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February 2009

ARKANSAS STUDIES

NEW ARKANSAS HISTORY COURSE

Take a nostalgic journey with AETN to some of Arkansas's bridges that are nearly as old as the state itself. Each year, several of these structures are being lost to the ravages of time and the demands of a modern roadway system. In order to preserve these monuments and memories for the future, AETN partnered with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to produce "Historic Bridges of Arkansas."

"Historic Bridges of Arkansas" is an Arkansas Educational Television Network Production. To view the video online professional development course; a broadband connection is required.

This two hour, ADE-approved, Arkansas History course was developed in conjunction with and is brought to you by AETN Education and Production through the Arkansas IDEAS Learn Now! system. Professional Development Credit for this course is only available to Arkansas Teacher's Like You!

ARKANSAS STATE PARKS OPEN DOORS TO ARKANSAS HISTORY

Walk among ancient American Indian mounds (Parkin and Toltec), explore a 19th century courthouse (Historic Washington, Powhatan or Jacksonport), march across a civil war battlefield (Prairie Grove) or learn about the agricultural and economic history of Arkansas (Plantation Agriculture or Lower White River). These parks offer tours and programs designed to immerse you in Arkansas history. Forge a connection with Arkansas's part of the great American story.

STATE PARKS EXPAND SERVICES

Make use of some of the new services provided by Arkansas State Parks.  These resources include:

• The e-newsletter sent once a month and occasionally sending a bonus one for special events. There are several park specific e-newsletters that you can sign up for so you can keep track with what’s going on in a park near you.
• “Tell Us Your Story” allows you to share a great time in a park or a special park memory from years ago.  The “Tell Us Your Story” page allows you to share it online. You can cut-and-paste your story into the template and upload two photos.
• Are you a park friend on facebook yet? If not join the almost 1,000 other friends of Arkansas State Parks. Ask questions, send photos and meet other park enthusiasts. You’ll often find information and photos that you can’t find elsewhere. 
• The YouTube page connects you to television ads and other videos and slideshows that only Arkansas State Parks Internet friends get to see. You can also share your videos from the parks.

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ART AND MUSIC

HOW ART MADE THE WORLD “TO DEATH AND BACK”
http://www.pbs.org/howartmadetheworld/
Grades: 6-12

Probe the compulsion of human beings over thousands of years to surround themselves with powerful and often terrifying images of death. The investigation examines ancient Jericho, Aztec civilizations in Latin America and Italian classical art.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

HOW ART MADE THE WORLD “THE ART OF PERSUASION”
http://www.pbs.org/howartmadetheworld/   
Grades: 6-12

The art of visual storytelling is examined from 20,000-year-old aboriginal paintings to today's films and television.

HOW ART MADE THE WORLD “ONCE UPON A TIME”
http://www.pbs.org/howartmadetheworld/
Grades: 6-12

This program sheds light on how film, the most powerful storytelling medium ever created, exploits techniques invented by artists in the ancient world. The program examines the evolution of storytelling through visual images and sound, from Australian aboriginal paintings dating back tens of thousands of years to such monuments as Trajan's Column in ancient Rome.

“HARDING BLACK AN AMERICAN TREASURE EXPLORING ARCHITECTURE THROUGH CLAY TILES” LESSON PLAN
http://www.klrn.org/learning/hardingblack/
Grades: 3-8

Analyze and describe the effects of balance and composition in famous buildings like the Alamo. Create, fire and paint clay tiles that demonstrate the balance and design found in San Antonio architecture.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

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COUNSELING

DYING TO BE THIN
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/thin/program.html

This hour-long program is divided into eight chapters.  Organized into four to ten-minute segments, this video provides an overview of eating disorders, causes and treatments.  Video segments are excellent starting points for discussion.

IN THE MIX “SCHOOL VIOLENCE: ANSWERS FROM THE INSIDE”
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educators/answers.html
Grades: 6-12

Try any or all of a number of activities designed to help teens deal with threats to their physical or emotional safety in schools. Discover conflict resolution strategies and ways to help promote tolerance and make people feel accepted.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

SECRETS OF A CHILD’S SOCIAL LIFE
http://www.pbs.org/parents/goingtoschool/social_groups.html?utm_source=newsletter1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20090102

Social cliques start to emerge even among young children. Should a parent worry if a child is excluded?

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EARLY CHILDHOOD

DRAGON TALES “FOUR LITTLE PIGS: PUT ON A PLAY”
http://pbskids.org/dragontales/parentsteachers/activities/activity111b.html
Grades: PreK-2

Explore the world of theater by helping your family put on a play. Select a favorite story, cast family members in parts, assemble props and scenery and perform the play while an adult narrates the story.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

A PLACE OF OUR OWN MYSTERY BOX
http://www.aplaceofourown.org/activity.php?id=262
Grades: PreK

Develop language, thinking and problem-solving skills with this game. Guess what everyday item is hidden inside a box after hearing successive clues.

