Library Databases - Research References

Have to research a paper or project? Use these library databases rather than Google or Yahoo searches. You will find tons of authoritative sources for information that is relevant, accurate, and available 24/7. To use the databases, select the database you desire and enter your four digit school code. If you do not know the code, contact our school librarian .

NBC Learn: New District Online Database

The Department of Libraries, Educational Tools & Technology, is pleased to announce the two-year donation of NBC Learn, a great video-based online database that is available to all CPS students from home and school.  Access the portal to all of our CPS subscription databases at library.cps.k12.il.us. See below for more information about this database.

About NBC Learn:

NBC Learn K-12, the education division of NBC News, is excited to kick off an exciting new partnership with Chicago Public Schools! NBC Learn K-12 is an award-winning collection of multimedia resources that provide an easy and affordable way to integrate 21st century technology into the library, media center and classroom, while adding relevance to lessons and engaging visual learners of all ages and abilities.

The NBC Learn K-12 resource features more than 14,000 historic news reports, primary source documents, current events, and original series including "Science of Innovation", "Writers Speak to Kids", and the Emmy Award-winning "Science of NFL Football" series. The resources are aligned to Illinois State Standards and the Common Core.

NBC Learn K-12 features robust searching, browsing and filtering tools to aid research and inquiry-based discovery. With individual accounts, teachers and staff will have complete access to our resources, 24/7, from school and from home.  To get started, please navigate to http://cps.nbclearn.com.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be more than happy to help you with any concerns that you may have. Please email  with any questions or the NBC Learn Technical Support Team, (http://archives.nbclearn.com/portal/site/support/contactus) available 24/7.

New Britannica eBooks in the CPS Virtual Library

The Department of Educational Tools & Technology/Libraries has recently added approximately 800 e-book titles from Britannica Digital Learning to the CPS Virtual Library (http://cps.edu/library). Access password information at http://goo.gl/F4KdBZ. Contact Lisa Perez () with questions.

Voice Thread

A VoiceThread allows people to have conversations and to make comments using any mix of text, a microphone, a web cam, a telephone, or uploaded audio file.  Collaborate with your classmates with images, videos, documents, and presentations at the center of your conversation. Contact to obtain information on how you can use Voice Thread in your class.

What's Next Illinois

It is never too early to start thinking about what comes beyond elementary school. If you like to dream, and dream big, then What's Next Illinois will help you plan for your high school and college education. This site also has some cool tips How To tips and some links to some homework helpers.

iPhone, iPod and iPad Apps for Students

Do you or your parents have an iPod touch, an iPhone or an iPad? If so, you can check out these fun apps.

Pre-K - 1st Grade

ABC Letter Tracing
Allows you to trace both uppercase and lower case letters with a touch of a finger or stylus.

ABA Flash Cards - Actions
Allows you to trace both uppercase and lower case letters with a touch of a finger or stylus.

Addition UnderSea Adventures Game Lite
Explore the underwater world using Math.

Site Words List - Customizable
Dolch Word Lists in a fun, educational and affordable application.

Rock & Learn Phonics Easy Reader
Practice reading using phonics.

Piggy HD Math
Help Pi the Pig collect stars and catch coins in his basket while learning to count, skip count, add and subtract.

2nd - 4th GradeS

My Math Flash Cards App
Master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division by practicing with this fun application.

Kids Can Spell
Learn how to spell while encountering animals using pictures and sound.

Rocket Math
Math can be fun! Build your very own rockets and fly them to the stars!

K12 Timed Reading Practice Lite
Practice your reading to build the ability to read smoothly and quickly.

Professor Garfield Cyberbullying
Learn strategies for dealing with cyberbullies with the help of Garfield and friends.

Princess Math
Princess Math challenges you with addition and substraction problems. Boost your Math Skills. Draw on the screen to work out the harder problems.

Multiplication & Division Flash Action
A fun way to practice your multiplication and division.

5th - 8th GradeS

Dictionary.com Flashcards
Study, learn and master vocabulary in a fun way! Create your own lists! Select your study method! Provides pronunciation and definition matching.

3D Brain
Use the touch screen to rotate and zoom as you explore the regions of the brain!

NASA App
This app collects, customized and delivers information, images and videos from online NASA resources into a mobile app that lets you explore.

Number Line
A game to help you learn about fractions, decimals and percents by ordering them on a number line.

History: Maps of the World
Great interactive high resolutions maps to make learning history fun.

Storykit
Write your own electronic book.

MathBoard
A fantastic math learning tool for the iPad! Math Board makes learning math fun.

Art
Learn to recognize great works of art! There is a lite version that is free so you can review it first.

Frog Dissection
Dissect a frog on your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. Learn about internal organs.

Stack the States
Learn about our 50 states in a fun way. There is a lite version which you can get for free.

GrammarPrep: Subjects and Verbs
Learn to write better by practicing subjects and verbs!