Wednesday, June 17, 2009

 

Wed., June 17, 2009 - ADMIN: Short Break...

Readers,

I will be away for a few days. Posts will resume next week.

- Phyllis

 

Wed., June 17, 2009 - Poetry Portal

Poetry Portal - http://www.poetry-portal.com/
This is a very comprehensive and informative collection of
links about poetry online, events, courses, styles, and
publishing. The site also covers "ezines, poetry sites, audio
poetry, literary appreciation, criticism and reviews, poetry
courses, workshops, conferences, book and trade news,
literary chit-chat and trade news, plus sources to improve
your own writing and get it published."
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Source: Librarians' Internet Index

 

Wed., June 17, 2009 - Glossary of Poetic Terms / Examples of Poetic Terms

Glossary of Poetic Terms
http://www.poeticbyway.com/glossary.html

From the site:
“A Unique Guide for the Study of Poetry”
Featuring:
Phonetic pronunciation, Cross references, Broad range of definitions, Numerous examples, A wealth of poetic quotations, Writers' guidelines, and Hyper-linked keywords & cross references

[NOTE: Previously posted. Last modified on June 5, 2009 - Phyllis ]

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Examples of Poetic Terms
http://www.poeticbyway.com/xamples.htm

 

Wed., June 17, 2009 - Center for the Study of Science Fiction / About SF: A Science Fiction Resource Center

Center for the Study of Science Fiction
http://www2.ku.edu/~sfcenter/

“The best current site, without question, is that sponsored by the Center for the Study of Science Fiction at the University of Kansas. It contains a treasure of information and links to other resources. It is the one place to start for anyone seeking information about teaching science fiction.” - Dennis M. Kratz, ANATOMY OF WONDER

Science Fiction Websites and Other Resources
http://www2.ku.edu/~sfcenter/other.htm

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Sister Site:

AboutSF - A Science Fiction Resource Center
http://www.aboutsf.com/

From the site:
“Lessons Library features sample syllabi, lesson plans, and reader's guides for science fiction courses in a variety of educational areas and levels.”

 

Wed., June 17, 2009 - Sites from The Scout Report, October 31, 2008

Sites found in:
=======
The Scout Report
October 31, 2008
Volume 14, Number 43
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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-081031.php

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American Museum of Natural History: Science Bulletins [Macromedia Flash
Player]
http://www.amnh.org/sciencebulletins/

Going to the American Museum of Natural History is a pretty wonderful
experience, but if you can't make it to the Upper West Side of New York on a
regular basis, you can still keep in touch via their Science Bulletins.
These online video features bring curious visitors the latest developments
in the fields of astrophysics, human biology, biodiversity, and evolution.
The Bulletins contain additional resource links, educator resources, and a
guide designed specifically for science educators to help them incorporate
the Bulletins into classroom work. All of the Bulletins are produced through
the collaboration of in-house writers, producers, and designers. They are
offered here in sections that include "Astro", "Earth", "Bio", and "Human",
and visitors are welcome to browse through the full-features,
visualizations, and snapshots. First-time visitors might want to start by
viewing either the feature on invasive species or "The Last Wild Horse: The
Return of Takhi to Mongolia". [KMG]

----

The Archaeology Channel Video Guide [Real Player, Windows Media Player]
http://www.archaeologychannel.org/
http://www.archaeologychannel.org/content/videoguide.asp

Based in Oregon, The Archaeological Legacy Institute (ALI) was founded in
1999 in order to bring "the benefits of archaeology to a wider
constituency." They have succeeded mightily in this quest, and their main
website contains a wide range of educational resources, reports, and other
relevant materials. One of their most fascinating resources is their
collection of video programs. Visitors can use the "Video Guide", found on
the homepage, to view over 50 ALL programs in their entirety. Most of the
programs are under an hour in length, and they include profiles of ancient
mound builders in Louisiana, the history of an abandoned farming community
in North Carolina, and excavation work at the Foguang Temple in China.
Overall, it's a remarkable site, and if visitors are inclined to do so,
there's a place for them to make a donation on the site. [KMG]
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

