Many times documents on the Internet are just too complicated for your students (and sometimes and even you!). Most web pages aren't written for elementary, or even middle school students. One way to still utilize the resources out there and keep your students using the Internet, is to rewrite resources in vocabulary that your students can understand.

Steps to Rewrite

1. First off, you need to ask permission if you plan to place the rewritten document on the Internet. Send the published, web master, author, etc. an e-mail, and nine times out of ten they will allow you to do this for educationaly purposes. Make sure to let them know you will provide a link back to the original page.
   
   
2. Next, you need to grab the page and rewrite it for the level of student you are teaching.
   
   
3. Link it to you page and you are ready to go!

Example

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of the armed forces, lets take a look at the order that started it all.

• Truman's Executive Order 9981 (from the Truman Library web page).

Most elementary students would have trouble with this document. It has been rewritten so younger students can understand the important elements. Notice that an online dictionary (see Using Online Dictionaries) has also been utilized.

• Rewritten Executive Order 9981