[eMINTS] Weekly Update 3/3/08Beglau, Monica M. beglaum at emints.orgMon Mar 3 16:42:11 CST 2008
Welcome Australian eMINTS Facilitators: A warm welcome to all of the Australian educators who have joined the eMINTS discussion list this past week. Each facilitator is working with his/her school administration to determine how and when and where they will use eMINTS professional development materials and programs in their schools. Soon there will be teachers on the list from Australia and eThemes with correlations to New South Wales, Australian standards for learning. Congratulations to Utah, Missouri, and Maine eMINTS Winter Conference Presenters: Congrats and a special thanks to all of the presenters from Utah, Missouri, and Maine who presented outstanding sessions at the 2008 eMINTS Winter Conference. Participants learned and shared many new ideas. It was great having the mix of presenters from several of our eMINTS states. Check out the blogs, presentation materials and handouts from sessions (those that were provided to date by presenters) at: http://www.emints.org/events/winter2008/index.shtml Podcasts, photos and more will be available on the site in the near future. Missouri Science Opportunity via VideoTeleconference: Where Do Facts Come From? Real Life Science and the Scientific Inquiry Method. Please join Dr. Claudia Rawn of Oak Ridge National Laboratories via interactive videoconferencing and video stream to learn how scientists at ORNL use scientific inquiry methodology to answer real life science questions. The event will occur on March 24, 2008, 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for students in grades 5 and 6 with host Shaun Bates, DESE Education Consultant, Science. How do scientists go about the experimentation process? How do scientists set goals and objectives, execute a performance event, understand the data they receive and then form new ideas? What do they do with the information after they have finished their experiments? During the presentation, Dr. Rawn will discuss how scientists at ORNL put the scientific method to use, then she will answer questions from event participants. The interactive videoconference is open to four Missouri classrooms who will be able to ask Dr. Rawn their questions live. In addition, MOREnet will broadcast the event online via streaming video to other classrooms or libraries that want to participate. For these groups an e-mail address will be provided so that students may submit questions. Registration for the videoconference of this event will be accepted from the first four schools that successfully test their videoconferencing connection. Please request participation in this event by contacting Bill Giddings at bgidding at more.net and be sure to indicate by which connection method you will participate. Please submit your request by Wednesday, March 11, 2008. All requests will receive a confirmation response. New and Updated eThemes for the Week of March 3, 2008 Newest eThemes Animals: Beluga Whales http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002217.shtml These websites are about beluga whales. Learn all about these aquatic mammals, what they look like, where they live, how they communicate, and more. There are fun facts, interactives, videos, audio files, and many photographs. Animals: Bobwhite Quail http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002216.shtml These sites are about Bobwhite Quail. Learn what these small game birds need to survive, why their numbers are declining, and what people can do to help them. There are quick facts, photos, audio files, and more. Forest and Wild Fires http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002226.shtml These resources are about forest fires and wildfires. Learn what they are and how people have tried to manage them. Find out what to do to prepare if you live in an area prone to fires. There are videos, audio files, interactives, and more. Includes eThemes resources on fire safety. Literature: "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002229.shtml These sites are about the book, "Bud, Not Buddy" and the author Christopher Paul Curtis. Includes lesson plans, discussion questions, study guides, online quiz, interviews, and photographs. Also covers the topic of the Great Depression, jazz in America, and attractions in Flint, MI. There is a link to eThemes resources on the Decade: 1930-1939. Missouri: Ice Age Animals http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002241.shtml These websites contain information about the large mammals found in Missouri during the last Ice Age, with particular attention to mastodons. Learn how these animals lived, what they ate, and why they likely died out. Includes information about the important historic sites of Kimmswick Bone Bed in Mastodon State Historic Site, and Riverbluff Cave in Greene County. There is also a link to an eThemes resource on mammoths. Physics: Sound for Lower Elementary http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002264.shtml These sites explain sound and properties of sound. Includes information on pitch, frequency, volume, and sound made from different sources. Listen to a variety of sounds, read misconceptions about sound, conduct experiments, and try hands-on activities. There is also a link to eThemes resources on Sound. Women in Sports http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002240.shtml These sites provide information about women in sports. Learn about the changing roles of women in American sports history, Title IX, and some of greatest female athletes. Includes a timeline, lesson plan, and photos. There is also information on Mia Hamm, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Billie Jean King, and Martina Navratilova. Includes a link to eThemes resource on Women's History Month. Updated eThemes Animals: Insects http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001759.shtml Explore these websites about insects and their relatives. Included are picture galleries of different types of insects, insect themed activities and games, and insect recipes. There are also online videos, audio clips, and quizzes. Included are eThemes resources on ants, bees, ladybugs, butterflies, silkworms, and grasshoppers. Author Study: Gail Gibbon http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001641.shtml Learn about the author Gail Gibbon and the books she has written. Biographies, interviews, and a lesson plan for creating an author study are included. Elections for Elementary Students http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001234.shtml These sites for younger students explain how primaries, caucuses, and general elections work. Find out the reason why people vote and learn how a single vote can make a difference. There are links to eThemes Resources on the executive branch, U.S. presidents, and citizenship. Physics: Sound http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000332.shtml These sites explain sound waves and how the ear hears sounds. Includes information on sonic booms and decibels. Listen to a variety of sounds, watch movies about sound, and try several hands-on experiments. Includes links to