Research and Reading

Michigan eLibrary

  • MeL is a statewide service administered by the Library of Michigan which is available to all Michigan residents at no charge 24 hours a day. It contains online encyclopedias, eBooks, evaluated websites, magazine, newspaper and journal articles, and so much more.

Information Resources

  • A to Z Animals – Online encyclopedic resource across animals of all kinds.
  • Gale In Context: Middle School – Combines reference content with age-appropriate videos, newspapers, magazines, primary sources, and more for students in middle grades. Offer available through the end of May 2020. If prompted to enter a password, use the password open.
  • Gale In Context: High School – Provides grades 9–12 with content aligned to national and state curriculum standards to help with papers, projects, and presentations, while empowering student development of critical thinking and information literacy skills. Offer available through the end of May 2020. If prompted to enter a password, use the password open.
  • KidInfoBits – Introduces elementary school students to database searching with easy-to-use resources featuring age-appropriate, reliable, curriculum-related content covering a broad range of educational topics. Offer available through the end of May 2020. If prompted to enter a password, use the password open.
  • Miss Humblebee’s Academy – Interactive kindergarten-readiness program that introduces children ages three to six to key concepts in math, science, social studies, language and literacy, art, and music. It’s as challenging as it is fun! Offer available through the end of May 2020. If prompted to enter a password, use the password open.
  • National Geographic Resource Library – Features thousands of educational materials for teaching science and other subjects. Resources include a wide assortment of activities, articles, collections, infographics, lessons, maps, photographs, and videos. Materials can be searched by topic, grade level, content type, or subject.
  • PebbleGo – K-5 literacy research database. PebbleGo Animals and Science modules are always free to Michigan residents through the Michigan eLibrary (MeL). Modules: States, Science, American Indian History, Social Studies and Biographies are available free of charge through May 2020.
  • Time For Kids – K-6 digital library is free of charge through the end of the school year.
  • Wonderopolis – Every day a new intriguing “Wonders of the Day” question is posted to get kids thinking, talking, and learning. The questions are designed to ignite their curiosity and imagination leading to exploration and discovery.

Video & Animations

  • BrainPop – Animated educational websites that contain quizzes and related materials, covering the subjects of science, social studies, English, math, engineering and technology, health, and arts and music.
  • Discovery Education – Hosts standards-based digital content for K-12, including videos, images, textbooks, and multimedia content.
  • PBS Media Learning – DPTV and PBS have curated FREE, standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more.

News & Magazines

  • Highlights – Read articles, play games, tell jokes, and explore.
  • Ranger Rick – Learn about nature by the United States National Wildlife Federation.
  • Youngzine – Learn about current news and events shaping the world.
  • National Geographic Kids – Find amazing facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with videos and games.
  • Newsela – Authentic, engaging content that is standards aligned, and provided at the right reading level. To help schools plan for and continue instruction during the COVID-19 crisis, Newsela is providing its full suite of products at no cost for the remainder of the school year.
  • Scholastic Kids Press – Young journalists report “news for kids, by kids,” covering politics, entertainment, the environment, sports, and more in their hometowns and on the national stage.
  • Tween Tribune – Non-fiction news site that consists of daily news sites for kids, tweens, and teens, and includes text, photos, graphics, and audio and/or video materials prepared by the Smithsonian and others about current events, history, art, culture and science.
  • Kids Post – News, features, contests, and fun activities for kids.

Primary Sources

  • America in Class – Primary and secondary resources, webinars, and lessons for history and literature teachers curated by The National Humanities Center.
  • The Henry Ford Collections and Research – Digitized collection of thousands of artifacts from The Henry Ford Archive of American Innovation™. Explore artifacts and stories about Agriculture and the Environment, Design and Making, Power and Energy, Communications and Information Technology, Mobility and Society and Social Transformation.
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