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Pathfinders

Our Pathfinders are designed to help you find information on specific subjects that are part of the curriculum for various grades. This new tool is available in paper format at all three branches as well as here online.

Grade 4

Aboriginal Peoples
Ancient Africa
Ancient China
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient India
Ancient Japan
Ancient Rome
Ancient Technologies
Mayas & Aztecs
Provinces & Territories
Middle Ages

Grade 5

First Contacts

Grade 6

Canadian Communities

Grade 7

The Environment

Find a Tutor

“A comprehensive tutor listing service, for tutors in Canada” – this website was designed by a tutor to help students and tutors connect. Search the list for specific subject, location, and grade level to get a list of applicable tutors in your area. Tutors, you can post advertisements for your services on this site as well.

Discover

NTPL Databases

One of the best tools you could ever ask for as a researcher is the collection of databases that NTPL has purchased subscriptions to, covering a wide spectrum of subjects and material. Click the link to visit our databases page.

Discover

Assistance by Subject

Searchable Digital Documents

Use this search field below to find helpful links.

  • All
  • References & Resources
    • Dictionaries & Thesaurus
    • Encyclopedia
    • Research & Writing
    • How to Cite Sources
    • Computers & the Internet
  • The Arts
    • Art
    • Theatre
    • Music
  • Canadian World Studies
    • Canada
    • Geography
    • World Studies
  • Health & Physical Education
    • Body & Human Anatomy
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Health
    • Sports & Athletics
  • History
    • Ancient Civilizations
    • Ancient Civilizations - Egypt
    • Ancient Civilizations - Greece
    • Ancient Civilizations - Rome
    • Biographies
    • Black History
    • Canadian History
    • Cultures, Religions & Holidays
    • Explorers
    • History
    • Medieval Life & Times
    • Mythology
    • Native Canadian History
    • Pioneers & Early Canadian Life
    • War
  • Language Arts
    • Reading
    • Writing
  • Mathematics
    • Math Games
    • Math Help
  • Science & Technology
    • Animals, Birds, & Insects
    • Chemistry
    • Horticulture
    • Inventors & Scientists
    • Physics
    • Planets & Space
    • Science
    • Science Fair Projects
    • Technology
  • Social Studies
    • Canada
    • Countries
    • Cultures, Religion & Holidays
    • Federal Government
    • Provincial Government
    • Municipal Government
    • Native Canadian Studies
References & Resources
Dictionaries & Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
  • Britannica Library
    With three levels of access (one for children, one for teens, and one for adults), this online encyclopedia makes it easy to find the information you need! Articles include images and videos, and everything is easy to share or print. There's even an optional personal sig-in to track project & research material.
  • InfoPlease Encyclopedia
    Infoplease - the Columbia Encyclopedia
  • The Canadian Encyclopedia
    An encyclopedia filled with Canadian content.
Research & Writing
  • Enchanted Learning
    Enchanted Learning® produces children’s educational web sites which are designed to capture the imagination while maximizing creativity, learning, and enjoyment.
  • Guide to Writing a Basic Essay
    A simple how-to guide for writing an essay.
  • IPL for Kids Research Page
    IPL from Bartleby Learn
  • Kid Info Homework & Research
    Kid Info saves you valuable time by providing for free - in one directory - the best Preschool and K-12 educational websites, videos, and powerpoints to help you with homework assignments!
  • NTPL Online Databases
    We subscribe to fantastic databases to help you with your research projects.
How to Cite Sources
Computers & the Internet
  • FBI Kids - Internet Safety
    Cyber safety for young Americans
  • Get Net Wise
    GetNetWise was developed to help parents and teachers educate themselves and their children about safe Internet use.
  • Safe Kids
    Digital citizenship, online safety & civility
The Arts
Art
Theatre
  • Blyth Festival
    The Blyth Festival Theatre puts farmers and rural Canadians centre stage...
  • Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
    A comprehensive survey of Canadian theatre history, including entries on theatres, plays, playwrights, actors, directors, designers, and critics.
  • Shaw Festival
    World-class theatre in blissful Niagara.
  • Stratford Festival
    North America’s largest classical repertory theatre company.
Music
Canadian World Studies
Canada
  • Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects a number of rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression and the right to equality.
