ART MAKERS CLUB - CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
https://www.artmakersclub.com/
This site was mentioned in an article on a blog by a CLMOOC educator whom I've followed for nearly 10 years. Here's the link: https://sheri42.net/2024/02/12/fun-with-photo-doodles/
ARCHIVE OF 10,000+ HISTORICAL CHILDREN'S BOOKS, ALL DIGITIZED AND FREE TO READ ONLINE
https://www.openculture.com/2025/06/enter-an-archive-of-10000-historical-childrens-books.html
This is one part of the Open Culture website, which claims to have "the best free cultural & educational media on the web". This extensive archive of children's books is an example.
COOL CLASSICS - INTRODUCING YOUTH TO CLASSIC BOOKS
https://coolclassicschicago.org/
From the web site: "Cool Classics! uses classic books to connect children to a unified world of reading, art, culture, humanities and ideas. An award-winning journalist who substitute teaches in the Chicago Public Schools designed Cool Classics! to mix pedagogy and play for small groups of elementary public school students in an after-school setting."
DOWNLOAD BOOKS FROM 45 DIFFERENT SITES - FOR FREE
click here
This link points to "a collection of 45 websites where you can download tens of thousands of books, plays and texts for free. Oh, and these sites are also all completely legal, of course!"
FAST FOWARD READING PROGRAM HELPS STRUGGLING READERS
https://www.scilearn.com/classroom-resources/#
From the website: "Fast ForWord is an evidence-based, adaptive reading and language program that delivers 1-2 years gain in 40-60 hours of use for any struggling learner. Schools choose Fast ForWord because our unique brain-based approach targets the root causes of reading difficulty to deliver lasting results that make better readers and lifelong learners."
HELP CHILDREN GROW THEIR VOCABULARY
https://www.my400words.com/
From the web site: "my400words is a student-driven system that can increase a student’s vocabulary by 400 words each year. The words are chosen carefully from across the curriculum and embedded in meaningful contexts. Multiple interactions with each word maximize the likelihood of words being integrated into each student’s active vocabulary. A vocabulary portfolio is generated that travels with each child K-12. my400words turns the celebrated research in Bringing Words To Life into a daily practice for students."
HELP FOR KIDS WHO STRUGGLE TO LEARN TO READ - READING ROCKETS
https://www.readingrockets.org/helping
Reading Rockets offers a wealth of strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn to read.
INCORPORATING DRAMA INTO LEARNING
http://evosessions.pbworks.com/w/page/48512432/Drama2012
Educators are learning that incorporating drama into learning can engage the student more than traditional teaching. This site hosts workshops where others can learn about this concept.
INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DIGITAL LIBRARY
http://en.childrenslibrary.org
From the web site: "This virtual library allows children's books in a huge variety of languages to be read online for free. The site also features reviews by young readers and links to information on the project itself, research, and other resources."
OPENSCORE - DIGITIZES PUBLIC DOMAIN SHEET MUSIC
https://openscore.cc/#home
This site can be used by music teachers, music lovers, technology and arts teachers, or by anyone who loves good music. Public domain sheet music is being digitized so it can be played, downloaded, edited, and used in many ways.
PHILOSOPHY AND CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - LESSON PLANS
https://www.philosophyforchildren.org/resources/questions-library/
From the web site: "These literature lesson plans are geared toward elementary school age students, some more particularly for younger elementary school students and some for older students. All of these books can also be used with middle and high school students, with adaptations of the questions."
SUPPORT FOR BLIND, PARTIALLY SIGHTED AND DYSLEXIC PEOPLE. AIDS FOR READING. DOLPHIN PRODUCER
https://yourdolphin.com/
From the web site: "This web site talks about computer software that is used to help people affected by print impairments and dyslexia. Dolphin Producer combines a simple word reading tool and a revolutionary DAISY Digital Talking Book (DTB) creation tool. It allows on-screen information to be converted into audio and read back directly from the computer, as well as quickly converting the on-screen text into a fully synchronised text and audio DTB the perfect solution for anyone affected by print impairment.
