Phyllis' Favorites

Gibraltar
http://www.surfnetkids.com/gibraltar.htm

From the site:
“Gibraltar is a British colony occupying 2.25 square miles on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, sharing a border with Spain. It sits on the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates the Atlantic from the Mediterranean, and Europe from Africa. In ancient times, the towering limestone Rock of Gibraltar was known as one of the Pillars of Hercules; the other being across the Strait in Morocco.”

Page includes 9 links to sites (5 Annotated, 4 Honorable Mentions)

The IAC Building.
http://www.iacbuilding.com/interactive/content.html

From the site:
“Designed by architect Frank Gehry and completed in 2007.”
“Winner of the 2008 Architecture Award”
Interactive features: building design, interior design, video walls, 360-degree view, and two time-lapse camera views of the construction.

NASA Digital Learning Network - NASA - Grades 0 to 12
http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/

Site found on TeachersFirst

“Learn firsthand from experts and specialists at NASA! Join free and interactive video-conferencing events or view podcasts for use in classrooms. Use the "Event Catalog" to find events for specific grade levels, science subjects, or topics. View the event's focus and description as well as downloading Adobe pdf files of introductory activities and complete educator guides for different grade levels. A variety of webcasts are available. For example, in 2009, NASA's offerings include "Exploring Other Worlds," "The Earth System," and "Global Warming, Causes and Consequences." Educators must create a login and register for events. Access to video conferencing hardware is necessary for the live video-conferencing events.” <<>>

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=9821

# posted by Phyllis @ 11:23 PM 0 comments

Sites found in:
=======
The Scout Report
August 22, 2008
Volume 14, Number 33
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The Scout Report on the Web:
Current issue: http://scout.wisc.edu/Reports/ScoutReport/Current/
This issue: http://scout.wisc.edu/Reports/ScoutReport/2008/scout-080822.php

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Total Solar Eclipse 2008: Live from China [Macromedia Flash Player,
Windows Media Player]
http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/2008/

On August 1, 2008, a total solar eclipse moved over parts of Russia,
Greenland, Canada, and China. Fortunately, the dedicated team at the
Exploratorium was there, and they documented this unique event. The first
thing visitors should check out here is a replay of the events as they
occurred. After viewing the eclipse, visitors should read the dispatches
from the Exploratorium crew. These colorful and descriptive dispatches
include commentaries on everything from setting up to capture the event to
visiting the "Stonehenge of the Gobi Desert". Visitors can also chime in
with their two cents, and then move to the "Features" area. Here they will
find topical pieces like "The Sun-Eating Dragon and Other Ways to Think
About An Eclipse" and journal excerpts from previous eclipse events. [KMG]

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Mathematics Illuminated
http://www.learner.org/resources/series210.html

Bringing mathematics to life is an admirable yet difficult task. New
approaches to teaching the subject are always welcome, and that is precisely
the focus of this very fine series produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting.
This 13-part multimedia learning resource is offered as part of the
Annenberg Media website, and it covers everything from the study of prime
numbers to the beauty of symmetry. Visitors can view each one of the 13
half-hour programs, and the titles include "How Big is Infinity?", "Other
Dimensions", and "Game Theory". That's not all, as visitors can also click
over to the Mathematics Illuminated supplementary website which includes
interactive features, a glossary, and other materials for educators. [KMG]

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The Environmental Literacy Council: Teaching Resources [pdf]
http://www.enviroliteracy.org/category.php/17.html

Environmental science encompasses a number of fields within the natural
sciences, and an interdisciplinary approach to the subject is a must. For
educators working in this area, the Environmental Literacy Council's
Teaching Resources site will be a real find. On their site, visitors should
click on over to one of the sections on the right-hand side of the page. The
sections here include "General Resources", "Environmental Science Toolkit",
and "Survey & Textbook Reviews". The "Environmental Science Toolkit" is a
good place to start, as it contains data table examples, information on
creating citations, a guide to important concepts in environmental science,
and an experimental design rubric. Additionally, visitors should not miss
the Environmental History Modules which help teachers link up fundamental
historical concepts to important environmental issues. These modules include
"War and the Environment" and "Ordinary Landscapes", and they are both
creative and quite engaging for students and teachers. [KMG]
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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Educational Resources from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco [pdf]
http://www.frbsf.org/education/

