Need information for your schoolwork? WRDSB Virtual Library has eBooks, databases, and online encyclopedias to help!

Visit the Virtual Library (log in with your WRDSB email address and PAL password if searching from home). Look under the Virtual Library – Elementary tab and select the resource that will help you best. Below are descriptions of each resource to help you choose.

eBooks

The Sora digital library from the parent company, OverDrive has thousands of fiction and non-fiction eBooks (and some audiobooks) for all ages to read on any device (computer, phone, tablet). Log in with your PAL and start reading! If you need help, you can read the “How To” Guide

 

Tumblebook Library is a large collection of animated, talking picture books. Listen or read along!

 

 

BookFlix pairs video storybooks with related non-fiction eBooks. Watch the story or read the book with the option of a narrated read-along.

 

 

 

Capstone Interactive Library is a collection of interactive eBooks, each with audio and read-along options.

 

 

 

TVOKids is a free website providing access to educational games, videos and mobile applications.

 

 

Databases

 

EBSCO’s Explora Primary is designed for elementary school students. From this interface you may select a specific subject, or enter your own search term into the top search bar. Explora searches all databases at once. These include:

 

 

• American Heritage Children’s Dictionary
• Book Collection: Nonfiction
• Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
• Health Source – Consumer Edition
• History Reference Center
• Middle Search Plus
• Newspaper Source
• Primary Search
• Science Reference Center

 

 

Gale Online Resources will search all Gale databases using the PowerSearch bar. Or, select a specific database from the homepage. The databases the “PowerSearch” searches are:

 

• Canada in Context (Intermediate +)
• Research in Context (Intermediate +)
• Kids InfoBits (Primary & Junior students)
• Info Trac Junior Edition (Grades 6 +)

 

PebbleGo lets you choose from the subjects Animals, Science, or Social Studies for more information. Has a read-aloud option.

 

 

Encyclopedias

 

Britannica Elementary is designed for readers at the elementary and early middle school levels. Thousands of shorter articles cover subjects from nations of the world to animals and sports. It also provides a Learning Zone for PreK- Gr.2 students, a world atlas, subject browse, compare countries, and learning games.

 

Britannica Middle is designed especially for middle school students. This database retrieves encyclopedia articles, web sites, videos, and articles from magazines. Features include a world atlas, subject browse, biography browse, and research tips.

 

The Canadian Encyclopedia includes articles, interactive timelines, images, maps, games, & more. It covers subjects including history, popular culture, events, politics, First Nations, sports and science.

 

 

L’Encyclopédie Canadienne comprend des articles, des images, des cartes, des jeux, et plus. Il couvre des sujets tels que l’histoire, la culture populaire, les événements, la politique, les Premières Nations, les sports et la science.

 

 

eVideos

See the Virtual Library – eVideo tab on the Virtual Library for quick access to popular eVideo resources.

 

Learn360 is a web-based digital video library comprised of thousands of K-12 core-curriculum videos, video clips, newsreels, audio and video speeches, still images, and audio files. Criterion films are located at the bottom of the menu.

 

 

CBC Curio gives teachers and students streaming access to the best in educational video and audio from CBC and Radio-Canada. You’ll find documentaries from television and radio, news reports and more

 

 

The NFB has a wide variety of videos teachers can use with their students. This is an excellent resource for Canadian content.