[eMINTS] Weekly Update 1/28/08

Mon Jan 28 18:56:39 CST 2008

Missouri eMINTS Funding Opportunities: Two funding opportunities for school-wide eMINTS projects are now available. One is the standard Title II.D Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program of federal dollars allocated through DESE. For complete program details see: http://www.dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/federalfunded/TitleIID/index.htm <http://www.dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/federalfunded/TitleIID/index.htm>  
The second opportunity builds on state support for eMINTS that was started last year with the eMINTS/METS Classroom Grant program. METS stands for Mathematics, Engineering, Technology and Science and falls under the Missouri METS Coalition - a group of education and business leaders who are advocating for improved opportunities for Missouri pre-school through graduate school students in the content areas named in METS. This year, the Governor has requested $2.9 million in state funding for 12 school-wide eMINTS projects across Missouri. For complete program details see: http://www.dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/METS%20School%20Grant%20Pgrm/index.html <http://www.dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/METS%20School%20Grant%20Pgrm/index.html>  Applications for both Title II.D and for the METS program are due March 31, 2008. It is possible to apply for both funding options; however, districts must meet specific poverty guidelines to qualify for Title II.D. All Missouri districts and charter schools are eligible to apply for the new METS grants. For more information, contact the DESE offices listed or the eMINTS National Center at 573-884-7202 or email emints-info at emints.org <mailto:emints-info at emints.org> . The METS grants also offer funding for districts to purchase mathematics and science curriculum resources and professional development. 

e-Learning for Educations Registration Continues: The e-Learning for Educators: Missouri program is part of an eight-state online professional development project scheduled as a five-year effort. The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Education Ready to Teach grant. e-Learning for Educators is a program for developing and delivering high quality online professional development designed to increase teacher knowledge and skills to improve student performance. Experienced Missouri educators facilitate online professional development courses for teachers. Future plans include creating additional online courses geared specifically to the needs of Missouri teachers. Collaborators leading the effort include the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), KETC/Channel 9 (PBS in St. Louis), Missouri State University and the University of Missouri (eMINTS National Center). Registration for Spring courses is now open. Discounts are available for groups of 3 or more teachers taking the same course. Some partial scholarships (paying one-half of the $125 registration fee) are now available on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduate credit is available at the low cost of $100 per credit. See http://www.elearningmo.org/ for details. Teachers in all states are eligible to take courses. 

SuccessLink Seeks Missouri Best Practice Nominations: SuccessLink is seeking nominations for best practices/proven practices in Missouri. Nominate your school for your best practices (eMINTS) in technology and win up to $2,000 for your school. See http://216.128.25.141/ppss/index.asp <http://216.128.25.141/ppss/index.asp>  for this year's winners and for the nomination form. 

New eThemes for the Week of January 28, 2008

Newest eThemes

Chemistry: Mixtures and Solutions
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002198.shtml
These sites provide information about the chemistry of mixtures and solutions. Learn what mixtures and solutions are made of, what their properties are, how to separate components of mixtures, and methods of separation. There are examples of mixtures encountered in daily life, classroom activities, experiments, interactive games, and animations. There is a link to eThemes Resources on Chromatography.

Decade: 1940-1949
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002192.shtml
Learn about America during the decade of the 1940's. Read details about Pearl Harbor, World War II, and the Great Depression. Learn how women were needed in the workplace to replace men who had gone off to war and how this affected fashion. Includes eThemes Resources on the Holocaust.

Literature: "Tonight on the Titanic" by Mary Pope Osborne
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002200.shtml
These websites are about the book " Tonight on the Titanic" by Mary Pope Osborne. Includes book reviews and activity ideas. There is also information about the author, Mary Pope Osborne, including interviews, books, and photos. Includes a link to eThemes resources on "Titanic".

Quilts: Underground Railroad
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002187.shtml <http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002187.shtml> 
These sites are about the Underground Railroad and the secret codes it used. Here you can find background information, a glossary of code terms, maps, and interactive features. Students can design their own quilt blocks and learn about African American quilting traditions. Included is an eThemes resource on the Underground Railroad.

Writing: D'Nealian Cursive Handwriting
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002196.shtml
These sites are about D'Nealian cursive handwriting. They provide printable worksheets, charts, and flash cards for practicing D'Nealian cursive handwriting. Includes tracers and guidance for writing. There are sites for creating customized worksheets for students.

Updated eThemes

Holiday: Earth Day
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000072.shtml <http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000072.shtml> 
These sites are about Earth Day. Includes classroom and community activities to celebrate this holiday. Many sites explain how to protect the environment and conserve energy. There are links to eThemes Resources on recycling, pollution, and Arbor Day.

Slavery: The Underground Railroad
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000715.shtml <http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000715.shtml> 
These sites are about the Underground Railroad movement that helped runaway slaves escape to Canada. Learn about Harriet Tubman and other influential leaders. Listen to songs and read the lyrics that secretly told the escape route. Play a game that allows you to face the same decisions the runaway slaves faced. Includes maps and historic photographs, plus a link to an eThemes Resource on the slave trade and quilts.

Water Cycle: Hands-On Experiments
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000329.shtml <http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000329.shtml> 
These sites have hands-on experiments and projects about the water cycle and water purification. Learn how to make it rain in your kitchen and how to build your own water cycle environment. There are many other activity ideas, including a script for a play. There is a link to an eThemes Resource on water cycle explanations and illustrations.

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