THE STORY PROJECT – HELPS CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE EMOTIONAL AND LITERACY SKILLS
http://story-prjoect.co.uk
The Story Project provides teachers and children with a clear outline of the skills that are needed to have a good level of wellbeing. These skills cover all the government statutory requirements and have been written with input from teachers and children. Each skill is matched to a fiction book or extract from a book, so the teacher has a direct example of a character who is experiencing the wellbeing issue. In primary school these are carefully chosen, popular picture books and at secondary school these are texts that are part of the GCSE or KS3 syllabus.
TOP 154 RECOMMENDED AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN'S BOOKS
click here
From the web site: "Children book authors, industry professionals, and avid readers contributed their favorite children’s books to this list. We know children and young readers will enjoy most, if not all, of these books, as they have already brought joy to countless children."
UNLOCKING THE MAGIC OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: ESSENTIAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS
https://octaneseating.com/blog/childrens-literature/
This is a visually illustrated blog article on the website of a company that sells residential and theatrical seating. It offers many useful tips for parents, teachers, tutors and mentors.
VIDEOS SHOWING HOW TO USE MUSIC AND RHYME TO TEACH ENGLISH
https://www.youtube.com/user/collolearn
This site has a number of creative videos that parents, tutors and classroom teachers can use to engage youth in learning English.
This section of the library has eight sub-sections.
This concept map points to each section.
Open the links to find a list of websites
under each category. If you find broken
links, please send a notice to
tutormentor2 at earthlink.net.
Literature, Arts - click here
Math, Science, STEM - click here
Social Science, History - click here
Writing Skills, Reading - click here
Multiple Subjects - click here
Extra Curricular - click here
Black History - click here
Professional Tutoring Resources - click here
Dictionaries, Reference books - click here
CENTER FOR RURAL STRATEGIES
https://www.ruralstrategies.org/
From the web site: Mission is to "The Center for Rural Strategies seeks to improve economic and social conditions for communities in the countryside and around the world through the creative and innovative use of media and communications. By presenting accurate and compelling portraits of rural lives and cultures, we hope to deepen public debate and create a national environment in which positive change for rural communities can occur."
DAILY YONDER - FOCUSES ON RURAL AMERICA'S ISSUES
https://dailyyonder.com/
Since creating the Tutor/Mentor Connection in 1993, which focuses on big city poverty and inequality, we've looked for a parallel organization that collects information about rural poverty and inequality. The Daily Yonder Is such a resource. Browse the site, look at the issues page, make it a resource.
DIVIDED NATION: RURAL VS URBAN AMERICA
https://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com/2016/10/divided-nation-rural-vs-urban-america.html
This blog article includes maps showing how divided the US is. At the bottom of the article, and in the comment section are additional links to related articles.
NATIONAL RURAL ASSEMBLY - FOCUSES ON RURAL AMERICA ISSUES
https://ruralassembly.org/about/
From the web site: "The National Rural Assembly is a movement of people and organizations devoted to building a stronger, more vibrant rural America for children, families, and communities."
RURAL AMERICA AT A GLANCE - 2018 REPORT - USDA ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE
https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=90555
This is just one of many reports available on the US Department of Agriculture web site. Take some time to dig through the library to know what's available.
RURAL HEALTH INFORMATION HUB
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/
From the web site: "The Rural Health Information Hub, formerly the Rural Assistance Center, is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy to be a national clearinghouse on rural health issues. We are committed to supporting healthcare and population health in rural communities.
The RHIhub is your guide to improving health for rural residents—we provide access to current and reliable resources and tools to help you learn about rural health needs and work to address them."
RURAL HOSPITAL CLOSINGS SINCE 2005 - MAP
https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/programs-projects/rural-health/rural-hospital-closures/
Lack of accessible health care is one of the major challenges for people in many rural areas. This map shows hospital closing in rural areas of the USA between 2005 and 2021.
RURAL POVERTY - 2016 - BLOG ARTICLE
https://morecrows.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/unnecessariat/
This is an article that can help readers understand the pain in rural America that has not been addressed effectively by leaders of either major political party.
