[eMINTS] Weekly Update 3/24/08

Mon Mar 24 19:05:29 CDT 2008

Flooding in Missouri: Thinking of the eMINTS teachers and students who are experiencing the devastation of the Mississippi and Missouri River flooding this week. Our thoughts are with you and your families as you deal with the challenges of several feet of flood water and the debris left behind. Especially hard hit are schools and homes in Poplar Bluff, MO where a major levee broke - southeast Bootheel of Missouri. 

Spotlight on Missouri eMINTS Teacher: Lori Mathys, Rockwood School District eMINTS teacher, is featured on DESE's website at: http://www.dese.mo.gov/features/spotlight.htm <http://www.dese.mo.gov/features/spotlight.htm>  Lori is representative of the many fine eMINTS teachers around the state of Missouri and the US and now Australia. We are proud of all of you and the work you do with your students every day! Read about Lori's classroom and see how much of what you do is reflected in her story. Congratulations, Lori and thanks for representing all eMINTS teachers in a very positive way.

Missouri Grant Deadline Approaches: This is a reminder that the deadline for submitting grant applications for the Missouri competitive Title II.D grants and for the Missouri METS (Mathematics, Engineering, Technology and Science) eMINTS grants is rapidly approaching. The deadline for hand delivery or post-marked applications for both programs is  March 31, 2008. All applications should be submitted to Instructional Technology, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in Jefferson City. 

New and Updated eThemes for the Week of March 24, 2008

Newest eThemes

Animals: Monarch Butterflies

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002282.shtml <https://webmail.um.umsystem.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002282.shtml> 

These sites focus on monarch butterflies and their life cycle. Learn about their habitat, needs, and characteristics, and more. Includes a video clip, printouts, and photographs. There are also links to eThemes Resources on Butterflies and Monarch Migration, Missouri Butterflies, and Life Cycles for K-2 Grades.

Author Study: Mo Willems

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002222.shtml <https://webmail.um.umsystem.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002222.shtml> 

These sites are about author Mo Willems. Read a biography or watch a video interview with the author, learn about his characters, or play an online game. There are lesson plans, activity ideas, printable coloring pages, and more.

Digital Calligraphy

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002188.shtml <https://webmail.um.umsystem.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002188.shtml> 

These sites are about digital calligraphy and typography. Learn about the art of ornamental lettering, and how to create decorative type in Photoshop and other programs. There is also information about historical typefaces and layout design.

Teaching Tips: Multiple Intelligences

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002260.shtml <https://webmail.um.umsystem.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002260.shtml> 

These sites are about multiple intelligence and how you can find your preferred intelligence.Includes information of Howard Gardner as well as eThemes Resources on Learning Styles.

Teaching Tips: Shared Writing

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002274.shtml <https://webmail.um.umsystem.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002274.shtml> 

These sites provide teaching resources for teachers on implementing a shared writing approach as well as model writing in the classroom. There is information on techniques, lesson plans, and student work samples. There is also a link to eThemes resources on Writing: 6 + 1 Writing Traits.

Updated eThemes

Medieval Knights

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000798.shtml <https://webmail.um.umsystem.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000798.shtml> 

These sites are about the knights from the Middle Ages or the Medieval period. Covers the topics of heraldry and chivalry. Includes photographs of armor and weapons used by knights. There are links to eThemes Resources on medieval castles and feudalism.

Seasons: Spring

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001372.shtml <https://webmail.um.umsystem.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001372.shtml> 

These sites have spring crafts, worksheets, and lesson plans. One link is a slide show created by elementary school students. There are links to eThemes on kites and Easter.