  • Canadian Children's Rights Council
    Canada's most visited website supporting Canadian children's rights and responsibilities.
  • Canadiana by CRKN
    In 2018, CRKN merged with Canadiana.org, an organization dedicated to the preservation and access of Canada’s documentary heritage since 1978. As a merged organization, CRKN continues its core licensing activities for scholarly journal content, while expanding support for the digitization and preservation of, and access to, Canadian heritage content.
  • Government of Canada
    The website of the Government of Canada
  • Heritage Canada Foundation
    Founded in 1973 to serve as a National Trust for Canada.
  • Museum on the Boyne
    New Tecumseth's Museum
  • The Canada Guide - Famous Canadians
    Not all symbols of patriotism come in the form of flags, flowers, or anthems. Some are living, breathing human beings.
Geography
  • Avalanche!
    Scientists on a quest to find out how snow can sometimes strike with the force of TNT take NOVA's cameras inside an avalanche to unlock its deadly secrets.
  • Canada's Artic Polar Life
    This site is just one element in our integrated package of educational materials examining Canada's Arctic environments and the organisms that occur in them.
  • Cloud Boutique
    The Plymouth State Meteorology Program has developed this web page to provide explanations of and access to detailed pictures of some basic cloud forms.
  • Earth Force
    Earth Force engages young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.
  • Environment Canada's Hurricane Centre
    Current hurricane conditions, storm maps, weather warnings, Canadian Hurricane Centre.
  • Flood
    NOVA Online presents Flood!
  • Inside the Jetstream
    NOVA Online and PBS take us inside the Jet Stream
  • National Atlas of Canada
    A key source of geographic information the Atlas provides a selection of interactive and historical maps and geographical data available for reference or downloading
  • National Geographic Kids
    National Geographic in a kid-friendly format.
  • Ring of Fire
    The Ring of Fire, also referred to as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. The majority of Earth’s volcanoes and earthquakes take place along the Ring of Fire.
  • Rocks for Kids
    Get your kids to learn about rocks and use different tools to improve mental health and physical health.
  • Schad Gallery of Biodiversity
    Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity from the ROM.
World Studies
  • CIA World Factbook
    The World Factbook provides information on the history, people and society, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities.
  • Food & Agricultural Organizations - Country Profiles
    The brand new FAO country showcase is a space where Member Countries can highlight their agricultural systems, innovations and food products.
  • NativeWeb
    NativeWeb is an international, nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to using telecommunications including computer technology and the Internet to disseminate information from and about indigenous nations, peoples, and organizations around the world
Health & Physical Education
Body & Human Anatomy
  • Breathing and the Respiratory System
    Humans breathe through something called the respiratory system. This system is made up primarily of our lungs and windpipe.
  • Human Anatomy Online
    Explore human anatomy, physiology & genetics.
  • Life's Greatest Miracle
    A sequel to one of the most popular NOVAs of all time, "Miracle of Life," this Emmy Award-winning program tracks human development from embryo to newborn using the extraordinary microimagery of Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson.
  • Neuroscience for Kids
    Neuroscience for Kids has been created for all students and teachers who would like to learn about the nervous system.
  • The Muscular System
    The muscular system is responsible for the movement of the human body.
Food & Nutrition
  • Food Timeline
    Ever wonder how the ancient Romans fed their armies? What the pioneers cooked along the Oregon Trail?
  • Nutrition in the Garden
    This web page explores a fun way to teach children about nutrition: through gardening.
Health
Sports & Athletics
History
Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Civilizations - Egypt
Ancient Civilizations - Greece
Ancient Civilizations - Rome
  • Daily Life in Ancient Rome
    Discover daily life in Ancient Rome
  • Lacus Curtius
    A gateway to Ancient Rome
  • Life in Roman Times
    As with many cultures, a person’s quality of life depended in many ways on their rank within the social structure. Discover what life was like for both rich and poor in Ancient Rome.
  • The Romans
