Puppets From Around the World
Visit a Japanese gallery of bunraku puppetry and learn how to make your own Indonesian shadow puppets.
Subject
Arts & Literature
The arts were not a decorative extra on the original site. They were a channel with the same weight as science, and the drawing and writing modules were among the most used things here.
That balance was right. Making something is a different cognitive act from reading about something, and a curriculum with no making in it is missing a whole mode of understanding.
What sits under arts & literature
Visual art and art history, music, theatre and dance, drawing and illustration, creative writing, poetry, literature and authors.
On the original drawing module
The 1999 site hosted a step-by-step cartooning course licensed from an outside illustrator. That licence did not survive the domain, so the course is not reproduced here — but the idea behind it, teaching drawing as a sequence of specific decisions rather than a talent you either have or do not, is worth keeping.
85 entries from the archive
May 1999
A Titanic Affair Not to Miss
Learn about the new mystery surrounding the Titanic, while viewing video footage and photos of the sunken ship. Don't miss the virtual tour of the Titanic, where you can see how parts of the ship looked before and after the giant ship sank.
Gryphons, Gryphons Everywhere!
The mythological creature called the gryphon has fascinated people for centuries. Here you can learn about its history and symbolism, stroll through the gryphon gallery and read about gryphons in literature.
Go on an Art Safari
Use your imagination and write about what you see in different paintings and sculptures, or create your own art work. You can submit your stories and pictures to the Visitor's Art Display so other people can view your works of art!
Make Your Own Comics!
Take a walk through The Cartoon Factory and pair your own wacky dialogue with the site's inspired comic art.
A Tribute to All Things Shel
Learn more about the life and accomplishments of Shel Silverstein, the famous children's writer and composer who passed away Tuesday. His humorous verse is a fun way to learn how to read poetry.
Books for Kids Only!
Check out the Randomhouse kids site -- find out what books kids are reading and look at book reviews. But literature isn't what this site is all about -- there is plenty of fun to be had -- especially if you venture into Seussville.
Rhyme with Mother Goose
Visit the Mother Goose Society and learn who Mother Goose really was. Plus, read some of her classic rhymes like Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater and Ring-a-Round a Rosie.
How to Get to Sesame Street
There's tons of fun stuff to do with Big Bird and friends. Print out and color pictures of your favorite characters, read a virtual storybook or find some of the coolest kid's activities on the Net.
Harlem's Heyday
In the 1920s, Harlem was the place to be for cool jazz and new kinds of art. Learn about the proud history of this African-American neighborhood.
July 1999
Online Exchange
July 1, 1999
S.Y.M.O.N. is no longer so simple, not at "Speak Your Mind On The Net" where teens write for other teens. Be heard, and submit your original poems, articles, stories, and more.
Discovery Adventures
July 2, 1999
From the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, explorers are rescuing the ruins of Alexandria, famed home of Cleopatra. Hear what they have to say about the centuries-old artifacts already retrieved from the sea's floor.
Learning Center
July 5, 1999
If school reform is on your agenda, McREL can help. Check out their articles, products, and book reviews, all geared toward improving academic standards.
Community Store
July 5, 1999
With the Epson Stylus Photo 750 Inkjetprinter, you can process and print your own film, even without a darkroom. Protect your PC from viruses and the Y2K bug, safely clean your hard drive, and prevent system crashes, all with McAfee Office 2000.
Hot News
July 6, 1999
Time is running out for rival parties in Northern Ireland who have only 10 days to make good on last year's Good Friday peace accord and realize their goal of self-government.
Online Exchange
July 6, 1999
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America offers guidance and accurate information for parents on the best way to approach their kids about drug abuse.
Online Exchange
July 8, 1999
Participate in discussion groups, go to friendly chat areas, or find an electronic pen pal, locally or from across the world.
Quick Facts
July 14, 1999
What famous author is being applauded in centennial celebrations this year? Ernest Hemingway. How many new or rebuilt roller coasters are opening this summer? 100.
July 1999
Smart Art
Instead of using your hockey stick to score goals, use it to play a musical score. Browse through this photo gallery to see how artists with a lot of imagination create ingenious inventions, like a cigar box guitar, or a building with 20 sides but no roof.
The Cat in the Hat is Back!
Take a minute and test your skill by playing games in Dr. Seussville. Or if you're hungry and need some lunch, make green eggs and ham or Sneetch snacks to munch.