PROGRAMS BY FOCUS AREAS

FREE PBS KIDS INTERACTIVE SITES BY AGE LEVEL
http://pbskids.org/

This site connects children to interactive online activities.

Broadcast Schedule for
Children’s Programs

A.M.
6:00	Between the Lions
6:30	Maya & Miguel
7:00	Curious George
7:30	Sid the Science Kid
8:00	Super WHY!
8:30	Clifford the Big Red Dog
9:00	Sesame Street
10:00	Dragon Tales
10:30	WordWorld
11:00	Super WHY!
11:30	Sid the Science Kid
P.M.
12:00	Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
12:30	Barney & Friends
1:00	Caillou
1:30	Between the Lions
2:00	Reading Rainbow
2:30	Martha Speaks
3:00	Arthur
3:30	Wordgirl
4:00	Fetch with Ruff Ruffman (Mon-Thu)
4:00	Electric Company (Fri)
4:30	Cyberchase

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
Electric Compnay	6-9 years
FETCH!	6-10 years
Maya & Miguel	6-11 years
Cyberchase	8-12 years

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GRANTS, AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

STUDENT ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
http://sammy.bodybymilk.com/index.php
Maximum Award: $7,500
Eligibility: Grade 12 student athletes in a state-accredited private or public high school
Deadline: March 6, 2009

Twenty-five student-athletes will win the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Award, which entails a scholarship and a spot in a Milk Mustache ad to run in USA TODAY.

SOURCE: PEN WEEKLY NEWSBLAST  http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp

HORACE MANN COLLEGE COURSE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EDUCATORS
https://www.horacemann.com/resources/scholarships/default.aspx
Eligibility: Educators employed by U.S. public and private schools with at least two years of teaching experience
Maximum Award: $5,000
Deadline: March 12, 2009

This program provides scholarships for educators to take college courses.

SOURCE: PEN WEEKLY NEWSBLAST  http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp

ING UNSUNG HERO AWARD
http://www.ing-sa.com/us/stellent2/groups/dc/documents/companylobinformation/001143.pdf  
Maximum Award: $25,000
Eligibility: Educators in accredited K-12 public or private schools
Deadline: April 30, 2009

This awards program recognizes innovative and progressive thinking in education.

SOURCE: PEN WEEKLY NEWSBLAST  http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp

COMCAST FOUNDATION DIVERSITY-ORIENTED PROGRAMS
http://www.comcast.com/corporate/about/inthecommunity/foundation/comcastfoundation.html
Maximum Award: $500,000
Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations operating within communities that Comcast serves
Deadline: N/A

The Comcast Foundation is awarding grants to maximize the impact of community investments so they yield tangible, measurable benefits to the neighborhoods Comcast serves and the people who live there. The Foundation's primary focus is in funding diversity-oriented programs that address literacy, volunteerism, and youth leadership development.

SOURCE: PEN WEEKLY NEWSBLAST  http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp

GRANTS FOR FORMAL K-12 EDUCATION
http://www.rgkfoundation.org/#programs
Maximum Award: $25,000
Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations
Deadline: N/A

RGK Foundation awards grants within education to programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading), teacher development, literacy, and higher education.

SOURCE: PEN WEEKLY NEWSBLAST  http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE NATURAL SCIENCES
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/outdoor/index.html
Maximum Award: $2,000
Eligibility: K-12 public schools in the United States
Deadline: N/A

Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper and National Geographic Explorer! Magazine have teamed up to create an outdoor classroom grant program whose focus is to engage students in hands-on natural science experiences and allow enrichment opportunities across the core curriculum.

SOURCE: PEN WEEKLY NEWSBLAST  http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp

 

Grant Sources Forecast of Funding for the U.S. Department of Education  http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html PEN WEEKLY NEWSBLAST  http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp  This site includes grant opportunity, Web links, deadlines, eligibility and maximum grant amounts EducationMoney.com Federal Grants http://grants.gov allows you to search by category, you do not need to register to search for grant opportunities http://grantsalert.com/ 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 If you want factual information about grant writing and samples, be sure to visit the Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal by S. Joseph Levine, Ph.D., Michigan State University, at http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal. “SHOW ME THE MONEY: TIPS & RESOURCES FOR SUCCESSFUL GRANT WRITING” http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev039.shtml

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HEALTH, SAFETY AND FITNESS

ARTHUR “SUPERMARKET ADVENTURE”
http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/supermarket/
Grades: PreK--2

Categorize food items by specific criteria in this interactive game. Help D.W. fill her shopping cart by identifying foods with added sugar, that need to be cooked, that are stored in a cupboard or that share other sorting attributes.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

SITE SHARES WAY TO MOTIVATE KIDS TO GET (AND STAY) FIT
http://www.pbs.org/parents/special/article-motivatetomove.html?utm_source=newsletter1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20080926

This PBS site shares practical ways to motivate kids to get fit.

ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL VIDEO RESOURCES
http://www.archildrens.org/resources/video_library.asp

Learn more about Arkansas Children's Hospital through these informative videos. See and hear patient stories, catch up on the latest news and learn more about the services provided by Arkansas Children's Hospital, its clinics and institutes.

HEALTHY READING FOR KIDS
http://www.pbs.org/parents/special/books-healthyeating.html?utm_source=newsletter1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20081226

What's the best way to build healthy habits for your family this year? If you've already tried rewarding kids, nagging kids and reminding kids, experiment with a new way of reminding them about health and fitness: a good book.

DRAGONFLY TV “PET THERAPY”
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/parentsteachers/tguide_pettherapy.html
Grades: 3-8

Examine the effects of pet therapy on children with chronic pain, study how different styles of music affect a person's heart rate differently and discuss how facial expression reflects a person's feelings.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

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HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES

SLAVERY AND THE MAKING OF AMERICA
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/ 
Grades: 9-12

The first slaves were brought in 1619.  The last were freed in 1865.  This Web site will enable you to examine time and place, share slave memories, explore resources and share the slave experience.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

NOVA “LOST TREATURES OF TIBET” ONLINE VIDEO
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tibet/program.html

This 50-minute series joins a crack restoration team as it tries to prevent priceless medieval Buddhist murals from crumbling into dust.

Program One: Facing the Impermanent
Sacred 500-year-old paintings are crumbling off the walls of a Buddhist monastery, and a Tibetan monk sets off on a pilgrimage to see them.

Program Two: Journey to Lo Monthang
On his way to the monasteries of Lo Monthang, Lama Guru Gyaltsen encounters a hidden cave where deities are said to emanate from the walls.

Program Three: Restoring a Temple's Glory
British Architect John Sanday and art conservator Rodolfo Lujan from Rome contemplate how to resurrect a temple and its murals.

Program Four: Ancient Practices
To bring the temple back to life, the team uses building and painting techniques practiced in the 15th century.

Program Five: Traces of the Masters
An infrared camera detects the original drawings under the painted murals, revealing the intentions of the master artists.

Program Six: The King’s Approval
The king of Mustang arrives to pass judgment on the work of the conservators.

Program Seven: An Uncertain Future
Mustang’s holy temples may still be in peril as the kingdom makes way for roads and automobiles.

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG ELECTRONIC FIELD TRIPS SCHEDULE
http://www.history.org/trips/
Teacher Resources: http://www.history.org/history/teaching/index.cfm
Electronic Field Trips: http://www.history.org/history/teaching/eft.cfm 

Take students on a field trip through time and place.  Visit Colonial Williamsburg in this resource-rich program and Web site.

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009 9 a.m. and noon	Freedom Bound Choice, hope, and escape from slavery are highlighted in stories spanning three centuries.  Examine the options for slaves willing to risk their lives for freedom.  Where could they run?  Whom could they trust?  Learn how these answers changed over time, from the American colonies’ first slave laws to the Underground Railroad before the Civil War.
Thursday, March 26, 2009 9 a.m. and noon	Remember the Ladies In 1776, Abigail Adams requested that her husband, future president John Adams, “remember the ladies” when establishing the government and laws of the new nation.  Examine the roles, responsibilities, and daily activities of early American women.
Thursday, April 23, 2009 9 a.m. and noon	Soldier of Liberty Enlist in the 2nd Virginia Regiment with young recruit Nathaniel Hutcheson and experience the everyday life of a soldier during the American Revolution.  March into battle with Nathaniel as he encounters for the first time the noise, confusion, and horror of war.

 

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LIBRARY, LITERATURE AND READING

AMERICAN MASTERS “ALLEN GINSBERG: POETRY AND POLITICS” LESSON PLAN
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/education/lesson6_overview.html
Grades: 9-12

Understand relationships between literature, culture and society. Explore the effects of author's style and literary techniques on the quality of a work and the influence of the entertainment industry in shaping views.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

WHAT IS PHONICS ANYWAY? RESOURCE FOR PARENTS
http://www.pbs.org/parents/readinglanguage/articles/phonics/main.html?utm_source=newsletter1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20081212

Parents of beginning readers often hear about phonics but wonder how it really works. What does my child's teacher mean when she talks about phonics? Will knowing phonics really help my child learn to read?