    The rise and fall of the Roman Empire
Biographies
Black History
  • Black History Canada
    The Underground Railroad was a secret network of abolitionists (people who wanted to abolish slavery).
  • Ontario Black History Society
    The Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is a registered Canadian charity, dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of Black History and heritage
Canadian History
  • Across the Generations
    A History of the Chinese in Canada
  • Black Creek Pioneer Village
    Immerse yourself in the 1860s and explore an authentically re-created country village of the Toronto region.
  • Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects a number of rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression and the right to equality.
  • Canadian Confederation
    The Canadian Encylopedia's page on Canadian Confederation
  • Canadian Confederation for Kids
    Facts about Canadian Confederation for kids
  • Canadian History
    History of Canadian government and politics
  • Canadian Military Heritage Project
    Dedicated to presenting Canadian military history ~ the wars, uprisings and conflicts in which Canadians participated.
  • Canadian Museum of History
    In addition to its ongoing exhibitions, including the spectacular Grand Hall and First Peoples Hall, each year the Museum presents a number of outstanding exhibitions focusing on Canadian and world history and civilizations.
  • Confederation for Kids
    In 1864, a collection of leaders and important men gathered together in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where they worked to create a new country: Canada. It took them 3 years, but by July 1, 1867 – Canada was officially a nation. Here are some resources to help teach your children about our Canadian Confederation.
  • First Among Equals
    The status of the prime minister has been described as primus inter pares: Latin for "first among equals."
  • Great Depression of Canada
    The Great Depression of the early 1930s was a worldwide social and economic shock. Few countries were affected as severely as Canada.
  • Immigration to Western Canada
    Settling the West: Immigration to the Prairies from 1867 to 1914
  • Japanese Canadian Internment Camps
    With news of the attack on the American naval base at Hawaii on December 7, 1941, years of smoldering fear and resentment against Japanese Canadians exploded into panic and anger in British Columbia.
  • New France, New Horizons
    This portal provides access to a virtual exhibition and a database containing more than one million images.
  • Origins of the RCMP
    Born out of a need for a national police force to implement the law in Canada's newly acquired western territories, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has evolved into a world-renowned organization of more than 28,000 people.
  • The Acadians
    This site is the home of Acadian stories on CBC.ca.
  • The Canadian Children's Museum
    The Museum lets the kids travel the world, while enriching their lives and broadening their experience by exploring other cultures through exhibitions, costumes, hands-on props, and artifacts, including an extraordinary assortment of toys and games.
  • The Cariboo Gold Rush
    "The Cariboo Gold Rush"is one of the many BC Heritage web sites made available through Industry Canada's Digital Collections Program.
  • The Fur Trade in New France
    The Virtual Museum of New France looks at the importance of the Fur Trade in the historical development of New France.
  • The Halifax Explosion
    Explosion in The Narrows: The 1917 Halifax Harbour Explosion
  • The Seigneurs
    The seigneurial system was an institutional form of land distribution established in New France in 1627 and officially abolished in 1854. In New France, 80 per cent of the population lived in rural areas governed by this system of land distribution and occupation.
  • Today in History
    Significant events that happened in history for each day on the calendar.
  • Upper Canada Village
    Founded in 1961, Upper Canada Village is one of the largest living-history sites in Canada. Here, we endeavor to depict life in a rural English Canadian setting during the year 1866.
  • Voting in Canada
    Elections step by step
Cultures, Religions & Holidays
  • Catholic Online Saints & Angels
    Everything you need to know about Catholic saints and angels
  • CultureGrams
    This database allows you to experience the cultures of 190 countries and territories. It includes maps, statistics, and other in-depth information. A kids’ edition is available that features history, maps, flags and other information. Recipes are also available from all 190 countries. Access requirements: Login: NTPL399. & Password: Tecum62336.
  • Explore & More: Cultures for Kids
