Classics
Historical Documents
Religious Works
You can learn more about how to use this online tools by selecting Learn More about this Tool -- for example, the instructions tell how to pause (~), reread the current paragraph (3) or sentence (1), review the text slowly word by word (pause, then use cursor keys), skip to the next chapter (5), etc.
Don't be fooled!! This book might appear to be for children, but it is actually a profound philosophical work. This site provides the full text complete with the lovely illustrations, as well as a biography of the French author, journalist, and pilot, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh provides a list of books about Pittsburgh (or written by local authors). A synopsis of each book, and a pointer to it's availablility at local branches of the Carnegie, is also provided.
Cathy Chaparro; Three Rivers Free-Net, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Tips to help you read more efficientlyl includes explanations (with graphic examples) of several methods which may be used to increase reading speed. Also available: Practice Quiz on Speed Reading Terms.
Want to read more quickly? Practice your speed reading techniques using the word rate timer on each chapter of the precurser to Toy Story. Margery Williams tells how toys become "real" in this timeless classic.
An overview of the Study Skills Workshop taught by Tina Sharpe. Includes tips for skimming, scanning and reading for detail; provides practice exercises for these techniques.
Easy to use, interactive game; decide the correct order of the words, click the buttons and receive immediate feedback. Maintains a running total of the number of correst responses. Be careful -- once you click, the item disappears and there is no "reset" button. While designed for ESL students, these Interactive JavaScript Quizzes are useful for all students interested in enhancing their reading comprehension and language skills (many other quizzes are available on this site).
An interesting and challenging word game; select letters in this Hangman-style Java game by clicking on them with the mouse, or typing on the keyboard. There are five games per match and your score will be tabulated based on the elapsed time and the number of letters used (scoring info provided).
Visit far-off places like France, Tunisia, India, and China! This
trivia game is great fun for the whole family. Complete the rally and
enter to win an Ask Jeeves T-shirt! If you don't know the answer to the trivia question, click on Ask Jeeves and you'll immediately receive targetted search results in another window; read them, determine the answer, and then return to the original window.
Select a Wacky Web Tale from the list; fill in the required words, then view the resulting story. You are invited to write and submit your own tale, too. Help with the Parts of Speech is also available.
Fill in your choice of words and this JavaScript applet will generate your very own MadLib!! Source Code is available.
Unknown Topic since you don't know the topic this can be hilarious!!
The public is invited to participate in the current investigation by asking questions, offering observations and providing leads. Updated weekly. Most appropriate for adults or other mature individuals. [NOTE: If you are concerned about info from active crime investigations being posted on the 'net, please go to the Reality Check provided by the Yoknapatawpha County Law Enforcement Division.]
Try your hand at a variety of mysteries (available in RealVideo as well as text-based formats). Solve Natasha's Mystery or The Dead Client, or try the multi-part murder mystery game: The Big Case.
Also available from Crime Scene Productions: Check out this less-gruesome mystery and help the Kudzu Kids solve the case; examine the evidence and send in your tips, theories and questions.
Here is a puzzle-mystery based on the true story of The Stillwater Committee investigation into the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. Read the Artemis Diaries and see if you can piece together the clues and solve this real-life who-dunnit!!
The Case: "The fun and challenging mystery website"
The premiere mystery website on the Internet, provides three FREE high quality mysteries weekly including a "Twist" surprise ending, a "Solve-it" mini-mystery, and a "Mysterious Photo" mystery. The Solve-it and Mysterious Photo mysteries both include a weekly contest with prizes.
See if you can bring all the treasures to the starting point in this online treasure hunt game; you can choose to play this Java applet in up to four dimensions!! [Source code is available.]
Yes, there are games that don't cost a cent!! This one will help you memorize the Scout Law. Progresses systematically through several levels; initially requires matching the word heard with the text; then to identifying the words in the correct order from memory (initially while stationary, then as they're whizzing around); on the final level you must select the opposite of each of the words in the law. This game is quite a challenge -- well worth a try even if you're not trying to memorize the Scout Law.
