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Parenting can be a difficult job in these stressful times. If you’re looking for some advice or tips on parenting, BCPL Can Help.
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Financial Aid / Scholarships
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) | En Español
Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ) to apply for federal student aid, including the Pell Grant, student loans, college work-study. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid.
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Application Deadlines: both for federal and state financial aid
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Federal School Codes: Search or verify your school's code.
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Filing Options: Filing FAFSA online is the quickest and easiest method of applying; Request a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-319-337-5665. If you are hearing impaired, please contact the TTY line at 1-800-730-8913, or complete a PDF FAFSA (Note: PDF FAFSAs must be mailed for processing).
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Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid
Annual publication. Tells you about the student aid programs and how to apply for them. En Español.
A Better Chance
This national organization refers academically talented students of color entering grades six through eleven to some of the nation's finest independent and public schools, including Maryland, to be considered for placement and financial aid.
Can You Spot a Scholarship Scam?
by CollegeBoard
College Savings Plans of Maryland
Information on the Maryland Prepaid College Trust and Maryland College Investment Plan. Begin to save now for your child's education at nearly any college in the nation.
Education and Training for Maryland Veterans
from Veterans Services Page, a collaborative project involving Federal, State and Baltimore County government agencies as well as local nonprofit organizations
Excellent source on financial assistance at local colleges and universities for Maryland's veterans.
Education Benefits for Maryland Veterans
from Maryland Higher Education Commission
Fastweb
A large, frequently updated scholarship database. You can register for free, create a profile and be notified about scholarships that match your profile. You can even submit an electronic application to some of the scholarships listed in the database. Includes a college search feature, articles on campus life, and other guidance on finding a college, a first job or an internship. their college or first job.
FinAid: the Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
Find loans, scholarships, or military aid as well as financial aid applications and calculators to figure out how much money you will need. Has information on financial aid for private elementary and secondary schools.
Financial Aid
from Baltimore County Public School's Department of Student Support Services
Gives links to several free sources of scholarship and financial aid sites. Scholarships for students enrolled in one of the Alternative Education Programs.
Financial Aid for the Disability Community
from Disability.gov
Information on federal, state and local scholarships and loans for students with disabilities, including veterans and the military community.
Financing a Private School Education
by National Association of Independent Schools
Offers advice for parents on funding a private school education. The site contains information on scholarship and tuition loan providers, as well as more affordable tuition payment plans.
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The Parent's Financial Statement (PFS) can be filled out online at School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) This service is used by more than 2,400 K-12 schools and organizations across the country to help assess a family's ability to pay for independent education.
Independent College Fund of Maryland
Scholarships to independent liberal arts colleges and universities. Contact your financial aid office for information about eligibility.
Maryland State Financial Aid Assistance Programs
from the Maryland Higher Education Commission
Program descriptions and applications
Descriptions and applications for grants, merit-based or career-based scholarships, legislative and for unique populations.
Pay for College
by CollegeBoard
Tips and advice for students and parents. "Learn about college costs, applying for scholarships and other types of financial aid, choosing the best aid package, taking out education loans, and paying the college bill."
Scholarships, fellowships, and loans [electronic resource] 23rd edition. Detroit: Gale, 2007. 1628 pp.
Provides more than 4,200 sources of education-related financial aid and awards at all levels of study. A section on federal financial aid supplies a quick summary of programs sponsored by the federal government. Also included is a state-by-state listing of agencies in a users home state. Written for students, and parents. Search Tips [PDF]
Available online as an electronic Reference Book. The content can be discovered by clicking the hyperlinks and can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.
Scholarships for Minorities
by BlackExcel.org
Scholarships, Loans, Financial Aid and the FAFSA
by Peterson's.com
Undergraduate and graduate scholarship search, tips and guidance on financial aid.
Student Aid on the Web
by United States Department of Education
Information on preparing for, choosing and applying for admission and funding your education beyond high school primarily through federal student aid programs. Covers repaying loans for your college education, as well as access to the FAFSA application and your My FSA personal account. En Español
United Negro College Fund
Administers several scholarship and internship programs.
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Education/Schools: Preschool to Advanced
Preschool/Early Childhood | K-12 | Higher Education | Adult/Community Education
Preschool / Early Childhood
Activities to Promote School Readiness
from Maryland Committee for Children
A list of skills appropriate for ages 3.4. and 5, followed by a list of activity ideas you can do to help children develop these skills.
Assessing Your Child's School
provided by Baltimore's Child, Inc.
Tips for choosing child care and preschool for your child.
Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Early Childhood
Links for interested parents about the prekindergarten and kindergarten programs. Parents should contact their neighborhood school regarding program availability and specific dates and procedures for prekindergarten screenin
Birth to Five: Focus on the First Years
by Baltimore County Public Library
It's never too early to start smart! As a child's first teachers, you as parents and/or caregivers are instrumental in promoting your child's early development. BCPL's programs and services for babies, toddlers and preschoolers can help you fulfill this important role. Includes information on Baby Booster Kits, My First Library Card and Storytimers.
Children and Reading
from Baltimore County Public Library's Parenting InfoCenter
Learning to read needs to be in place long before children enter school. Tips on helping children learn to read.
Local Head Start Locations
Federally funded, comprehensive child development programs for low-income families with children from birth to age five, pregnant women, and children with disabilities.
Storyville
Located at Baltimore County Public Library's Rosedale and Woodlawn libraries, Storyville is an interactive early literacy learning center designed specifically for children ages birth to five and their caregivers.
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K-12
The Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS)
AIMS is a voluntary organization of private, independent elementary, middle and college preparatory schools in Maryland and the District of Columbia which requires and provides a means for accreditation for member schools and fosters and serves as the focal point for contacts between member schools and the State Department of Education and the Maryland Legislature.
Baltimore County Public Schools
Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism
Maryland Schools Calendar for School Year
Opening and closing dates for all public schools in Maryland from the Maryland State Department of Education.
Maryland's Service-Learning Graduation Requirement
Private Schools in Baltimore County
Nonpublic schools, pre-kindergarten through high school, approved by the Maryland State Department of Education
School Improvement in Maryland
Plans and process
Your Child's Education
from Baltimore County Public Library's Parenting InfoCenter
Information and tips on helping your child learn and on working with schools to help your child succeed in school.
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Higher Education
Colleges located here in Baltimore County
Colleges located nearby in Baltimore City
Baltimore Collegetown Network
Event and campus information for Baltimore area colleges.
Campus Crime and Security Statistics
Crime statistics for over 6000 colleges and universities in the United States
The College Blue Book. 35thedition. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 7071 pages 6 volumes
Guide to thousands of 2 and 4 year schools in the United States and Canada. Includes detailed descriptions, degree programs offered, scholarships, and occupational education programs. Search Tips [PDF]
Available online as an electronic Reference Book. The content can be discovered by clicking the hyperlinks and can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.
Common Application
Apply electronically to over 230 selected colleges and universities.
Education-Portal
Expansive directory of colleges, universities, career schools, trade schools, vocational training, and online degree programs. Search by state, name of school, level of degree, and degree program.
Higher Education in Maryland
From the Maryland Higher Education Commission, links to colleges and universities in Maryland
Maryland Online
Maryland institutions that offer certificate and degree programs mainly in an online format.
Peterson's Guide to Distance Learning and Online Degree Search
A guide to degrees, certificates and courses that can be obtained off-site.
Plan for College
From the United States Department of Education
Princeton Review College Finder
Provides help in choosing a college.
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Adult / Community Education
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)
Listing of classes available at their campuses and centers. Also lists non-credit Continuing Education classes for all ages available at local high schools and other community locations on evenings or weekends; Continuing Education classes are geared to acquiring a GED, academic skills, ESOL, career training apprenticeships, corporate training, professional certifications and licenses, online courses and more.
eLearners.com
Online colleges and university programs, degrees, and certificates.
University of Maryland University College
Provides a variety of courses online for working adults.
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Other Educational Programs
After School Programs | Alternative Schools | Homeschool | Learning Disabilities/Differences | Summer Camps | Tutors | Vocational Education
After School Programs
Afterschool.gov
Find federal resources that support children and youth during out-of-school hours.
Baltimore County Police Athletic League (PAL)
PAL Centers offer an array of free activities to youths between 8 and 17. Officers focus on at-risk youth.
YMCA of Central Maryland
With branch centers in Towson, Catonsville, and White Marsh. If web site is unavailable, call 410-837-9622 for current information.
YouthLearn
The Morino Institute works directly with community-based organizations, integrating the Internet and related information technologies into the lives of people in low-income communities.
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Alternative Schools
Baltimore County Public Schools: Office of Alternative Education, Dropout Prevention and Summer School
Promotes quality education where all students can be successful in an enriching caring, and supportive learning environment. supports students and their families in their goals to graduate with a high school diploma, successfully move to the world of work, and/or enroll in post secondary education.
Multicultural Pavilion
Resources for educators, students and activists to explore and discuss multicultural education.
