Barbara and Jenna to Sasha and Malia

Regardless of your politics - growing up in any location can be difficult. I think this is a great letter.

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USA Service

Many schools have a community service requirement and our new President Elect has made this a priority for his administration.  Today, Colin Powell officially announced the USAService.org program.  Here you can search for or list events in your areas, read the service blog and review many service oriented resources.
An interesting way to end my week.

Technorati Tags: sharonbetts, usaservice.org, colinpowell, service

Too old for Zon

Zon - a virtual world for anyone to learn Chinese.  

I signed up and found myself walking around and working toward actual learning - something I haven't done in SL lately.  The bandwidth was no issue and there was no program to download (something I have not been able to find with most virtual worlds).  I don't know if I will ever be brave enough to actually begin discussions, but it certainly has potential.
I heard about ZON at the Christa McAuliffe Conference keynote this year.  Dr. Yong Zhao discusses "How Technology Redefines Talents- What Should Schools Teach?"  It was a fascinating discussion which I liveblogged.  Now I have finally found time to experiment with his site. 

This seems to be as close as possible to learning a language from the "ground-up" which I have found to be the best method for me.  This is the way I learned to communicate in Farsi (something I have forgotten since leaving Iran back in 1974) and in German during my years of teaching there.  I will probably never get to China, but would love to learn more about its language.  How about you?
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The World from other eyes

Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest.There are now nearly 600 maps. Maps 1-366 are also available as PDF posters.

These maps should start many discussions on Why? What does it mean? Is this a good or bad indication for the future? Is it something that needs world attention? What would the ideal map look like for each of the 600 criteria?

ChristiansMuslimsReligious

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the Wikireadia

This Wiki site for those teaching and loving reading has me hooked. It is going to be one of my favorites.
from their About page: Wikireadia is a searchable and editable online encyclopaedia of
good practice in reading. As reading is a huge field the number of
articles and topics is potentially huge and this is a chance to gather
together and share good practice in reading for all audiences (whether
that is young children, adult learners, readers in the workplace or
setting up a library the list is almost endless).


If we, as educators, began to actually share our knowledge - just think how powerful it would be. The Rules for contributing to Wikireadia.
Share good practice
Publish under CC!

This is a part of the YearofReading site, which is a true use of technology to increase skills in our fundamental base - READING.

Google Earth goes Ancient

Google Earth
The newest layer in Google Earth is Ancient Rome. You can walk the vía just like Claudius. They also have a Competition for teachers - from all K-12 grade levels and subject areas. The top 6 lessons will win an impressive package.

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sharonbetts, googleearth, rome

Barak Obama Speaks

I believe that these word maps from Wordle tell their own story.

Acceptance speech for nomination by the Democratic party.and Acceptance speech as President Elect of the United States of America:

sharonbetts
wordle
barakobama

Wreaths Across America

from their website - Please consider purchasing a wreath!

From Arlington to Across America

2006 marked the start of an exciting new chapter for Worcester Wreath and its mission to recognize Veterans with remembrance wreaths for the holidays with the creation of Wreaths Across America.

What began in 1992 with a trailer load of wreaths, decorated by volunteers and laid at the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery (Click for: The Arlington Story - How the Arlington Wreath Project was born) will now become a new mission to Remember - Honor - and Teach the value of freedom in the world today.

In creating Wreaths Across America, it was the wish of Morrill and Karen Worcester to bring children and Veterans together, as the ideal way of expressing appreciation for the past, present, and future sacrifices our Veterans (and their families) make for this country.

Technorati Tags: wreathsacrossamerica sharonbetts

Catch-up Friday

I have a really bad habit of going through magazines - noting and removing all the links and articles that I am going to read, lookup, and use. They dutifully go into a pile on the corner of my desk. As of today, I can barely see around the pile and it is rapidly intruding on the small work area left. So - catch up day!

