---"Believe in what you can do and then act upon it, instead of whining about what you can not do!------ Vinny
Science news stories courtesy of ABC Science Online.
[Click on any headline for the full story].

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Page -1

Antarctic plumbing surprises scientists

A suprisingly fast-moving system of lakes beneath Antarctic ice could help scientists predict how fast sea levels will rise in a warming world. >> more
Friday, 16 February 2007

Air conditioners make cities hotter

The use of air conditioners to cool the inside of big city buildings is making it hotter outdoors, say Japanese researchers. >> more
Wednesday, 14 February 2007

Bats eat songbirds on the wing at night

One large species of bat preys on songbirds as they migrate through the dark of night over the Mediterranean, say Spanish and Swiss researchers. >> more
Wednesday, 14 February 2007

Chimps really are cheeky monkeys

Scientists say chimpanzees can predict our actions by figuring out what we see and hear, like a so-called mind reader who is just a clever observer of human behaviour. >> more
Friday, 9 February 2007

Female seals give males the cold shoulder

A leading theory about mating displays among animals is that the males do all the hard work, flashily showing off their fitness to be a breeding partner. >> more
Thursday, 8 February 2007

Stressed fruit may be better for you

The amount of flavonoids - antioxidants found in fruits, nuts and vegetables linked to disease prevention - depends on how much stress the plant has endured, says a US government report. >> more
Wednesday, 7 February 2007

UN climate report: what we don't know

Which report took 2500 scientists several years to write, yet still raises as many questions about future life on Earth than it answers? >> more
Monday, 5 February 2007

Seas may rise faster than UN says

Sea levels are rising faster than predicted amid global warming, according to a group of scientists that says the UN has underestimated the threat of rising oceans. >> more
Monday, 5 February 2007

Global warming puts fish stocks at risk

Global warming is affecting ocean currents in important fishing areas on the planet, says an international team of scientists. >> more
Friday, 2 February 2007

Australia was once awash with gold

Australia's underground water might have been awash with high levels of gold millions of years ago, new research suggests. >> more
Thursday, 1 February 2007

BACK TO EDUCATIONAL HOMEPAGE

Page - 2

Fruit flies may thrive as planet warms

Fruit flies are likely to survive, and possibly thrive, as the globe warms, researchers predict. >> more
Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Glaciers melting faster as planet warms

The melting of mountain glaciers worldwide is accelerating, a clear sign that climate change is also picking up, the UN environmental agency and scientists say. >> more
Tuesday, 30 January 2007

Scientists query plan to farm Top End

Scientists are cautious about the proposal to move Australia's agriculture north to take advantage of higher rainfall, as outlined recently by the federal government. >> more
Monday, 29 January 2007

Mathematician turns chaos into crochet

Crochet is helping researchers to better understand mathematical equations designed to make sense of chaotic weather patterns. >> more
Monday, 29 January 2007

Tim Flannery awarded Australian of the Year

Scientist, conservationist and bestselling writer Professor Tim Flannery has been named Australian of the Year. >> more
Friday, 26 January 2007

Fish use logic to size up rivals

Male fish, like humans, use a sophisticated form of logical reasoning to assess potential rivals, scientists say. >> more
Thursday, 25 January 2007

Marsupial lion reignites megafauna debate

Fossils found in Australia's arid Nullarbor Plain support the theory that humans drove the continent's megafauna to extinction around 45,000 years ago, researchers say. >> more
Thursday, 25 January 2007

UN panel strengthens climate warning

A UN climate panel will project wrenching disruptions to nature by 2100 in a report next week blaming human use of fossil fuels more clearly than ever for global warming, scientific sources say. >> more
Wednesday, 24 January 2007

Drilling made volcano spew mud

Drilling for gas most probably caused the eruption of an Indonesian mud volcano, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people, scientists report. >> more
Wednesday, 24 January 2007

Microwaves zap sponges clean

Two minutes in a microwave oven can sterilise most household sponges, US researchers report. >> more
Tuesday, 23 January 2007

Toothless mice can eat again

Teeth that were created in a lab dish from single cells have for the first time replaced natural teeth in mice, researchers report. >> more
Monday, 19 February 2007

BACK TO EDUCATIONAL HOMEPAGE

Page - 3

Plastic nanospheres to hunt out cancer

Nanospheres could help take the sting out of chemotherapy by delivering anticancer drugs more effectively and safely, say Australian researchers. >> more
Friday, 9 February 2007

Naughty kids can blame their genes

If some children seem like they were born to be bad, new research suggests it may be true. >> more
Thursday, 8 February 2007

Ulcer bug migrated out of Africa with us

Humans have had an intimate relationship with the bacteria that causes painful stomach ulcers for more than 60,000 years, scientists say. >> more
Thursday, 8 February 2007

Gene therapy tackles severe burns

Researchers are using gene therapy to rev up wound healing in skin cells, hoping to fight potentially lethal infections after severe burns. >> more
Wednesday, 7 February 2007

Bug 'zoo' living on your skin

Researchers on a safari for microbes have found that human skin is populated by a veritable menagerie of bacteria: 182 species. >> more
Tuesday, 6 February 2007

Babies reach out in the womb

Humans learn how to deliberately and carefully reach for things while still in the womb, says an Italian team of scientists. >> more
Monday, 5 February 2007

Samba keeps footballers on their toes

Dancing samba teaches body control that can improve motor skills in anything from playing percussion to football, say Japanese researchers. >> more
Friday, 2 February 2007

Lavender makes boys grow 'man boobs'

The lavender and tea tree oils found in some soaps, shampoos, hair gels and body lotions can produce enlarged breasts in boys, researchers report. >> more
Thursday, 1 February 2007

Autistic savant 'addicted' to dates

What day of the week was 13 January 2000? Donny, considered the world's fastest and most gifted calendar prodigy, could answer correctly, Thursday, in 700 milliseconds. Now researchers think they know how he does it and why. >> more
Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Taste for salt can start at birth

Some people with a penchant for salty snacks may have been born with it, a new study suggests. >> more
Tuesday, 30 January 2007

BACK TO EDUCATIONAL HOMEPAGE

Page - 4

Brain damage makes heavy smoker quit

Scientists who noticed that a heavy smoker suddenly lost all desire for cigarettes after a stroke left him with brain damage have identified a structure deep in the brain as a key player in smoking addiction. >> more
Friday, 26 January 2007