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Homeschool
Baltimore County Public Schools: Home Schooling Office
The Information Letter to Parents/Guardians outlines the procedure to begin homeschooling. Home Schooling reviews are conducted twice a year to ensure that thorough, consistent instruction is occurring. Parent information meetings are held during the year to review Home Schooling regulations and portfolio review procedures.
Christian Home Educators Network
Non-profit network connecting Christian home schooling families.
Enchanted Learning
Includes lots of fun activities for younger children in grades K-3.
Home Education Magazine
Free online newsletters, discussion boards, articles and interviews from the magazine, resources, reviews and more.
Jon's Homeschool Resource Page
Resources, organizations, education.
Maryland Home Education Association (MHEA)
Founded in 1980 to serve and support families of all religious, philosophical and ethnic persuasions.
Maryland Home Schooling
Links to events, field trips, legal information and other resources for Maryland home schools.
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Learning Disabilities / Differences
HandSpeak
Demonstrations of how to make American Sign Language and other international signed expressions.
LD Online
Learning disabilities information and resources for parents, teachers and other professionals.
Links for Children with Special Needs
From Baltimore's Child
National Rehabilitation Information Center
Contact information specialists through their webform for quick information and referral to agencies and organizations with services and support for people with disabilities. The information specialists have gathered a collection of Web, print, and phone resources for a wide array of topics.
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Summer Camps
American Camping Association
The web site for the American Camping Association has information about its member camps, the accreditation process, employment opportunities and more.
Baltimore's Child Camp/Summer Programs Directory - Baltimore County
Site also includes links to special needs camps, as well as camps in Baltimore City and the surrounding areas.
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Tutors
Dyslexia Tutoring Program
Based in Baltimore, the program teaches low-income children and adults throughout Maryland who are dyslexic or have a language-based learning difference to read through tutoring by volunteers trained in The Orton-Gillingham Method of Reading, Writing, and Spelling.
A Lesson in Learning
An article from Baltimore's Child about how and when to get a tutor.
Suggestions for Locating Tutoring [PDF]
from Baltimore County Public Schools
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Vocational Education
Maryland State Department of Education Division of Career and College Readiness
Responsible for administering and supervising all aspects of juvenile services education and career and technology education.
Workforce Investment Act
State list of programs eligible for WIA funding, as well as contact info for application and eligibility.
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Testing
GED | Proctoring | Standardized Testing
GED
GED Practice Test Prep
from Text Prep Review.com
Information and free online practice tests for the GED.
ASE / GED Classes in Baltimore County and The Official Practice Test
Conducted through the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Continuing Education.
GED Testing in Maryland
How to apply to take the GED test, testing dates and centers, description of what to expect, links to GED preparation resources and information for the GED test.
GED-i Online Preparation Course
Now Maryland residents can prepare for the GED Tests online! Maryland GED-i is free! It is a teacher-supported online learning program for GED test preparation.
Maryland Adult Literacy Resource Center
Find out about options for getting a diploma, GED tests, adult education programs in your community, links to websites for adult learners, adult new readers, ESL/ESOL and their teachers.
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Proctoring
Community College of Baltimore County Testing Centers
The three testing centers at CCBC Catonsville, Dundalk and Essex campuses provide proctored testing services to CCBC students and community members.
Baltimore City Community College Test Center At the Liberty Campus, provides testing services to students taking online courses at colleges/universities in and out of the state of Maryland.
Carroll Community College Testing Center
Provides proctoring for online courses in Westminster, Maryland
Harford Community College Test Center
Located in Bel Air, Maryland, the Test Center proctors exams for other colleges or universities.
Howard Community College Test Center
Located in Columbia, Maryland, the Test Center serves corporate and academic citizens of the greater Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area.
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Standardized Testing
The SAT
from the College Board
Official information for taking the SAT, for receiving your scores. Includes free sample SAT questions and free practice test.
SAT Review
on Baltimore County Public School's Education Channel The Education Channel, Comcast 73 / Verizon 35
SAT Skills Insight
from the College Board
A free tool to help you get a score that really shows your abilities. It identifies the types of skills that are tested on the SAT with sample test questions whether you're taking the SAT for the first time, or you got your SAT scores and are thinking, "I want to do better than that."
Test Prep Review.com
Free online practice tests for standardized tests of all kinds, includes high school (GED), college (SAT and ACT, CLEP), graduate school (GRE and MAT) and career testing, such as NCLEX and Praxis exams.
Testing and Education Reference Center
In addition to many practice exams to improve academic standing and advancement, this resource also allows for users to take a career assessment and build a resume. It also preps users for GED, PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP exams, independent and secondary school admission tests, civil service, and many certification and licensing tests. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.