Read the passage and answer the multiple-choice questions which provide instant feedback. Other Online Tests are also available, as well as stories, such as:
Read these passages and answer the comprehension questions; answers are provided for immediate feedback. A variety of exercises are available; topics include:
Practice your reading comprehension skills with these interactive quizzes; includes several styles: vocabulary, timed reading comprehension, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank (answer choices are below the selection -- or try it without looking for a real challenge!!). Instant feedback (and encouragement).
Over thirty JavaScript-based vocabulary tests; includes definitions and
etymologies for all tested words. These interesting, challenging quizzes are not only great for test preparation and vocabulary development, they are also just plain fun!
Martin Holmes has designed a vast array of activities to reinforce language skills. Select a level and choose from Grammar, Reading, Vocabulary, Puzzles, etc.
Try out the free sample test and learn more about this multimedia approach (which utilizes videos, illustrated flashcards and cleverly written workbooks) designed for adults and teenagers who want to improve their vocabulary skills in an interesting and memorable way.
A list of vocabulary words to study in preparation for the Verbal subtest of either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
Learning vocabulary can be fun for everyone! This site provides interesting and challenging puzzles -- you can even compete for prizes in monthly word puzzle contests (FREE!!).
Provides a definition of the word you enter (select either an exact match or an approximate match). Words in the resulting definition are hypertext linked
back into the dictionary, allowing you to use your mouse to access the definition of
those related (and unrelated) words. You can obtain a list of words with a specific prefix, also.
Okay, you've probably heard the puzzle in at least one of it's permutations. From the Hypertext Webster Gateway FAQ:
As I understand it, this whole brouhaha started with a bad puzzle -
"Angry and hungry are common english words that end in 'gry'.
What is the third word that ends in 'gry'? It is a common word
that you use every day and if you were listening closely, you've
already heard it".
The answer is hungry - the third word of the puzzle that ends in
gry.
Here is an entire FARQ (Frequently Asked Reference Questions) page on the topic.
If you enjoy wordplay you'll LOVE this site! This is THE place to "feast on the English language. Ours is the only language in which you drive in a parkway and park in a driveway and night falls but never breaks and day breaks but never falls."
Richard Lederer
Note: The embedded link above will take you to the correct URL via this permanent pobox forwarding address:
This site at Carnegie Mellon University contains a variety of useful links to interactive language tools, including Doug Beeferman's
A semantic rhyming dictionary.
Looking for a list of homophones? Check out the HUNDREDS in this alphabetical listing. In addition to an explanation of the list's development and arrangement, the introductory page includes Janet E. Byford's delightful poem: An Ode to the Spelling Chequer.
Thousands of quotations -- searchable alphabetically by author or topic. "This site is intended as a place for enjoyment, enlightenment, exploration and general reference."
The Foreign Language Teacher's Guide to Learning Disabilities would be useful to any educator, parent, etc. who wants information about effective techniques for use with a variety of learners. Sections include:
The Gateway provides easy access to high quality Internet lesson plans, curriculum units and other education resources by linking to over 1300 resources on 12 Internet sites. Conduct full-text, subject, keyword, or title searches, then select desired grade or education level and submit the search.
Terrific resources for creating your own professional portfolio, developing a unit on student portfolios, or establishing a program utilizing portfolio-based assessment of students or staff.
Portfolio Sampler
Using a portfolio in your Job Search
Step-by-step planning guide for setting up a portfolio program
Life-long learning and other uses of portfolios at the college level
How-to article for vocational educators using portfolios in school-to-work programs
Portfolio Creation Tips (including digital portfolio design)
This article, by Margaret Phinney, describes how learning to read can be as natural a process as learning to walk or to speak and shows how to create an environment which is supportive of attempts to read and write.
One of a series of pamphlets and brochures, now available online, designed to address parental concerns about education published by OERI. This one, written by Bernice Cullinan and Brod Bagert, provides activities for children from infancy through age 10.
This December 1997 publication offers a wide variety of ways
that individuals, schools and communities can work together to
help all children become good readers. As a "how-to" manual,
Simple Things is designed to guide any person or group
interested in starting a literacy program in their community or
taking the first step to get involved in helping a child read
through their family, school, employer, university or
community organization.
This well-constructed and informative article on designing useful homework is also available in portable document
format (pdf) from this site. Includes resources and references.
The Velveteen Rabbit
The Case: "The fun and challenging mystery website"
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