The upper elementary teachers want to develop online grade level activities that use project-based learning to develop critical thinking skills. I'd like to point them to a good Internet resource to support their efforts. Do you know of any?

Visit www.thinkquest.org. This site hosts an international competition for teams of students ages 9-19. In the competition, students work collaboratively to develop Web sites that explore topics such as space travel, medicine, and the world economy. Students identify a problem related to one of the topics, then work to solve the problem. Although your teachers may not want to actually enter the competition, they'll find many good ideas on the ThinkQuest site, which also includes a Library of more than 5000 past competition and project Web sites developed by students.

Submitted by: Susan Brooks-Young

Next Tip: Writing for a Real Audience