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General Education Information
Connections: Children, Youth and Family Resources
provided by Baltimore County Public Library and the Baltimore County Local Management Board
Lists local organizations and agencies that can provide information about educational programs and services dealing with special education, literacy instruction, GED and High School diploma programs, and higher education.
Learning in Maryland
Gateway to public services within and around the State of Maryland. Offers information about scholarships and financial aid, resources for students, teachers and parents, information about public schools, colleges and universities and career education in Maryland.
Maryland Higher Education Commission
This State of Maryland's higher education coordinating board provides detailed information about Maryland public and private colleges and universities and for-profit career schools. MHEC also administers state financial aid programs that affect students on a statewide basis.
Maryland State Department of Education
Find statistics about public and nonpublic schools enrollment, special education/ early intervention service figures, attendance, staff characteristics and professional salary schedules, etc.
Maryland Report Card: Performance Report - State, Systems, and Schools
View figures for individual school performance as well local school systems or the state.
Gives graduation and dropout rates and enrollment figures and Maryland School Assessment
(MSA) and High School Assessment (HSA) test results.
Obtaining transcripts from closed private career schools
Children Entering School Ready to Learn: School Readiness Report
from the Maryland State Department of Education
Data about the school readiness levels of specific groups of children for the state and each of the 24 jurisdictions in Maryland.
Students.gov
Student gateway to the Federal government. An official U.S. government web site designed for college students and their families.
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Biography
African American InfoCenter: Famous African Americans
by Baltimore County Public Library
Biography.com
Searchable database of over 15,000 famous names, past and present from A and E.
Biography: FastFacts InfoCenter
by Baltimore County Public Library
Links to authors, famous women, inventors, saints, and more.
Biography Online Resources
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Find biographies about thousands of people. Available on public PCs in BCPL libraries or elsewhere with a valid BCPL library card.
Inventor Archives
Lemelson-MIT Program's Invention Dimension, searchable by inventors' last names or inventions.
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English and Language
Aesop's Fables
Thousands of searchable and browsable fables, in five different languages.
APA Style Resources
Links to several different guides on APA style
A+ Research and Writing
from ipl2
Step by step guide, information and links for high school and college students on research and writing.
Black Eyed Susan Book Award
by Maryland Association of School Librarians
Books honored are chosen by students in Maryland.
Citation Machine
Web tool designed to help students generate standard citations for MLA, APA, and Chicago citation styles.
Citing Internet and Print Resources
Shows how to cite sources, including email and web sites, in a bibliography using APA, MLA, Turabian, and other styles.
Citing Your Sources
from the University of California Berkeley
Examples and general rules for citing print and electronic resources for APA, MLA, Chicago and Turabian styles.
Literary Criticism
by ipl2
contains critical and biographical websites about authors and their works that can be browsed by author, by title, or by nationality and literary period.
Literature Resource Center
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Full text database providing biographies, bibliographies and critical analysis of novelists, poets and essayists from Contemporary Authors, Contemporary Literary Criticism and other literary sources. Searchable by author, title, time period and literary themes. Available on public computers in BCPL Libraries or elsewhere with a valid BCPL library card.
Mango Languages
Mango is an online language-learning system that teaches conversation skills for twelve different languages including English as a Second Language. Available on public computers in BCPL Libraries or elsewhere with a valid BCPL library card
MLA Style Citations
Authoritative source for all types of citations, including electronic sources.
Suggested Reading Lists for Children
from the Baltimore County Public Library.
Writing and Literary Criticism: FastFacts InfoCenter
by Baltimore County Public Library
Links to English grammar, literary criticism, citation styles, copyright Information and more.
yourDictionary.com
Dictionary, thesaurus, acronyms, word origins, etc. Language, multi-lingual, translation and specialty dictionaries. Grammar, language identifiers, links to other online dictionaries and word resources.
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Math
AAA Math
Excellent site is searchable by grade level or topic. Includes explanations and examples of everything from addition to algebra.
Aplus Math
Elementary school age students can get help with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Fun flashcards too.
Dr. Math Help
Math resources by subject for K to 12, college, and advanced students at the Math Forum.
WebMath
Type in a math problem and this Discovery School site shows the process of solving it. Includes division, geometry, and algebra.
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Science
Animal Diversity Web
Info and pictures of thousands of animals from the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Chemguide
Designed to help students understand concepts of chemistry. Topics include atomic structure and bonding, inorganic and organic chemistry, instrumental analysis, organic reaction mechanisms and chemistry calculations. Written by a chemistry teacher.
Discovery School's Science Homework Helper
Another excellent site organized by topic, including anatomy, botany, earth science, dinosaurs, medicine, weather and zoology.