Sheep inspired grande dame of science

A sheep farmers' daughter who became a pioneering scientist has been awarded an Australia Day honour. >> more
Friday, 26 January 2007

When it comes to mucus, bigger is better

Larger nanoparticles are better than smaller ones at penetrating human mucous membranes, according to US researchers who say this holds hope for using such particles to deliver drugs in the body. >> more
Tuesday, 23 January 2007

Selfish or selfless, test reveals all

Altruism, one of the most difficult human behaviours to define, can be detected in brain scans, US researchers report. >> more
Monday, 22 January 2007

Evidence of long-term water flows on Mars

New images of a craggy, fissure-filled canyon on Mars provide evidence of long-term underground water flows that may have provided a suitable environment for microbial life, say scientists. >> more
Friday, 16 February 2007

Comets collide as star system dies

The death rattle of our solar system could be a hornet's nest of colliding comets, say astronomers who have discovered signs of such a messy stellar demise in the nearby Helix Nebula. >> more
Thursday, 15 February 2007

Titan cloud would cover half of Australia

Images from the Hubble Space Telescope told scientists there was some type of cloud covering the north pole of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. >> more
Friday, 9 February 2007

Hubble's main camera crippled

The newest, most sophisticated camera aboard the Hubble Space Telescope has stopped working and two of its main capabilities are unlikely to recover, the US space agency says. >> more
Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Black diamonds born in space

New analysis of the world's toughest diamonds suggests they may be visitors from deep space, possibly the unaltered chunks of a long dead, exploded star. >> more
Monday, 22 January 2007

West slams China's satellite-killer test

Australia, the US and Canada have voiced concerns to China over the first known satellite-killing test in space in more than 20 years, the White House says. >> more
Friday, 19 January 2007

BACK TO EDUCATIONAL HOMEPAGE

Page - 5

FM radio gives away aliens

If aliens tens of light-years away have radar and FM radio, we may finally be able to hear them. >> more
Wednesday, 17 January 2007

Pluto probe drops in on Jupiter

Less than a year after leaving Earth, a spacecraft bound for Pluto is approaching Jupiter for a six-month series of observations. >> more
Monday, 15 January 2007

Earliest cosmic fireworks could be stars

Fresh evidence of the first objects to emerge after the Big Bang has left scientists debating what these could be. >> more
Thursday, 21 December 2006

Cosmos shines light on missing matter

The discovery of over 1000 glowing planetary nebulae could help balance cosmic accounts, says an international team of astronomers. >> more
Monday, 18 December 2006

Freak solar explosion disrupts satellites

Communication systems are being disrupted by the effects of an unusually large solar explosion that started lashing the Earth this week. >> more
Friday, 15 December 2006

Global warming prolongs life of space junk

Human increases in carbon dioxide emissions are thinning the Earth's outer atmosphere, making it easier to keep the space station aloft but prolonging the life of dangerous space junk, scientists say. >> more
Tuesday, 12 December 2006

Is this water on Mars?

Photographs of Mars show features that most likely were made by water flowing on the planet today, says the US space agency. >> more
Thursday, 7 December 2006

NASA plans permanent Moon base

The US space agency says it plans to build a permanently occupied base on the Moon, most likely at its south pole. >> more
Tuesday, 5 December 2006

And now, the weather on Mars

Astronomers have shown that an old technique for mapping the topography of Mars from Earth could be used in a novel way to map the Red Planet's weather. >> more
Monday, 4 December 2006

Ancient computer was ahead of its time

A 2100 year old clockwork machine whose remains were retrieved from a shipwreck more than a century ago has turned out to be the celestial supercomputer of the ancient world. >> more
Thursday, 30 November 2006

BACK TO EDUCATIONAL HOMEPAGE

Page - 6

Astronomers spot gamma ray clock

Astronomers have discovered an 'orbital clock' in the Milky Way, a gamma ray source 100,000 times more energetic than any other. >> more
Wednesday, 29 November 2006

'Firecracker galaxy' has double blast

Stars are blowing themselves to smithereens more often than usual in galaxy NGC 1316. >> more
Thursday, 23 November 2006

Mars probe believed lost in space

NASA scientists conceded that the 10-year-old Mars Global Surveyor is probably lost in space after the US agency tried unsuccessfully for two weeks to make contact. >> more
Wednesday, 22 November 2006

Mega-tsunamis more common than we think

Enormous comets may have regularly bombarded our oceans causing tsunamis that dwarf ones seen today, says a small group of scientists. >> more
Thursday, 16 November 2006

Spicy chilli history dates back 6000 years

Chilli peppers were domesticated by indigenous Latin Americans around 6,000 years ago, say archaeologists who have analysed tiny fossils preserved on cooking implements. >> more
Friday, 16 February 2007

Terracotta army made in two batches

The horses and warriors of China's terracotta army were made in different places, according to analysis of pollen found on the clay figures. >> more
Tuesday, 6 February 2007

Stonehenge builders lived here

Evidence of a large settlement full of houses dating back to 2600 BC has been discovered near the ancient stone monument of Stonehenge, scientists say. >> more
Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Hobbit is new species, brain study shows

The tiny woman dubbed the hobbit who lived 18,000 years ago on a remote Indonesian island deserves to be deemed a new human species and not a deformed modern human as sceptics assert, researchers say. >> more
Tuesday, 30 January 2007

Iraqi artists poisoned by arsenic

Some Iraqi artists may have literally died for their art, suggests new analysis of stucco fragments from the 9th century. >> more
Wednesday, 24 January 2007

Winged dinosaur flew like biplane

An early flying dinosaur probably spread two pairs of feathered wings, acting like a biplane to glide between trees, scientists say. >> more
Tuesday, 23 January 2007

BACK TO EDUCATIONAL HOMEPAGE

Page - 7

Rich French food may have killed Napoleon

A scientific study has cleared the British of murdering Napoleon, declaring instead that he was killed by stomach cancer, and French military food was a possible cause. >> more
Thursday, 18 January 2007

Found! Deadly clue to 1918 flu

The virus that caused the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that killed more people than World War One was so deadly because it triggered an uncontrolled immune system response, scientists say. >> more
Thursday, 18 January 2007