eThemes Resources on radio waves and light. New and Updated eThemes for the Week of Feb. 25, 2008 Newest eThemes Africa: National Parks http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002215.shtml These sites are about Africa's National Parks. Learn about the animals, the climate, and the purposes behind why National Parks play an important role in Africa. Includes a link to an eThemes resource on the continent of Africa. Author Study: Homer Hickam http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002219.shtml These websites are about author Homer Hickam and his books. Includes biographical information, interviews, lesson plans, activity ideas, and study guides. Many of the websites and lesson plans are related to the "Rocket Boy" and "October Sky". There is a link to eThemes resources on Science: Rockets. Author Study: Leo Lionni http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002221.shtml These websites are about the author/illustrator, Leo Lionni. Learn about his life, careers, and works. There are lesson plans, a book list, biography, photographs and posters of his works, and samples of his writing and illustrating of children's book. Author Study: Norman Bridwell http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002206.shtml These websites are about author Norman Bridwell and his creation, Clifford the Big Red Dog. Read a biography of the author of watch videos in which he talks about his books. There are interactive games, activities, and printable worksheets. There is also an eThemes resource on dogs. College Search: Learning Disabled Students http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002224.shtml These websites are about helping students with learning disabilities search for colleges with programs to fit their needs. Students can learn what steps to take when transitioning from high school to college and find information about individual schools. Library Skills: Searching the Internet http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002176.shtml These sites focus on library skills of how to conduct Internet search effectively and how to evaluate the quality of websites. Learn about various search strategies such Boolean and keyword search. There are resources, guidelines, tutorials, and criteria on searching the Internet and website evaluation. Includes a lesson plan, a checklist, and a quiz. There are also links to eThemes Resources on Information Searching Strategies, Reference Resources Online, and Internet Safety. Literature: "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002210.shtml These websites are about the book "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen. There are book reviews, lesson plans, quizzes, and activities. Learn more about Burrowing Owls and the environment of south Florida where the book is set. Included are three eThemes resources on owls, environmental restoration, and bullying. Literature: "Night of the Twisters" by Ivy Ruckman http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002249.shtml These websites are about the book "Night of the Twisters" by Ivy Ruckman. Includes an author biography, activity ideas, lesson plans, and games that go along with the book. There are also lesson plans for weather activities. Includes a link to eThemes Resource on Tornadoes. Math: Surface Area and Volume http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002243.shtml These sites are about the math concepts of area and volume. Learn about calculating measurements in terms of volume and area. Includes several interactive sites and a lesson plan. There are links to eThemes Resources on Geometry: Geometric Solids and Math: Customary or Standard Measurement. Missouri History: Joplin http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002248.shtml These sites provide information about the history of Joplin, Missouri. Learn about the history, economy, architecture, and historical sites of this once mining capital of the world. Includes information on famous people from Joplin, photographs, maps, and primary documents. There are also links to eThemes Resources on Missouri Regions: An Overview and Missouri: Famous People. Updated eThemes African American Firsts http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001977.shtml These sites include information about African-American firsts in literature, sports, politics, education, music, etc. Significant contributions of African-Americans in contemporary and past history have been identified. Includes eThemes resources on Famous African American Inventors and Scientists, African American Contributions, and Black History month. Art: French Art and Artists http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001644.shtml Discover French art and artists. Find out about the art periods such as Romanesque, Gothic, Fauves, Cubism, and Impressionism. Learn their distinct characteristics, influence, and reflection of culture. Read biographies of Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Claude Monet, and many other famous French artists. View paintings, architecture, sculpture, and stained glass works created by French artists throughout the centuries. Includes image galleries, games, and quizzes. There are links to eThemes resources on art museums, artists, Renaissance, and the country of France. Ecosystems: Restoration of Natural Environments http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002000.shtml What is ecological restoration? Why is it important? On these sites you will find information about restoring parts of the environment that have undergone degradation to their natural state. There are articles, photographs, video clips, and lesson plans. Included are two eThemes resources on ecosystems and habitats. Figurative Language http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001955.shtml <http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001955.shtml> These sites are about figurative language in the context of reading. Includes idioms, jargon, slang, similes, metaphors, and personification. There are language definitions, lesson plans and activities, and interactive quizzes. Included are links to eThemes Resources on figurative language, similes, metaphors, and personification. Quilts: Past and Present http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000494.shtml Look at quilts throughout history including patterns and design construction. Covers quilts from the United States, Great Britain, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and elsewhere. Includes classroom activity ideas, audio recordings of quilt makers, an online game, and many photos of quilt patterns. Underground Railroad quilts are found on some sites. Includes an eThemes resource on Quilts: Literature Activities. Technology: Movie Maker Projects http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001585.shtml These sites focus on how to integrate technology, specifically digital movies, in the classroom. Ideas, lesson plans, and samples of movie projects are included. An eThemes on Windows 2.1 Movie Maker is included. 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
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