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There's more to Scholastic's site than Harry Potter
By MICHELE MILLER © St. Petersburg Times, published October 18, 2000 Harry Potter might well be the biggest attraction for those logging on to www.scholastic.com -- this month's hotlink pick. There's no doubt the publisher of the famed children's book series offers lots of fun activities for Potter fans. But those who have had their fill of the young sorcerer in J.K. Rowling's book series might want to click over to the parent, kids and teachers sections for a little more educational fun. For kids there are the web versions of Scholastic News and Junior Scholastic. Some already might be familiar with the print magazines, staples in classrooms throughout the country for many years. The web site, like the print magazines, is geared to students in grades 3 through 8 and provides a definite kid-friendly way of spreading the news -- from the recent presidential debates, to AIDS in Africa, to archaeological discoveries in the Middle East. Besides updates on the daily and Pop News, there are plenty of fun and educational interactive activities. Kids have a chance to cast their vote for president, or answer an on-line poll such as "Do you get enough sleep?" or "Should parents be given report cards," and see the results instantly graphed out on another page. There's a Mapman Game with questions that can help hone critical thinking skills while familiarizing students with today's world map. Youngsters also can look at a feature photograph and test their wit by writing their own caption, which could end up being be published on line the following week. The site also features separate sections geared toward parents, including child-rearing advice as well as age appropriate book lists which, of course, feature Scholastic titles. For teachers there are plenty of helpful hints on how to use the site effectively along with lesson plans, resources and online activities in the subjects of language arts, social studies, science and math. Mary Karnstedt, a teacher of the Motivational Alternative Program (MAP) at Hudson Middle School, gives the site high marks and considers it and the print magazine an essential teaching tool. The Scholastic kid-friendly news articles, debate subjects and interactive activities all help to sharpen those language/arts skills, said Mrs. Karnstedt. The site also offers links to other good educational sites. "It's a great research tool for these kids," she said. Of course the ultimate web trip for Mrs. Karnstedt and her students is the section on Harry Potter. Last week she was hoping to be one of the lucky ones to log on for an on-line live interview with Rowling, author of the famed Harry Potter series, which was scheduled for Tuesday. "There's just so much on it," Mrs. Karnstedt said of the web site. "So many places to go."
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