Out of Africa ... and into Russia

Modern humans spread out of Africa relatively recently, around 50,000 years ago, and made their way to Russia, new research suggests. >> more
Monday, 15 January 2007

Humungous dino dwarfed T-rex

The fossilised remains of a gargantuan plant-eating dinosaur, one of the largest animals ever to walk the Earth, has been found in Spain. >> more
Friday, 22 December 2006

Ancient 'squirrel' glided with birds

Gliding squirrel-like mammals that lived with the dinosaurs at least 130 million years ago may have conquered the skies around the same time as birds, or even earlier, scientists say. >> more
Thursday, 14 December 2006

Aboriginal language had ice age origins

Aboriginal languages may be much older than people think, argues a linguistic anthropologist who says they originated as far back as the end of the last ice age around 13,000 years ago. >> more
Wednesday, 13 December 2006

Ancient Kiwi 'mouse' fills fossil gap

Palaeontologists have found remains of one of the most primitive type of land mammal in the world, a mouse-sized creature that's unlike any mammal alive today. >> more
Tuesday, 12 December 2006

Neanderthals turned into cannibals

Neanderthals had different ethnic groups, often starved and probably practised cannibalism. >> more
Wednesday, 6 December 2006

Science helps return stolen human remains

Aboriginal human remains stolen in the name of science are being reburied in traditional burial mounds using the latest technology to ensure that existing burials are not disturbed. >> more
Monday, 4 December 2006

Two groups may have populated Australia
Mirror mirror ... text tells all

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, does this outfit make me look short or tall? >> more
Friday, 19 January 2007

Einstein's tea-leaves inspire new gadget

Einstein's explanation of why tea-leaves accumulate at the bottom of a stirred cup is inspiring scientists who are working on a new type of medical test kit. >> more
Wednesday, 17 January 2007

New genetic evidence suggests Australia may have been populated by two separate groups of humans, one arriving via Papua New Guinea, the other via Indonesia, a researcher says. >> more
Thursday, 30 November 2006

Physicists stop light, then restart it

Scientists have made a tiny pulse of light stop, jump from one group of atoms to another and then continue on its way. >> more
Thursday, 8 February 2007

EDUCATIONAL HOMEPAGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

faini

 

brent fletcher

 

most people talk bullshit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

eHow

Learn how to do just about everything at eHow, the world's most popular place to find How To instructions.  

eHow.com--The World's Largest How To Site on How to Do Just About Everything. Visit eHow.com for more than 100,000 how-to tips and ideas.

Country: United States
Website: http://www.ehow.com

 

Lowes

Lowe's has the answers you need to help with all your home improvement projects.

Website: http://www.lowes.com

 

frankfurness - motivational speaker

Name: Frank
Age: 54

Frank Furness is a specialist in sales, technology and motivation and speaks in 47 countries. On my channel I share tips, strategies and techniques to help you achieve your goals. Feel free to email me at frank@frankfurness.com

Take a look at my website http://www.frankfurness.com

 and download free ebooks and software at http://www.frankfurnessresources.com

Occupation: Professional Speaker
Website: http://www.frankfurness.com

 

FuzzyMemoriesTV

Visit - http://www.FuzzyMemories.TV
The Museum of Classic Chicago Television - for more fun!
FuzzyMemories is an online Chicago Television Museum designed for the age of the Internet.
Our Mission: To further the acquisition, preservation, study, exhibition, education, and nostalgic enjoyment of Classic Chicago Television broadcasts.
Commenting on videos has been turned off due to Spam issues. If you want to comment on a video, please go to: www.FuzzyMemories.TV
Note: The YouTube account FuzzyMemoriesTV and the companion website www.FuzzyMemories.TV are both non-profit, Museum archives and websites which exist purely for educational and nostalgic purposes. No rights to the material you find here are given or implied. All material displayed is the intellectual property of the respective copyright holder(s). We do not sell material for profit, nor make any profit whatsoever from this website.

Disclaimer: All images, audio and video clips, names, titles, etc, are, unless otherwise noted, copyright their respective copyright holders (i.e. television stations, production companies, networks, creators) and no copyright infringement is made nor is FuzzyMemories.TV claiming the rights to any of these files/titles/names/et cetera. All images, audio and video clips, names, titles, etc are used in a manner such that they fall under the "Fair Use" section of the United States Copyright Law.

Country: United States
Website: http://www.FuzzyMemories.TV

GenkiJapanNet

Songs & games to learn Japanese, German, Korean, Spanish, Chinese and Math.
If you enjoyed this song, sign up for my weekly "Learn Japanese FAQ" newsletter and get my "Get Fluent in Japanese" eBook worth $19.99 for FREE at
http://www.genkienglish.net...
Or have a look at:
http://www.GenkiJapan.net,
http://www.LearnJapaneseFAQ...
NEW: http://www.LocationFreeLife...
http://www.GenkiGerman.com
http://www.GenkiKorean.com
http://www.GenkiChinese.com
NEW: http://www.GenkiSpanish.com
NEW: http://www.GenkiThai.com

produced by Richard Graham (Genki Japan .net)

Name: Richard

Country: United Kingdom
Website: http://www.GenkiJapan.net

 

Grancie48

These instructional videos feature some of the lessons and songs I wrote in order to teach basic concepts to both early childhood and elementary students in the following categories: early childhood concepts, health and safety, holidays and seasons, and ecology.
I have written 3 scripts for musicals that feature some of these songs: Planet Patrol (ecology), Graduation Review (early childhood graduation), and Come, Let Us Follow the Light (Christmas Pageant), The scripts, sheet music and resource files are available on eBaydotcom.
ALSO CHECK OUT OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS GROUP FOR MORE VIDEOS. http://www.youtube.com/grou...

 

GREENPOWERSCIENCE

Name: DAN

Country: United States
Website: http://www.greenpowerscience.com/

OVER 120 VIDEOS CLICK SEE ALL

A SCIENCE WEBSITE FOR FREE POWER. DAN and Denise host their Green Science Show. FRESNEL LENS AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IDEAS. Learn about electricity and wind power. DIY Do it yourself ideas

One of the goals aside from providing education on Green Energy is having a show ©GreenPowerScience on the Discovery Network or National Geographic Channel.

Dan is also actively consulting various projects on enhancing heat collection and maximizing solar output for PV, water purification - UV and flocculation. Also generating a concept for inexpensive powerful solar engines.

