[eMINTS] Bi-Weekly Summer Update 7/7/08

Mon Jul 7 16:23:04 CDT 2008

Congratulations to National Education Computing Conference (NECC)
Presenters and Attendees: Did you present a session or attend NECC in
San Antonio this year? If you presented a session, please email
emints-info at emints.org and let us know so that we can recognize you. If
you attended an especially interesting session, share your thoughts or
online resources that you found. Lori Mathys, 4th grade eMINTS teacher
from Rockwood, MO presented a Model Classroom session at NECC with
Monica Beglau. The Model Classroom format was a new one to NECC in 2007
and features attendees taking the part of "students" while the teacher
(Lori)  teaches and the commentator (Monica) tells what is happening to
the audience sitting on risers around classroom. More than 100
participants attended the eMINTS Model Classroom session including
Janice Edgar, eMINTS/METS teacher from Montgomery Co, MO who was also a
"student" in the classroom. See the WebQuest Lori based her session on
at: http://teachers.emints.org/mathysl/mandmwebquest.html Other
eMINTS-affiliated presenters spotted in the program included: Cindy
Matzat, certified eMINTS Specialist from Branson, MO presented a session
on Web 2.0 Tools and her son, Corey, participated in a Student Showcase
on Web 2.0. Kerry Welch, eMINTS teacher from Republic, MO presented a
session on Inspiration/Kidspiration. Diana Dell, certified eMINTS
Specialist and eMINTS teacher from the St. Louis area presented a
session on online learning tools. Janice Friesen, former eMINTS
specialist now with the Eanes District in Texas presented a session of
digital literacy in the elementary classroom. 

Welcome New eMINTS Staff Members: We are pleased to welcome two new
eMINTS staff members to the eMINTS National Center. Carla Chaffin from
the Wright City School District joins us as an eMINTS Instructional
Specialist serving the south central portion of the state. Debbie
Perkins from the Marshall School District joins us as an eIS to serve
the west side of the state. Cara Wylie, current eMINTS staff member was
promoted to Area Instructional Specialist recently as well. Cara will
supervise eMINTS staff members, deliver the PD4ETS program, and assist
in administering eMINTS programs on the east side of Missouri. 

New eMINTS Classroom Website Feature: Over the summer months, eMINTS
staff will be removing their old "cluster" websites in favor of newer
Moodle spaces where teachers in professional development can learn about
session dates and other information important for those who are in
professional development programs. Since many classroom websites are
linked from the current "cluster" websites, the eMINTS National Center
wants to provide a place for those website links that is more accessible

to everyone in all of our states (and countries). If you are interested
in having your classroom website linked from the eMINTS National Center
site, you can submit your classroom website link for posting. eMINTS
teachers from all over the U.S. (and soon from Australia) are invited to
participate. Information for teachers who wish to submit links to their
classroom websites so they can be linked from eMINTS National Center

website and instructions for submitting a short online form can be found
at: http://www.emints.org/resources/teachersites/ Watch the eMINTS
website for announcements of newly organized listings of classroom
websites by grade level and subject area this fall.

High School Scholarship Competition: In partnership with the College
Board, the Siemens Foundation <http://www.siemens-foundation.org/>
established the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology and
the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement. The Foundation is a
not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing scholarships and
increasing access to higher education for talented mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology students in the United States. The Siemens
Competition seeks to promote excellence by encouraging students to
undertake individual or team research projects. It fosters intensive
research that improves students' understanding of the value of
scientific study and informs their consideration of future careers in
these disciplines. For more information see the website at: 

http://www.collegeboard.com/siemens/index.html 

New and Updated eThemes for the Week of July 7, 2008

Newest eThemes

Food: Food Safety

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002349.shtml 

These sites are about food safety. Learn about ways to keep food safe
from bacteria, causes and preventions of food borne illness. Includes
games, coloring pages, activity book, a poster, fact sheets, and
podcasts. There are also links to eThemes Resources on Health: Diet and
Nutrition and Microbes: Bacteria.

Texas: State Facts

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002350.shtml 

These sites include information about Texas state history, state
symbols, education, economy, statistics, as well as fun facts about the
state. Learn trivia and take quizzes to test your knowledge on Texas.

U.S. Postal Service

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002348.shtml 

These sites are about the U.S. postal services. Learn what they do,
about the mail delivery process, technologies used, how a postal system
works, and how countries collaborate to deliver mail. Includes the
history of the U.S. postal service, types of mail, key people, and the
zip code system. There are also video clips, lesson plans, and teaching
resources. Includes links to eThemes Resources on the Pony Express and
Postage Stamps.

Updated eThemes

Africa: Adinkra Cloths

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000465.shtml

These sites show and tell about the history of adinkra cloths, an art
form from the Asante people of Ghana and the Gyaman people of Cote'
d'lvoire. Includes sites about the Ashanti tribe that also wears this
type of clothing.

Animals: Frogs, Snails, and Fiddler Crabs

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000668.shtml

These sites have information on frogs, snails, and fiddler crabs. Learn
about the habitat of each, along with how to care for them in captivity.
Includes interactive games, activities, and videos. There are also links
to eThemes Resources on animal adaptations and Missouri frogs.

Automobiles: Owning & Operating Costs

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000409.shtml

These sites focus on owning and operating costs of automobiles.
Information includes reviews of automobiles, searchable databases of
different makes and models, insurance and financing tips, fuel and
insurance costs, and cost calculation tools. Lesson plans, video clips,
images, and articles are includes. There is a link to eThemes Resource
on Transportation: Automobiles.

Food: Recipes and Cooking Tips

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000398.shtml

These websites teach elementary students how to cook and prepare food
safely. Included are searchable recipe databases, plus articles on
reading a recipe, preparing a nutritious meal quickly, and nutrition.
Includes links to eThemes on Recipes from Around the World as well as
Health and Nutrition.

Postage Stamps

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000336.shtml

These sites focus on the U.S. postage stamp history, production, and
prices. Includes many images of postage stamps from the U.S., around the
world, and throughout history. Also includes video clips and stamp
images.

Safety: Outdoor Fun

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000370.shtml

These sites include safety information about outdoor activities such as
bicycling, skateboarding, scooters, and inline skating. Also covers
safety in boats, pools, lakes, water parks, camping areas, and
playgrounds.

Study Skills

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000389.shtml

These sites are about study skills and homework tips. There is also
advice for improving test scores, concentration, and memory skills. Also
links to eThemes Resources on reading skills, listening skills, note
taking, and standardized test taking.

Monica M. Beglau, Ed.D, Director

eMINTS National Center

University of Missouri

103 London Hall

Columbia, MO  65211

573-884-7202

FAX: 573-884-7614

Email: beglaum at emints.org