Phyllis' Favorites

Sites found in:
TOURBUS Volume 13, Number 6 -- 13 Sep 2007
Tourbus Home -- http://www.InternetTourbus.com/


Best Websites for K-12 Students
http://askbobrankin.com/top_10_sites_for_students.html
here are some sites that will inspire K-12 kids to learn, help them with homework, and
provide a little fun when the work is done.
From the site:
“There are scores of sites on the Web, aimed at students (or their parents) who are seeking learning tools, a little help with research, homework helpers and good clean after-school fun. Here are some of my favorites:”

Top Ten Sites for Teachers
http://askbobrankin.com/top_ten_sites_for_teachers.html
Teachers, we've got something for you as well. My top ten sites
for teachers will help you with lesson plans, classroom activities,
ideas to stimulate your students, and resources to make learning fun.
From the site:
“Here are my top ten sites for teachers. You'll find help with lesson plans, classroom activities, ideas to stimulate your students, and resources to make the learning process fun. Whether you teach small children or older ones, we applaud you in all your efforts for helping our upcoming generations of adults become the best they can be in whatever field they choose to pursue.” -- Bob Rankin

=====================[ Tourbus Rider Information ]======= ====
The Internet Tourbus - U.S. Library of Congress ISSN #1094-2238
Copyright 1995-2007, Rankin & Crispen - All rights reserved

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Site of the Day for Thursday, September 13, 2007

Common Errors in English
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Today's site, from Washington State University English professor Paul
Brians, offers a handy compilation of those tricky words and instances
which can trip up the unwary English speaker. Gentle Subscribers will find
this a ready reference for clarifying the most acceptable language usage.

"What is an error in English? ... The concept of language errors is a fuzzy
one. I'll leave to linguists the technical definitions. Here we're
concerned only with deviations from the standard use of English as judged
by sophisticated users such as professional writers, editors, teachers, and
literate executives and personnel officers. The aim of this site is to help
you avoid low grades, lost employment opportunities, lost business, and
titters of amusement at the way you write or speak." - from the website

The site uses an alphabetical listing of hundreds of words to zero in on
the ones most prone to cause difficulties to native English speakers. With
explanations of the differences between such words as augur and auger;
complementary and complimentary; and how one can go wrong using the term
"koala bear", this helpful list presents the careful speaker with
enlightening information on confusing words and the most satisfactory
choices for standard use.

Slip over to the site for a practical guide on avoiding everyday English
mistakes at:

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/

A.M. Holm
view the List archives on the web at:
http://www.freelists.org/archives/sotd

[NOTE: Home page: http://www.actden.com/ There are also areas for Math,
Graphics, Information Skills, Astronomy, TOEFL test prep, and free tutorials
for some older software. Some areas may require free registration.
Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

--------Forwarded Message--------
Hi! It's Wednesday, September 5, 2007 and time for Language Arts at
ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
WritingDEN
http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/index.htm

Age range: 11-18 (grades 6-12)

The WritingDen website offers online activities that help students in
grades 6-12 improve their writing skills by working on vocabulary,
sentence structure, and paragraph development. We featured this
site in 2002, but new content makes it well-worth another visit.

When you get to the site you will see a "Featured Story" and a menu.
Click the "About" button on the menu for a good description of what
the WritingDen offers.

Then, go back to the home page and click on the "Featured Story." The
topic is wolves and you get to see how the story is developed from a
selection of vocabulary words, to simple sentence structures, and
finally to the development of paragraphs.

The Words and Sentences sections include Real Audio clips that
provide student instruction. The Paragraphs section includes a "note
set" that shows how the thoughts presented in the paragraph were
organized. The step-by-step process really helps students to see how
stories are constructed.

Then, take the quizzes to test your comprehension and understanding
of vocabulary, sentence structure, and paragraph development.

When you are through with the "Featured Story," you will have a clear
idea of how material is presented at this site. If you like it, go
back to the home page and click on "Topics" to see the archived list
of stories on subjects that include: History, Nature, Canada, Science
and Lifestyle. Click on any story to go through the writing process
as you did with the "Featured Story."

This site also contains "Tips-O-Matic" that provide grammar rules on
word, sentence, and paragraph usage.

Another great feature of the site is the "Word Of The Day" email
list. Sign up to join the list that will send you a new vocabulary
word to learn on a daily basis.

Diane Flynn Keith
for ClickSchooling
Copyright 2007, All Rights Reserved
http://www.Homefires.com/
http://www.Carschooling.com/
http://www.UniversalPreschool.com/

Note: We make every effort to recommend websites that have content that is appropriate for general audiences. Parents should ALWAYS preview the sites for suitable content.

