Web Smarts
www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/
What: Point your mouse toward "Harlem: 1900-1940" for an interactive history lesson on the famous New York neighborhood. The cultural capital of the African-American community during the early 20th century, Harlem was an epicenter for arts, politics, and business. Site producers have created a tightly packaged online exhibition of those key decades in Harlem history. Subjects spotlighted include everything from personalities to politics. The material is targeted to elementary and middle school students.
Best points: The creators have constructed a user-friendly "educational portfolio" that informs on many aspects of the history of Harlem. From the main page, you can start with the "Timeline," which lists each year and some key events. Or you can jump right into the "Exhibition." Here you'll find five categories: activism, arts, business, community, and sports. Under each category there's a list of related people, events, and groups. Click on a name and you'll be taken to a brief, informative essay on your choice. But don't stop there. "Resources" categorizes and lists supplementary online learning resources. And "For Teachers" has suggestions for instructional strategies and incorporating oral history into classroom curriculum.
What you need to know: The site was produced by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, affiliated with the New York Public Library.