    A world-class children’s museum that celebrates the power of child-led play has arrived at Buffalo’s doorstep.
  • Explore Countries of the World
    National Geographic Kids takes you on a journey through the cultures of many countries.
  • Festivals Around the World
    An alphabetical listing of festivals celebrated around the world
  • Holidays: A Sampler from Around the World
    From America to Scandinavia to the Far East, people celebrate holidays with special rituals and festivities. Take a quick tour of some holiday traditions throughout the year.
  • Social Studies for Kids - Religions
    Religions abound around the world. Find out more about the various world religions here.
  • World Religions for Kids
    The major modern world religions discussed here have developed from earlier belief systems and have changed over time.
Explorers
History
Medieval Life & Times
  • BBC History: The Middle Ages
    Turmoil, crisis and the creation of a state, from Magna Carta to the horrors of the Black Death.
  • Castles on the Web
    An extensive database of all things Castle related including a directory of castles from around the world, a photo gallery with thousands of castle photos, castle greeting cards, a castle forum where you can meet other castle enthusiasts, a castle glossary and more!
  • Kidipede - History for Kids
    At History for Kids, you can explore all available facts about ancient or modern history, from Egypt to Greek to Roman and beyond.
  • Life During the Middle Ages
    Daily life during the Middle Ages is sometimes hard to fathom. This site walks you through what it would be like.
  • Life in the Middle Ages
    What was life really like in the Middle Ages? The life of all the classes was dominated by the feudal system - feudalism.
  • Life in the Middle Ages: Feudal Life
    For safety and for defense, people in the Middle Ages formed small communities around a central lord or master. Most people lived on a manor, which consisted of the castle, the church, the village, and the surrounding farm land
  • Middle Ages
    Explore country and city life in the Middle Ages in this kid-friendly site.
  • NetSERF
    The Internet connection for Medieval resources
  • The Middle Ages: Facts & Summary
    The Middle Ages, the medieval period of European history between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance, are sometimes referred to as the "Dark Ages."
Mythology
Native Canadian History
  • First Nations of the New France Era
    A collaboration of The Native Trail and VMNF
  • Native Americans for Kids
    An overview of Native Americans who lived in the United States.
  • NativeWeb
    NativeWeb is an international, nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to using telecommunications including computer technology and the Internet to disseminate information from and about indigenous nations, peoples, and organizations around the world
  • NativeWeb Resources
    Resources for Indigenous Cultures around the World
Pioneers & Early Canadian Life
War
Language Arts
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Math Games
Math Help
  • A+ Math
    Interactive math resources for teachers, parents, and students featuring free math worksheets, math games, math flashcards, and more.
  • Math Central
    An Internet service for mathematics students and teachers
  • Math is Fun
    We offer mathematics in an enjoyable and easy-to-learn manner, because we believe that mathematics is fun.
  • Math League Help Topics
    This is a help resource for 4th through 8th grades.
  • Math.com
    Help your kids with math homework
  • Visual Fractions
    Visual Fractions includes worksheets, generators, games and fun activities to teach students how to work with and understand fractions. Fractions are better understood when seen (or eaten ?)
Science & Technology
Animals, Birds, & Insects
Chemistry
  • Chem for Kids
    Matter. Atoms Periodic Table. Elements. Reactions. Biochemistry.
  • Chemical Elements
    An online, interactive periodic table of the elements
  • Chemistry for Kids
    Explore the awesome world of chemistry for kids with our range of fun experiments, free games, cool science fair projects, interesting quizzes, fun facts, amazing videos, worksheets and more!
Horticulture
Inventors & Scientists
Physics
  • Physics - Science for Kids
    Discover the amazing world of physics for kids with our awesome range of free games, fun experiments, science fair projects, interesting facts, amazing videos, quizzes and more!
  • Physics 4 Kids
    Motion. Heat. Electricity. Light. Modern Physics.
  • Physics Demonstrations for Kids
    Kids enjoy Physics Demonstrations While many of these physics demonstrations can easily be done by older students, young children may need adult help.
  • The Physics Classroom