Both Dan and Denise are former members of the Screen Actors Guild from days past with appearances in Made for TV movies and National Commercials.

 

GspotSexTalk

Name: Sheena

City: Portland
Country: United States
Occupation: Entertainer, Singer, Songwriter,...
Companies: Sheena's G-spots, Sheena's Club-...

Sheena is not a cybergirl -- She is the Queen of the adult industry in Portland, Oregon.
Sheena's G-spots and her G-girls have legally entertained women, men, and couples for 12 years. They are the fantasy experts!
Now Sheena is bringing her G-girls to YouTube to discuss issues concerning sex and women. These informative videos are both educational and entertaining.

Sheena's Sex Toy Series - Part I: Oh My!

 

HealthDotCom

City: New York
Hometown: New York
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Health magazine and Health.com.
Also connect with us on:
* Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pag...
* Twitter - http://twitter.com/goodhealth
Website: http://health.com

Web: http://www.health.com
Newsletters: http://www.health.com/health/service/newsletter-signup
RSS: http://www.health.com/health/rss
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Healthcom/14482400667
Twitter: http://twitter.com/goodhealth
iGoogle: http://www.google.com/ig/adde?source=atgs&moduleurl=h...

 illumistream

We offer the largest library of health, pregnancy, and sex education videos on the web. Visit our websites:Health Guru (formerly known as illumistream) makes fun-to-watch, easy-to-understand health videos.

SEX HEALTH: http://Sex.Healthguru.com
HEALTH NEWS: http://News.Healthguru.com
PREGNANCY: http://Pregnancy.Healthguru...
COLLEGE HEALTH: http://College.Healthguru.com
GENERAL HEALTH: http://www.Healthguru.com
Website: http://www.healthguru.com

HistoryChannel1

City: New York
Country: United States
Website: http://www.history.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/His...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Hist...

Official YouTube Channel for HISTORY™, your destination for all things history. From thrilling series to awe-inspiring specials, the network has a distinctive voice that speaks to today's forward-thinking minds, particularly in the context of how the past directly affects the present and the future. Now you can access videos of your favorite HISTORY programs on YouTube. Check out iTunes to download full-length episodes!

 

jasonrosenbaum

This is the YouTube page that serves as a clearinghouse for videos created by Jason A. Rosenbaum.

Age: 24

Country: United States

 

jrobichess

Website: http://www.jrobichess.com

Chess videos by jrobichess.
To my knowledge I am the first person to begin playing chess and creating YouTube videos at the same time. My overall chess journey (things I have learned, rating improvements, etc) is all tracked here on these videos, both from what I posted and from comments and feedback from my subscribers.
I started chess in July 2007, and I have created a video history of my progress through YouTube! Follow along with my ups and downs as I work towards getting better at the great game of chess.
Technology has greatly helped my chess improve, and I hope you find that it can benefit you in the same way. I not only appreciate but invite your text and video comments to all my videos!
Chess is a lifelong journey - thanks for sharing it with me!

Age: 33

I play chess online on the Free Internet Chess Server under the handle "jrobi". I have a video on how to get setup there if you're interested.

Country: Canada
Website: http://www.jrobichess.com

Grandmaster Chess Blunders #1: Can you spot the mistake?

Chess Tactics #5

Chess Tactics

 

JudgeJudyHQ

Name: Alana

Age: 19

Country: United States
Occupation: Webmaster

Hello and welcome to Courtroom Television!
I originally started this channel only for Judge Judy thus explaining my username. But now I post multiple TV court shows. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Please rate, subscribe, and comment. I love you guys!
JJHQ says: I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND! Friend request me now and you will be part of the mission for me to have 1 million friends by the end of the year! The only question left for you is...which number will you be? Private message me to find out!
Extra special thanks to all the TV judges! You are appreciated and loved by millions!
JJHQ wants to hear from you now! Private message me with feedback, complaints, comments, etc! I love reading them!
Often Imitated, But Never Duplicated.

I love street racing cars. I also love working on cars. I am an internet addict. I have my laptop glued to my side! I seldom watch TV, but if there is something good on like Judge Judy I will watch it. I used to be a computer nerd, but now it's mostly about my car! I'm very easy going and love to talk. If you want to know more please private message me! I love reading all messages! Love JJHQ! xoxo
Website: http://www.judgejudyhq.com/

koattv

News video from Albuquerque and around New Mexico

Country: United States
Companies: Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.
Website: http://koat.com

For Albuquerque News visit: http://koat.com/news
For Albuquerque Weather visit: http://koat.com/weather
Sign Up For Breaking News Alerts: http://koat.com/emailnewsletters/
For Albuquerque Sports visit: http://koat.com/sports

 

kumedia

Known for top ranked undergraduate programs in engineering, math, science and business, Kettering University is home to the most advanced co-op education program in the nation state-of-the-art programs that are consistently recognized as some of the best engineering programs in the United States eleven science, business and engineering majors; and seven graduate programs.

Kettering's Innovation YouTube Challenge: http://www.kettering.edu/or...

 

LingusTV

LingusTV, the fresh new generation webTV channel to learn spanish as a foreign language. Join us!

The new generation WebTV channel to learn spanish as a foreign language.

Hometown: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Website: http://www.lingus.tv

Learn how to cook 'pan con tomate' in Spanish

 

MichaelTheMentor

Quick and easy to understand photography lessons for beginners.

Name: Michael
Age: 35

Country: United States
Occupation: Photographer / Instructional Vid...
Companies: www.michaelandrewphotography.com...
Interests and Hobbies: Photography and Film making.
Website: http://www.michaelthemaven.com

Slow Shutter Speed Exposures Using a Tripod

 

musicfreakcc

Elevator videos from around the world!.

City: Atlanta, GA
Hometown: Boston, MA
Country: United States
Occupation: IT Consultant, Computer Programmer
Interests and Hobbies: Riding Elevators, Computer Programming, Videography, Editing Wikipedia, Reading, Photography
Movies and Shows: The Weather Channel (Yeahhhh!!!!!), History Channel - especially Modern Marvels, Discovery Channel,
Website: http://www.elevprod.com/

 

 NationalGeographic

Inspiring People To Care About The Planet!
Website: http://www.nationalgeographic.com?sou...

