[eMINTS] Weekly Update 10/1/07

Mon Oct 1 17:17:04 CDT 2007

Toyota TAPESTRY Science and Technology Grant Competition: See the 2008 grant competition guidelines and submission process at http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry/ There are several types of grants available and the application process is not overly burdensome with paperwork requirements and offers programs for most all grade levels. 

Missouri Texas Instruments Conference: Join the excitement and energy of the T³(tm) Regional Conference, November 2-3, 2007, in St. Louis, MO at Clayton High School. Mathematics Teachers of Greater St. Louis (MEGSL), Teachers Teaching with Technology and Texas Instruments invite you for two exciting, activity-packed days focused on mathematics and science.

Advanced registration is $75 for MEGSL members and $87 for non-members. Registration is FREE for pre-service teachers (student ID required at check in). Visit http://www.mobot.org/education/megsl/conf.html  for more information, or contact:  Jane Barnard at janebarnard at charter.net or Jim Haskins at jhaskins at pkwy.k12.mo.us or call 314-645-5453.

Missouri's SuccessLink News: SuccessLink held an open house on September 27, 2007 to welcome their new director, Dr. Sandra Pettit.  Dr. Pettit came to SuccessLink from the North Kansas City School District. She worked with federal programs and was the lead author of many funded grants in NKCSD. Sandra is also Missouri's representative on the board of directors for the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators. SuccessLink is an organization created to positively impact educators by identifying and disseminating Best Practices. This service is mandated by the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993. SuccessLink encourages teachers to utilize networks to facilitate instructional collaboration. Currently, SuccessLink is updating their website to make it easier for teachers to access instructional resources, networks of teachers, instructional strategies, and curriculum. The new website will be operational this fall. For free access to currently available resources go to: http://www.successlink.org <http://www.successlink.org/>  

New eThemes for the Week of Oct. 1, 2007

Newest eThemes

Adoption

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002087.shtml

These sites provide information about open and closed adoptions, adoption procedures, costs, and practices of adoption in the US as compared to foreign countries. Some sites also provide statistics regarding the most common foreign countries adoptions are from and most common ages of children adopted.

Country: Hungary

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002103.shtml 

These sites are about Hungary. Learn about the people, history, culture, government, and natural environment of this eastern European nation. There are facts, maps, and photos. Students can take a virtual tour of Hungarian castles, hear the Hungarian National Anthem, and learn about Hungary during the Soviet years. Included are eThemes resources about neighboring countries Austria and Turkey.

Famous People: Charles Darwin

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002117.shtml

These sites are about Charles Darwin, the Father of Evolution. Learn about his life and works. Topics include Beagle voyage, Galapagos Islands, The Origin of Species, and more. There are a webcast, educator's guides, and a lesson plan that go along with this theme. There are links to eThemes Resources on natural selection and animal adaptations.

Immigration: Immigrants and Problems Encountered

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002109.shtml

These sites discuss obstacles that immigrants encounter in the United States. Topics such as exploitation, employment differences, housing problems, cultural obstacles, language barriers, and equity issues are covered. 

Updated eThemes

Animals: Dogs

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001503.shtml

Learn about different breeds of dogs and their origins. There are quizzes to help you determine which breed of dog would be good for you and your family. Includes activities, encyclopedia articles, and printouts. There are links to various eThemes resources on different types of dogs.

Animals: Peafowl

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001768.shtml

These links are all about peacocks and peahens. See photographs of peacocks and peahens and find out why they look so different. Read stories about peacocks and view a clip of the NBC television mascot. Includes a link to an eThemes resource on birds.

Author Study: Emily Dickinson

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001640.shtml

These websites are about Emily Dickinson and her poetry. Read her poems and learn about the life of the famous poet. Includes analysis of her poems and lesson plans.

Literature: "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001749.shtml

These sites for high school students are focused on the Salem witch trials and "The Crucible." Was Arthur Miller's play historically accurate? Seventeenth century New England is explored and there are also some sites for teachers. Maps, videos, and audio files are found to explain the happenings at Salem in 1692.

Literature: "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001390.shtml

These sites are about the short story "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. Includes full text of the story, quizzes, lesson plans, and vocabulary worksheets. There are also links to games about short story elements and a booklist of other horror stories and books. Includes links to eTheme resources on Story Elements and Character Traits.

Writing: Poetry for Upper Levels

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001788.shtml 

These sites are about poetry and writing poems for upper grade levels. There are many examples of poetry, including audio recordings of poets reading their work or people reading and talking about their favorite poems, as well as textual resources. There are lesson plans and activity ideas. Students can write their own poems, write a poem collaboratively, or organize a poetry slam. Includes eThemes resources on poetry for elementary levels, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, and Maya Angelou.

Monica M. Beglau, Ed.D, Director

eMINTS National Center

103 London Hall

Columbia, MO  65211

573-884-7202

FAX: 573-884-7614

Email: beglaum at emints.org