Click Schooling (Clickschooling) is a Federally Registered Trademark.

--------Forwarded Message--------
Original Message:
-----------------
From: Jim Escalle jimescalle@earthlink.net
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:50:40 -0800
Subject: Missing in MiG Alley on PBS NOVA

Dear Phyllis:

I happen to come across your "Phyllis' Favorites" blog while surfing the Internet for the program, Missing in MiG Alley. Half the program will feature the duels between the F-86 Sabre and MiG-15, but the other half will feature the search for missing Sabre pilots.

I was wondering if high school students would be interested in watching the program. And if so, would they have any interest in seeing photos and learning about an F-86 Sabre pilot who never came home.

My uncle is on the list of 31 missing F-86 Sabre pilots that the program may mention, even though I haven't seen it yet. My uncle disappeared on June 19, 1953 while strafing a North Korean truck convoy. I had the pleasure of talking with Troy Cope's nephew at the 2001 F-86 Sabre Pilots Association reunion in Las Vegas. Troy Cope, or "Gordie" as he was called, is the pilot (his remains) they find on the program. He went down in China.

I wrote a book on my uncle's life, which is still at the publisher, but I also have two websites that cover him and his squadron. I thought that maybe you would be able to pass this on to anyone who would like to learn a little Korean War history as it relates to Air Force fighter-bomber pilots. I think my book will have a lot to teach, but I'm still waiting to see if it will be published.

My two websites are: http://www.jimmylescalle.com/ and http://www.36thfbs.com/

I'm an elementary school substitute teacher and have tried to show the smaller kids some of the photos and let them read the stories, but they don't show too much interest. I though that perhaps the older kids might.

Regards,

Jim Escalle
Email: jimescalle@earthlink.net

Time’s 50 Top 10 Lists of 2007
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/
Includes News, Arts & Entertainment, Science, Business, Tech & Sports, and Pop Culture

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Original Message:
-----------------
From: Gilder Lehrman Institute gli@gilderlehrman.org
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:31:07 -0500 (EST)
Subject: New Issue of History Now: World War II

The Institute is pleased to present the fourteenth issue of HISTORY NOW, a quarterly online journal for history teachers and students, available at http://www.historynow.org/

On December 7, 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the United States into the global conflict known as World War II. The impact of this war was felt by civilians as well as soldiers, as the nation transformed itself from a peacetime to a wartime economy. In this issue, our scholars and teachers explore the war years and their aftermath.

Don't miss this issue's interactive feature: a slideshow of wartime posters from the Smithsonian collection:
http://www.historynow.org/12_2007/interactive.html

Click on the links below for each feature:

Every Citizen a Soldier: World War II Posters on the American Home Front
by William L. Bird Jr. and Harry Rubenstein
http://www.historynow.org/12_2007/historian.html

America's Depression, America's War: A Study in Contrasts
by David M. Kennedy
http://www.historynow.org/12_2007/historian2.html

The World War II Home Front
by Allan M. Winkler
http://www.historynow.org/12_2007/historian3.html

From Citizen to Enemy: The Tragedy of Japanese Internment
by Julie Des Jardins
http://www.historynow.org/12_2007/historian4.html

Patriotism Crosses the Color Line: African Americans in World War II
http://www.historynow.org/12_2007/historian5.html

[NOTE: Earlier issues previously posted.
http://www.historynow.org/past.html
- Phyllis

Links to PBS history programs’ companion sites.
Many include timelines, teacher’s guides, and links to additional resources.

Ancient World
http://www.pbs.org/history/history_ancient.html

World History
http://www.pbs.org/history/history_world.html

United States
http://www.pbs.org/history/history_united.html

War and Espionage
http://www.pbs.org/history/history_war.html

Biographies
http://www.pbs.org/history/history_biographies.html

Sites found in:
******************************************
PBS Teachers Newsletter: December 16-22, 2007
******************************************
NOVA
Missing in MiG Alley
On-Air & Online
6-8 / 9-12
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
In 1950, Russian and American fighters clashed over Korea in
the fastest dogfights ever seen. Thirty-one American F-86 Sabre
pilots are believed to have survived crash landings, and the
evidence suggests that a few of the pilots were captured and
secretly imprisoned in Russia. NOVA combines forensic detective
work with an in-depth look at why the Sabre and the MiG
acquired their reputations as legendary fighting machines. (CC,
Stereo, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/warplanes/
[NOTE: See teaching guide pasted below. – Phyllis ]
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Independent Lens
An Unreasonable Man
On-Air & Online
9-12
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
This documentary takes an unsparing look at Ralph Nader, one of
the most important and controversial political figures of our
time. (CC, Stereo, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/unreasonableman/