------

Congressional Hearings: Law Library of Congress [pdf]
http://www.loc.gov/law/find/hearings.html

Recently, the Law Library of Congress and Google teamed up on a
collaborative pilot project to digitize the Law Library's entire collection
of 75,000 volumes of printed Congressional Hearings. For those who might not
be familiar with these hearings, they typically contain testimony from
members of Congress, interest groups, and policy experts. The intent of this
initial digitization project is to produce text-readable versions of these
hearings and to make them available as quickly as possible. Currently, the
site contains three thematic collections that cover hearings on the U.S.
Census, freedom of information, and immigration. Visitors can browse through
them at their leisure and even offer their own comments on the quality of
the image and any general comments as well. [KMG]

----

Canada Virtual Science Fair [pdf]
http://www.virtualsciencefair.com/

Real science fairs can be great fun, but there's nothing wrong with a
virtual science fair, and in the case of the Canada Virtual Science Fair,
there's so much that's right. Started in 1999, the Virtual Science Fair is
an annual online science and technology contest open to all Canadian
students in grades K-12. While non-Canadians aren't eligible to participate,
everyone can benefit from the tremendous science education resources on the
site. First off, visitors will want to learn about the past winning projects
by clicking on the "All Projects" section on the site. Visitors to this
section will learn about each project, their team, and so on. Along the
right side of the homepage visitors can view the "Special Awards" area. Here
they will find information about interesting projects that include
"Harvesting Our Nature's Gas Station", "Ice: A Slippery Topic", and "River
Pollutants Effect on River Bacteria". Additionally, visitors should be sure
to check out their weblog and their online forum. [KMG]

-----

Science in Focus [Macromedia Flash Player]
http://www.sumanasinc.com/scienceinfocus/scienceinfocus.html

Sumanas Inc.'s website offers a wide range of material, such as animations
of scientific processes, for a range of scientific disciplines, but here
visitors will find their "Science in Focus" section of the website. Some of
the topics that are brought to life with animating technology are antibiotic
resistance, stem cell research, malaria, anthrax, gene therapy, and peptic
ulcers. Click on "Go to Presentation" next to your topic of choice, and
you'll be taken to a page that has the animation ready to play, but also has
several links to outside sources of information. When you're ready to view
the animation, click on the link "Click to view animation" and you'll be
shown a simple player that will allow you to listen to the narration while
viewing the animation, or read the text while viewing the animation.
Visitors shouldn't miss the Malaria Parasite animation for an explanation of
how humans, mosquitoes, and the Plasmodium parasite all have to be involved
to successfully pass on malaria. [KMG]

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Mediastorm [Macromedia Flash Player]
http://mediastorm.org/

The principal aim of MediaStorm is "to usher in the next generation of
multimedia storytelling by publishing social documentary projects
incorporating photojournalism, interactivity, animation, audio and video for
distribution across multiple media." Many people have taken notice of their
fine work thus far, as they have garnered several Emmys and a couple of
Webby Awards in recent years. On their site, visitors can view some of their
recent work, either by clicking on any image or by clicking on "Menu" at the
top of the page. From the menu, visitors should click on "Projects", which
includes a drop-down menu of their work and provides a brief synopsis along
with each image. The subject matter covered here is tremendous, as visitors
can look in on portraits of modern Rwanda, the global trade in wildlife, and
the aftermath of Chernobyl. Moving on, visitors can subscribe to their RSS
feed, podcasts, and newsletter in the "Subscribe" section. Finally, visitors
will also want to read up on their weblog about their latest and future
projects, and maybe even wander on over to their online store. [KMG]

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Dying Speeches & Bloody Murders: Crime Broadsides
http://broadsides.law.harvard.edu/