Here are some gems from the stack with little to no notation:

• Annanberg Public Policy Center - http://Factchecked.org
• Call in your thought to http://jott.com
• Student documentary competition - C-SPAN Student Cam 2009 at http://www.studentcam.org
• 9 steps to building a good digital citizen by Mike Ribble (Manhattan, KS):

1. Etiquette
2. Communicaiton
3. Literacy
4. Access
5. Commerce
6. Law
7. Rights and Resposibilities
8. Health and Wellness
9. Security

• http://behaveyourself.com
• Mathcasts - Voicethread, screencast-o-matic, tablet PCs, Jing, sharing through wiki, blog
• Who said it? "You can be a Nobel Laureate and not qualify to teach in most public schools today."?

from What's up with Finland?" Aug 2008, Administr@tor:

1. avoids high-stakes tests
2. near absence of poverty
3. socialized medicine
4. much more educational funding
5. free school lunches,
6. preschool and colege free
7. fluency with languages - most students know 3
8. a large degree of respect and trust for teachers (only 1 or 8 applicants become teachers)
9. no school sports teams, no marching band, no school busing
10. no internet filtering
11. no 1-1, just technology where and when needed
12. focus less on data-driven and more on differentiated instruction
13. loosened national curriculum with more teacher control
14. students start at 7 and complete secondary school around 16. Then they go to either vocational or upper secondary (about half each direction)

reminder to self - revisit:
http://www.curriki.org
http://www.opera.com/wsc
http://www.rezed.org
http://WWW.bluenoseed.com
http://www.learningimpulse.com
http://www.coghead.com/academic


So - the pile is now down to eye level, major move forward. Now, just to find time to visit those URLs I listed..............
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"BRAIDS AROUND THE GLOBE"

Collaboration for the 9-14 year olds can be difficult to find. Last year, I mentored a project for this group to exchange cultures and ideas - we had members from around the world. We called the project Classroom Braids. Interlacing lives, culture and learning, Classroom Braids is a metaphor for weaving together lives and cultures.

This year, the collaboration is based on world travel - especially sailing and the Vendee Globe. Dubbed “the Everest of Yacht Racing”, the Vendee Globe is the ultimate in single-handed endurance: around the world, single-handed, non-stop with no assistance from shore.
The Vendee Globe spans 25,000 miles, ~100 days, France to France, leaving Antarctica to starboard, starting in November 2008.

**** Rich Wilson is the ONLY American registered for the 2008 Vendee Globe.
The first race was held in 1989-90, and has been run every four years since the 1992-93 event.
Two sailors have been lost at sea since the race began in 1989, and others have been dramatically rescued.



Rich will be integrating his adventure through SitesAlive.
The ClassroomBraids wiki is going to follow his progress while collaborating on projects related to this travel, cultures and adventure. Our goals are:
* to become familiar with different locations / cultures around the world
* to participate in the Vendee Globe trip with collaborative projects
* to follow-up by creating our own Global Adventure

Wouldn't you like to become part of this exciting endeavor? Join our group, please apply to become a member of this space. Introductions have just opened and will continue through October 15th.

Once you have joined - click the Introduction link - and introduce yourselves to us (teachers, request as many logins as you would like. There is also a teacher wiki for you.)


sharonbetts, sitesalive, vendee, richwilson, collaboration

Good out of Games

Learning Games to Change the World. This is a growing trend and one that may have real potential for the younger generation.

26 Learning Games to Change the World | Mission to Learn via kwout

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Earth Day 2008

April 22, 2008 is Earth Day - many of our schools are on Spring Break that week (how appropriate), but celebration of our Earth can take place anytime anywhere.
Brainstorm with your students what the status of our earth is today, what it looks like for the future and how they can become stewards of the earth.

What can we do?:
Recycle Grocery Bags



Read the article about Plastic in our Oceans

Change your light-bulbs (and More)

How about a Public Service Announcement?


Have an idea - Need some funding?
LIVE GREEN Teacher Grant Program
Deadline: May 15, 2008 - Discovery Education and General Motors
The LIVE GREEN Teacher Grant Program challenges middle school teachers to develop ideas for furthering environmental and energy sustainability. Forty grants worth $1,000 will be awarded to teachers for the most forward-thinking ideas.

Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program
Deadline: November 15, 2008 - Wild Ones
Wild Ones gives cash awards ranging from $100 to $500 for projects in K-12 classrooms that use native plants to increase students' knowledge and awareness of natural landscaping.

Captain Planet Foundation Grants
Deadline: December 31, 2008 - Captain Planet Foundation
The Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) annually gives $250-$2,500 to schools and non-profits that propose projects promoting understanding of environmental issues. These projects must include children and young adults (aged 6-18).