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Copyright 2007 PBS Online

*****
--------Forwarded Message--------

Original Message:
-----------------
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:43:29 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [NOVA Teachers] Missing in MiG Alley airs Dec. 18

Hello Educators,

In next week's airing of "Missing in MiG Alley," NOVA explores the
world's first jet war, comparing the U.S. F-86 Sabre and the North
Korean MiG-15 fighter planes and revealing a number of stories
regarding pilots who went missing during the Korean War. (Subjects
covered: social studies, U.S. history, world history,
technology/engineering)

Regards,
Karen Hartley
Teachers Editor
NOVA Web Site
http://www.pbs.org/nova/teachers/
E-mail: NOVA_Teachers@wgbh.org

NOVA presents "Missing in MiG Alley"
Broadcast: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
http://www.pbs.org/nova/warplanes
(NOVA airs on PBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Check your local listings as broadcast dates and times may vary. This program can be used up to one year after it is recorded off the air.)
Watch the Program http://www.pbs.org/nova/warplanes/program.html
Watch the entire program online after the broadcast date. (Quicktime or Windows Media required.) (Grades 6-8, 9-12)

All About G Forces
http://www.pbs.org/nova/warplanes/gforces.html
Learn about gravity forces and their impact and effect on the human body. (Grades 6-8, 9-12)

Bringing Home MIAs
http://www.pbs.org/nova/warplanes/mias.html
Find out about U.S. efforts to identify, bring back, and inter all American personnel lost since World War II. (Grades 6-8, 9-12)

MiG vs Sabre Anatomy
http://www.pbs.org/nova/warplanes/anatomy.html
See how the Soviet MiG-15bis and the American F-86 Sabre compare in this interactive. (Flash plug-in required.) (Grades 6-8, 9-12)

Outfitting a Fighter Pilot
http://www.pbs.org/nova/warplanes/pilot.html
Take a close look in this interactive at the clothing and equipment essential to a fighter pilot. (Flash plug-in required; printable version available.) (Grades 6-8, 9-12)

Teacher's Guide
http://www.pbs.org/nova/teachers/programs/3418_warplane.html
In this classroom activity, students research the technological advances, tactical strategies, and roles aircraft have played in the United States' five major international conflicts of the 20th century. (Grades 6-8, 9-12)

Program Transcript
http://www.pbs.org/nova/transcripts/3418_warplane.html
The site includes a complete narration for this program.

Plus Watch a Preview and Links & Books.

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Hi! It's Saturday, September 8, 2007 and time for Art at ClickSchooling!

Yesterday, September 7th, was the birthday of Anna Mary Moses, a celebrated
American folk artist (who didn't begin to paint until she was 70-years-old,
and wasn't "discovered" until she was 80.) She was born in 1860. She lived
to be 101 years old. Her paintings delight children of all ages -- and there
are many children's books that feature the artwork of Grandma Moses. Here
are some websites that feature her work. Explore them with your family. :)

Recommended Websites:

American Art: The Phillips Collection
http://www.homefires.com/click?grandmamosesmcdonn
Direct Link: http://www.phillipscollection.org/american_art/artwork/Moses-McDonnell_Farm.htm
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/3e4uao

At this website you can see a picture of a Granma Moses painting titled,
"McDonnell Farm." It was inspired by the children's nursery rhyme, "Old
MacDonald Had A Farm." The website explains the compositional components
that Grandma Moses used in this landscape painting including "contrasting
colors, figural groupings and empty space, abstract pure color and narrative
detail." Click on the painting to enlarge it for a better view.

Then, back on the landing page, click on the FREE "Learning Activities." A
new page opens with suggested activities to enhance learning in visual arts,
social studies, and language arts through further study of the "McDonnell
Farm" painting.

Women Artists: Grandma Moses
http://www.csupomona.edu/~plin/women2/moses.html
At this site you can see 6 of Grandma Moses' paintings. Click on the images
to enlarge them to view the detail.

[NOTE: See Also: Women Artists: Medieval Period to the Present
http://www.csupomona.edu/~plin/women/womenart.html
Select: Links to Sites About Women Artists.
Page includes:
Women Artists in History
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Women Artists 1900-1940
Women Artists 1940-1960
Women Artists 1960-Present
Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Galerie St. Etienne: Grandma Moses
http://www.gseart.com/moses.html
At this website you can see a photograph of Grandma Moses in the act of
painting. [NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Enjoy!