A Quarter for Your Thoughts?
Featuring unique designs from George Washington to the Georgia peach, new quarters will be issued by the U.S. Mint for each state. See the 1999 quarters, find out when your state's quarter will be released, and check out the new dollar coin.
America Rocks!
Learn about American history, such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, while enjoying songs and clips from the cartoon classic, "School House Rock!"
Appreciate Art
Whether you like paintings, photographs, or sculptures, the National Museum of American Art has over 3,000 images from its collection online. Search for your favorite artist, and then create your own art with a visit to the Kid's Corner.
I'd Prefer to Party. Period.
While punctuation and grammar don't rank high on most people's lists of fun things to do, there are sure-fire ways to liven up language arts and make vocabulary and spelling score more than a snore.
Great gazes
If you think you've got an eye for art, test your eye-Q by identifying the peepers in these pictures. Or, see how styles set apart the major movements and eras of art history.
Hungry for a sub?
Skip the sandwich and sink your teeth into a submersible submarine, such as the Pisces II of the 1960s or the state-of-the-art Remora 2000.
August 1999
Online Exchange
August 2, 1999
Participate in discussion groups, go to friendly chat areas, or find an electronic pen pal, locally or from across the world.
Hot News
August 3, 1999
On Monday, the Senate passed legislation that will make it harder for sweepstakes companies to lure in sales by sending phony "you may have already won" announcements and other such promises of purchase-related cash and prizes.
Hot News
August 5, 1999
Starting Sunday, the entertainment industry will celebrate Alfred Hitchcock's 100th birthday by rebroadcasting his classic suspense films and TV series, as well as airing commemorative made-for-television biographies.
August 1999
A Shot in the Dark?
Read tips from a professional photographer on how to adjust your camera settings to best capture the eclipsing sun. Then make your eclipse photographs vibrant using Photoshop.
Caps Off to Cappy
This skateboarding giraffe will introduce you to his favorite works in the National Museum of American Art, and will help you make your own art based on them.
Forces of the Knight
In the 1500s, mail wasn't something you read, it was something you wore. Made of thousands of steel rings linked together, suits of mail protected knights against enemy blows because swords could not cut through the woven metal.
Can You Listen to a Photograph?
As the history of art photography comes into focus, hear a critique from a curator of the National Museum of American Art. Add your comments on any photograph that intrigues you to the museum's "personal point of view" database.
Choose Your Creation
As so many inventions and inventors affect our daily lives, it is hard to choose favorites. Read reports on some important scientists and discoveries and then test your new knowledge.
All the World's a Stage
Children's author Aaron Shepard has created a variety of scripts, based on international folklore, which student teams can produce in class. The thrill of the theater will disguise the chore of learning to read.
September 1999
Online Exchange
September 1, 1999
Participate in discussion groups, go to friendly chat areas, or find an electronic pen pal, locally or from across the world.
Hot News
September 2, 1999
Next week, concerned companies will watch the calendar carefully, fearful that the date 9-9-99 may translate into a stop-command for computers and cause dreaded Y2K-like damage.
Hot News
September 3, 1999
Six years after the Branch Davidian fire in Waco, Texas, Attorney General Janet Reno is expected to appoint an outside investigator as early as today who will scrutinize the part the FBI played in the tragedy.
October 1999
Online Exchange
October 1, 1999
Participate in discussion groups, go to friendly chat areas, or find an electronic pen pal, locally or from across the world.
Hot News
October 13, 1999
Before Michael, there was Wilt. Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain, a basketball legend with a career average of more than 30 points per game, was found dead yesterday from an apparent heart attack.
Hot News
October 14, 1999
Twenty teachers have been named to the USA TODAY's All-USA Teacher First Team, a group of educators chosen because they use creative teaching techniques -- ones not found in traditional textbooks -- to encourage students to learn.
Hot News
October 26, 1999
The golf community is in shock today over the loss of golf great Payne Stewart, who died yesterday along with at least 4 others when their Learjet reportedly lost cabin pressure and crashed in South Dakota. Click here for the full story.
October 1999
The Great Chicago Fire
Read Mrs. O'Leary's account of that fateful night, and compare it to the commissioners' report. Then, take a tour through the Chicago Historical Society's illustrated galleries and collection of life stories to round out your experience.
Quake Quest
Though they only last a short while, earthquakes can do massive damage to structures built along fault lines. Walk, don't run, though this online exhibit on the history of seismology, and you'll learn how scientists predict and measure quakes.