Geo Sessions: Ben Harper Pt. 1 

 

 nutnfancy

Style: Educational

 

ORLivedotcom

Country: United States

http://www.or-live.com/inde...
OR-Live is the worlds leading surgical broadcasting company. Working collaboratively with hospitals and device manufacturers, OR-Live produces customized, interactive, video programs that demonstrate the latest surgical techniques and product innovations.
The OR-Live broadcasting network provides an intimate look at over 650 live and on-demand surgeries to a global audience, streaming over 40,000 hours of programming each month.
The OR-Live network can be found on-line at www.OR-Live.com.

RCSuperPowers

Style: Educational

Name: Dave Powers

City: Pasadena / Monrovia (Southern California)
Country: United States
Occupation: www.RCPowers.com
Companies: The website I said.

Website... http://RCPowers.com
Twitter...... http://Twitter.com/RCPowers
ABOUT US:
- We design and fly experimental planes.
- We review cool RC products.
- We add silliness fancy crazy.
 Website: http://www.RCPowers.com

 

ResearchChannel

Style: BroadcasterResearchChannel is a nonprofit media and technology organization that connects a global audience with the research and academic institutions whose developments, insights and discoveries affect our lives and futures.
ResearchChannel is now available to more than 35 million U.S. satellite and cable television subscribers. The channel is also available on 70 university and school-based cable systems in the United States and in other countries.
Go to researchchannel.org for more information and to access thousands of videos online.

Country: United States
Website: http://www.researchchannel.org

 

realenglish1

Style: VLogging

Name: Michael

Real English ®
This channel is for learning English with the lessons on the Real English site. It is for teachers and students of English as a Second or Foreign language(ESL and EFL).
On the Real English site, Everything is Free and Free-access (no log in, no signing up).
Click on "New Lessons" when you arrive at RealEnglish.com

The Marzio School
Creating ESL Video since 1976.

City: Martigues, France
Hometown: Northern New Jersey
Country: United States
Occupation: Language School Director
Companies: The Marzio School
Website: http://www.real-english.com/

 

richarddawkinsdotnet

Style: Educational

This is the official youtube channel for videos from http://RichardDawkins.net . Be sure to check that website for other videos, audio, articles, the official online store, our forum with over 50,000 members and over a million and a half posts, and much more.

ABOUT RICHARD DAWKINS:
Richard Dawkins is a world-renowned evolutionary biologist, author and outspoken atheist.
The Galaxy British Book Awards named him Author of the Year in 2006 for The God Delusion, and in 2008 his TV program 'The Genius of Charles Darwin' won Best Documentary Series at the British Broadcast Awards. He was listed as one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2007.
The Wall Street Journal said his "passion is supported by an awe-inspiring literary craftsmanship." The New York Times Book Review has hailed him as a writer who "understands the issues so clearly that he forces his reader to understand them too." Among his books are The Ancestor's Tale, The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable, Unweaving the Rainbow, A Devil's Chaplain and The God Delusion.

Country: United States
Website: http://richarddawkins.net

 

ScienceChannel

Learn about outer space, leading scientific exploration, new technology, earth science basics, & more with science videos & news from Science Channel.
Website: http://science.discovery.com

 

SnakeBytesTV

Style: Video

Name: Brian(SnakeBytesTV)
Age: 108

Country: United States
Website: http://www.snakebytes.tv  

Snakebytes.TV is a weekly video podcast from BHB Reptiles, one of the worlds largest snake breeding facilities, hatching over 30,000 baby snakes a year!
Come back soon for short weekly episodes of what it's like to live in my world of reptiles.
For those of you that are interested in hanging with us on our various sites, here's a list of them!!
www.myspace.com/bhbreptiles (this is Brian's personal page)
www.twitter.com/snakebytestv

www.bhbreptiles.com (the shops site)
www.snakebytes.tv (the shows community)
www.snakebytes.tumblr.com - (Brian's daily blog)
www.snakebytestv.ning.com

www.myspace.com/thechewcrew - (Chewy's place to hang out)
Get Your Snakebytes Swag and the New DVD at:
www.bhbreptiles.com

www.snakebytes.tv


Website: http://science.discovery.com

 

sozoexchange

Style: VLogging

Country: United States
Website: http://www.sozoexchange.com/

 

SpaceRip - Science

Welcome to SpaceRipTV: where stars explode and space-time rips at the seams. Dive into a black hole, meet your robot future, get close to a deadly supertwister.

Country: United States
Website: http://www.SpaceRip.com

 

thenobelprize

Style: Broadcaster

Welcome to the NobelPrize channel on YouTube, which brings you fascinating insights into the minds of current and past Nobel Laureates -- courtesy of Nobelprize.org, the official web site of the Nobel Foundation. Here, you can watch a range of Laureates give interviews and official Nobel Lectures, in which they reveal the stories that helped shape their lives and careers. You can also see the official videos of the Nobel Prize announcements, where members of the Nobel Prize-Awarding Committees reveal their reasons behind their choices for each year's Prizes.

We'll be updating the channel on a regular basis, and full versions of the video clips are available on Nobelprize.org, as well as information on every Nobel Prize since 1901, photo galleries, articles, educational games and much more.

Website: http://nobelprize.org/

Interview with Roger Y. Tsien, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2008

 

TheOmegaInstitute

Country: United States

http://www.eomega.org/?source=UTB

http://www.eomega.org

 

About Me: Through innovative educational experiences that awaken the best in the human spirit, Omega provides hope and healing for individuals and society.
Since its founding in 1977, Omega has been a pioneer in offering personal growth retreats and wellness retreats that focus on the mind, body, and spirit.

 

TravelChannelTV

Style: Broadcaster

Welcome to the official home of the Travel Channel on YouTube. Watch clips from our most popular TV shows, and learn about our hottest travel ideas and destinations. Continue your journey at travelchannel.com.

Country: United States
Companies: The Travel Channel, L.L.C.
Website: http://www.travelchannel.com

 

travelandtransitions

Name: SQ

Country: Canada
Website: http://www.travelandtransitions.com

Travel Channel, featuring video clips from
- Sicily (Taormina, Milazzo, Eolian Islands, Cefalu, Siracusa, the Nebrodi Mountains)
- Tenerife (Puerto de la Cruz, Garachico, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Candelaria)
- Mexico (Mexico City, Taxco, Cuernavaca, Tepoztlan)
- Havana, Cuba
- London, UK
- New York City
- San Francisco
- San Diego
- Detroit
- Orlando, Florida
- Puerto Rico (San Juan, Ponce, Arecibo, Dorado)
- Niagara Falls, Ontario
- Richmond, Virginia
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Toronto, Ontario
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Montreal, Quebec
- Quebec City
and many more. More adventures are always in the works!