Diane Flynn Keith
for ClickSchooling
Copyright 2007, All Rights Reserved
http://www.Homefires.com/
http://www.Carschooling.com/
http://www.UniversalPreschool.com/

Note: We make every effort to recommend websites that have content that is appropriate for general audiences. Parents should ALWAYS preview the sites for suitable content.

Click Schooling (Clickschooling) is a Federally Registered Trademark.

--------Forwarded Message--------
Subject: AASC Feature of the Month: December 2007
Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:22:48 -0800
Feature of the Month Email

- ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ -
OXFORD AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES CENTER
The Online Authority on the African American Experience
- ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ -

DECEMBER 2007 FEATURE OF THE MONTH
African Americans in the Fine Arts

Dear Feature of the Month Subscriber,

The Oxford African American Studies Center’s Feature of the Month has been updated!

This month the feature highlights African American fine artists active before the twentieth century.

A SKETCH
Due to the enormous difficulties encountered by African Americans in the pursuit of the fine arts, evidence of black painters before the late nineteenth century comes not from paintings presently in museums or private collections, but from newspapers advertising their services. As with early American art in general, African American art largely consisted of folk arts and crafts produced anonymously for everyday use. As a result, very little work produced before the Civil War, which we would today identify as “art,” has survived.

VIEW FEATURE:
http://www.elabs3.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=ef6,vlrf,5j,nb5,gjf4,eh6y,gfib

THE FOREGROUND
In a Photo Essay, editors of the Oxford African American Studies Center use photos and text to identify and celebrate eight individuals who have emerged as some of the few known African American artists whose work predates the twentieth century. Artists include Scipio Moorhead, a slave who was the earliest significant black fine artist, Robert Scott Duncanson, who saw early success in Canada but became recognized for his bleak Civil War-era landscapes, and Joshua Johnson, who is considered perhaps the best-known African American artist of the early republic, known for his portraits of white, upper-class children.

VIEW PHOTO ESSY:
http://www.elabs3.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=ef6,vlrf,5j,k0qt,la4r,eh6y,gfib

PAINT, BRUSHES, AND CANVAS
To provide more information about African American fine artists active before the twentieth century, this month’s feature also includes a number of free subject articles taken from the African American Studies Center on topics like “African American Art” and “African Americans in Graphic Arts and Printmaking.” Also included are links to free biographies for seven of the eight artists profiled in the Photo Essay.
http://www.elabs3.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=ef6,vlrf,5j,nb5,gjf4,eh6y,gfib

Sites found in:
EDInfo@listserv.ed.gov
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007

New resources at FREE, the website that makes
teaching resources from federal agencies easier to find:
Federal Resources for Educational Excellence
http://www.free.ed.gov/

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History of Cartography
provides information on a multi-volume effort to assemble a
comprehensive history of map making. Volumes that have been
completed examine cartographies of prehistoric, ancient, and
medieval Europe and the Mediterranean; traditional Islamic and
South Asian societies; traditional East and Southeast Asian
societies; traditional African, American, Arctic, Australian,
and Pacific societies; and the European Renaissance.
(Multiple Agencies)
http://free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=1956
Direct: http://www.geography.wisc.edu/histcart/
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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Brain: Our Sense of Self
helps middle school students understand basic scientific
principles related to the brain and nervous system. Five
lessons examine the structure and specialized regions of the
brain, its diverse functions, how the body receives and
delivers information through the nervous system, factors that
affect learning, and our sense of self. Interactive web
activities are included. (National Institutes of Health)
http://free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=1954
Direct: http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih4/self/default.htm
[NOTE: Other pages from http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements
previously posted.- Phyllis ]
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To view an archive of past messages
* http://www.ed.gov/MailingLists/EDInfo/

Sites found in:
INFOMINE Email Alert Service
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007
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Stopping Sprawl : Sierra Club
----------------------------------------
URL: http://www.sierraclub.org/sprawl
Record Id: 672317
Created: 2007-08-28 14:53:05
Categories: bioag,busecon,liberal

Resources from the Sierra Club on urban sprawl, with a focus on urban
development and the environment. Offers reports, articles and factsheets
on urban sprawl, land use, costs, communities, transportation, and
activism.