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July 4th 2007

The 4th of July - Independence Day - America's Birthday - Fireworks

Watching the fireworks last evening, made me consider what it means to be Patriotic? This is my list - I leave you with the challenge of a paragraph to describe these (or to disagree with having them in the list) and add resources or lesson ideas for teachers to use. Feel free to add to the list also.


--Supporting our military and honoring the veterans.
http://www.usa-patriotism.com/

--Expecting honesty, vision and leadership from our politicians.
http://free.ed.gov/subjects.cfm?subject_id=257

--Following the laws and Constitution.
http://www.house.gov/paul/constitutiontext.htm
http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/

--Being with family and friends.
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/july4/why.html

--Anticipating our country at Peace.
http://communicty.wikispaces.com/Peace

sharon+betts
Independence+day

Do you Believe?

Have you heard the NPR series "This I Believe"? I have been brought to tears and chuckles when they come on the radio. Today, I discovered their Educator Reference Site for using this series. It is complete with a curriculum and submission guidelines.

Listen to one of the latest episodes ( from their podcast site )

In class and with students - This would make a great assignment for discussion and writing. If you would rather stay away from personal beliefs, you could have students write one that could relate to a person in literature or history. They could read their final products and post them online.

I know that I would look forward to hearing the results.


sharon+betts
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beliefs

Here comes Spring!

The theme of Spring is always welcome following the late winter doldrums. Never more so, than this year with the record breaking cold and strong winds.
Last year, I did a share on the Equinox which you may want to revisit. This season has me thinking of the sweet smell of flowers. Some resources for you:
Structure of a Flower - webquest for 2-3 grades

Flower Power - for 3rd grade

Gardening with Children

Children learn about the spring season as they sing this sensory song from Nicole H. Springtime Song (Tune: Did you ever see a Lassie?)

My eyes can see it springtime, it's springtime, its springtime.
My eyes can see it springtime, the grass is so green!
The green grass, the flowers, the sunshine and showers.
My eyes can see it's springtime, and I am so glad.

My ears can hear its springtime, its spring time, its springtime.
My ears can hears its springtime, the birds sweetly sing.
The birds sing, the lambs bleat the frogs croak, the bees buzz.
My ears can hear it's springtime, and I am so glad!

My body can feel its springtime, it's springtime, it's springtime.
My body can feel it's springtime, the air is so warm.
The warm air, the breezes, no frost and no freezes.
My body can feel it's springtime, and I am so glad

Spring is when the time changes - learn about Time:
A Web Exhibit on Daylight Savings Time

World Time Zone map

Learn to tell time

A history of time

technorati tags: sharon betts spring

The Cat in the Hat Turns 50!

picture: Dr. Seuss at his desk.
Photo credit: Dr. Seuss Enterprises, LP
Begin -- Read the story aloud.

Part 1:
Resource:
http://www.catinthehat.org/history.htm

Questions:
What was Dr. Seuss's real name?
When was Dr. Seuss's date of birth?
He was born in what city and state?
When he was growing up, his mother often soothed her children to sleep by ... (finish this sentence)
Who does Dr. Seuss credit for his rhyming and writing abilities?

Part 2:
Resource:
http://www.seussville.com/
Activity:
Go to Connect the Dots. Click on The Cat in the Hat.
Print two copies of Connect the Dots with the Cat in the Hat.
Write your names on the papers, connect the dots, and put your papers in your folder.

Part 3:
Activity:
# Discuss "home" rules for being at home when parents are gone. Do all your students know their addresses in case an emergency occurs while they are there alone?
# List things you can do on rainy days in the house.
# Count and list objects that the cat can balance. Have a relay race balancing an eraser on the heads of students.
# Would the story be different if the Cat in the Hat told it? Write it from his perspective.
# Ask students to design a machine that would clean up their rooms
http://catinthehat.org/directions.htm

Part 4:
Jigsaw puzzle resource: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/catnhatpuzz.html
Activity
Have the children put the puzzle together online.

Part 5:
Coloring a hat and Writing a poem - http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/dr__seuss.html
Print out the files for the children to complete

technorati tags: sharon betts Seuss

Womens' History Month Activities

March is Womens' History Month!