"Dying speeches & Bloody Murders" might not sound like a site to visit right
before bedtime, but this engaging and fascinating collection brings together
an important set of crime broadsides that will engage the attention of
historians, legal scholars, and anyone with an interest in the history of
crime and punishment. This collection comes from the Harvard Law School
Library, and the conservation and digitization of these broadsides was made
possible by a generous grant from the Peck Stacpoole Foundation. These
broadsides would have been sold in much the same way a program would be sold
today at a major sporting event. Their price was usually quite low, and they
usually featured a description of the crime in question and a variety of
illustrations. Here visitors can view over 500 of these broadsides, and they
can browse around at their leisure, or search by category or keyword.

-----

Seventy years later, Orson Welles' "The War of the Worlds" remains
electrifying

Scary "War" put Welles on map
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2008310729_waroftheworlds27.html
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/6ejznd

Ball St. recreating 'War of the Worlds' broadcast
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-in-marsattacks-broad,0,5630576.story
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/nxfsdr

The Hyped Panic Over 'War of the Worlds'
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v55/i09/09b01601.htm

Orson Welles' complicated feelings for Kenosha
http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/movies/33095059.html

A history of Grover's Mill
http://www.war-ofthe-worlds.co.uk/grovers_mill.htm
[NOTE: Home page http://www.war-ofthe-worlds.co.uk/ previously posted. - Phyllis ]

The Mercury Theatre on the Air [Real Player]
http://www.mercurytheatre.info/
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Orson Welles was quite the wunderkind by October
30th, 1938 when his broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" was heard by
millions across the United States on the radio. He had spent the previous
two years working on a number of radio and theatrical productions, including
the labor-themed opera "The Cradle Will Rock" and an all African-American
production of "Macbeth" which was very well received. A number of theatrical
groups around the country are remembering the famous "War of the Worlds"
broadcast this week by staging their own recreations of that fateful and
stirring performance. Seventy years ago, phone lines were ringing as a
number of terrified listeners called into their local police department to
report the news of an alien invasion. The aliens had apparently touched down
first in tiny Grover's Mill, New Jersey, and even though the beginning of
the program had featured a bit of a disclaimer, some were convinced that the
end was near. Of course, some were not convinced in the least, including
Henry Brylawski, 95, who stated emphatically, "It didn't make an impression
on me at all." Professor Scott O'Callaghan recently commented that the
program "unleashed a wave of panic, but also seemed to crystallize the fears
of the era, coming as it did with the United States poised to take up arms
in World War II." Seven decades on, it remains an electrifying performance
and you may wish to seek out a recreation near you this week, if you have
the chance. [KMG]

The first link leads to a recent Seattle Times article which talks about the
effect of the "War of the Worlds" broadcast on Welles' career. The second
link leads to a piece from the Chicago Tribune which talks about one of the
upcoming recreations of this famous broadcast at Ball State University. The
third link will whisk users away to a thoughtful piece from the Chronicle of
Higher Education by Professor Michael J. Socolow. In the article, Socolow
talks about the initial panic the broadcast caused and he goes on to talk
about the follow-up study that looked into the public response and reaction
to the program. Moving on, the fourth link will lead visitors to a news
article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which talks about Welles'
feelings about his hometown of Kenosha. Suffice it to say, Welles was not
terribly enamored of the city, but he did note that he was a "confirmed
badger". The fifth link leads to a site that provides a bit of a background
on the town of Grover's Mill, New Jersey. The last link will lead visitors
to an online archive of fine Mercury Theatre productions, including (of
course) the complete "War of the Worlds" broadcast. [KMG]

---------------

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

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

 

Tues., June 16, 2009 - Lady Liberty - Fireworks!

Lady Liberty – fireworks -
http://doody36.home.comcast.net/~doody36/liberty.htm

Move and click your mouse above Lady Liberty. The faster you click, the more you see.