What an early midlife crisis can do? 3 years ago I started the biggest adventure of my life: a travel website. Not only did it allow me to express myself creatively through articles, interviews, photography and web programming, this project also forces me to get out there on a regular basis and explore the world.
It's been fabulous so far, and I have seen exciting places such as London, Mexico City, Havana, New York City, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Sicily and Austria and so many more. Every time I visit a place new ideas pop into my head for a new dream destination.
I love to explore destinations up-close and really try to understand the culture and mentality of the region. I interact with the locals and often write about the people behind the destinations. Cross-cultural connections have fascinated me for a long time.\
Join me on my journey - have a peak at my stories, interviews and travel advice articles on

 http://www.travelandtransitions.com

 

travelvideo

City: Newton
Hometown: Boston
Country: United States
Website: http://www.travelvideopostcard.com

 

Travel Video PostCards are one-minute, sound-rich Travel Videos from all over the world. They are embedded on thousands of web sites, web pages and blogs globally and generate many comments from viewers. The Travel Video PostCard travel team knows a lot about travel and can answer many questions to make your trip a better one.
Our Sound designer can add sound to your images and content, and our producers and photographers are happy to help you put together a terrific, sound-rich Travel VideoPostCard.

 

TutCast

Style: Educational

TutCast is determined to provide one of the biggest [FREE] online libraries for design and video training.
Occupation: Video Training
Companies: Iceflow Studios
Website: http://www.tutcast.com/

 

TravelVideoStore

City: Tampa
Country: United States
Website: http://www.travelvideostore.com

Leading Distributor of Travel Videos. Plan, experience and explore the world with professionally produced travel films. View the world as we add more titles every day. Over 6,000 travel films to choose from on our site.

TravelVideoStore.com is the world's leading distributor of travel videos. With more than 6,000 titles availabe, we offer more travel videos to more places!

 

ultraslow

Style: Video

Name: Alan

Over 26 million videos played. Look at our new site under construction at www.UltraSlo.com. Coming soon downloads and screen savers.

Country: United States
Occupation: Director, Cameraman, Producer
Companies: UltraSlo, And Dimensional Imagin...

These are the Video's of Ultraslo a production company founded by Alan Teitel a two time Emmy Award winning cinematographer who specializes in creating unique images in slow motion and 3d. Alan has a unique outlook and viewing perspective based on his twenty years of slo motion and 3d work which allow him to see the world at a much different speed. Alan is also a director, cinematographer and producer of national commercials, documentaries, and dramatic scenes. Alan also has two Emmy's for Cinematography and Technical Achievement. Alan has been nominated six times for his outstanding work. Alan enjoys shooting different images like Slow motion and 3D especially gun fights, action sports, sting rays, and dolphins. ( well maybe just about anything in between as well). If the tool does not exist to get the shot Alan will make it. The best thing about Alan's work is that is always different and he wakes up each day invigorated about what the new shoots of the day will bring.


Website: http://WWW.UltraSlo.com  

 

VideoNewsService

Country: United States

Harry S. Truman Dinner for Kane County Democrats

 

videotutoriales

Style: VLogging

empresa de creacion de videotutoriales de informatica y web.

City: ciudadella
Hometown: menorca
Country: Spain
Occupation: formador
Companies: videotutoriales.es
Website: http://www.videotutoriales.es

empresa de creacion de videotutoriales de informatica y web.
Video tutoriales Flash gratis , Video tutoriales dreamweaver gratis , Video tutoriales photoshop gratis , Video tutoriales autocad gratis , Video tutoriales word 2007 gratis , Video tutoriales excel 2007 gratis , Video tutoriales autoCAD gratis , Video tutoriales 3D Max gratis .
En videotutoriales.es podras descargar Video tutoriales http://www.videotutoriales.es

 

weezie63

Style: Variety

 

WhatYouOughtToKnow

Name: The Brothers Winn

Country: United States

A completely random assortment of useful and entertaining insights into... everything. But we can only do one at a time. Be patient. This daily podcast is full of useful bits of information presented in a way that will keep you smiling from ear to ear. Funny and factual, the title says it best. It's What You Ought To Know.
Website: http://www.whatyououghttoknow.com  

Forced Break

 

AtGoogleTalks

@Google events--such as the Authors@Google and Women@Google series--featuring everyone from newsmakers to bestselling authors.

Name: @Google
Website: http://www.google.com

 

briczar22

http://blog.myspace.com/index. cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&frien dID=2349846&blogID=459239011

Country: United States
Interests and Hobbies: Animal Conservation, Music, Mexican Food, Hockey, Football, Museums, and Photography.
Website: http://www.bcprints.com

 

CDCStreamingHealth

http://www.cdc.gov

 

DiscoveryHealth

 

DiscoveryNetworks

Discovery Channel is dedicated to bringing our viewers amazing stories and experiences from the world of science, natural history, anthropology, survival, geography, and engineering.

http://www.youtube.com/show?p=bN9vcpDpoAs&s=1&clips=1

 

bbqtv

Name: Marc
Age: 61

Country: United States

 

Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.


--------------------------------------------------
*** In the Spotlight for December ***
--------------------------------------------------

  -  Linking to Current Events
  -  Learning from Nobel Laureates
  -  Have an Interactive Holiday
  -  Connect Learning with Special Days
      o World AIDS Day
      o National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
      o Clean Air Day
      o Spiritual Literacy Month

--------------------------------------------------
*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

Cars

Facing the possibility of going under, U.S. car makers have called for
government loans to help keep them afloat. The manufacturers' emphasis
on large SUVs -- which once brought in record profits for the companies
-- has now become a liability for the "Big Three" -- General Motors,
Ford, and Chrysler -- under the strain of an economic downturn and
fluctuating gas prices.

November 20, Congressional leaders rejected a $25 billion bailout
package, at least until a "plan for viability" can be put forward by the
auto makers to ensure their success into the future.

