Phyllis' Favorites

Pew Survey: July 9, 2009
Public Praises Science; Scientists Fault Public, Media
Scientific Achievements Less Prominent Than a Decade Ago
http://people-press.org/report/528/

“Americans like science. Overwhelming majorities say that science has had a positive effect on society and that science has made life easier for most people…And scientists are very highly rated compared with members of other professions…However, the public has a far less positive view of the global standing of U.S. science than do scientists themselves.” <<>>

Source: The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
http://people-press.org/

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:20 PM 0 comments

Simple Machines - Museum of Science and Industry - Grades 3 to 8
http://www.msichicago.org/online-science/simple-machines/activities/simple-machines/
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/m43agk
http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/exhome.html

Site found on TeachersFirst.com:

This site offers an exciting interactive activity utilizing the four standard simple machines. Come along with “Twitch,” the main character in this activity. Help Twitch find the spare robot parts throughout the museum and create simple machines. The site is very entertaining and even older students will enjoy learning through playing. At the conclusion of the activity, the force used for each segment of the game is displayed. Players are awarded points based on how little force was used as "Twitch" does not like to exert more effort or force than necessary.

The intro to the game is definitely worth watching to give students the "why" of the game. The only drawback is that while the player is to be reading the directions, the cursor changes to types of food and "Twitch" chases after it to eat the food. This could be distracting for some students. Although, it does add to the humor and excitement of the game.

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=10188

[NOTE: Chicago Museum of Science and Industry – Online Science
http://www.msichicago.org/online-science/
http://www.msichicago.org/online-science/activities/
- previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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How to Grow a Worm Farm - Museum of Science and Industry - Grades 2 to 9
http://www.msichicago.org/online-science/activities/activity-detail/activities/construct-a-worm-farm/
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/n8njcm

Site found on TeachersFirst.com:

“This site offers instructions on how to create a worm farm. The materials are everyday items that are inexpensive. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. The project itself appeals to the "gross" factor that students love. Worms are easy to control and pose little threat in the classroom and observing them move through ground is entertaining for all.”

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=10190

Why Leaves Change Color
State University of New York
http://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/leaves/leaves.htm
From the site:
“Every autumn we revel in the beauty of the fall colors. The mixture of red, purple, orange and yellow is the result of chemical processes that take place in the tree as the seasons change from summer to winter.” <<>>

The Scientific Basis for Autumn
http://ncnatural.com/wildflwr/fall/science.html
From the site:
“The largest factor in why leaves change color in the autumn is photoperiodism-the length of day and night. As the nights get longer in Autumn, the process of senescence becomes apparent through color change and the falling of leaves, leading the tree into it's winter dormancy.” <<>>

For a less scientific explanation, please see Fall Foliage Facts.
http://ncnatural.com/wildflwr/fall/fallfact.html

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:18 PM 0 comments

Sites found in:
NEAT NEW STUFF, January 30, 2009

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Global Warming Animated - Worldchanging
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/009214.html
Sometimes what you need to explain a complicated idea is a really good filmmaker or animator. Here are several.

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John Thurlow's Children's Sites
http://www.johnthurlow.com/children/Childrens_Home/children.htm
I like the way this man organizes sites for kids - not just in standard subject categories like math and social studies, but also under thinking, imagination & art, fun& challenge, funny things, cool videos, etc.

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Top 100 Science Stories of 2008 - Discover Magazine
http://discovermagazine.com/columns/top-100-stories-of-2008
Odds are you missed some of these stories, so here's a good place to catch up. You can browse more specifically through "The Year in Environment News," Health & Medicine, Gemetics, etc.

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

Sites found in:
EduHound's Classroom Tools & Tips

The September 3, 2009 issue of EduHound's Classroom Tools & Tips is located at:
http://www.1105newsletters.com/t.do?id=3267163:15418865

Topic :: HISPANIC HERITAGE
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

National Hispanic Heritage Month @ The Library of Congress
A portal that brings together the exhibits and features of their various offices that highlight Hispanic Heritage.
http://www.loc.gov/topics/hispanicheritage/
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Hispanic Heritage Month: National Register of Historic Places
This site highlights various properties listed in the National Register, travel itineraries, education lesson plans and National Parks that deal directly with the cultural and political experiences of Hispanic Americans.
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/feature/hispanic/index.htm

National Hispanic Heritage Month @ EDSITEment
EDSITEment celebrates the history and artistic heritage of the Hispanic people whose cultural heritage has roots in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
http://edsitement.neh.gov/monthly_feature.asp?id=145

Smithsonian Latino Center
By facilitating the development of exhibitions, research, collections, and educational programs at the Smithsonian and its affiliated organizations, the Center turns a powerful spotlight on Latino heritage and culture in our country.
http://latino.si.edu/

NMAH: Mexican America
Features a sampling of objects from the collections of the National Museum of American History. The stories behind these objects reflect the history of the Mexican presence in the United States.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/group_detail.cfm?key=1253&gkey=100
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/mop6rj

Spanish Colonial Research Center
Contains a computerized data base from Spanish colonial documents to serve the research needs of the National Park Service's Spanish Colonial Heritage sites as well as other appropriate federal, state and local organizations.
http://www.nps.gov/history/spca/Index.htm

Bring Hispanic Heritage Month to Life (K-8)
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=386&eml=TNL/20090901/TNL
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/mwveg8

From the site:
“Celebrate the cultures and traditions of those who can trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking countries of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.” <<>>

Page includes links to articles, activities, resources and lesson plans.

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/?eml=TNL/20090901/TNL

Hispanic History in the Americas
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/americas.htm

Meet Famous Latinos
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/meet.htm

Latinos in History
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/history.htm

My Heritage: What Does My Heritage Mean to Me?
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/heritage.htm
From the site:
“We asked some Americans of Hispanic descent what their heritage means to them.”

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:52 PM 0 comments

Eight Sites for Exploring Conflict Resolution in the Classroom
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr170.shtml

Are you looking for conflict resolution materials to use in the classroom? This week, Education World offers eight sites that provide a wide range of practical materials for supporting and instituting conflict resolution programs in our schools.

Links last updated 05/04/2009

Study Stack - John Weidner - Grades 4 to 12
http://www.studystack.com/
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Site found on TeachersFirst.com:

“This site is filled with study tools to help students learn information in a variety of subject areas. Stacks of topics related to geography, history, math, languages, medical, tests (SAT, ACT, etc.), science and more are linked with collections of learning tools that include virtual study cards, matching games, word search puzzles, and hangman games. There really is something here for nearly all subject areas and grade levels! Students can select the tool that works best for them and work at their own pace until they are satisfied with their progress. If you can’t find a stack to fit your needs, you can edit existing lists or create customized study stacks. The site also allows you to print out study cards, or export flash cards to study them via cell phones, PDA, or iPod. Email the stacks to peers or connect with Study Stack through Facebook. Some of the activities require Java.”

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=10129

Constitution Day
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson347.shtml

From the site:
“How will you recognize Constitution Day in your classroom? Education World has gathered resources that will help you find the perfect way -- whether you teach kindergarten or college. Dozens of lesson ideas and other resources provide the tools you will need to recognize Constitution Day this year and in years to come.” <<>>
[NOTE: Site updated 8/31/09. – Phyllis ]

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:19 PM 0 comments

Sites found in:

Librarians' Internet Index
Websites you can trust!
NEW THIS WEEK, September 11, 2008
Read This Online : http://lii.org/cs/lii/print/news/165

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Constitution Day
"Constitution Day celebrates the signing of the final draft of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. To commemorate Constitution Day, FindLaw provides information and resources on the U.S. Constitution, and much more." Find links to sites about the observance of Constitution Day and legal commentary on the Constitution.
URL: http://public.findlaw.com/constitution-day/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26808

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Bird Migration Facts
Fact sheet about avian migration, "the seasonal movement of birds, generally between breeding and non-breeding areas." Topics includes why birds migrate, how they prepare for migration, when and how far they migrate (and at what altitude), how fast birds fly, how birds navigate, and what we can learn from migration. From the Zoological Society of Milwaukee.
URL: http://www.zoosociety.org/Conservation/BWB-ASF/Library/BirdMigrationFacts.php
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/b7goq8
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26771

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Hot Topics: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Background and links about National Hispanic Heritage month (September 15-October 15). Includes a discussion of what is meant by Hispanic ("not a racial identification. ... [but] more of a regional identification"), a list of Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas, and links to sites about issues confronting Hispanics, contributions of Hispanics, and other related matters. From the Daniel J. Evans Library, Government Documents/Maps, the Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington.
URL: http://govdocs.evergreen.edu/hotopics/hispanicheritage/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26738
[Updated June 16, 2009]
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Librarians' Internet Index
Websites You Can Trust!
http://lii.org/
Copyright 2008 by Librarians' Internet Index.