[NOTE: Other pages from Sierra Club previously posted. - Phyllis ]

----------------------------------------
Sprawl City
----------------------------------------
URL: http://www.sprawlcity.org/
Record Id: 672316
Created: 2007-08-28 14:38:09
Categories: busecon,govpub,liberal

Population statistics and reports on land consumption, population
growth, and urban sprawl.
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

----------------------------------------
California Shipwrecks
----------------------------------------
URL: http://shipwrecks.slc.ca.gov/
Record Id: 672312
Created: 2007-08-28 11:44:13
Categories: govpub

Searchable shipwreck database with records of over 1500 shipwrecks in
California. Search by ship name, type of ship (barge, schooner,
two-masted ship, etc.), California county, latitude and longitude.
Also, articles and stories about California shipwrecks,

Sites found in:
Librarians' Internet Index
Websites you can trust!
NEW THIS WEEK, September 13, 2007
Read This Online : http://lii.org/cs/lii/print/news/116

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Agatha Christie and Archaeology
Companion to an exhibit, "Agatha Christie and Archaeology: Mystery in Mesopotamia," which "presented a fascinating look at the secret life of one of the world's most popular writers. Agatha Christie (1890-1976) originally became interested in archaeology on a visit to the site of Ur (in modern Iraq) in 1928. It was at Ur that she met her future husband, the archaeologist Max Mallowan." Includes annotated photos and images of archaeological items. From the British Museum.
URL:http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/online_tours/middle_east/agatha_christie__archaeology/agatha_christie_and_archaeolog.aspx
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/yrwker
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24418

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Agatha Christie: The Official Agatha Christie Site
Official website for this British mystery writer. Features background about how Christie wrote and the influence of travel and archeology, descriptions of her famous fictional detectives (such as Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot), material about Christie works on stage and screen, and a database where you can find books based on keywords or by location, detective, or means of murder. Includes some commercial content.
URL: http://us.agathachristie.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24416

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Delicious Death: Agatha Christie Works List
This website features images of thousands of covers of English and non-English language versions of Agatha Christie mystery books and plays (and works written under the name of Mary Westmacott). Also includes a Christie chronology, and a brief plot description, character list, and list of movie and TV productions for each work. In English and Japanese. From an enthusiast.
URL: http://www.deliciousdeath.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24417

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Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings
Companion to a traveling exhibit about book burning activities in Nazi Germany. Topics include the immediate American response, how "books figured prominently" in U.S. patriotic slogans during World War II, and later symbols of book burning. Features written and audio material about 58 authors whose works were burned. Authors include Theodore Dreiser, Sigmund Freud, Ernest Hemingway, Helen Keller, Jack London, Karl Marx, and Upton Sinclair. From the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
URL: http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/bookburning/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24452
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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Rave Reviews: Bestselling Fiction in America
Companion to an exhibition that provides "an index of American interests and reading tastes over the last two and a half centuries" and considers the impact of popular fiction on American society. Features illustrated discussions of bestsellers and movies, and types of bestsellers (such as regional, genre, and war fiction, social criticism, and scandalous books), and a link to bestseller lists (1900-1999). From the Albert H. and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.
URL: http://www.lib.virginia.edu/small/exhibits/rave_reviews/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24453

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Social Security History: Upton Sinclair
"Upton Sinclair was a famous novelist and social crusader from California, who pioneered the kind of journalism known as 'muckraking.' His best-known novel was 'The Jungle' which was an expose of the appalling and unsanitary conditions in the meat-packing industry." He ran for Governor of California in 1934 based on his EPIC (End Poverty in California) plan. Includes the text of the EPIC plan. From the Social Security Administration (SSA).
URL: http://www.ssa.gov/history/sinclair.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24450

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CRS Annotated Constitution
"The content of the CRS Annotated Constitution was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) at the Library of Congress. ... The initial online annotations were published in 1992, and supplements were released in 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000. This edition is a hypertext interpretation of the CRS text. It links to Supreme Court opinions, the U.S. Code, and the Code of Federal Regulations." Provided by the Legal Information Institute, Cornell University Law School.
URL: http://www.law.cornell.edu/anncon/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24420

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Agnes de Mille Dances
Brief illustrated biography of this dancer and choreographer and details about some of her featured dances. Includes photos, summary, description of cast, and composer for dances such as "Rodeo" and "Fall River Legend." Also includes images of dances for musicals such as "Oklahoma!" and "Brigadoon," and a complete danceography with a list of theater, film, ballet, and television choreography.
URL: http://www.agnesdemilledances.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24447

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Madeleine L'Engle: 1918-2007
Official website of writer Madeleine L'Engle, best known for her 1962 Newbery Award-winning novel, "A Wrinkle in Time." Features a brief biography, the text of her Newbery Award acceptance speech, a bibliography of her numerous publications (some with cover art and introductions), photos, and links to articles and interviews with the author.
URL: http://www.madeleinelengle.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24468

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Samuel Johnson Tercentenary 2009
"This site contains information about the celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Johnson, which falls on 18 September 2009." Features include a biography of Johnson (1709-1784) who "was (amongst other things) a poet, biographer, lexicographer, essayist, editor and reviewer"; listing of events in the U.S. and U.K.; and links to related websites. From the Samuel Johnson Tercentenary Committee, which consists of representatives from Johnson-related organizations.
URL: http://www.johnson2009.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24430

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Time 100: Margaret Sanger
Profile of Margaret Sanger, whose "crusade to legalize birth control spurred the movement for women's liberation." Written by Gloria Steinem, the article discusses Sanger's life and 50-year career and lessons that can be learned from her experiences. From Time magazine.
URL: http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/sanger.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24422

[NOTE: Home page http://www.time.com/time/time100/ previously posted. -
Phyllis ]

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About North American Bison
Images and descriptions of differing characteristics of plains bison and woods bison. Includes information about the prevalence and range of North American bison, and links to material about the difference between bison and buffalo and what is a European bison. From the Bison Specialist Group North America, established under the direction of the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Species Survival Commission.
URL: http://www.notitia.com/bison/AboutBison.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24476

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NOAA Marine Debris Program
Website for this federal government program concerned with marine debris, which is "typically defined as any man-made object discarded, disposed of, or abandoned that enters the coastal or marine environment." Features articles, fact sheets, news, photos, outreach materials, and glossary. Includes a link to the website for the program's Gulf of Mexico Marine Debris project, showing marine debris deposited on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
URL: http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24427

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Censored: Wielding the Red Pen
"This exhibition [about censorship] hopes not so much to judge censors and censorship but instead to provoke questions." Some of the topics and case studies covered in the exhibit include reference and religious works, Margaret Sanger and birth control, John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," the objectivity of science, Internet censorship, and censored films and television. From the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.
URL: http://www.lib.virginia.edu/small/exhibits/censored/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24421
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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Indian Country Diaries
Website for "a two-part series of documentaries that, for the first time, explore[d] the challenges facing Native Americans in the 21st Century, in both urban and reservation settings." Stories on the site cover issues such as identity and assimilation, tribal sovereignty, education, culture of specific tribes, tribal casinos, and health concerns. Also provides history (such as the Trail of Tears and the urban relocation program), classroom materials, and related resources. From Native American Public Telecommunications.
URL: http://www.pbs.org/indiancountry/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24428

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Librarians' Internet Index
Websites You Can Trust!
http://lii.org/
Copyright 2007 by Librarians' Internet Index.

Suggested by a reader:

The Beehive Homework Help Center
http://www.thebeehive.org/freehomeworkhelp
Includes sites for elementary, middle and high school students as well as a section for parents.

CommerceWOW!Zone
http://www.commercewowzone.com/
Sections for kids, teens, parents and educators. Free registration required.
From the site:
“The CommerceWOW!Zone is a website created to provide a fun and interactive place where children and teens can gain a better understanding of the value and worth of money. Parents can share the learning experience with their children by reading the stories and playing the games. And, educators can access suggested lesson plans for incorporating this information into their classes.”
CommerceWOW!Zone for Educators!
“Commerce Bank supports educators in creating fun and educationally sound programs that teach financial literacy within the classroom. We have a wide range of educational programs designed to make learning fun.”

Online Video Clips
http://www.thinkport.org/Classroom/onlineclips.tp
From the site:
“Do you need a short clip of video to compliment your activity or lesson? No problem. Browse through one of our subject categories or use our advanced search to find a clip that suits your needs.”

Arts
Health
Language Arts
Mathematics
Professional Development
Science
Social Studies

----

Theme Archive (Links and lesson plans)
http://www.thinkport.org/CLASSROOM/archive.tp


[NOTE: May have to double-click.
Other pages from http://www.thinkport.org/previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Kitchen Myths
http://www.pgacon.com/KitchenMyths.htm
From the site:
“There are several web sites devoted to researching and exposing these fake stories. The same sort of thing happens in the world of food and cooking.”

The Pizza Explorer
http://65.79.226.35/pizza/
From the site:
“The purpose of the IFT Pizza Explorer is to teach students food science and the chemistry of food components through interactive, hands-on activities. This educational product is designed for students in middle and high school to facilitate the learning of food science, chemistry and biology.” “The program was created to complement and supplement the science curriculum at your school.”