Celebrate some of the marvelous accomplishments of women throughout history.
How:
Have your students select a famous woman in history and read and collect images about her life and contributions using books, magazines, and the Internet.
Possible Products:
--An essay about the special characteristics and contributions of the woman combined with the collected images can be made into a digital story.

--Essays can be posted into a blog to be read and commented on by other students, parents, teachers, and staff members.
--------------------------------------------------
Do a daily scavenger hunt - Education World has a site all ready to go.

Resources:

National Museum of Women's History
The NWHM, founded in 1996, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women, and integrating this rich heritage fully into our nation's history. Visit the Museum http://www.greatwomen.org/women.php

Lists of Famous Women in History - Living Vignettes - huge site
http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/figures.htm

Alphabetical List of Famous Women in History with biographies - really BIG site
http://www.DistinguishedWomen.com/alphabet/alphabet.html

Women of the Century - 100 Years of American Heroes
http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/womenofthecentury/

Biography.com
http://biography.com/

Biographies of Famous Women
http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/whm/bio/index.htm

History's Women - http://www.historyswomen.com/

Women in History links from Embracing the Child
http://www.embracingthechild.org/womenhistory.htm

Women of NASA
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/women/WON.html

16 Women in Science from San Diego Supercomputing
http://www.sdsc.edu/ScienceWomen/

Biographies of Women Mathematicians from Agnes Scott College
http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/women.htm

Women in Science over 4000 years
http://www.astr.ua.edu/4000WS/summary.shtml

First Ladies of the United States of America
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/

Women Nobel Prize Laureates
http://www.almaz.com/nobel/women.html

Women of Achievement from Equity
http://www.edc.org/WomensEquity/women.htm

Women Who Changed History
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/women/index.htm

Famous Women Writers of Color from the University of Minnesota
http://voices.cla.umn.edu/vg/Bios/

---------------- Other Lesson Plan Ideas-----------

• Education World: Celebrate Women's History Month!
  Features lessons, activities, and resources to involve your students in the study of women's contributions to the world. Resource
• Teaching with Historic Places: Women's History Lesson Plans
  Created by National Park Service interpreters, preservation professionals, and educators, these lessons are free and ready for immediate classroom use by students in history and social studies classes. Resource
• Many Activities from ProTeacher.com
  

Valentines across the Miles

Just a short time ago, we discussed sending holiday greetings to soldiers. I just got a notice from our Volunteer coordinator for student Valentine Greetings for soldiers. What a great idea - the Red Cross sends these valentines off (military and Red Cross partnerships: http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/0,1082,0_484_,00.html).

Use technology to make some fancy Valentine cards - or as one of our music teachers wrote: "I have my 4-6 grade kids from LCS do musical valentines. We would love to make some to send to the troops". What about posting some podcasts on your webpage with greetings and send the URL via a card from the Red Cross. Our troops deserve our attention!

Madam Speaker..... and other firsts

Last week our nation witnessed the first woman elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Over the years since our country became independent, there have been many historic steps for women. Enjoy the themes of womens firsts:

5 firsts Can you put these in order of occurance? First woman astronaut
Given the right to own personal property
Roe v. Wade - what is it and when was it passed
Given the right to vote
Allowed to sit on a jury

How about trying this quiz on Groundbreaking Women. http://www.infoplease.com/quizzes/whm2/1.html

Here are 5 women that made a first step. What was their accomplishment?
Antoinette Blackwell
Victoria Claflin Woodhull
Jeannette Rankin
Amelia Earhart
Margaret Chase Smith - what is extra special for this lady?

Here are 5 good resources:
Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University http://www.public.iastate.edu/~cccatt/home.html

Instructional Materials Center at the University of Missouri:
http://www.umkc.edu/imc/womenfi.htm

National Women's Hall of Fame http://www.greatwomen.org/

National Women's History Project http://www.nwhp.org

RootsWeb's Notable Women Ancestors, an Associate of Amazon.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~nwa/politician.html

Send a soldier a message

The holidays in school are often celebrated with many crafts and songs. Take a moment to have your students send a message to a soldier . I just did!

Operation Dear Abby: https://wwwcfi.cnet.navy.mil/dearabby/

via Xerox's site: http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html

from the Army site: http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/

from the DOD: http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx