StationBreak
May 2008
MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD ON ELECTION DAY
http://VOTE411.org
Still need to register to vote? Just visit the League of Women Voters' elections Web site, VOTE411.org, to get started. Features include the only nationwide polling place locator, an online registration tool, important deadlines, absentee and overseas ballot information, candidate information, and specific details about voting in Arkansas.
AETN KIDS COMPUTER ACADEMY THIS SUMMER
Dates: June 23-27 and July 14-18, 2008
Location: AETN, 350 S. Donaghey, Conway, AR 72034
Age: Kids completing grades 3-5
Cost: $199
Participants will learn how to use Word, Paint Shop, Internet navigation and safety, PowerPoint and e-mail. They will also strengthen self-confidence and communication skills, and have fun!
Kids will bring their lunch, and AETN will provide snacks and beverages throughout the day. Participants will receive a T-shirt, drawstring backpack and a companion notebook.
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ARKANSAS STUDIES
TROUBLED WATERS EXAMINES WATER STATUS IN ARKANSAS
http://www.aetn.org/production/programs/water/video
Arkansas is the fourth highest user of water in the United States, and has the third largest aquifer. Check this Web site to explore the status of water in Arkansas, with a focus on Beaver Lake, El Dorado, Grand Prairie, Gunner Pool, Hartford, Heifer International, Illinois River, Lake Maumelle and Weiner.
For a cross-curriculum math study, check out measuring water flow and quality at the Gunner Lake site.
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ART AND MUSIC
VAUDEVILLIAN, HERE WE COME!
http://www.opb.org/education/atschool/lesson.php?rowid=58
Grades: 3-8
This lesson plan from Oregon Public Broadcasting will share the many aspects involved with creating a fair using vaudeville as the main performing art. Create characters made from papier mache, learn about parades, and organize a school event.
MANIPULATING PHOTOGRAPHS
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/americanphotography/teachersguide/manipulate_parent.html
Grades: 9-12
This lesson plan explores the power of photography as an agent of change. Students will decide if it is acceptable to change a photograph, and will experiment with manipulating photographs.
REPEAT THE BEAT, TAP YOUR FEET LESSON PLAN
http://pbskids.org/jazz/lesson/tap_your_feet.html
Grades: PreK-1
Children practice following a pattern in music, become familiar with the concept of beat, identify tempo, and play the beat at different speeds.
IT'S A BIG, BIG WORLD “MONKEY MUSIC”
http://pbskids.org/bigbigworld/home.html?...
Grades: PreK-2
Create and record a song with Smooch and Winslow in this online interactive game. Choose a beat, add or remove water from glasses and then tap the glasses to make music. Notice how the sounds change as you add and remove the water.
SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/
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COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE
TEACH KIDS TO BE SAFE ONLINE
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2008/04/building_stud...
A new report tackles the pressing challenge of keeping school children safe online. Because the Internet will never be completely safe, we need to teach kids resilience to help them navigate the risks. Learn how parents and schools can give students the media literacy skills they need to use the Internet responsibly.
SOURCE: PBS Parents Weekly Newsletter
http://pbsparents.org
OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING “ART BEAT AT SCHOOL: MAKING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS” LESSON PLAN GIVES INSIGHT TO DISABILITIES
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/newsletter/redir/http://www.opb.org/education/atschool/lesson.php
Grades: 3-8
Consider alternative ways of creating music using non-traditional instruments, and create a percussion instrument out of household materials. Explore art created by people with disabilities by creating art without using hands.
SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/
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EARLY CHILDHOOD
HELP YOUR CHILD FALL IN LOVE WITH WORDS
http://www.pbs.org/parents/readinglanguage/articles/poetry/main.html?campaign=parentsnews_1_poetry
Introduce your child to the sounds and rhythms of language – from Mother Goose to Dr. Seuss. Kids love the cadence and playfulness of the poetry. Find books and techniques to get children excited about sharing words.
SOURCE: PBS Parents Weekly Newsletter
http://pbsparents.org
CARING FOR THE EARTH AROUND US
http://www.pbs.org/parents/special/earthmonth.html?campaign=parentsnews_1_earthmonth
This resource will help you to show kids how to respect the planet. It's never too early to start instilling the values of recycling, conserving water, reducing trash, loving animals and keeping the air clean.