Elemental Data Index
from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Data on the elements.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Carter Library and Information Resource Center The Carter Library can assist with questions about state environmental protection programs, history of environmental protection in Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay, and ecology of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay. They can be contacted directly through their webform.
National Agricultural Library
Can help you find the agriculture related information you need. Staff members answer questions using authoritative, pertinent resources and produce online guides to many food and nutrition, farming, environment and agriculture topics. Let them help you by contacting them directly through their webform.
Science and Technology
from ipl2
Comprehensive subject guide for the sciences.
Periodic Table of the Elements
Information about elements, includes atomic number, symbol, weight, and electron configuration. Designed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Chemistry Division for elementary through high school students.
Resources for Science Homework
This comprehensive site has dozens of links for anatomy, astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics and other sciences.
Science and Weather
from the Baltimore County Public Library Kid's Pages
Links to dozens of web sites related to science, astronomy and weather.
Science Fair Projects
from the Baltimore County Public Library Kid's Pages
Help getting started on your project with ideas, books, and resources on the Internet.
Science Online Resources
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Find articles about animals and on all areas of science for K to12. Available on public compuaters in BCPL libraries or elsewhere with a valid BCPL library card.
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Social Studies
America's Story from America's Library
Library of Congress interactive site for kids that tells the story of America's past.
America.gov
from the United States Department of State
Information about the United States, including American life, politics, and foreign policy.
Background Notes
from the United States Department of State
Facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of other countries.
Baltimore County History
from Baltimore County Public Library's History and Genealogy InfoCenter
Community history, museums and historic sites, county symbols, historical associations, and links to other sites with information about the history of Baltimore County.
Baltimore County Legacy Web
a project of Baltimore County Public Library
Searchable archive of historic photos of Baltimore County and nearby areas.
CIA World Fact Book
Provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and foreign relations for 266 countries.
Encyclopedias Online
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Find articles about famous people, foreign countries, other states, historical events and hundreds of other topics for K-12. Available on public computers in BCPL libraries or elsewhere with a valid BCPL library card.
History Online Resources
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Find articles in special history resources and historical newspapers about famous people, historical events and hundreds of other topics for K to 12. Available on public computers in BCPL libraries or elsewhere with a valid BCPL library card.
International Governments
from Baltimore County Public Library's Government InfoCenter
Useful for research and assignments about other countries.
Library of Congress Country and Area Studies
Studies of 100 countries by the Research Division of the Library of Congress.
Maryland Government at a Glance
from Baltimore County Public Library's Government InfoCenter
Maryland History
from Baltimore County Public Library's History and Genealogy InfoCenter
Mr. Dowling's Homework Help
A 6th grade teacher's comprehensive guide to topics covered in many social studies classrooms.
Multicultural Connections Educational Resource Directory [PDF]
by Baltimore County Public Schools
Suggested web sites providing information on our diverse population.
Resources by Subject: History
from ipl2
Links to history by era, region, topic as well as historical documents
State Information
A complete, up-to-date source of information about all 50 states
Where in the World is Baltimore County?
created by Baltimore County Public Library
Links to information about Baltimore County, Baltimore City and the state of Maryland created for elementary school students.
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General Homework Information
Baltimore County Public School's Student Resources K-12
CalcEinstein
Online calculators for math, science, statistics, sports, health, and numerous other topics
Got Homework?
Check out Baltimore County Public Library's links to dozens of different web sites that offer homework help on a wide variety of topics.
BCPL Catalog
Search our library catalog from the top of any of our web pages. The Card and Catalog Help Page gives directions on using our catalog. You can also build a title list from your current catalog search results and save the list to your account to use later.
BCPL Children's Catalog
Designed for the younger child to use from home or from computers in the library. Search by typing a word, an author or title, or mapbe one of the special subject lists. Find books and other materials and web sites. You can request materials for you to be pick up at your library.
Encyclopedias Online
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Find articles about famous people, foreign countries, other states, science, history and hundreds of other topics for K to 12. Available on public computers in BCPL libraries or elsewhere with a valid BCPL library card.
KidsClick!
by the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Kent State University
Search tool for kids arranged by subject.
Magazines Online
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Find articles from both popular general and academic magazines covering homework topics for K to 12. Available on public computers in BCPL libraries or elsewhere with a valid BCPL library card.
Multnomah County Library's Homework Center
Subject listing of Web sites that concentrate on K to 12 homework-related topics, reviewed by librarians from Multnomah County Library in Oregon.
School Assignment Alert Form
Teachers: tell your local Baltimore County Public Library about upcoming school assignments so that they can be ready when your students arrive!
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