If you're aching for high-quality resources about economics, home lending
rates, and the world of economists, this site from the Federal Reserve Bank
of San Francisco will be just the tonic you require. Visitors should note
that the primary sections of the site include "Student Activities", "Teacher
Resources", and "Publications". In the "Student Activities" area visitors
can chime in with questions for "Ask Dr. Econ", play the "Great Economists
Treasure Hunt", and also visit "FedVille", which offers young people an
introduction to the world of the Federal Reserve. Moving on, the "Teachers
Resources" area contains curriculum materials, and a personal finance lesson
plan and game. The site is rounded out by the "Popular Content" area, which
includes an introduction to U.S. monetary policy, information about credit
reports, and the Economic Letter, which includes short essays on current
topics by economists. [KMG]

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Great Chicago Stories [Macromedia Flash Player]
http://www.chicagohistory.org/greatchicagostories/

>From great culinary moments (the birth of the hot dog) to the rise of the
skyscraper, Chicago has been privy to a number of important historical
events. This award-winning website created by the Chicago History Museum
allows visitors to explore the city's diverse past through historical
fiction stories and artifacts from their collections. On the site, visitors
can click on sections that include "Interactive History Map", "Story Audio",
and "Classroom Activities". In the "Interactive History Map" area, visitors
can click on stories that discuss public housing, the birth of the hot dog,
the planned community of Pullman, and the early trading post history of the
city. After choosing a story, visitors will be immersed in the historical
experience via audio materials, a map, and a set of questions which round
out each story. Visitors can also just listen to the whole story, and then
learn more about the site in the "About Great Chicago Stories" overview
area. [KMG]
[NOTE: Other pages from http://www.chicagohistory.org/ previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 1994-2008.
http://scout.wisc.edu/

Diagram of the Eye
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/eyediagram/eyeimages1.asp
From the site:
“Drag the magnifying glass to explore the eye diagram.
Click the targets to see definitions for parts of the eye.”

Think Anatomy
http://thinkanatomy.com/
“Links to the Best Human Anatomy Study Aids on the Internet”

From the site:
“We know you don't have precious study time to waste searching for good anatomy resources online. That's why we're collecting links to some of the best anatomy resources on the Internet for you.

“Start by choosing a category below or browse through some of the recent additions to get started.”

Explore the Human Body
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/35syt9

Interactive exhibit of the brain, heart, digestive system, lungs, and skin.
Links to addition resources on health and human body topics

Sites found in:

******************************************
PBS Teachers Newsletter: February 1-7, 2009
Current PBS Teacher Previews Newsletter:
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/newsletter/
******************************************

February Media Infusion: Hey, You Guys! "The Electric Company" is Back

In this month's Media Infusion, Leticia Barr, community manager of PBS Teachers Connect, discusses The Electric Company's new Web site and how it will motivate and engage even the most reluctant young learner. The site offers a new and fresh approach to help 6 to 9-year-olds learn and read.

"The Electric Company site enables fluent readers to practice their ability to decode, comprehend text, and build their vocabulary," writes Barr. "Games are a feast for the senses with animated images that appeal to visual learners, auditory feedback for those needing verbal stimulation, and the tactile ability to manipulate parts of words and letter sounds."

PBS Teachers invites educators to visit Media Infusion in February and ask questions, comment on Barr's suggestions or offer some of their own.

Available: February 2009
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/mediainfusion/

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NOVA
The Most Dangerous Woman in America: Disease Detective
Interactive/Online Activity
Gr. 6-8 / 9-12
Emulate an epidemiologist by interviewing witnesses, filling
out a graphic organizer and using logical reasoning skills.
Identify the source of an unknown disease in this interactive
medical mystery.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/typhoid/detective.html
From: http://www.pbs.org/nova/typhoid
Original Air Date: October 12, 2004

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NOVA
Trillion Dollar Bet: Virtual Stock Market
Interactive/Online Activity
Gr. 6-8 / 9-12
Investigate the workings of the stock market by trading
traditional stocks and using call options in this online
interactive activity.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/stockmarket/virtual.html

Created February 2000
"Trillion Dollar Bet"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/stockmarket/

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Nature
Prince of the Alps
On-Air & Online
Gr. 6-8 / 9-12
Sunday, February 1, 2009
8 - 9:00 pm
High in the Austrian Alps, a female red deer, a leader in her
herd, gives birth to a calf. Her status makes him a prince
among the other calves. But hunters, skiers, hikers and pet
dogs, as well as a harsh and icy winter, threaten their
survival. (CC, Stereo, HD, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/prince-of-the-alps/introduction/523/
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/cxfwqf

