For the Teacher

State law mandates that all fourth grade students study the history of New Jersey. The New Jersey Office of Information Technology created an educational site, Cartoon History. This site uses technology to provide an entertaining approach to learning valuable information. It is not intended to be mandated curriculum; instead it was created as a curriculum enhancement about New Jersey history.

Linked off the New Jersey children's Web site, Hangout, Cartoon History includes lessons on subjects ranging from the continental drift to the Lenni Lenape Indians to famous explorers of New Jersey. The site's principal character is Professor Foulkii, an animated descendent of Hadrosaurus Foulkii, New Jersey's official state dinosaur. Professor Foulkii teaches the lessons in an amusing, spirited fashion. The lessons are in PDF format and may be downloaded and printed out easily. In addition to the Cartoon History, there are educational games and activities on the "Games" section of the general kids' site, Hangout.

New lessons and curriculum enhancements will be added regularly. New Jersey's 140,000 fourth graders are also encouraged to log on to the site after school to continue learning at home.