Websites for students.
School District U-46: http://www.edline.net/pages/SDU46/
This site contains news, information, events, dates, and links for all things related to our school district.
Elgin High School website: http://www.edline.net/pages/Elgin_HS/
Check the EHS website frequently for news, information, events, and calendars specific to Elgin High.
Elgin High School Gifted & Talented Academy website: http://ehsgiftedacademy.weebly.com/
This website has information specific to Academy students: FAQs for new students, faculty contact information, summer reading assignments, upcoming meeting dates, etc.
A.Word.A.Day (AWAD): http://wordsmith.org/words/today.html
This fun and educational site delivers a vocabulary word to your inbox each day (M-F). Each entry includes spelling, pronunciation, definition, etymology, usage, and an inspirational quote for the day. AWAD is a great way to build vocabulary and have fun.
Brainy Quote: http://www.brainyquote.com/
This searchable site has famous quotes for just about any event or occasion, including visual quotes, which help build visual literacy skills. Quotes are searchable alphabetically, by author, or by title. Students can use these quotes as creative writing prompts, in essays, for thought experiments, or simply browse the site.
College Board: http://student.collegeboard.org/
This website contains information for high school and college students, and their parents (It also has an educator section.). Users should create a free account for the most benefits. Information here covers AP classes and exams, SAT prep and exam, college planning and preparation (including advice to pay for college), and career planning. This comprehensive site will answer most questions about higher education preparation and planning.
Crash Course English Literature: How and Why We Read: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSYw502dJNY&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOeEc9ME62zTfqc0h6Pe8vb
This site, created by YA author John Green, explores literature and language. This intro "course" explores why we read, and how to read critically.
Free Rice: http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1460
This interactive website quizzes players on vocabulary words. For each correct answer, Free Rice donates 10 grains of rice to help end hunger through the World Food Programme. This is a great way to build empathy by helping those who are less fortunate as you build your vocabulary.
Gail Borden Public Library: http://gailborden.info/
This website contains a wealth of information for students. Of special note is the test prep section; here students will find resources, hints, and test questions to help them prepare for AP exams in all subjects as well as for the ACT and SAT. Note: all students enrolled in U-46 schools may use GBPL resources regardless of their hometown.
Gifted Children’s Bill of Rights: https://tip.duke.edu/node/870
This is a list of 10 “rights” every gifted child is entitled to as part of his/her educational experience. This information is important for advocacy of student rights in the classroom.
Grammar Girl: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl
This website offers concise grammar and usage tips to improve writing. Main topics include grammar rules and word choice guidelines. Grammar Girl makes even complex grammar questions simple with memory tricks to help with recall and application of often troublesome grammar rules.
I Write Like (IWL): http://iwl.me/
Students can use this fun, interactive website to find out which famous writer they write like by providing a short writing sample. The site’s statistical analysis tool analyzes word choice and writing style, comparing them to those of published authors. Students may become interested in a new writer based on their (or their friends’) results.
LaRue Links: http://www.laruelinks.com/
Click on this website to access Mrs. LaRue's collection of notes, lectures, resources, movie links, and more to support learning in both AP European History and AP World History, companion courses to students' English study.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
This link gives access to Purdue University's online writing lab. Check here for resources on writing, grammar, mechanics, and research.
Top Ten Ways to Annoy a Gifted Child: http://www.giftedguru.com/top-ten-ways-to-annoy-a-gifted-child/
Gifted students will likely find some of their most annoying school experiences reflected in this humorous list. This is a great tool for opening discussion about the social and emotional needs of all gifted learners.
University of Texas at Austin Writing Center: http://uwc.utexas.edu/handouts/
This site has a collection of downloadable handouts -- many with writing exercises -- about all aspects of the writing process.