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American Experience
The Polio Crusade
On-Air & Online
Gr.6-8 / 9-12
Monday, February 2, 2009
9 - 10:00 pm
Based in part on David Oshinsky's Pulitzer Prize-winning book,
"Polio: An American Story," this film chronicles a decades-long
crusade, fueled by the bold leadership of a single philanthropy
and its innovative public relations campaign, and features a
bitter battle between two scientists and the breakthrough of a
now-forgotten woman researcher. (CC, Stereo, HD, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/polio/

[NOTE: American Experience notice pasted below. – Phyllis ]

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NOVA
The Spy Factory
On-Air & Online
Gr. 6-8 / 9-12
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
8 - 9:00 pm
"Inside the Spy Factory" is a gripping investigation of the
NSA, from its tragic failures leading up to the 9/11 attacks to
its secret listening rooms currently installed in the nation's
telecom networks. The program presents groundbreaking new
evidence about how the agency listened in to the phone calls of
key 9/11 plotters, yet failed to realize they were located in
the U.S. (CC, Stereo, HD, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/spyfactory/

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PBS Previews: We Shall Remain: American Experience
On-Air & Online
Gr. 6-8 / 9-12
Sunday, February 01, 2009
8:00 - 9:00 PM
PBS presents a preview of the groundbreaking miniseries that
establishes Native history as an essential part of American
history. Benjamin Bratt narrates the upcoming documentaries,
which tell the story of pivotal moments in U.S. history from
the Native-American perspective. (CC, Stereo, HD, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/
[NOTE: Series starts April 13, 2009]

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Frontline
My Father, My Brother and Me
On-Air & Online
Gr. 6-8 / 9-12
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
9 - 10:00 pm
Beginning with the story of his own Parkinson's diagnosis
several years ago, correspondent Dave Iverson sets out on a
personal journey to understand a disease that scientists
believe could hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the
major brain diseases that afflict millions each year. (CC,
Stereo, HD, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/parkinsons/

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Copyright 2008 PBS Online

*****

From: American Experience on PBS
The Polio Crusade
Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9 pm (check local listings)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/polio/
In the summer of 1950 fear gripped the residents of Wytheville, Virginia. Movie theaters shut down, baseball games were cancelled and panicky parents kept their children indoors - anything to keep them safe from an invisible invader. Outsiders sped through town with their windows rolled up and bandanas covering their faces. The unluckiest victims died or were left paralyzed in the wake of the devastating and contagious virus. Polio had struck in Wytheville. The town was in the midst of a full-blown epidemic. That year alone, more than 33,000 Americans fell victim - half of them under the age of ten.

On Monday, February 2, PBS's AMERICAN EXPERIENCE premieres THE POLIO CRUSADE, a new one-hour documentary from filmmaker Sarah Colt that interweaves personal accounts from polio survivors with the story of an ardent crusader who turned a little-known virus into a national cause.

44 US Presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama
morphed to the music Boléro by Ravel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYrZZ68zhSs
http://www.flixxy.com/presidents-morphing.htm

TeachersFirst Resources for Black History (Grades 0 to 12)
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=9701
http://www.teachersfirst.com/getsource.cfm?id=9701

From the site:
“These reviewed resources from the TeachersFirst database include teaching ideas, research material, and interactive sites for studying Black History in all grades.”

Here are 2 of the 35 sites listed:

Black History Homepage: Patchwork of African-American Life –
AT&T Knowledge Network - Grades 6 to 12
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/BHM/index.html

Site found on TeachersFirst.com

…The site seeks to show how Black History can be explored using the World Wide Web, and includes a very large number of resources. The link labeled "Hotlist" is just that: a collection of links to sites with information related to Black History. The links are nicely sorted into categories. <<>>

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=7375

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From Prejudice to Pride: An African American Journey - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum - Grades 5 to 10
http://www.alplm.org/education/Prejudice_to_Pride.pdf

Site found on TeachersFirst.com

“Celebrate great African-Americans from this complete link. Research those famous in medicine, politics, arts & entertainment, armed forces, and sports. This site is actually a downloadable PDF file of a Teacher's Guide with standards, objectives, printables, discussion questions, and specific activity ideas. The PDF file links to a site that provides a timeline of "prejudice to pride."