A Day with a Difference
Not just your normal Saturday, Make a Difference Day calls community members to cooperate in charity efforts. How you contribute depends on you. Browse programs already scheduled, or start your own service project.
Reasons for the Rumble
Plate tectonics is the invisible and incremental movement of the earth's giant plates. Over time, these plates shift and press against each other until the stress becomes so great it shatters the Earth's crust.
The Image Seekers
Are photographs art? Can they truthfully record history? Can a photographic image be used to persuade or manipulate? Focus in on this wonderful snapshot history of American photography.
Deep Sea History
On February 17-18, 1944, American ships and planes blanketed Chuuk Lagoon with firepower to gain control of the Japanese base in Micronesia. Take your class through a virtual gallery of photos of the well-preserved, sunken Japanese ships.
A Ghost, An Angel, A Hobo
Are your kids having trouble deciding what they want to be for Halloween? Did you get invited to a last minute party? You may already own everything you need to be a tourist, a cowboy, a ghost, an angel, or an athlete.
Freaky Food
Whether you're hosting a Halloween party or just want to freak out the family, try these quick Halloween recipes. As a bonus, each recipe provides the fat, calorie, cholesterol, carbohydrate, fiber, and sodium content.
November 1999
Hot News
November 10, 1999
This century's most successful recording artists are the Beatles, according to a report issued today that ranks the British band just ahead of Garth Brooks and Barbra Streisand. Click here for the full story.
Hot News
November 12, 1999
Cities across the U.S. will mark the new millennium in many creative and festive ways, some with banquets and bells, others with photo exhibits and public parties. Click here for the full story.
Hot News
November 16, 1999
Thirty-one years after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, the King family is in court today suing a man who says he hired King's killer -- and that the killer was not James Earl Ray. Click here for the full story. Stay informed of current events in the U.S. and around the world with Hot News.
Hot News
November 18, 1999
As the sun moves toward its solar max, the most active stage of its 11-year cycle, it may cause significant effects on Earth, such as power outages or computer problems. Click here for the full story. Stay informed of current events in the U.S. and around the world with Hot News.
Hot News
November 19, 1999
Texas A&M students are in shock today after a pyramid of logs intended for the school's annual bonfire collapsed, killing 11 students and injuring 28 others. Click here for the full story. Stay informed of current events in the U.S. and around the world with Hot News.
Hot News
November 22, 1999
In the search to find cure-all "miracle drugs" for life-threatening diseases, researchers are discovering that old products already on the market may be just the remedies they need. Click here for the full story. Stay informed of current events in the U.S. and around the world with Hot News.
Hot News
November 23, 1999
A new study released yesterday shows that fewer American teens are using drugs, and that fewer teens think drugs are cool. Click here for the full story. Stay informed of current events in the U.S. and around the world with Hot News.
Hot News
November 24, 1999
Although it may seem otherwise, officials report that the arrest rate for juveniles accused of committing violent crimes is at its lowest in 10 years and is 30% lower than in 1994. Click here for the full story. Stay informed of current events in the U.S. and around the world with Hot News.
November 1999
Big-Name Athletes with Big Hearts
On the playing field or basketball court, these athletes look rough and tough. But they are all smiles when it comes to helping their favorite charities.
A Tisket, a Tasket
Remember some of your favorite childhood rhymes? Here are some new ones that your kids can read to you. They can also write their own poetry by playing "Finish It Off," a game where they provide the last line of a given rhyme.
Money Can't Buy Happiness
Money can help make your school a better place, though. Find out how to win a grant so your school can start a creative arts program, purchase new computers, organize a class trip, or invite a special speaker.
Education World Weekly Feature
Join EdWorld as they celebrate their 100th weekly edition! Here's their selection of their best lesson planning ideas, teacher-created projects, and reviews of the latest books for kids and professionals.
The ABCs of Allowances
Though you already know that allowances help children learn to earn and manage their money, you might not know how to start your children one. Follow this step-by-step tutorial and you won't waste time -- or money -- getting an allowance system in place.
No News is Good News
The Positive Press reports on the good news in the world, and there is a lot of it! Read stories about general interest, business, or health that will leave you feeling happy.
Education World Weekly Feature
Celebrate Children's Book Week! EdWorld points you to the Web's best literature lesson plans and online reading quizzes, demonstrates how to use Harry Potter in your classroom, and teaches you how to become a cybrarian.