SOURCE: PBS Parents Newsletter
http://pbs.org/parents/preferences/index.html
| PROGRAM | TIME | AGE | FOCUS |
| Arthur | 6:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. | 6-9 years | Reading, writing, social skills |
| Barney & Friends | 11 a.m. | 6 months-3 years | Cognitive, social, emotional and physical development |
| Between The Lions | 1:30 p.m. | 4-7 years | Reading |
| Big Comfy Couch | 12:30 p.m. | PreK | Cognitive, social, emotional and physical development |
| Clifford Puppy Days | 2 p.m. | 4-7 years | Social skills |
| Clifford Big Red Dog | 8:30 a.m. | 4-7 years | Social skills |
| Curious George | 8 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. | 3-5 years | Science, engineering, math |
| Cyberchase | 3 p.m. | 8-12 years | Math |
| Dragon Tales | 9:30 a.m. | 2-7 years | Social skills |
| FETCH! | 4:30 p.m. | 6-10 years | Social skills, problem solving |
| It’s A Big, Big World | 10 a.m. | 3-6 years | Life science, geography |
| Maya & Miguel | 4 p.m. (Mon-Thu) | 6-11 years | Spanish language, social skills |
| Mr. Rogers | noon | 3-5 years | Social skills, self-esteem |
| Reading Rainbow | 1 p.m. | 4-8 years | Reading |
| Sesame Street | 7 a.m. | 2-4 years | Reading, math, social skills |
| Super WHY! | 9 a.m. | 6-8 years | Reading |
| Word Girl | 4 p.m. (Fri.) | 6-8 years | Reading |
| Word World | 6 & 10:30 a.m. | 6-8 years | Reading |
FREE PBS KIDS INTERACTIVE SITES BY AGE LEVEL
http://pbskids.org/
This site connects children to interactive online activities.
| PROGRAMS | AGES |
| Barney | 6 months-3 years |
| Teletubbies | 1-4 years |
| Sesame Street | 2-4 years |
| Berenstain Bears | 2-7 years |
| Dragon Tales | 2-7 years |
| Curious George | 3-5 years |
| Mister Rogers | 3-5 years |
| Boobah | 3-6 years |
| Caillou | 3-6 years |
| It’s a Big Big World | 3-6 years |
| JAKERS! | 4-6 years |
| Between the Lions | 4-7 years |
| Clifford | 4-7 years |
| Reading Rainbow | 4-8 years |
| ZOOM | 5-11 years |
| Arthur | 6-9 years |
| Postcards from Buster | 6-9 years |
| FETCH! | 6-10 years |
| Maya & Miguel | 6-11 years |
| Cyberchase | 8-12 years |
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GRANTS, AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
CONSERVATION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
http://www.agfc.com/education-class/programs/conservation-scholarship-program.aspx
Scholarships for Freshmen and Sophomores: $2,000/calendar year
Scholarships for Juniors and Graduate Students: $3,000/calendar year
Fall Semester Deadline: June 10, 2008
The field of conservation is varied and includes law enforcement, fisheries and wildlife management, public relations, environmental education and interpretation. Specifics for this scholarship are available at the Web site listed above.
GRANTS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PERFORMING ARTS TEACHERS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
http://www.dana.org/grants/rural/
Maximum Award: $50,000
Eligibility: Professional artists teaching performing arts in public schools, in-school arts specialists teaching performing arts in public schools
Deadline: June 4, 2008
The Dana Foundation Rural Arts Initiatives grants funds to professional development programs for performing arts teachers in rural communities. Dana supports projects in various stages of development and approach.
SOURCE: PEN Weekly Newsblast
http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp
JACOB K. JAVITS GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS EDUCATION PROGRAM
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-2/042108b.html
Range of Awards: $300,000-$450,000
Estimated Number of Awards: 6
Eligibility: SEAs, LEAs, institutions of higher education, other public and private agencies
Deadline: June 5, 2008
Purpose: to carry out a coordinated program of scientifically based research, demonstration projects, innovative strategies and similar activities designed to build and enhance the ability of elementary and secondary schools nationwide to meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented students.
