The Headbone Derby Demo

The Headbone Derby is a year-round series of Internet research adventures that teaches kids how to locate useful information on the World Wide Web. While applying their knowledge of various subjects, students learn

problem-solving and Internet research skills

technology skills

information literacy skills

Teachers have the benefit of an all-in-one Internet instructional tool that is

easy to implement

flexible to schedule

motivating and engaging for their students

free!

Follow these easy steps to begin to play a Derby

1. Choose a Derby and go to its Home Page
"Iz and Auggie in Ecology Strikes Back!" (ecology)
"Iz and Auggie go to The Polls" (social studies)
"Mystery on Mars" (science)
"Revenge of the Lunar Fringe" (history, music, biology)
"Crazy Couch Caper" (geography, math)

2. Sign Up for free
(so we can keep track of your score!)

From the Derby home page, click on the "Sign Up" button at the top left of your screen

You can Sign Up as a school team or individual

Write down your hbzpassword so you don't forget it!

"I loved having kids use the Internet properly for focused research. They were really excited.... The kids actually cheered upon solving some of the problems."
--Sharon Alexander, Jackson Elementary Jackson, CA

3. Start playing!

Click on episode one

Progress through the story by clicking on the arrows

At the end of each episode you will arrive at a research puzzle

4. Search

From the puzzle page, click on "Search"

The next page will be the Yahoo! form that will explain how to search for answers on the World Wide Web

Enter key words to search for and Yahoo! will find corresponding information

"Thank you so much for offering such an exciting way for my students to interact with each other and with me to learn while having fun! We are so happy to have two winning teams - first and second place. We will definitely be playing again next year!"
--Joan Needham, Ridgeview Middle School Atlanta, GA

5. Answer

Enter your answer in the box provided on the puzzle page

Enter your hbzID and hbzpassword in the appropriate boxes

Click the "Send" button to submit your answer

Correct answers result in score change and final comic strip panels for the episode

Incorrect answers result in a "please try again" screen

"Bravo! An excellent tool for teaching students how to locate information on the internet! Highly motivating!"
--Robert Nichols, Dwight Elementary Russellville, AR

Scores
Each question is worth a specified number of points. Players can take hints and can attempt numerous times to answer correctly; both cost points but allow minimum points for the question to count if the answer is correct. Scores are tallied immediately after the player enters an answer and hits "send". Players can check their scores at any time by clicking on the "scores" button.

Suggestions and Reminders
Accuracy counts, speed does not
Remember your hbzpassword

[ need help? ]