We have a number of resources related to the history of the U.S.
automobile industry:

 > "The Firm," Program 15 of Economics U$A
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html> looks at past problems
in the US automobile industry, showing Studebaker and the expenses
involved in model changes to attract consumers. A $50 million loan plan
for retooling was rejected by financial community. Program 25, "Economic
Growth," traces the success of Ford's Model T, and Program 22, "Labor
and Management," discusses how Chrysler -- partnered with labor in the
late 1970s. Other programs in the series may also be of interest.

 > Inside the Global Economy
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series86.html> Program 2,
"Protectionism vs. Free Trade" looks at voluntary export restraints on
Japanese cars into the U.S., while Program 1 discusses the experience of
Australia's auto industry with competition from imports.

 > The American Passages archive contains a number of historical images
illustrating the centrality of the automobile to American culture, such
as this poster
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=7477&fullsize=1>
showing Ford's marketing strategy and this image
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=5171&fullsize=1>
of a used car lot during the 1930s. Use the search term "automobiles" to
find many more images.

 > Science in Focus: Force and Motion
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/force/> offers ways of incorporating
automobile design into simple physics lessons at the elementary and
middle school levels.

---
Mars

Recent explorations of Mars have led to interesting discoveries about
the red planet. Most recently, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has
uncovered information suggesting the presence of giant glaciers just
beneath the planet's surface. This comes shortly after the finding, by
NASA's Phoenix Mars lander, of ice in the planet's soil.

 > Teaching High School Science
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series126.html> Program 5, "Exploring
Mars, offers a lesson that allows students to conduct their own
discoveries about the surface of Mars.

 > The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html> explores the physics of
journeys to other planets in Program 24, "Navigating in Space."

 > What do the differences between Mars and Earth have to do with the
origins of life? Read this interview with biology professor Andy Knoll
<http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/scientist/transcripts/knoll.html>
in which he discusses the characteristics of Mars as compared with the
characteristics of Earth. The online textbook
<http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=1&secNum=1>
offers additional information on the subject.

---
With a broadband Internet connection, you can use our Video on Demand
feature to view programs free of charge. Visit our FAQ
<http://www.learner.org/faq/faq_broadband.html> for more information.


--------------------------------------------------
*** LEARNING FROM NOBEL LAUREATES ***

This year's Nobel Prize winners have been announced. The Laureates are
set to receive their medals in Stockholm, Sweden on December 10 at the
Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. The prizes are awarded each year for
outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine,
literature, peace, and economics.

The achievements and personalities of Nobel Laureates have been
incorporated into Annenberg Media video series. Learn from the insights
of these masters in their fields, or learn about their works and
discoveries, in the following programs:

Nobel Laureates in Chemistry
1981 - Roald Hoffman, The World of Chemistry, Host
1957 - John Kendrew, Rediscovering Biology Web site Unit 2, "Protein and
Proteomics"
1954 - Linus Pauling, Reactions in Chemistry Program 6, "The Chemistry
of Life"

Nobel Laureates in Economics
1970 - Paul Samuelson, Economics U$A, Programs 4 and 5

Nobel Laureates in Literature
1993 - Toni Morrison, In Search of the Novel Program 8, "Am I Getting
Through?"
1976 - Saul Bellow, American Passages Web site Unit 14, "Becoming Visible"
1962 - John Steinbeck, American Passages Program 12, "Migrant Struggle"
1954 - Ernest Hemingway, American Passages Program 11, "Modernist Portraits"
1949 - William Faulkner, American Passages Program 13, "Southern
Renaissance"
1948 - T. S. Eliot, Voices & Visions Program 4, "T. S. Eliot"

Nobel Laureates in Medicine
2001 - Leland Hartwell, Rediscovering Biology Program 8 and Web site
Unit 8, "Cell Biology and Cancer"
1989 - Michael Bishop and Harold Varmus, Rediscovering Biology Web site
Unit 8, "Cell Biology and Cancer"
1981 - David Hubel, Discovering Psychology Web site Unit 7, "Sensation
and Perception"

Browse our series titles <http://www.learner.org/resources/browse.html>
to view a program or to enter a series Web site.

For more information about each Nobel Laureate listed above and his or
her work, visit the official Nobel Prize Web site <http://nobelprize.org/>.


--------------------------------------------------
*** HAVE AN INTERACTIVE HOLIDAY ***

This holiday, spend some fun time at Learner.org with our interactives!

<http://www.learner.org/interactives/>

These unique interactive experiences will introduce your students to
various subjects across the curriculum, or even allow you to brush up on
your knowledge of basics in chemistry, geometry, history, spelling,
literature, geology, measurement, and many more subjects. Several
interactives offer their own assessments of student learning.


--------------------------------------------------
*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH MORE SPECIAL DAYS ***

World AIDS Day (December 1)

 > Find a map showing AIDS rates in Africa in the year 2000
<http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/visual/visual.php?shortname=adult_hiv>
on the Habitable Planet Web site. Click on the link to the online
textbook for more information on global population issues.

 > Learn the biology of the virus with Rediscovering Biology: Molecular
to Global Perspectives, Unit 6
<http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/hiv/index.html>. Also see
the case study, "The Genetics of Resistance to HIV Infection"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/casestudy/hiv.html>.

 > "Health, Mind, and Behavior"
<http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/23/e23expand.html>,
Program 23 of Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition, considers the
role of psychology in helping to shape public perceptions about engaging
in risky behaviors, as well as in promoting positive health outcomes for
those with a positive diagnosis.

 > The human impact of the AIDS epidemic in Kenya and other African
countries is explored in "Strength To Overcome"
<http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/page19.html>, Program 19 of The
Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century.

 > Teaching Geography Workshop 5
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/geography/wkp5intr.html> shows ways of
approaching the subject of AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa in the classroom.
A downloadable lesson plan is available in Word or PDF format.

 > A medical doctor talks about facing the possibility of his own death
after contracting AIDS in Death: A Personal Understanding
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series108.html> Program 3, "Facing
Mortality." Program 8, "Grief and Bereavement," features a 15-year-old
girl who has lost her mother -- and could lose her father and brother --
to AIDS.


National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7)

 > A Biography of America Program 22, "World War II"
<http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/prog22/>, offers and account
of the Pearl Harbor attack and the events that followed. Try the
Web-based activity, "You Decide: Japanese American Internment?"

 > The Western Tradition
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html> Program 48, "The Second
World War," looks at various factors in World War II.