    Simulations, concept builders, video tutorials, multimedia physics studios and more.
Planets & Space
  • ESA Space for Kids
    European Space Agency Kids page
  • Hubble Site
    Hubble Space Telescope 30 years of discovery
  • NASA kids Club
    North American Space Agency kids pages
  • Nine Planets for Kids
    (We still love you, Pluto!) An overview of the history, mythology and current scientific knowledge of the planets, moons and other objects in our solar system.
  • Views of the Solar System
    Views of the Solar System presents a vivid multimedia adventure unfolding the splendor of the Sun, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and more.
  • Windows to the Universe
    Brought to you by the National Earth Science Teachers Association
Science
  • GLOBE Visualization
    The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is an international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment.
  • Neuroscience for Kids
    Neuroscience for Kids has been created for all students and teachers who would like to learn about the nervous system.
  • Ology!
    Welcome to OLogy! The science website for kids from the American Museum of Natural History.
  • Reeko's Mad Scientist Lab
    What can we say about Reeko. He's a big science fan. He spends most of his spare time watching the Discovery Channel and rebuilding old robots. Lives alone with his 3 cats. Oh yeah, and he's a computer nut too...
  • Science is Fun for Everyone! Kids Zone
    Have fun while learning cool, science trivia facts!
  • The Science Explorer
    An Exploratorium-at-Home Book
  • Theatre of Electricity
    From the Museum of Science
Science Fair Projects
Technology
  • Building Big
    Explore large structures and what it takes to build them with BUILDING BIG™, a five-part PBS television series and Web site from WGBH Boston
  • Canadian Inventions
    Canadians have been responsible for some of the best inventions of our time, but a National Science Literacy Survey showed that two thirds of Canadians aren't able to name even one Canadian inventor!
  • How Stuff Works
    HowStuffWorks creates great content that can live on just about any platform!
  • MIT: Invention Dimension
    A national leader in advancing invention education
  • SONAR
    KidsNet.au explores Sonar
  • Super Bridge
    The NOVA program chronicles the building of the state-of-the-art Clark Bridge over the Mississippi River.
  • The Science of Fireworks
    How do fireworks work? Where do the cool colors come from? What makes the big explosions?
Social Studies
Canada
Countries
  • CIA World Factbook
    The World Factbook provides information on the history, people and society, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities.
  • GLOBE Visualization
    The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is an international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment.
Cultures, Religion & Holidays
  • Canadian Holidays
    Whether they originate from an act of Parliament, religious custom or just social tradition, there are a lot of special days on the Canadian calendar.
  • Favourite Christmas Traditions Around the World
    The information placed on this site may not be the way all people celebrate traditions today many are over 100 years old. Many people change to suit their families.
  • Social Studies for Kids - Religions
    Religions abound around the world. Find out more about the various world religions here.
  • URI Kids World Religions
    The information contained in these pages helps to serve as an introduction to some of the many religions and spiritual traditions in the world.
Federal Government
  • Canadian Political Parties
    Canadians have plenty of opinions about politics, so it should come as no surprise that the country is home to many political parties. With at least four different national parties and even more at the provincial level, it can sometimes be a bit of a challenge to keep track of them all.
  • First Among Equals
    The status of the prime minister has been described as primus inter pares: Latin for "first among equals."
  • Government of Canada
    The website of the Government of Canada
Provincial Government
Municipal Government
Native Canadian Studies
  • Crown-Indigenous & Northern Relations & Northern Affairs Canada
    Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) continues to renew the nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, government-to-government relationship between Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis; modernize Government of Canada structures to enable Indigenous peoples to build capacity and support their vision of self-determination; and lead the Government of Canada's work in the North.
  • Native American Facts for Kids
    Resources on American Indians for Children and Teachers