Learning Haven

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  • Eli Whitney Biography

    Boy Inventor Adventure Guide


    Eli Whitney – biography is the story of an innovative yet simple inventor who changed the history of America forever. Eli was born on December 8,1765 in Westborough, Massachusetts. He was the son of a farmer. Whitney completed his graduation in 1792 from Yale College and got married to Henrietta Edwards on January 6th, 1817. He fathered four children, led a simple life of an innovator and died peacefully on January 8, 1825 at New Haven, Connecticut.

    The Prime Inventions Of Eli Whitney- Biography Of The Creative Inventor 

    Eli Whitney led a simple yet eventful life marked by some great inventions, like:

    The Cotton Gin Developed By Eli Whitney

    A cotton gin is a mechanical device, which removes seeds from cotton. Whitney, the eminent American inventor is credited as the creator of the first cotton gin. The earlier versions of the machine used in colonial America work well with long -staple cotton but could not be used for short-staple cotton.

    Eli Whitney developed a machine in 1793 to separate seeds from short-staple cotton. Eli gained a patent for his cotton gin in 1794.

    The cotton gin was ingenious yet stunningly simple. The machine was a wooden drum with hooks which when turned removed the seeds and pulled out the cotton fibers. It revitalized the declining cotton trade and slavery of southern America with little innovation. Horse drawn and water-powered gins speeded up the seeding process a lot. Thus cotton production was increased as the cost lowered making the cotton textile the most used textile of the time.

    However, Whitney couldn’t make much money, his designs and mechanisms were easy to imitate. Whitney’s company, which produced cotton gin, went out of business in 1797.

    Whitney invented many other machines, like the milling machine, which he never patented.

    Eli Whitney- Biography Of the Manufacturer Tells The Story Of Another Invention

    Whitney’s greatest contribution to the sphere of American manufacturing industry and assembly line is the production of muskets for the US government. Eli Whitney is also credited for inventing the interchangeable parts of a machine. He was also the pioneer of mass production of rifles in the late 18th and 19th century. The concept of interchangeable parts is based on separate specific part production by unskilled laborers who do not possess the exact gunsmith skill. The parts are interchangeable and are put together to make a whole gun.

    This interchangeable part mechanism lasted long and is responsible for the boom in American mass production. Henry Ford and others later used the concept of Whitney.

    The Last Era Of The Biography Of The American Inventor

    The old musket factory is now the museum preserving the memory of Eli Whitney. Biography of the inventor is colorful as I present an excerpt from the writing of Jim Whitney. He wrote on 17th March 1998:
    “Eli [Whitney] spent quite a bit of time in the New Haven, Connecticut area, where he studied as a student at Yale. I believe there is a museum at Whitney Ville, which is a suburb of New Haven. The museum is in an old mill where he worked on a number of inventions. ….”

    Thus ends the anecdote on Eli Whitney. Biography of the famous American inventor whose creations changed America.

  • World Time


    World time is measured by the world clock. Now, everybody should know how this clock, which records time world wide, works.

    To begin lets know a bit about its history. World time truly came into existence in November 1995. It all began in 1884, when the International Meridian Conference held in Washington declared the Greenwich Meridian as the Prime Meridian for the measure of Longitude. Greenwich is in London and was the site of the Royal Observatory with the same name until 1946.

    The Greenwich Meridian was also adopted as the World Time or GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and the opening point of each time zone in the world.

    Since the duration of a day is 24 hours, World Time is divided into 24 time zones, with longitude differences of 15° or one hour. GMT is mean solar time calculated at midday. This system became internationally official on January 1st, 1885.

    On January 1st, 1982, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), identified UTC (Universal Time Coordinated). This was to bring parity in universal time where there were differences in the duration of a day throughout the year, due to the earth’s rotation.

    An international agreement declared UTC time as Greenwich Mean Time, though they are calculated differently. GMT is calculated from noon whereas UTC is measured from midnight. Each World Time Zone is set as an integer offset of hours to UTC time, +7 hours or -10 hours to UTC. If time reads 12:00 (Noon/PM), then people having offset +7 hours, have local time 19:00.

    If the time displays a ‘-‘ (minus) after the time, this means the day before the current UTC time. A ‘+’ after the time means the place has already entered the day following the current UTC time. Such divisions are necessary to manage time in different countries and continents.

    Then there are cities that follow Daylight Saving Time (DST) and are denoted with a star (*) after the city name. In such a system, the clock is set to correctly to display DST.

    There is another concept called the fixed time. Here you press the relevant key to select a city and a time on the world time table and you get to know the worldwide time right at that moment.