 

Tues., June 16, 2009 - Fireworks-Releated Injuries (2) / Dangers of Fireworks / Have a Safe & Healthy Summer (June-July 2009)

Fact Sheet: Fireworks-Related Injuries
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fworks.htm>

From the site:
“Fireworks-related injuries are most common on and around holidays associated with fireworks celebrations, especially July 4th and New Year's Eve.”

----

Injuries from Fireworks
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/firework_spot.htm

[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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U.S. Fire Administration, The Dangers of Fireworks
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/tfrs/v5i4.pdf

From the site:
“It would be hard to imagine July 4th festivities in the United States without public displays of fireworks, and a number of other holidays, such as New Years, often call for big shows as well. But celebrations can become tragic when someone is injured by consumer fireworks. Despite federal and state regulations on the type of fireworks available for sale to the general public, even those fireworks that are sold legally carry an elevated risk of personal injury.”

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Have a Safe & Healthy Summer (June/July 2009)
http://www.cdc.gov/omhd/Highlights/2009/HJuneJuly09.htm

From the site:
“Every year Americans look forward to summer vacations, camping, family reunions, picnics, and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings drownings, injuries from fireworks, and other seasonal illnesses and injuries. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy as you head for summer!”

 

Tues., June 16, 2009 - Fourth of July is Independence Day

Fourth of July is Independence Day
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence_Day.shtml

From the site:
“Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag.”

 

Tues., June 16, 2009 - Independence Day

Independence Day
http://www.educationworld.com/holidays/archives/independence.shtml

From the site:
“Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
The United States celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
And Education World brings you great sites to explore, games to play, and lesson plans that will help your students recognize how the United States became an independent nation.”

Updated for Independence Day 2009

Monday, June 15, 2009

 

Mon., June 15, 2009 - StateMaster: U.S. Statistics and State Comparisons

StateMaster: US Statistics and State Comparisons
http://www.statemaster.com/index.php
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

From the site:

“Welcome to StateMaster, a unique statistical database which allows you to research and compare a multitude of different data on US states. We have compiled information from various primary sources such as the US Census Bureau, the FBI, and the National Center for Educational Statistics. More than just a mere collection of various data, StateMaster goes beyond the numbers to provide you with visualization technology like pie charts, maps, graphs and scatterplots. We also have thousands of map and flag images, state profiles, and correlations.”

 

Mon., June 15, 2009 - American Presidents: Discover Our Shared History Travel Itinerary

American Presidents: Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/presidents/

From the site:
“From George Washington's precedent-setting refusal to seek a third term to the present day, the presidents of the United States who led the nation, growing it from an infant republic to a global superpower, have all left their mark. This travel itinerary aids visitors in exploring the lives and contributions of 43 American Presidents.”

List of Sites
http://www.nps.gov/history/NR/travel/presidents/list_of_sites.html
Includes portraits and links for each of the 43 American Presidents.

[NOTE: Some Travel Itineraries from http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/ previously posted. - Phyllis ]

 

Mon., June 15, 2009 - Mr. Kash's History Page

Mr. Kash’s History Page
http://mrkash.com/

“Welcome to MrKash.com. I am a history teacher at Madison Middle School in North Hollywood, California. I have designed this website to be used by history students and teachers interested in exploring the Internet as part of their studies.”

Page includes links to sites on U.S. History, World History, Ancient History, and General History .

Source: Busy Educator's Newsletter

 

Mon., June 15, 2009 - Juneteenth

History of Juneteenth
http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm

From the site:
“… in 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.” <<>>

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Juneteenth: A Holiday in Celebration of Freedom
http://afroamhistory.about.com/od/juneteenth/a/juneteenth.htm

From the site:
“Upon the General's arrival, he read General Order Number 3 to the newly freed slaves from the balcony of Ashton Villa in Galveston, Texas. The order stated:

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer. The freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts, and that they will not be supported in idleness, either there or elsewhere.” <<>>

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