WORDGIRL VOCABULARY BINGO LESSON PLAN
http://pbskids.org/wordgirl/parentsandteachers/pt_lessonplans.html
Grades: K-5

Develop vocabulary and strengthen word identificaton skills by matching words to definitions in a variation on the game of Bingo.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

“POETRY EVERYWHERE: EXPLORING CONTRASTS IN THE LANYARD BY BILLY COLLINS” LESSON PLAN
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resources/pe08/rla/genre/poetry/lpcollins/index.html
Grades: 6-12

Examine a poem to explore its basic theme - an exploration of mother love - and use of language to evoke emotions. Discover how the poet uses comparison, humor and irony to keep the message of love from lapsing into a cliche.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

PBS PARENTS GUIDE TO READING AND LANGUAGE “WRITING DEVELOPMENT”
http://www.pbs.org/parents/readinglanguage/writing/main.html
Grades: PreK-2

Tour a portfolio of writing samples by one child from babyhood to third grade that help illustrate how writing develops naturally as well as the relationship between reading and writing. Consider literacy signposts at each level.

 

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

“ALLEN GINSBERG: POETRY AND POLITICS” LESSON PLAN
http://pbskids.org/newsflashfive/parentsteachers/getthescoop/index.html
Grades: 3-8

Discover how to use effective questioning techniques to gather information for a news story. Learn about the structure of a news story, and then research and write a news story about an event at school.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

MASTERPIECE THEATRE CLASSICS SCHEDULE

Feb. 15 and 22, 2009 9-10:30 p.m.	“Oliver Twist” (a new 3-hour mini-series) Author: Charles Dickens Originally published: 1838
March 15 and 22, 2009	“David Copperfield” (3-hour mini-series) Author: Charles Dickens Originally published: 1850
March 29 to April 26, 2009	“Little Dorrit” (a new 8-hour mini-series) Author: Charles Dickens Originally published: series published 1855-1857
May 3, 2009	“The Old Curiosity Shop” (a new 90-minute movie) Author: Charles Dickens Originally published: 1841

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MATH AND SCIENCE

NOVA “ISLAND OF STABILITY”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3313/02.html

What is the Island of Stability and what does it have to do with creating element 114?  Watch this 12-minute video to find the answer.

COUNT ON IT KINDERGARTEN MEASURING GAME
http://www.gpb.org/countonit/games/kindergarten/measuring
Grades: K-2

Determine the relative length of a pencil using paper clips to "measure" in this online interactive game provided by Georgia Public Broadcasting.

SOURCE: PBS Teachers Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/preferences/

NOVA EXAMINES DARK MATTER
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0301/01.html

This 12-minute video explores the mysterious, invisible substance that holds the universe together.

“MAMMOTH MYSTERY” REVISITS AN ANCIENT BATTLE
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0306/03.html

Solve the mystery of how the tusks of these two mammoths became entwined, and the unexpected forces that kept them “locked in time”  Unravel the ancient death secretes of these two giants.

WHAT CAUSED THE MASS EXTINCTION OF LIFE AT THE END OF THE PERMIAN AGE?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3318/01.html

Is the smell of rotten eggs an indicator of the cause of the mass extinction of life at the end of the Permian Period?  Did the strange Siberian volcanoes trigger the destruction?  Could bacteria turn the entire world into a gas chamber?  Find the answers in this 13-minute video.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

FREE AETN IDEAS PORTAL AND AETN VIDEOSTREAMING WORKSHOPS

AETN offers free professional development workshops for Arkansas teachers. 

The Arkansas IDEAS Workshop walks educators through all educational resources offered by AETN and a hands-on experience using the IDEAS portal. AETN Videostreaming Workshop will help educators understand the full range of features videostreaming offers.

Participants in either workshop will earn three technology professional development hours.

Workshop Schedule
January – May, 2009

Date	Workshop Schedule
Feb,5, 2009	AR IDEAS 8:30-11:30 a.m.	AETN Videostreaming 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Mar. 5, 2009	AR IDEAS 8:30-11:30 a.m.	AETN Videostreaming 1:00-4:00 p.m.
April 2, 2009	AR IDEAS 8:30-11:30 a.m.	AETN Videostreaming 1:00-4:00 p.m.
May 7, 2009	AR IDEAS 8:30-11:30 a.m.	AETN Videostreaming 1:00-4:00 p.m.
The scheduled workshops will be held in the AETN Computer Lab, 350 S. Donaghey Ave. Conway, AR 72034.

For registration, please call 1-800-488-6689, or email to education@aetn.org. 

We also conduct workshops at schools around the state at no cost to the school district. You can contact us to schedule one for your school today!

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