UNDERSTANDING GROWING DRUG CRISIS IN AMERICA
https://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com/2016/09/understanding-growing-drug-crisis-in.html
This article on the MappingforJustice blog uses maps to show where the drug crisis is most concentrated and growing in rural America. I'm added links to the article, at the bottom, and in the comment section, to additional articles on this topic.
BUILD, CHICAGO - FOCUSES ON PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND BUILDING FUTURES
https://www.buildchicago.org/
From the web site: "BUILD's ( Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) mission is to engage at-risk youth in the schools and on the streets, so they can realize their educational and career potential and contribute to the stability, safety and well being of our communities.
CALIFORNIA CITIES GANG PREVENTION NETWORK - RESOURCE PAGE
https://www.calcitiesvpn.org/new-page-1
The site points to a list of resources that anyone can use to build a better understanding of Gang Prevention issues.
CHICAGO GANG HISTORY PROJECT - PRE 2000
https://www.chicagoganghistory.com/
From the web site: "This site focuses on Chicago Gang History and public housing pre 2000. This site is not meant to glorify street gangs or encourage kids to join gangs, it is only meant to educate the public about how this all came to happen and what factors caused these gangs to start up and develop."
CHICAGO GANG RESEARCH WEB SITE (now an archive)
https://web.archive.org/web/20190201205930/http://gangresearch.net/ChicagoGangs/chiroomnew.html
Extensive information and resources about Chicago street gangs.
GANG VIOLENCE. HAS THE THREAT BEEN EXAGGERATED?
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2018060100
This link points to a comprehensive article about gang violence in America and an extensive resource for understanding gangs and violence. Take time to learn what's on the site.
GANGS IN CHICAGO
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/497.html
The article is extracted from the Encyclopedia of Chicago, narrating the historical development of Chicago gangs.
GANGS IN CHICAGO - MAPS SHOW DISTRIBUTION
https://www.wbez.org/stories/in-chicago-gangs-abound-but-where-are-they/00691b2d-c33d-46f8-9f55-da7ebf81e7f8
This WBEZ91.5 web site article provides maps showing gang distribution in various neighborhoods of Chicago.
NEW RESPONSES NEEDED TO VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/forum-ideas-gun-violence/nature-gangs-has-changed-so-should-our-gun-violence-strategy
This Crain's Chicago Business article by Teresa Cordova of the UIC Great Cities Institute points to new research that focuses on changing gang structures.
STUDY USES NETWORK ANALYSIS TO PREDICT GUNSHOT VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2594804
This study is titled "Modeling Contagion Through Social Networks to Explain and Predict Gunshot Violence in Chicago, 2006 to 2014" and includes a variety of charts and visualizations. Take time to read and reflect.
THE FRACTURING OF GANGS AND VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO - UIC RESEARCH 2019
https://greatcities.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/The_Fracturing_of_Gangs_and_Violence_in_Chicago.pdf
The full title of this pdf report is The Fracturing of Gangs and Violence in Chicago: A Research-Based Reorientation of Violence Prevention and Intervention Policy. From the report: "The nature of gang violence in Chicago has been changing, but policies and practices toward it have not. This was the main conclusion of “The Fracturing of Gangs Conference,” held at the Great Cities Institute in Spring 2018. This report shares insights from that conference along with an array of conversations since then."
UNDERSTANDING GANGS IN CHICAGO - 2020 INTERVIEW
https://www.thetrace.org/2020/07/chicago-gang-gun-violence-law-enforcement/
This article in The Trace is titled "An Outdated Understanding of Chicago Gangs could be Hampering Gun Violence Prevention." It's an interview with researcher, Roberto Aspholm, who has spent years researching the transformation of the city's gangs."
100 YEARS AFTER WOMEN GOT THE VOTE, WHY IS #STILLMARCHING AS CENTRAL AS EVER TO HUMAN PROGRESS?
https://oxfamapps.org/fp2p/100-years-after-votes-for-women-why-is-stillmarching-as-relevant-as-ever-to-human-progress/
2018 article on From Poverty to Power blog shows that much work needs to still be done. Follow the links. There's a wealth of information here.