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=4509

# posted by Phyllis @ 11:28 PM 0 comments

Newark Public Library Web Guide: African American
http://nplwebguides.pbwiki.com/African+American
From the site:
“…peruse these Internet sites…”
[NOTE: Previously posted. URL and list of sites updated for 2009 - Phyllis ]

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From: The Association for the Study of African American Life and History
http://www.asalh.org/2009NationalBlackHistoryTheme.html
The 2009 Black History Theme: The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas

[NOTE: Not yet updated for 2009, but still a great resource. – Phyllis]
African American History Month 2008
http://www.loc.gov/topics/africanamericans/

A site of features, resources and stories in honor of African American History Month.
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Site found in:
The Scout Report
February 8, 2008
Volume 14, Number 5
-----

The Scout Report on the Web:
Current issue: http://scout.wisc.edu/Reports/ScoutReport/Current/
This issue: http://scout.wisc.edu/Reports/ScoutReport/2008/scout-080208.php

African American History Month
http://www.loc.gov/topics/africanamericans/

February is African American History Month, and, as the Library of Congress
site notes, it's an area of history that should be incorporated into all
discussions about American history. The Library of Congress listened to its
own advice and created this most useful site to help students, teachers, and
others to do just that. First-time visitors may wish to click on the
"African American Voices" to hear audio clips from the Queen of Buganda,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's appearance at the Library's Book Fest, and many
others. Moving down the homepage, visitors can read about a number of
notable African Americans, including historian Carter G. Woodson and
Congressman Major Owens. By clicking on the "Collections" area visitors can
look through some of the digital collections related to various aspects of
African American history. Additionally, the site also has other sections
that provide primary materials on African Americans in the performing arts
as well as oral histories from the Veterans History Project. [KMG]

>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 1994-2008.
http://scout.wisc.edu/

--------Forwarded Message--------

Hi! It's Thursday, August 14, 2008 and time for Geography at
ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Google's My Maps
http://maps.google.com

Age Range: 5+ with supervision

New ClickSchool Reviewer, Michael Hardt wrote today's ClickSchooling Review.

If you've ever visited MapQuest (or Google Maps or Yahoo Maps), you know
that you can pan and zoom a world map from your computer. But did you know
you can customize that map for your homeschooling?

Google calls it "My Maps." The beauty of My Maps is:

1. It's free (except for some text ads).
2. It's easy.
3. Google stores it for you and provides a web address (a URL) that you can
email to friends or family to share your map.

My Maps requires a free Google account.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to Google Maps <http://maps.google.com> .
2. Click the My Maps tab toward the top left.
3. Click the "Create New Map" button. (If you don't have a Google account,
it will prompt you to sign up.)

Once the map comes up, use the features on the map's menu to customize it by
adding colored pins and labels to it, draw lines on it, or even insert
pictures.

You can also use the "Featured Content" menu on the left side of the screen
for ideas and examples of various interactive maps you can make with this
tool including maps with videos, maps that measure distances from one point
to another, maps depicting places of interest, maps that provide
instantaneous weather information and much, much more!

My Maps made the news last October during the San Diego fires. A public
radio station set up a map to track the fires, evacuated areas, and public
shelters. They broadcast the website address and soon thousands of area
residents were visiting their map to learn about the fires.

Once I started thinking about My Maps for homeschooling, the possibilities
seemed endless.

*Label a map with events from your history studies.

*Use the map as a quiz by putting questions onto it.

*Share the map with other families in a reading group. When a child
completes a book, let her add a pin to the map indicating where the author
was from or where the story took place.

*Help young children trace routes to the grocery store or to Grandma's
house.

*Use it as a diary for a family vacation.

One caveat: by default, the map is "Public," which means that any text in
the labels might cause your map to show up in other people's Google
searches. You can click a button that makes it "Unlisted," so that only
someone who keys in the exact map address can find it.

Michael Hardt and
Diane Flynn Keith
for ClickSchooling
Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved
http://www.Homefires.com
http://www.Carschooling.com
http://www.UniversalPreschool.com

*******************************

DID YOU MISPLACE A ClickSchooling Review? Do you need to find an educational website - fast! Visit the ClickSchooling archives at:
http://www.homefires.com/clickschool/archive.asp

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.

