[eMINTS] Bi-Weekly Update 6/23/08

Mon Jun 23 16:51:06 CDT 2008

Congratulations to Dan Tripp: the runner up to the SMART Technologies
video commercial contest. Dan is an eMINTS/METS teacher in the Ritenour
School District. He teaches 6th grade science at Hoech Middle School.
His video will be shared at the NECC conference this year in San
Antonio, and SMART Technologies will use it for advertising. Dan wrote a
bio and named the eMINTS program. You can see the video here:
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=6870f6fa0583f80e2c6c 

New and Updated eThemes for the Week of June 23, 2008

Newest eThemes

Literature: "Sideways Stories from Wayside School" by Louis Sachar

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002332.shtml 

These sites are about "Sideways Stories from Wayside School" and other
books in the Wayside School series by Louis Sachar. There are book
reviews, suggested activities, and information about the author.
Included are three related eThemes resources on Louis Sachar and his
other books.

Literature: "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" by Jon Scieszka

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002233.shtml

These sites are about the book "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs"
by Jon Scieszka. Learn about the author and his works. Includes
activities that go along with the book. There are also information on
fractured fairy tales and the Three Pigs. Includes eThemes Resources on
Wolves, Pigs, and Fairy Tales.

Party Planning

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002342.shtml

These sites are about party planning. There is information about
organizing a party, creating invitations, staying within a budget, and
making decorations to go with the theme. Includes games, menus, and
printable crafts and cards that go with the party themes. There are also
links to eThemes Resources on Holiday: Birthdays and Holiday: Halloween
Crafts and Games.

Qualities of a Scientist

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002338.shtml 

Find out what scientific qualities and attitudes are most important to
be a scientist. Learn about distinct scientific disciplines and people
who work in these fields. Includes a printable word search puzzle,
worksheets, and a quiz. There are links to eThemes resources on
scientific method, scientific principles, understanding science, and
science fair.

Scientific Principles

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002340.shtml 

Find out what scientific method is all about. Learn the major principles
in science such as problem, hypothesis, observations, experiments,
theory, and law. Take quizzes to test the hypothesis that you know how
to do science. Includes a video, animation, online quizzes, lesson
plans, and printable worksheets. There are links to eThemes resources on
scientific method, qualities of a scientist, understanding science, and
science fair.

Solar System: Earth's Moon for Secondary

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002335.shtml 

Learn about the Moon. Find out about its geological and chemical
structure. Includes the Moon's phases, theories of formation, and
sidereal and Synodic periods of rotation. Learn about the Apollo
missions from earth to the Moon. Includes images of the Moon,
simulations, and videos. eThemes Resources on the earth's moon, phases
of the moon, eclipses, planets, rotation and revolution are also
included.

Teaching Tips: Listening Skills

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002337.shtml 

These sites provide information about listening skills. Learn the
differences between hearing and listening and how to become an active
listener. There are strategies, tips, and techniques to improve
listening skills. Includes lesson plans and an online exercise.

Teaching Tips: Marzano Classroom Instructional Strategies

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002343.shtml 

These sites focus on the nine essential classroom instructional
strategies by Marzano and colleagues. There is information about each
strategy with technology integration, implementation, and examples.
Includes movie clips, templates, a study guide, and resources for
teachers. There are also links to eThemes Resources on Graphic
Organizers, Summarizing and Note Taking, Cooperative Learning
Strategies, and Differentiated Instruction.

Understanding Science

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002339.shtml 

Learn to better understand the meaning and history of science. Find out
who the first scientist was and who invented the scientific method.
Discover ways of scientific thinking and practice logic, scientific
reasoning, learn classifications, and create dichotomous keys. Learn
about the origin of the scientific terms and expand your scientific
vocabulary. Includes online quizzes, games, and printable word puzzles.
There are links to eThemes resources on scientific method, scientific
principles, qualities of a scientist, and science fair.

Updated eThemes

Author Study: Louis Sachar

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000476.shtml

These sites are about the life and work of author Louis Sachar. Includes
interviews and articles. There are links to three eThemes Resources on
his books.

Country: Mexico

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000063.shtml

Learn about the geography, culture, art, cuisine, celebrations, symbols
of Mexico, and listen to the pronunciation of Spanish words. There are
links to eThemes resources on Mexican traditions and holidays, Aztec,
Maya, Western Civilizations, Latin America culture, and Cinco de Mayo
celebration. Includes images of people, currency, cities, maps, and
quizzes.

Country: Mexico: Traditions and Holidays

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000209.shtml

Learn about Mexican culture, art, traditions, and holiday celebrations.
There are links to eThemes resources on Mexican geography, Western
Civilization, Cinco de Mayo celebration, and more. Includes photographs,
video, in class activities, and a lesson plan.

Country: Taiwan

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000043.shtml

These sites are about Taiwan's culture, geography, and animals. Includes
information on Taiwanese food, government, festivals, and historical
sites. Includes eThemes resources on the China and Asia.

Egypt: Modern Culture and Lifestyle

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000197.shtml

These sites have information about the people, popular attractions,
foods, entertainment, and culture of modern Egypt. There are links to
eThemes Resources on Egyptian Pyramids, Culture Around the World, and
Ancient Cultures.

Egypt: Pyramids

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000094.shtml

Explore these sites to learn about the ancient Egyptian pyramids.
Includes illustrations and interactive sites. There are links to eThemes
Resources on angles and triangles, Modern Egypt, and ancient culture.

Famous People: Leonardo da Vinci

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001896.shtml

Leonardo da Vinci was an artist, scientist, and inventor. On these
sites, you can learn about his life, work, ideas, and the times in which
he lived. You can read his biography, see his artwork, sketchbooks, or
take a virtual tour of his studio. Included is an eThemes resource on
the Renaissance, Artists, and Simple Machines.

Literature: "The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000410.shtml

Lesson plans, reviews, fun and interactive activities about the book
"The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry. Includes links to eThemes
Resources on rainforest habitats and Brazil.

Scientific Method

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000408.shtml

These sites describe the general method used in scientific research.
They also include the research process, the role and purpose of theory,
and the history of the method. Includes a link to an eThemes Resource on
science fair projects.

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