As teachers, we know it can be tough to track down all the best online resources for your classroom.

That’s where Living Library comes in. The following is a compilation of some of our favorite online resources.

Have a suggestion for this page? Contact us!

Smithsonian Education
» http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/
Smithsonian Education Includes lesson plans in art and design, science and technology, history and culture and language arts. It also allows you to find resources that align to state standards and appropriate grade levels. It also includes professional development opportunities.

Library of Congress: for teachers
» http://www.loc.gov/teachers/
This site includes more than 10 million primary resources online—you are sure to find something perfect for your classroom! It also helps you align materials to state standards.

Library of Congress: lessons
» http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/theme.html
These lesson plans from the Library of Congress are organized by subject including government, literature/poetry and history.

Google for Educators: search activities
» http://www.google.com/educators/activities.html
Instruct your students on how to conduct excellent research online. You can also find out how other Google tools can help your classroom. Lessons and tips available for all grade levels.
Google also has ongoing projects designed to support teachers. Learn about them.

PBS for Teachers
» http://www.pbs.org/teachers/
PBS for Teachers offers standards-based activities and lessons in the arts, health and fitness, math, reading and language arts, science and technology and social studies.

History/social studies:

New York Times Learning Network
» http://www.nytimes.com/learning/index.html
The New York Times Learning Network includes a daily lesson plan, news summaries and much more. The Student Connections page is great for students grades 6-12. Other activities available for grades 3-12.

Google Earth: Ancient Rome in 3D
» http://earth.google.com/rome/
Visit historical sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in this virtual 3D tour of ancient Rome. The site also includes lesson plans for K-8 and 9-12 submitted from real teachers.

Science:

Library of Congress: Science Reference Resources
» http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/
This is a rich collection of science reference materials that can be adapted to the classroom, particularly for middle and high school.

Science Friday on NPR
» http://www.sciencefriday.com/
This includes coverage on science with articles that can be used in the classroom. Includes a page for middle school students. Try the podcast!

Geography:

Merriam-Webster’s Atlas
» http://www.merriam-webster.com/maps/moremapsnyt.html
Select any country and it will pull up a detailed map of the country and statistics including form of government, gross national product and population.

The World FactBook
» https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
This Web site is by the CIA. Select any country and obtain detailed maps and information about the country’s history, government, transportation, schools, economy, imports/exports, transnational issues and much more.

English/reading:

Merriam-Webster Word Central
» http://wordcentral.com/
This site is geared toward kids and includes games, daily buzzword and exercises. May work particularly well for middle school students.

Merriam-Webster Online
» http://www.merriam-webster.com/
This site includes a spelling bee hive and word of the day.

Google Book Search
» http://books.google.com/
View parts of books as a way to research or compare books.

English language learning:

Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary
» http://www.learnersdictionary.com/
This site is designed for English Language Learners (ELL). It includes 3,000 words “you need to know,” pronunciation exercises and the ability to start “collecting” words in My Learner’s Dictionary.

Art and music:

Museum of Modern Art: Modern Teachers
» http://www.moma.org/modernteachers/
Browse images, download lessons and find ways to generate fulfilling discussions about art with your students brought to you by MoMA.

Library of Congress: Performing Arts Encyclopedia
» http://www.loc.gov/performingarts/
This site includes Web presentations, sheet music, audio recordings, articles and more.

Library of Congress: Lyrical Legacy (American song and poetry)
» http://www.loc.gov/teachers/lyrical/
Discover 18 songs and poems spanning 400 years with primary sources and often sound recordings.