A MIGHTY GIRL - DEDICATED TO RAISING SMART, CONFIDENT, AND COURAGEOUS GIRLS
https://www.amightygirl.com/blog
The website says "A Mighty Girls is the worlds largest collection of books, toys, movies, and music for parents, teachers and others dedicated to raising smart, confident, and courageous girls and, of course, for girls themselves." This link points to the Mighty Girls blog. Follow A Mighty Girls on Facebook and see how they share relevant information on a regular basis.
https://www.facebook.com/amightygirl
A SAFE WORLD FOR WOMEN
http://www.asafeworldforwomen.org/fieldpartners.html
From the web site: "Throughout the world there are thousands of small organisations working on the ground in their regions, helping people to develop sustainable livelihoods. These organisations and groups seldom receive publicity and often struggle to connect with potential donors. To help with this, Safe World partners with grassroots organisations and groups working with women and children. We help our Field Partners by highlighting their work, and encouraging public support for individual grassroots projects."
CLOSING THE GENDER GAP - FROM LEARN HOW TO BECOME.ORG
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/closing-the-gender-pay-gap/
This site provides a well illustrated guide to help others understand the gender gap, and to become involved in closing it. Spend time looking around.
GENDER APARTHEID - VIDEO BY BILL MAHER
Open link
This video was posted in 2024 on Twitter and LinkedIn. In it Bill Maher calls on young people to take on GenderApartheid as their cause. The video shows dramatic reasons for taking such a stand. The link I've provided points to a Twitter post with the video.
GIRL EFFECT - GIRL-CENTRED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
https://www.girleffect.org/
From the web site: "Deeply rooted in our theory of change, our unique approach to social norm change uses the latest ideas in media, technology and girl-centred community engagement to challenge discriminatory gender norms and start conversations about how girls are viewed in society. By connecting with girls in their communities and building confidence in their own potential, we're changing the way millions of people think, feel and act towards girls."
HOW DOES CHICAGO REPORT ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN?
https://chicagojustice.org/2013/05/20/violence-against-women-reporting/
This link points to a 2013 Chicago Justice Project study of "a year of coverage of violence against women in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times to understand how closely the coverage resembles how the crimes occur in Chicago’s communities."
NOVO FOUNDATION - FOCUSES ON ISSUES RELATED TO GIRLS AND WOMEN
https://novofoundation.org/
This foundation focuses on empowering adolescent girls, preventing violence against women, social and emotional learning and promoting local economies.
RESPECT WOMEN - PREVENTING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - UNITED NATIONS WOMAN RESOURCE
https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2020/07/respect-women-implementation-package
From the website: "UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It's an extensive resource site. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system's work in advancing gender equality, and in all deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda."
TED TALK BY ASHLEY JUDD ABOUT ON-LINE ABUSE AND HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS
https://www.ted.com/talks/ashley_judd_how_online_abuse_of_women_has_spiraled_out_of_control?
The video is introduced with this statement: "Enough with online hate speech, sexual harassment and threats of violence against women and marginalized groups. It's time to take the global crisis of online abuse seriously. In this searching, powerful talk, Ashley Judd recounts her ongoing experience of being terrorized on social media for her unwavering activism and calls on citizens of the internet, the tech community, law enforcement and legislators to recognize the offline harm of online harassment." The language in this video is raw so may be unsuitable for younger age children.However, the lessons need to be learned at an early age.
THE GIRL INNOVATION, RESEARCH, ANDLEARNING (GIRL) CENTER - GLOBAL RESEARCH HUB
https://popcouncil.org/hub/girl-center/
The GIRL Center "is a global research hub that envisions a gender-equitable world where girls and boys make a health and safe transition into adulthood and reach their full potential". This is part of a global research center called The Population Council. View their strategic plan at https://popcouncil.org/strategy/
WOMEN'S SPEECH PROJECT
https://www.womensmediacenter.com/speech-project/
This site is" Dedicated to raising public and media awareness about online harassment."