Turkey Day Games
Instead of being bored while waiting for dinner, start your own party with these Thanksgiving Day games. You may already know some, like 20 questions. But have you ever played Cornucopia, Corn Hunt, or Bird, Beast or Foul?
A Trouble-Free Thanksgiving
From the turkey to the trimmings, Thanksgiving takes a lot of work. Try out these recipes, hosting suggestions, and crafts for kids designed to help you have a happy and trouble-free Thanksgiving.
Celebrate in the Streets
Sure, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a ton of fun, but did you know that the excitement starts the night before? Grab a sneak peek at the Thanksgiving Eve Big Balloon Blowup.
Thanksgiving 200 Years Ago
Like today, people in the 1800s celebrated Thanksgiving by gathering with family and sharing a special feast. Get a firsthand account of other early Thanksgiving traditions by reading this story by Louisa May Alcott.
Character Education
The story of George Washington and the cherry tree illustrates honesty. The King Midas myth teaches self-discipline. Visit this site with your children to read stories, play games, and color pictures that demonstrate life's virtues.
News of the Century
With this contest, students can research history, write articles reporting the major events in a given year, and design their own newspapers to be showcased online. Plenty of teacher resources will guide you through the project.
Multiple Choice Madness
Hammer is to carpenter as brush is to painter? Not sure? Then you may be dreading the SAT. With one new question each day, this site shows you how to avoid getting stumped and to score like a champion.
December 1999
Lady Liberty
Before deciding to give the Statue of Liberty to the U.S., French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi thought he might give his masterpiece to Egypt to put in the Suez Canal. Later, in 1886, he offered it to the U.S. to celebrate America's Centennial.
Current Events for Kids
This site has a nose for kids news. Catch up on current events and click on some cool links. Then add your two cents to the site by sending a picture to the photo gallery, joining the birthday club, or voting on the question of the week.
Noddy Knows
Want to send a postcard to a friend, unscramble words, play number games, or sit back and read a story? Visit Noddy Theater, the Book Nook, the Playroom, and more pages on this great site, connected to the PBS TV show just for kids.
Perfect Pitch
One out of every 10,000 humans has the ability to determine musical pitches exactly. However in countries where tonal languages are spoken - such as China - perfect pitch occurs more commonly. Read this news story and decide whether you think this ability comes naturally or is learned.
Lest We Forget
Recognize Pearl Harbor Day by visiting the Pearl Harbor Memorial online. Study an overview and timeline of the attack, watch live video footage of the U.S.S. Arizona, download a memorial poster, and read some of the survivors' stories.
Brain Drain
Some of these teasers look simple, but they may just stop you in your tracks. Get ready for overload once you hit the colors, action, and mind-boggling questions of Funology.com
It's Show Time!
As your kids flock to the theaters during winter break, make sure you're comfortable with the films they want to see. Read the Movie Mom's reviews of the latest releases, and check out her list of the all-time best family movies.
Ho Ho Ho!
The last chance to write to Santa is coming soon! When the letter is finished, kids can hear Santa read "The Night Before Christmas." Then, prepare for his arrival with some other Santa stories, songs, games, and activities.
Education World Weekly Feature
Each week, Education World brings new curriculum tips, lesson plans, hot sites, book reviews, and news to educators everywhere. The "Best of 1999" edition features all their favorites, in case you missed them the first time.
Nguzo Saba
Kwanzaa is a great way to teach your kids about diversity and African heritage. Try this site, which is filled with downloads, games, arts and crafts, songs, animation, and coloring pages that demonstrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Campaign to End Cheating
Studies show that students begin to cheat on schoolwork when they reach middle school. Read manuals filled with tips for putting an end to cheating, share your experiences with others, or try an honesty contract in your class.
More than the Millennium
The karamu feast on December 31st is just one part of the special seven-day Kwanzaa holiday. "Karamu," like the word "Kwanzaa," is Swahili. "Kwanzaa" means "first fruits of the harvest."
Related subjects
Science
104 archive entries · 11 months in common
Geography
45 archive entries · 11 months in common
Mathematics
33 archive entries · 11 months in common
History
55 archive entries · 10 months in common
Health & Medicine
38 archive entries · 10 months in common
Computers & the Internet
28 archive entries · 10 months in common
Law, Government & Politics
11 archive entries · 5 months in common