Fay School Library  


QUICK LINKS

Searching Online:
A Guide for Lower School Students and Parents

Step 1: LOWER SCHOOL LINKS

Wouldn't it be great if someone did all the searching and evaluating and provided you with a list of great online sources to use for your school projects? Fay School librarians have done just that!

On the LOWER SCHOOL LINKS page you'll find a list of databases and web sites carefully selected for school projects.

Fay School subscribes to several databases which provide specialized information for Lower School Students:

When you use LOWER SCHOOL LINKS, you are using web sites chosen by Fay School librarians and teachers.


Step 2: DIRECTORIES

A directory is a collection of web sites organized by subject and indexed, with brief descriptions of content. There are some fantastic directories you can use, such as Kids Click and The Internet Public Library for Kids, which will guide you to kid-friendly web sites that have been reviewed by teachers, librarians and other professionals. You'll find a full list of directories on SEARCH THE WEB.

There are two ways to use directories:

  • Choose a subject from the list.
  • Type search terms in the search box.

Remember that when you search a directory, you are only searching the web sites that the directory has chosen!

What's the difference between a database and a directory?

  • A database is usually material from reference books or magazine and newspaper articles. Libraries (or individuals) must pay for subscriptions in order for you to use them. Search engines cannot find information from these databases.
  • A directory is a list of web sites that are freely available on the World Wide Web. Search engines can find these web sites, but the directory is an organized list of selected web sites.

When you use DIRECTORIES, you are using web sites selected by that particular directory's editors, who might be educators.


Step 3: SEARCH ENGINES

A search engine is a site on the World Wide Web that uses software to locate key words in other sites. You can try some interesting search engines on Fay School Library's SEARCH ENGINES page.

Warning: Search engines do not check the content of web sites for accuracy! The Fay librarians have created a tool for you to help you decide if a web site is good to use for your project. Go to the Fay School Library's WEB SITE EVALUATION page and answer a few questions. You'll also find links to more information.

Tips for using search engines:

  • Type only important "key" words. If the search engine finds too many results, add another search term.
  • If you type two words, the search engine will look for both words, not necessarily together. Use quotation marks for phrases.
Remember: In your bibliography you must cite the web site that the search engine found for you; do not cite the search engine!

When you use SEARCH ENGINES, you find web sites that may be written by anyone, and may not even be accurate!


Back to Lower School Links

updated 08/12/2011

 

Fay School is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
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Fay School Library
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Southborough, MA 01772
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