Time and Date
http://www.timeanddate.com/
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

“Guide to time zones and calendars around the world. Generate a calendar for a given year and country, convert times between time zones, and find countdowns to the next New Year's Day and other events.”

Source: Refdesk: http://www.refdesk.com

~~~~~~~

Time.gov
URL http://www.time.gov/
Real-time Java-based online clocks giving the official time for all U.S. time zones. A service of the National Technical Information Service and the U.S. Naval Observatory.
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Time Zone Converter
URL: http://www.timezoneconverter.com/
Quick conversion of current time anywhere to GMT, conversion between any two time zones that automatically factors in Daylight Saving Time and other local variances, a feature for setting up customized time zone cards, and a list of time zones by country. Advertiser-supported.

Worldtimezone.com
URL: http://www.worldtimezone.com/
Interactive world time zone map, with a day/night map, a time zone FAQ, a world-wide synopsis of daylight saving time, and many other features. The site is heavy with advertising, including some popups which deploy adware.

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Source: Library of Congress Science Tracer Bullet 08-1
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/tracer-bullets/timetb.html

America Before Pearl Harbor - Early Kodachrome Images
presentation and captions by Johnny Gunn
http://www.openmyeyeslord.net/ALookBackInHistory.htm

Sites found in:
[EDInfo] Teaching Resources
EDInfo@listserv.ed.gov
Date: Aug 14, 2008

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Historians on America
looks at 11 developments that altered the course of U.S.
history: the trial of John Peter Zenger and the birth of
freedom of the press, the Constitutional Convention (1787),
George Washington's concept of a limited Presidency, the
Common School movement, the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890,
the Interstate Highway System (1939-1991), the GI Bill of
Rights, the Marshall Plan, Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon
v. Wainwright, and the Immigration Act of 1965. (Department
of State)
http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=2067
http://www.america.gov/publications/books/historiansonamerica.html

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How the United States Is Governed
examines federal, state, and local governments in the U.S.
Elections and the electoral process, nongovernmental
organizations and institutions that influence public policy,
and how the U.S. system of government is similar to (and
different from) other forms of democratic government are also
described. (Department of State)
http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=2062
http://www.america.gov/publications/books/us_governed.html

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U.S. Institute of Peace: Publications
features analyses and policy recommendations on current
international affairs issues, particularly on the prevention
and resolution of conflict. Recent publications focus on
Iran's internal politics and influence in the Middle East,
Iraq's Interior Ministry, civilian casualties in Afghanistan,
democracy in Egypt, why we should still study the Cuban
Missile Crisis, the conflict in the Niger Delta, Bosnia and
the EU, peace prospects in Lebanon, and more. (U.S. Institute
of Peace)
http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=2066
http://www.usip.org/pubs/index.html
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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Calculator-Controlled Robots
is a guide book for using calculator-controlled robots with
students in Grades 6-9 over the course of one semester.
Missions are built sequentially on the knowledge of previous
activities. The first missions have step-by-step programming
instructions; in later missions, students create their own
programs. Students use math and science concepts to direct
their robots through various challenges. (National
Aeronautics and Space Administration)
http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=2063
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Calculator-Controlled_Robots.html
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/9eqfwo
[NOTE: Other pages from http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/ previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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view an archive of past messages
* http://www.ed.gov/MailingLists/EDInfo/

Daily Grammar
Lesson Archive (440 lessons)
http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.shtml

From the site:
“Welcome to Daily Grammar! Improve your writing with this great instructional tool for all ages and skill levels, Daily Grammar lessons will transform you into a grammar pro!... You are welcome to visit our free Lesson Archive at any time.”

“Teachers have our permission to duplicate and use the Daily Grammar lessons in their classrooms so long as the copyright information is preserved.”

The Poetics of Robert Frost - Carole Thompson - Grades 6 to 12
http://www.frostfriends.org/tutorial-poetics.html

From: The Friends of Robert Frost
http://www.frostfriends.org/index.html
http://www.frostfriends.org/tutorial.html
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Site found on TeachersFirst

This is a lovely, simplistic site that uses Frost's poetry to explain and exemplify figurative language. This is especially helpful for students who might have trouble understanding the abstract explanation of some figurative language definitions. This site uses specific Frost poems to demonstrate what each element is. Learn about figurative language, imagery, meter, sound devices (alliteration, consonance, rhyme, and more), form, tone, and style.

