Planning on a shoestring?
The Internet has the resources you need, and you don't need a bake sale to afford them!

http://www.creatingmusic.com/

Morton Subotnick was an early electronic music innovator whose recordings from the 1960's sold to a wide audience. His website gives interactive activities for young musicians. Nothing earth-shattering, but lots of fun!

The Math Forum

http://mathforum.org/

A free resource of Drexel University, The Math Forum has lesson plans supplied as a part of its service as well as contributions from teachers like you. Follow the "Teacher's Place" link to the middle school area. "Ask Dr. Math" is an interactive FAQ-format for students.

American Library Association Booklist

http://www.ala.org/booklist/

The premiere periodical list of books by grade level sponsored by the American Library Association is available on line! From the site: "Every year we review nearly 4,000 books for adults, more than 2,500 titles for children, more than 500 reference books and electronic reference tools, and 1,000 other audiovisual materials." There's a searchable database, and specific topics, interviews, and other features.

Imaginary Lines

http://www.imaginarylinesinc.com/

A request from Help Desk subscriber Beth Healy stimulated the search for math and science sources for girls. This is just such a resource. The brainchild and project of astronaut Sally Ride, Imaginary Lines provides ideas, FAQs, resources, contest sponsorship, and a science club - all for girls from intermediate elementary to middle school.

CivNet/Civitas

http://www.civnet.org/

Civitas is an international educational initiative designed to promote civics learning across the globe. It's web presence, CivNet, offers lesson plans, resources, links, and a newsletter. Originally created by the U.S. Information Agency and other collaborators, it is now sponsored by Center for Civic Education. [editor's note: CIVNET seems to be dormant - many links are broken, and the calendar of events stops at January 2002. Check http://www.civiced.org/ for materials and resources.]

Creative Communication

http://www.youngpoets.org/

Creative Communication is the sponsor of a poetry contest that reportedly gives out over $70,000 in prizes to individuals. In addition, there are free book giveaways, and grants awarding over $15,000 to schools. There is no entry requirement, and the rate of winners is quite high. There's a published newsletter containing winners. A very good writing resource for young creative writers! [editor's note: domain unavailable, registration expired 7/4/04]