  • Math Worksheets


    Math worksheets are the answer to those butterflies in the stomach that seem to flutter just before the math examination or worse still, in the examination hall itself. Bacon had once remarked that “practice makes a man perfect” and these maths worksheets aim at just that. To hone your maths skill with rigorous practice sessions so that you are cured of your maths phobia.

    Maths worksheet is the rage amongst parents, teachers and of course, the maths-weary students themselves as a great means to step up on the maths workouts. As it is with the textbooks and the classroom teaching bound by constraints of space and time, the students are perennially short on practice.

    The timed maths worksheets help them to speed up their math solving skills so that they can perform stealthily and accurately when thrown in the pressure cooker setting of an examination. 

    Preparing the maths worksheets for your kid is a great way to take part in his studies. Not only do you get to know his syllabus, but you can also keep a tab on his progress. You can also brush up on your maths as you prepare these worksheets so that you can extend a helping hand to your kid once in a while.

    Preparing a maths worksheet doesn’t demand the world from you. After you have gone through the syllabi and the textbooks, take your cue from the worksheets designed by the teachers. This way you can make sure that you are taking the right path.

    While designing the math worksheets, your aim throughout should be to incorporate problems that will stimulate your kid without taxing him overtly. That is to say, your intent should be to tickle your child’s gray cells suitably to whet his interest in maths and drive away the fear of the subject.

    Incorporate variation and fun in the worksheet with some real-life maths problems. Thus grill the basics of average in to your kid by setting him maths problems that require him to find out the average number of hours he sits in front of the TV or the basics of addition and multiplication with sums say, on the number of pizza slices had during his birthday party.

    While you are drawing up the maths worksheet, it is always a good idea to provide the entire solution to the problem in the answer key. Knowing how to work around a particular maths problem is more crucial than knowing the right answer. Besides, your kid may also learn new ways to solve problems from the solutions you have provided in the worksheet.

    If all these seem too much of a bother, then you can ask your child’s teacher for any extra worksheets she might have with her or you can visit the numerous web sites housing maths worksheets. These are basically web sites designed to help your kids with their maths concepts and their homework and most of them provide free and printable versions of maths worksheets. These sites have virtually endless stocks, so that whenever you need one, you can visit one of them and take out a print.

    The math worksheets are a truly great way to add a zing to your kid’s maths routine.

  • Black History Month Challenge


    This month we are inviting you to participate in our
    challenge.

    You will be required to read some pages about Black
    History, and then do a related activity.

    In all there will be seven activities to complete. We
    will post a new activity twice a week. When you have completed them all, an
    adult should post to the forum, or send us an email.

    We will then send you a certificate saying you completed
    the challenge. The certificate will be sent via email, and you can print it out.

    No cheating and NO giving up.
    Remember, Harriet Tubman was willing to shoot anyone who gave up.

    We have made most of the activities best suited to
    around fifth grade. We are more than willing to make some adaptations for
    younger kids if they want to participate.

    The challenges will be added to this
    page    , bookmark it
    so you can check back for new challenges.

    Note to Parents or Teachers:

    We would love to hear about how the children are doing
    as they progress through the challenge. We have made a special folder for this
    on the forum. If any challenge was too easy or too hard let us know. Give us
    your feedback.

    Please do NOT give out personal details of children on
    the forum, a first name and age is the most you should ever post.

    On completion of the challenge, and your posting, we will
    contact you via email asking for a full name for the certificate. We do not
    share any information we receive with any third party.

  • Easy Projects


    Build A Volcano
    Here you can chose from a very simple model, to a complex electronic one. There are clear instructions given for each. Let’s get busy!

    Clay Seals
    Find out how to make a clay seal. Make one and try it out. Compare your seal with that of a friend. How different are they?

    Make a Civil War Drum
    During the civil war young boys used to carry drums. Read a bit of background history and then click on the link. You will be taken to a page of simple directions for making your own drum.

    Make Your Own Weather Station
    First make a weatherproof box. Next, make all the instruments to put in it, following the very simple instructions, and using readily available objects. Finally, keep a weather journal, showing your findings.

    Make Your Own Compass
    Find out why we need compasses, and then make your own. This is a very simple project, but fun to do.

    Make Your Own Fossils
    Although real fossils take millions of years to form, you can make your own in a few minutes.

    Make Your Own Sundial
    Enter coordinates for your location and the computer will generate a template for your very own accurate sundial. Download the template and away you go.

    Make a Thunderstorm
    This site has instructions for making just about every kind of weather. Try the thunderstorm first, and then have a go at the lightning and even a tornado. Do the experiments in order, so that you can understand how they work.

    Mummy Crazy
    Make your own life size mummy. There are very simple instructions to follow and links to mummy galleries made by Grade 6 students.