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=9740

The National Underwater and Marine Agency
http://www.numa.net/index.html
From the site:
“The National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) is a 501C3 non-profit, volunteer foundation dedicated to preserving our maritime heritage through the discovery, archaeological survey and conservation of shipwreck artifacts.

“Our purpose is also to reinforce public appreciation of our marine past, present and future by initiating and supporting projects designed to uncover and explore historically significant shipwrecks before they are lost and gone forever.

“Our goals include the protection of these historic sites through public information programs and to make available archaeological reports and data on technical expertise while perpetuating the names and legends of the sea-loving men and women who came before us.”

Shipwrecks
http://www.numa.net/expeditions.html
From the site (with links):
“A Current List of Shipwrecks and Other Artifacts of Historical Significance Either Discovered or Surveyed and Positively or Tentatively Identified by NUMA”

Sites found in:
ConnectEng
The newsletter of Web English Teacher
August 21, 2008

1. What's new at Web English Teacher?

Lloyd Alexander
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/alexander.html
Ideas for teaching The Chronicles of Pyrdain and other books.

Jennifer Armstrong
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/jarmstrong.html
Ideas for teaching Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World and Steal Away.

Polly Horvath
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/horvath.html
Lesson plans and ideas for teaching Everything on a Waffle.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/solzhenitsyn.html
Lesson plans and teaching resources for One Day in the Life of Ivan
Denisovich.

Sports Writing
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/sports.html
Tips for writing sports stories - not just for journalism students.

-------------------------
2. Sites to Check Out

60-Second Shakespeare
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/shakespeare/60secondshakespeare/themes_index.shtml
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/27sbem
On this page, quick summaries of several plays in tabloid style. Follow
links to learn how your students can produce one of their own. (The BBC
project has ended, but this is still a good teaching/learning activity.)

PSAs
http://nortellearnit.org/lessons/Literature/polynomials/
Students work in groups to identify a topic or issue that they feel
passionate about and produce a short PSA (digital video) or "uncommercial"
that demonstrates their perspective or "The Way We See It."

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/resources/lessonplans/amlit_lp_roll_of_thunder.htm
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/bxmreq
This language arts/social studies unit is for middle school students, grades
six through nine. The lessons blend a study of the basic structure, laws,
and etiquette of the Jim Crow System with a reading of Mildred D. Taylor's
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Students then apply what they have learned to
a web quest to create a TV news investigative report documenting the
downfalls of sharecropping during the Jim Crow era.

Carla Beard
Web English Teacher
http://www.webenglishteacher.com

This newsletter is copyright 2008, Web English Teacher.

African-American Soldiers in the Civil War - Library of Congress - Grades 6 to 12
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/timeline/civilwar/aasoldrs/soldiers.html

[NOTE: Home page American Memory Timeline
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/timeline/
and other pages from this site previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Site found on TeachersFirst.com

“The Library of Congress demonstrates the depth of its archival image and documents collection in this site, which records first-hand accounts of the accomplishments and difficulties of African-American soldiers during the Civil War. If you or one of your students are interested in the Civil War, this site is well worth a look.”

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=225

Site found in:
=======
The Scout Report
April 15, 2005
Volume 11, Number 15
=======

Harlem History [RealPlayer]
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/iraas/harlem/index.html

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Harlem is perhaps the most famous African-
American neighborhood in the United States (though over history it has been
host to a number of ethnic groups), and hundreds of its residents have gone
on to major positions of prominence in politics, the arts, and a host of
other areas. This multimedia website, designed by the Columbia University
Digital Knowledge Ventures group (in conjunction with The Institute for
Research in African-American Studies) brings together a number of archival
highlights and scholarship from a number of sources at Columbia University.
The thematic areas on the site include "Arts and Culture", "The
Neighborhood" and "Politics". Visitors can delve into each of these areas
and read essays on the architecture and growth of Harlem, its former Jewish
identity, and the recollections of the famed labor leader A. Philip
Randolph. Finally, the site also contains a number of photo essays of note.
[KMG] [NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2005.
http://scout.wisc.edu/

African Americans- Biography, Autobiography, and History - Yale University - Grades 9 to 12
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/african_americans.asp

[NOTE: Home page http://avalon.law.yale.edu/default.asp previously posted.