Computer Science E-1:
Understanding Computers and the Internet
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~cscie1/
Freely available, via Harvard Extension School.
From the site:
“This course is all about understanding: understanding what's going on inside your computer when you flip on the switch, why tech support has you constantly rebooting your computer, how everything you do on the Internet can be watched by others, and how your computer can become infected with a worm just by turning it on. In this course we demystify computers and the Internet, along with their jargon, so that students understand not only what they can do with each but also how it all works and why. Students leave this course armed with a new vocabulary and equipped for further exploration of computers and the Internet. Topics include hardware, software, the Internet, multimedia, security, website development, programming, and dotcoms. This course is designed both for those with little, if any, computer experience and for those who use a computer every day.”

InventNow.org
http://www.inventnow.org/
From the site:
“All inventions start as ideas. InventNow.org is the place to create and explore a world of ideas that just might inspire the world’s next great inventor.”

InventNow: Parents & Teachers
http://www.inventnow.org/parents/
From the site:
“Free downloads of invention-themed curricula from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.”
Page includes links to Resource Guides for Elementary, Middle and High School.

First name only registration.

----

The National Inventors Hall of Fame
http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/1_1_search.asp
From the site:
“The National Inventors Hall of Fame honors the women and men responsible for the great technological advances that make human, social and economic progress.”
“Search the Hall of Fame Inductee Library, or browse information by inventor, invention, induction date, or by decade.”
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Sites found in:
NEAT NEW STUFF, SEPTEMBER 7, 2007

ChemSpider - Database of Chemical Structures and Property Predictions
http://www.chemspider.com/
I'm not a chemist, but a reader who is says this site is a "Great
resource for chemists, molecular biologists, and others."

-----

FactBites - Where results make sense
http://www.factbites.com/
"What do you get if you cross a search engine with an encyclopedia?
Factbites," where the search results page itself includes key sentences
from each of the sources retrieved. Uber-researcher Mary Ellen Bates, in
her BatesInfoTip Newsletter
<http://www.batesinfo.com/august-2007-infotip.html > recommends this as
a "useful filter on search results that may help you find in-depth
answers quickly."

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Sci-Fi Lists: Top 100 Sci-Fi Books
http://home.austarnet.com.au/petersykes/topscifi/lists_books_rank1.html
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/3966gt
Another great discussion-starter and library display topic. You could
invite your staff and library users to add their own favorites, and start
a discussion on your blog.

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Statetris
http://www.mapmsg.com/games/statetris/usa/
Test your geography skills and manual dexterity by playing Tetris with US
states instead of blocks.
[NOTE: Try Europe: http://www.mapmsg.com/games/statetris/europe/ - Phyllis ]

------

Neat New Stuff I Found This Week
http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html
Copyright, Marylaine Block, 1999-2007.

--------Forwarded Message--------
From: Walter mrmck@staffnet.com
Date: Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:59:47 +0000
To: Innovative-Teaching@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Innovative-Teaching] ITN December 2007: Author! Author!

The Innovative Teaching Newsletter
Volume 10, Issue 4 - December 2007
Topic: Author! Author!

"A new age demands a new paradigm!" -Walter McKenzie

This month's topic is Authors Online. Consider the possibilities
for your students.....

http://surfaquarium.com/NEWSLETTER/authors2007.htm
[Scroll down for list of links]

Walter McKenzie
The One and Only Surfaquarium
http://surfaquarium.com/
walter@surfaquarium.com

The Innovative Teaching Newsletter is free to educators everywhere.
Copyright 2007 Newsletter Archive (by topic)
http://surfaquarium.com/NEWSLETTER/

The newsletter may be forwarded, copied and distributed provided the
header and signature information remain intact.

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Innovative-Teaching/

[NOTE: Other issues of ITN Newsletter previously posted. - Phyllis ]

--------Forwarded Message--------
From: URLwire - News of Useful, Unique and Educational Web Content
Subject: [URLwire] Lovethebook.com Launches News and Reviews Site for BookLovers
Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:57:49 -0800 (PST)

Lovethebook.com Launches News and Reviews Site for Book Lovers
URL: http://www.lovethebook.com/

Site will appeal to lovers of good literature, progressive politics
and to those who enjoy the pleasure of book browsing...

Do you love to browse for books? Are you offended by unsightly web
sites that are cluttered with advertisements and inappropriate
recommendations? Are you interested in non-mainstream views and
progressive politics? Welcome to lovethebook.com: The book lover's
site for books.