September 11 Digital Archive
http://911digitalarchive.org/

The September 11 Digital Archive uses electronic media to collect, preserve, and present the history of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath. The Archive contains more than 150,000 digital items, a tally that includes more than 40,000 emails and other electronic communications, more than 40,000 first-hand stories, and more than 15,000 digital images.
Related site: 9-11 Health - http://www.nyc.gov/9-11healthinfo
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Source: Refdesk: http://www.refdesk.com

Understanding H1N1, the Swine Flu: TeachersFirst Editors' Choices - TeachersFirst - Grades 0 to 12
http://www.teachersfirst.com/getsource.cfm?id=10215
Site contains 12 annotated links.

Found on TeachersFirst.com
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=10215

“The potential spread of Swine Flu in schools and among young people is a major concern. TeachersFirst's editors have collected this helpful information for teachers, students, and parents to better understand the virus, how it is spread, and what YOU can do to stay healthy. This collection of resources has been hand-picked for accuracy and for age-appropriateness with students and so we may all participate in healthy prevention of the swine flu.”

The Beloit College Mindset List for the Class of 2013
http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2013.php

From the site:

“Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List. It provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college.”
“It is also not deliberately designed to make readers feel really old!”
Most students entering college for the first time this fall were born in 1991.

[NOTE: Other years previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Facts for Features: Labor Day 2009: Sept. 7
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013970.html
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/kvbsno

“The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a “Labor Day” on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.” <<>>

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Facts for Features: Grandparents Day 2009: Sept. 13
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013971.html
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/mdy6q5

“Grandparents Day was the brainchild of Marian McQuade of Fayette County, W.Va., who hoped that such an observance might persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage of their grandparents. President Jimmy Carter signed the first presidential proclamation in 1978 — and one has been issued each year since — designating the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The first official observance was Sept. 9, 1979. In honor of our nation’s grandparents, the Census Bureau presents an array of data about these unsung role models and caregivers.”

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Facts for Features: Hispanic Heritage Month 2009: Sept. 15 – Oct. 15
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013984.html
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/mk92ge

“In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.” <<>>

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:05 PM 0 comments

Sites found in:

Librarians' Internet Index
Websites you can trust!

NEW THIS WEEK, August 21, 2008
Read This Online : http://lii.org/cs/lii/print/news/162

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Banned Books Week
Website about the events related to this celebration (started in 1982 and observed in late September-early October), which "was launched to draw attention to the growing number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries." The site, launched in summer 2008, has a growing list of banned book displays and events at libraries, schools, and bookstores. Also includes links to related resources. From the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression. [Site updated for 2009]

URL: http://bannedbooksweek.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26688
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How Labor Won Its Day
This article traces the history of Labor Day back to "Peter McGuire, an Irish-American cabinet maker and pioneer unionist who proposed [in 1882] a day dedicated to all who labor." Also describes Labor Day activities in Detroit, such as the annual march across the Mackinac Bridge, and how Labor Day rallies in Detroit became the launching pad for Democratic presidential candidates to announce their campaigns. From the Detroit News.
URL: http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=150&CFID=11882169&CFTOKEN=62855435
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/58zrgc
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26536

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Labor Day
Collection of links relating to Labor Day. "Labor Day -- the first Monday in September -- celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America." Topics include history, facts, labor unions, and job search. From USA.gov, the U.S. government's official Web portal.
URL: http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Labor_Day.shtml
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26537

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

Copyright 2008 by Librarians' Internet Index.

Facts for Features: Back to School: 2009-2010
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013847.html
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/l6gjma

“Summertime winding down and summer vacations coming to an end signal that back-to-school time is near. It’s a time that many children eagerly anticipate — catching up with old friends, making new ones and settling into a new daily routine. Parents and children alike scan the newspapers and Web sites looking for sales to shop for a multitude of school supplies and the latest clothing fads and essentials. This edition of Facts for Features highlights the many statistics associated with the return to classrooms by our nation’s students and teachers.” <<>>

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:04 PM 0 comments

It was a VERY busy month. Sorry I didn't get any sites posted. Hope you all had a wondeerful summer!
- Phyllis