Toucan Valley Social Studies Fact Cards

Califa is now hosting the Toucan Valley Social Studies Fact Cards.  The current owner was planning to retire, and our members asked us to take on the hosting, so we will be offering the California cards free of charge to all libraries.  

The new URL where you will find the California fact cards is  http://factcards.califa.org .  There is no username or password, and the service is entirely free.

Here are answers to questions that we have received regarding the Fact Cards.

•               We have been asked if we can provide usage statistics. Unfortunately, no, we just have a URL up that people can access and we aren't tracking IP's, so there really isn't any way to tell.  

•               A number of you wrote that the counties link was not working, thank you. We have taken that link down, accessing the county information is not something Toucan provided us with.

•               We only get the California information. Other information that was included such as States or ancient civilizations was not something Toucan provided us with either.

•               We will be hosting the site indefinitely.

•               We will not be updating the site.

•               You are welcome to link to the site.

What Are Fact Cards?

Quick reference in an easy-to-use format

Fact Cards are a series of research resources designed for quick reference for students in grades 4 through 8. The topics covered by Fact Cards are those California, United States, and World topics included in the social studies curriculum in California. For the past ten years, printed Fact Cards have been used extensively in California elementary and middle schools, as well as in public libraries.

Tools for the beginning researcher

A presentation style that offers quick facts in manageable portions makes Fact Cards the ideal reference resource for students who are just beginning to learn research procedures.

A ready reference source for all libraries

While Fact Cards are written at the 4th-, 5th- and 6th grade reading levels, older students and adults appreciate the quick access to basic facts and figures on these topics. Printed Fact Cards have been used as ready reference sources in many public and school libraries, as well as in classrooms.