Top online resources for homework help
From atlases to study guides, these recommended websites will help students ace their assignments.
By Miriam Myers
Does your child's math homework have you stumped? Does he need help with a science project? Direct him online to the growing number of homework help websites to help him find answers to his burning questions. Such resources range from reference sites to those staffed by experts.
A site may have teachers or professionals your child can email to ask a question. If she has a question about the planets, she can find an expert astronomer. Help your child check the site to see when she can expect an answer — it may take a few days or weeks.
Reference sites range from atlases to encyclopedias. They are a place your child can go to access information to help answer their questions. If your child is doing research on sea animals, he can use a reference online such as an almanac or an encyclopedia to help complete his homework and develop his research skills.
Check your local library's website too. Some, like the Boston Public Library, offer reference material as well as online help from real people. To access the online help features, you may need to enter your library card number.
There are websites that are subject and grade level specific. Some sites give free advice, while others charge a fee. Help your child learn that it's important to evaluate the source of any information she gets online and show her how to find the "About Us" section of a site. Inform your child that these sites are tools to help her answer questions and that she will need to cite and acknowledge others' work correctly.
The following sites will assist you in finding resources to help your child successfully complete his homework assignments. While these sites are for kids, it is always a good idea to supervise your child while he is online.
Fact Monster: Homework Center
This kid-friendly site from Information Please, a Pearson Education company, sorts information by subjects, homework skills, reference sources and tools. Find information on how to write a research paper and how to cite sources. Browse the almanac and find an interactive periodic table or click on the atlas to find country, state and city profiles.
This website, created by an elementary school teacher, has compiled a list of homework help, reference resources, and search engines for kids. You can do a search or click through the topics to find information about subjects, such as insects or the history of toys.
Education World: Study Skills and Homework Help
This site for teachers lists several homework resources. Check out the Research Toolbox in the study skills section to find references from maps and converters to museums and libraries. Read reviews of homework-help websites and articles about homework help.
This site is a free homework information portal that provides access to K-12 homework-related sites. It's organized by topic and grade level for ease of use.