    Weather Experiments
    Lots of weather experiments for 8 year olds. The topics covered include how to weigh air, how to keep paper dry under water and even how to measure relative humidity.



  • Economics


    Chokky Bikkies – Looking at Fair Trade
    Find out more about fair trade and the production of chocolate in Ghana. After you have read about fair trade, click on the chocolate bar to take the quiz. Can you work out who gets the most?

    Cool Bank for Kids
    Links, the dog, and his friends explain banking in terms suitable for grades 3-5. Just click on anything in Links’ backyard and get information on banking matters.

    164 Currency Converter
    This currency converter lists and exchanges all 164 world currencies.

    Econopolis
    Join Mega Money, his horse, Bill, and dog, Dollar, on a tour through Econopolis. Start by learning about barter, and end with goods and services. There is a small quiz at the end of each page to check your knowledge and understanding of the lesson.

    A History of Money
    From wampum, shells used for barter, through the different forms of paper currency, this is a short history of money in the United States.

    The History of Money
    What purpose does money serve? Find out why people stopped bartering and switched to money instead.

    MoneyCents: Making Money Make Sense for Kids
    How kids can earn, spend and even save money, plus interesting facts about money.

    The US Mint Kids Site
    Learn about the history of coins, and find out how the Mint makes money. Visit an online clubhouse for kids and teachers. Find games, lesson plans, project ideas and more.

    United States Treasury Currency Information
    Did you know that the US Treasury used to print a $10.000 bill? Find out all about US paper money, what bills are still printed and what they look like.


  • World Geography


    Earth’s Greatest Features
    If you want to know which are the world’s tallest mountains, longest rivers, largest deserts and more great features, this is the place to look. Click on the topic you are interested in and see the list. No details of size are given, but this is a great starting point.

     

    Everest – Crown of the World
    At this Think Quest Junior project you can learn interesting facts about Mount Everest, including why it’s called that, who climbed it, and the accidents that have happened. There is also a map of the climbing route, and a game.

     

    Flags of All Countries
    Pick a country to view its flag, and then click on it to learn lots of interesting facts about the country. There is also a flag identifier here, so if you want to know which country a flag belongs to, this is the place to find out.

     

    Frozen Toes: Arctic Millennium Expedition
    Take a virtual field trip. Join five people on a 7000 km trek across Canada’s Arctic sharing knowledge, exploring cultures and celebrating Canada.

     

    Latitude and Longitude
    Here you can find a well-illustrated explanation of latitude and longitude. It is in 4 parts. You will need to go back to the menu, from the button at the bottom of the page, to get to the next page.

     

    Natural Wonders
    You have heard of the Seven Wonders of the World, but what about the natural wonders of the world? Click on the map or list of names to see pictures of these amazing features!

     

    Physical Geography – Canadian Communities Atlas
    This atlas presents the physical geography of Canada, including tectonics and geology.

     

    Why The World Goes Round
    This site gives a brief explanation of what makes the world turn, with a look at how we discovered that it turns.

     

    World Fact Book
    Find everything you need to know about the location, people, land use, government, economy and anything else of interest, from any country in the world. The countries are listed alphabetically, with clear, uncluttered maps for each listing.


  • World Maps



    Atlapedia
    Choose from physical or political maps, and then select the country you want. You can also access facts on geography, climate people, religion, language, history and more.

    World Atlas
    Find a superb collection of maps and geographical information gathered from the Internet and listed at Geography at About.com.


    CIA World Fact Book
    Countries are listed alphabetically. These maps are clear and simple-to-read, with tabs for further information.


    Flags and Maps of the World
    Choose a continent and then a country, from either its name or its flag. You will be taken to the country’s flag and a simple, clear map. No facts are given. Visit the games and fun sites, too.


    Infoplease Atlas
    Click on a region of the world or try the map index. The maps are clear and simple, with no additional country facts.


    Online Map Creation
    Using the input form you can create your own maps online. Change the projection and see the difference! This is quite a challenging site, so you may need some adult assistance.


    National Geographic’s Map Machine
    A great tool for the older student, though it takes some time to understand all the functions. Choose from dynamic maps, atlas maps or flags and facts.


    Outline Maps
    This selection of outline maps for use in the classroom or at home can be printed or downloaded, for adding to homework assignments.


    Working with Maps – Map Adventures
    Designed with the younger student in mind (K-3), these lesson plans, based on a story with activity sheets, teach basic map reading skills.


    Working with Maps – What do Maps Show?
    These lesson plans and activity sheets teach map reading skills to grades 5-8.


  • Medieval History


    Castles for Kids
    Investigate this interesting perspective of life in a medieval castle. It provides information on structure, residents, knights, hunting, and royal feasts.