Lovethebook.com award listings are unparalleled in their breadth and
depth, with an ever growing list of book awards categorized by genre,
year and age. Over 250 book awards are currently included together
with nearly 8500 award winning books with full details including book
jacket, description, reviews and price if available for purchase. You
can easily spend a pleasant hour (or two) perusing these lists, just
as you might wander through a library or a bookstore.

What's the latest news in book and literary awards? Find out by
reading the lovethebook.com book awards news page or subscribe to the
dedicated rss feed for book awards and news.

While many online bookstores present the same authors--bestsellers,
book-club picks, celebrity tomes--lovethebook.com spotlights books you
might not see elsewhere. Lovethebook.com has broad listings of both
small, alternative and independent press books, and university press
books. Designed for browsing pleasure, they feature select small
press and university press books. Publishers, authors and readers are
invited to suggest candidates.

The latest news in books and authors can be found on the
lovethebook.com book notes and book news pages (book notes for
shorter news items, book news for longer items). Although many major
book and literary events are covered, lesser known stories that are
largely ignored by the online news media are prominently featured, in
particular, news stories highlighting progressive books and authors
and news items covered from a politically progressive point of view.

Lovethebook.com book lists is a page that is still in its infancy but
offers a forecast of what's to come. The book lists page will
ultimately compete with the book awards page for breadth of coverage
and compliment it for the pure pleasure of book browsing.

[NOTE: Includes past and current titles from more than 25 Children’s Book Awards. – Phyllis ]

# posted by Phyllis @ 9:41 PM 0 comments

Sites found in:
Cable in the Classroom Magazine
December 2007
http://www.ciconline.org/cicmagazine-dec07

------

Teacher Feature: Discovery Atlas: Italy Revealed
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/discovery-atlas/
Site features video clips about Italy’s history,
culture, religions, and geography; a word game
about famous Italians; lesson plans; and more.

-----

A Fresh Look at Weather on the Web
The Weather Channel Kids!
http://www.theweatherchannelkids.com/

The weather can be irregular and tough to predict,
but The Weather Channel has redesigned its
Weather Channel Kids! website to shower students
with opportunities to make sense of it all. And
the outlook is sunny, with the expanded site now
offering everything from explanations of global
warming to suggestions for getting outside and
measuring weather in the real world. With features
that allow students to enter data to design
their own five-day forecast and streaming video
that explains how melting snow makes for extreme
whitewater rafting conditions, the site combines
the fun and the educational, hosting a virtual internship
game at the Severe Weather Command
Center and explaining exactly how the UV Index
works—and why being near sand can affect it—
with the Weather Encyclopedia. And if students
still have not satisfied their curiosity, they can
e-mail their questions to real experts using the
Ask the Meteorologist feature. The site shows
that you really don’t have to be a meteorologist
to know which way the wind blows—but for students
who are hooked, there is a Careers in Meteorology
section as well.

------

Terror at Sea: Sinking of the Lusitania,
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/lusitania/lusitania.html
The social and political complexities and events that are the root
of war can be difficult to comprehend, but an event like the sinking
of the Lusitania galvanizes citizens and puts pressure on decision
makers. Students can explore what brought about the 18-minute
destruction of this ship on the Discovery Channel’s website Terror at Sea:
Sinking of the Lusitania. Through an interactive timeline explaining the
historical events and aftermath of the ship’s destruction, students can see
how the sinking of this ship changed public opinion on the impending
Great War. The site also features video clips of historical re-creations
what happened not only on the Lusitania, on the German U-boat that sunk
as well. While historical re-creations provide valuable insight, the gallery
of propaganda posters and drawings used to sound the call for war
America after the ship was destroyed can be used to help students
understand the attitude of the country the time. Students can examine this
collection of drawings, newspaper clippings, and posters to learn about the
sentiments of country as it grappled with the tragedy.

-----

Tomb Builders: Valley of the Kings
http://science.discovery.com/convergence/vok/vok.html
Explore the places where pharaohs were buried through
an interactive map and a timeline
( http://science.discovery.com/convergence/vok/timeline/timeline.html )
that details the initial building of the tombs in the Valley of the
Kings as well as the 20th-century discoveries of their remains.

------

PoeStories.com
http://www.poestories.com/index.php
From the site:
“This site contains short stories and poems by Edgar Allan Poe (Edgar Allen Poe is a common misspelling), story summaries, quotes, and linked vocabulary words and definitions for educational reading. It also includes a short biography, a timeline of Poe's life, and links to other Poe sites.”