URL updated - Phyllis ]
Site found on TeachersFirst.com

This section of the Avalon Project's extensive collection of documents in American law, history, and diplomacy deals with the African American experience. It consists of a selection from each of the following: Martin Luther King, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, W.E.B. DuBois, and Booker T. Washington.<<>>

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=3738

# posted by Phyllis @ 11:06 PM 0 comments

This Day In Black History
http://dayinblackhistory.com/
From the site:
“Each day, DayInBlackHistory.com highlights black icons,
events, and more that have shaped the world on that day in history.
Use the Index to locate information by person's name, historic
events, organizations, or awards.”<<>>

From: AT&T Blue Web'n Weekly Updates, March 21, 2008
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/bluewebn/updates_list.cfm?year=2008&month=3
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/5ln7d5
Scroll down to review for DayInBlackHistory

-------------------------------------
ARCHIVE OF PREVIOUS SITES
-------------------------------------
An archive of updates is located at the AT&T Blue Web'n site at
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/bluewebn/updates.cfm

# posted by Phyllis @ 11:06 PM 0 comments

Under the Microscope: Forensics
http://investigation.discovery.com/investigation/forensics/forensics.html

Some of the pages:

Forensic Lab Tour
Virtual tour of a forensics lab examines the tools investigators use and the science behind evidence.

Walk Through a Crime Scene
To make sure that evidence is preserved, police seal off a crime scene and keep a log of who is allowed to enter. Crime scene investigators then go to work, carefully documenting what they find with notes, diagrams, photos and sometimes a video recording. Take a tour of a typical crime scene.

Amazing Forensic Cases
Here are examples of five modern-day cases in which forensic scientists managed to convict multiple murderers, despite a lack of eyewitnesses who could identify the culprits.

Timeline: History of Forensics

Cool Science for Curious Kids
http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/forkids/index.html
From the site:
“The Howard Hughes Medical Institute
invites curious kids to explore biology...
on screen, off screen, and in between.”

[NOTE: Other pages from Cool Science (http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/ ) previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Sites found in:
Ten Cool Sites, December 2008
http://apps.exploratorium.edu/10cool/index.php
“Exploratorium Ten Cool Sites is a collection of cool, interactive sites from the Web, hand-picked by the Exploratorium.”

Here are 8 of the 10 for December.
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Halifax Harbour
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/halifax/index-eng.php
“The science behind Halifax Harbor: location, origin, the geologic process of shaping the harbor, human effects and harbor myths.”

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Centre of the Cell
http://www.centreofthecell.org/
“The London museum's website, which features numerous links for students to access to further cell understanding. Includes teacher and students areas with activities, ethics of cell research, and more.”

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Chalkbored.
http://www.chalkbored.com/lessons/chemistry-11.htm
“Hundreds of Power Point lessons, labs, worksheets and activities created by a high school chemistry teacher. Information is free for educators and others. (See also http://www.chalkbored.com/lessons/chemistry-12.htm)”
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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Endeavour Botanical Illustrations (Natural History Museum, London)
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/nature-online/endeavour-botanical/
“The voyage of HMS Endeavour (1768-1771) was the first devoted exclusively to scientific discovery. This site presents most of the botanical drawings and engravings prepared by artist Sydney Parkinson before his untimely death at sea, and by other artists back in England working from Parkinson's initial sketches.”

------

Math Vids
http://www.mathvids.com/
“Site featuring hundreds of math instruction videos: teachers create math lessons using Smartboard technology and post them to the Math Vids site. Students access & watch videos and can rate them. Aimed at middle through college students. Must register, but is free.”

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NASA's First 50 Years: An Interactive Journey
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/50th/main.html
“An interactive tour of NASA's first five decades of exploration, featuring virtual pavilions, clickable models and exhibits, video galleries, astronauts, presidents, and a robot guide named Automa.”

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Soungle
http://www.soungle.com/
“Free searchable database of hundreds of downloadable special effects and musical instrument samples.”

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SpaceTime TV
http://www.spacetime.us/tv/
“Site that features video clips from National Geographic, PBS, History Channel and others focusing on math and space. Users can watch up to 50 hours of free content (with commercials). Includes a fun arcade gallery of mind games, such as Tangram House.”

Visualize Science
http://ww2.unime.it/dipart/i_fismed/wbt/mirror/ExplrSci/dswmedia/

From Yahoo review:
“-- a shockwave-laden experience of sights, sounds, and interaction with scientific theory. Observe harmonic motion, mouse genetics, and the physics of golf.” <<>>

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:55 PM 0 comments