    Henry VIII and the Tudors
    Just how many wives did he have, and who were they? What sort of a person was he? Designed for 7-10 year olds, this site gives interesting facts about Henry VIII and his wives.

    Janet’s Viking Web Site
    Learn more about Viking ships, homes, warriors, gods and people.

    Journey Through The Middle Ages
    There are three different ways to view this site. You can play a game, simply wander through the castle or if you really want the facts, you can see the information pages.

    Life in the Middle Ages
    Step back in time to the days of imposing castles, knights in armor defending the kingdom, and noblemen ruling over the serfs. This looks at life in the Middle Ages.

    Medieval Madness
    In this project for kids by kids students have searched for the best reference sites on varied topics relating to the Middle Ages. They have then put together open-ended questions to answer.

    Medieval Village Life – An Interactive Lesson
    This Interactive lesson teaches about feudalism and life in a medieval village. With each step there is an interactive quiz to check your understanding.

    Middle Ages Exhibit
    What was it like to live in the Middle Ages? Explore feudal life, the towns, churches, homes, clothing, health, arts and entertainment of this period. The exhibit is clear and easy to read, but there are very few illustrations.

    Tales From Camelot
    At this site, written by kids, there is a collection of stories about Camelot, written as if the characters are telling them. It gives an interesting look at some of the better-known knights from the stories of King Arthur and the Round Table.

    The Tower of London
    Tour the Tower of London with Reginald Raven, who lives there. This site is especially for kids and gives lots of interesting details about the Tower and what went on there.

    The Vikings
    Who were the Vikings, where did they go and why? Learn about their religion and their settlements. Although the information is primarily aimed at 7 and 8 year olds, links are included for older children.


  • Regional History


    Africa


    African History
    Africa is made up of many countries, each with their own past. At this site you will find links to historical information on several specific African countries, as well as a general overview on African History.

    Colonial Africa
    This is a very well presented introduction to the history of colonialism in Africa. It starts with a brief list of important facts you should know, goes on to details about early explorers and the colonies, ending with the indpendence of African Nations. It even touches on Liberia, the nation founded by freed American slaves, and the only African nation never to have been occupied by a colonial power.

    Story of Africa
    The BBC collected articles from African historians on the history of Africa, and put them together to make this huge site. It has links to different regions and eras of African History.

    Australia and New Zealand


    Australian Timeline
    This very brief document gives the major dates in Australian history since it was first sighted by the Europeans in 1606.

    Early Queensland History
    Although Australia had British settlements as early as 1788, the first settlement in Queensland didn’t happen until 1824. This first settlement was a convict colony. Learn more about the exploration and settlement of Queensland.


    Australian History
    Here you will find a history of Australia prior to colonization, as well as post colonization. Discover why Britain chose to send her convicts there, and what became of them.

    The Whitianga Museum and Captain Cook’s Arrival
    Read about Captain Cook’s first expedition to New Zealand, and how the local inhabitants treated him. This page is a little difficult to read as it has excerpts from his diary, written in old English.

    Canada

    Canadian History Timeline
    This well-illustrated timeline begins in the age of the dinosaurs and continues to the present day. It is clear and colorful, giving a very little information, but enough to whet your appetite for Canadian history.

    Famous Canadians – Timeline
    From 1700 this timeline lists the birth dates of important people in Canadian History. Each name has a link to a brief biography. This is a very useful starting place for finding out more about Canadian History.

    Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
    This buffalo jump, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, demonstrates a custom practiced by native inhabitants of North America for almost 6000 years. Learn about the history of the Blackfoot tribe, the buffalo jump and more at this informative and interesting site.

    Early Days – Homesteaders
    Early settlers to Western Canada undertook long and difficult journeys, in the hopes of owning land. Follow these early settlers from their journey, through their house building and onto school and community activities.


    Canadian History
    This is a list of sites with useful information on Canadian History for kids. There are also links to lesson plans for teachers of elementary level history.

    India

    History of India
    The Indian government has produced this site with information on different eras of Indian History. The information stretches from the Indus Valley Civilization to the New State, covering 2,300 years of history.

    India Under the British
    From the 1600 Britain established trade in India, and quickly cam to power. The British East India Company ruled over India for over 200 years but was eventually replaced by the British Government. Learn about the initial trading company, the mutiny that led to its downfall, and the British rule that followed.

    Indian Mutiny
    Although this site is written with older students in mind, it presents a clear history of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. There is a brief background of the history and reasons leading up to the mutiny, as well as a description of the mutiny itself.

    Mohandes Karamchand Gandhi
    Mohandes Gandhi, otherwise know as Mahatma Gandhi, led the nonviolent protest against British Rule in India. Eventually he won independence for India. Read about his early life, time spent in South Africa, and eventual rise to power in India.