Grant Sources
These sources will help locate foundation, government and other grant opportunities. It’s best to start when you have some time to invest, because one thing frequently leads to another link. Grant Writing Tips and Tools
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HEALTH, SAFETY AND FITNESS
AETN's FIGHTING FAT SERIES COMBINES INFORMATION AND EASY TO IMPLEMENT IDEAS
http://www2.aetn.org/fightingfat/
If you are interested in promoting healthy lifestyles in your classroom, school or district, check out this Web site for “crazy, busy fit,” “fitness witness” and “healthy living” video segments.
ZOOM “BLIND SPOT”
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/blindspot.html
Grades: 3-8
Discover the blind spot in the human eye with a simple experiment, then alter the experiment to discover the size and shape of your blind spot.
SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/
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HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES
SELECT FROM ONLINE EXHIBITIONS AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/category.cfm?category=online
Don’t be deterred by distance. You and your students can tour one of the many online exhibitions of the National Museum of American History.
POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER “MEET ME AT THE FAIR”
http://pbskids.org/buster/parentsteachers/lessons.html
Grades: PreK -2
Compare the chores and responsibilities of children on a farm with the students' chores and responsibilities.
SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/
INTERACTIVE GAME EXPLORES ANCIENT MAYAN WORLD
http://www.arkansasdiscoverynetwork.org/kids-quest/mayan_challenge.html
The Arkansas Discovery Network has just released a new online game that takes players into the ancient Mayan world of Palenque, Mexico. Visitors uncover secret treasures from the ancient tombs by decoding Mayan glyphs. Please visit the site to play this game yourself or with a student and fill out the short survey afterwards to let game providers know what you think, so games can be improved.
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LIBRARY, LITERATURE AND READING
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “WALT WHITMAN”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/whitman/
Grades: 9-12
Explore poet Walt Whitman's life story, from his working-class childhood in Long Island to his years as a newspaper reporter in Brooklyn to his death in 1892 at age 72.
SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/
POETRY EVERYWHERE
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/poetryeverywhere
Grades: 6-12
Poetry Everywhere is designed to take a fresh look at poetry using a variety of production approaches.
SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/
THE JOURNAL OF MEDIA LITERACY AVAILABLE
http://www.nationaltelemediacouncil.org/
The Journal of Media Literacy is published twice a year and contains resources for library media specialists and classroom teachers. In addition: the Alliance for A Media Literate America (AMLA) has just opened the new Media Marketplace (formerly the bookstore run by the Center for Media Literacy). If you are thinking about adding media literacy material to your student or professional collection, consider going here: http://www.shopdei.com/amla/.
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MATH AND SCIENCE
ARE YOU READY FOR THE NANOBOTS?
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/games/game_nano.html
Can your child guide a nanorobot safely through an obstacle course? There's only one way to find out! The latest game from DragonFly TV introduces real kids to real science.
SOURCE: PBS Parents Weekly Newsletter
http://pbsparents.org
NOVA “TRILLION DOLLAR BET: VIRTUAL STOCK MARKET”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/stockmarket/virtual.html
Grades: 6-12
Investigate the workings of the stock market by trading traditional stocks and using call options in this online interactive activity.
SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS “OASIS OF THE ANCESTORS” http://www.pbs.org/safarchive/4_class/45_pguides/pguide_304/4534_oasis.html
Grades: 6-12
Explore the history of written communication, and create your own hieroglyphs from logos or other pictographs, letters and pictures (ideograms). Design a theme-based garden, and write a paradox inspired by ancient Hebrew poetry.
SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FREE AETN IDEAS PORTAL AND AETN VIDEOSTREAMING WORKSHOPS
Times:
8:30-11:30 a.m. workshops for Arkansas IDEAS education portal
1-4 p.m. workshops for AETN Videostreaming
Dates:
May 8, 22, 2008
To register for one or more of the workshops, or for more information, call 1-800-488-6689 or send e-mail to education@aetn.org.
As with all professional development courses, allowing in-service credit is at the discretion of the superintendent, principal or other official designated by your district/school. Although courses have been approved by ADE as appropriate for professional development, you will still need to confirm the credit status of the course at a local level.
To make arrangements for either or both workshops at your school or district for a minimum of 10 participants, contact Daoming Chen, 1-800-488-6689, or dchen@aetn.org.
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