 > The poetry of Lawson Fusao Inada
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/session8/aw/work2.html>
addresses the human aftermath of Pearl Harbor on the Web site for The
Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School.

 > Internment camps for U.S. citizens of Japanese decent are discussed
in "With Justice for All: From World War II to the Civil Rights
Movement" <http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit14/context_activ-1.html>,
and article on the American Passages Web site. Also search the archive
for related images.


Clean Air Day (December 17)

 > Watch The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental
Science <http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/> Unit 2, "Atmosphere,"
and Unit 11, "Atmospheric Pollution." Also read this interview with
Chuck Kolb
<http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/scientist/transcripts/kolb.html>,
CEO of Aerodyne Research, Inc., in which he discusses measuring
atmospheric pollution.

 > Economics U$A <http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html>
Program 21, "Pollution," explains how costs resulting from pollution
have been factored into policy decisions. The Clean Air Act and its
impact on automobile emissions and gasoline lead regulations provide
examples.

 > The World of Chemistry
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series61.html> Program 17, "The
Precious Envelope," explores theories about the development of Earth's
atmosphere through chemical evolution. The program also discusses ozone
depletion and the greenhouse effect.

 > Reactions in Chemistry, Session 7 "Chemistry and the Environment"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/chemistry/workshop7/> looks at how
ozone -- pollution can increase ground-level ozone levels, as well as
how CFCs are depleting the naturally protective ozone layer.

 > Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science, Session 8, "Wind and
Weather"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/sheddinglight/workshop8.html>,
explains basics of air movement, atmospheric layers, and how substances
evaporate into the air. Children share their own ideas about natural and
environmental processes.


Spiritual Literacy Month

Spiritual concepts have been part of human life for millennia. This
month, increase your knowledge of different societies' ideas about
spirituality and role these ideas have played in shaping how people
interact with the world and with each other.

 > In Artifacts & Fiction, Unit 8, "Ceremonial Artifacts"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/artifacts/sessions.php?s=8>, Professor
Greg Sarris discusses a creation story and Pomo baskets as means of
introducing expressions of spirituality and the sacred in Native
American culture.

 > Get an introduction to Jewish spirituality from Rabbi Meir Feldman as
he speaks to a 6th grade class in "A First Impression of Judaism"
<http://www.learner.org/series/cowl/ch1-3/firstimpression.html>, from
Teaching "The Children of Willesden Lane."

 > Bridging World History
<http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/unit_main_5.html> looks at
the development of spiritual ideas in Unit 5, "Early Belief Systems," as
expressed in Shinto, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Confucianism,
and Greek thought.

 > Out of the Past <http://www.learner.org/resources/series45.html>
Program 7, "The Spirit World," looks at how the sacred is expressed in
the art and architecture of the ancient Maya.

 > Death: A Personal Understanding
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series108.html> considers spiritual
aspects of death in Programs 9, "Death Rituals," and 10, "The Good Death."

 > Learn about how Mayan spirituality still permeates life in Cancun,
Mexico. The first program of Human Geography: People, Places, and Change
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series85.html> explores Mayan ruins
and their significance, and shows a Mayan corn ceremony being performed
by a shaman.

 > The Western Tradition
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html> traces the development
of European spirituality from Egyptian and Greek thought through the
evolution of Christianity, with brief excursions into Judaism and Islam.

 > See the parallel developments of Christianity and Western art and
architecture in the programs of Art of the Western World
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html>.

--------------------------------------------------
*** In the Spotlight for January ***
--------------------------------------------------

  -  2009: Year of...
  -  Linking to Current Events
  -  Connect Learning with Special Days
      o New Year's Day
      o Martin Luther King Day
      o Inauguration Day
      o Universal Letter-writing Week
      o Financial Wellness Month

--------------------------------------------------
*** 2009: YEAR OF... ***

Two-thousand nine feels like the beginning of a new age, with a new U.S.
presidency on the horizon and major changes in the economy signaling
uncertain times to come. Along with these big changes, the New Year also
brings new areas of emphasis in learning and awareness.

The following are topics that will be officially recognized in 2009,
along with resources on our Web site that you may find useful in
exploring the themes:

  > Year of Science

Explore our instructional video series on chemistry
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series61.html>, earth science
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series78.html>
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series49.html>, physics
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html>, biology
<http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/>, microbiology
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series121.html>, neuroscience
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series142.html>, and environmental
science <http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/>, plus series
specifically designed for teacher professional development
<http://www.learner.org/channel/chnnl_workshops.html>.  Also see our
science interactives <http://www.learner.org/interactives/> for unique
learning experiences.

  > Year of the Gorilla

What do we humans have in common with gorillas? Quite a lot, according
to the DNA! Find out more with the ninth unit of Rediscovering Biology:
Microbial to Global Perspectives
<http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/humev/>. In the Animations
& Images section, find an image of a gorilla against a foliage backdrop.

Interested in living amongst the gorillas? Be inspired by celebrated
ethologist Jane Goodall and her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees.
Dr. Goodall is featured in the introductory program of Journey North
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series127.html>.

  > International Year of Astronomy

Our physics series The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html> explains the movements
of the heavenly bodies in mathematical terms; watch programs 20 through
25 for content covering equinoxes, orbits, gravity, space travel, and
related theories. Less technical accounts for conveying information to
younger students can be found in Essential Science for Teachers: Earth
and Space Science <http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/earthspace/>
Programs 7 and 8, which consider children's own theories about the moon
and solar system. The fourth and sixth programs of Planet Earth
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series49.html> travel through our
solar system and examine the intimate connection between Earth and Sun.

Unfortunately many students have failed to understand even the most
basic astronomical concepts. A Private Universe
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series28.html> considers why this is
so, beginning with Harvard graduates' mistaken ideas about the
relationships between the motions of heavenly bodies and the seasons
here on Earth. To test your own knowledge, visit our Teacher's Lab
<http://www.learner.org/teacherslab/pup/> and take a quiz. Then have
your students tune in to astronomy directly with this set of moon
activities and resources <http://www.learner.org/workshops/lala/moonj.html>.

  > International Year of Natural Fibres

Consider the natural status of today's cotton -- watch "Genetically
Modified Organisms"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/textbook/gmo/gmo_5.html>, which
discusses genetically modified plants including cotton. On the same Web
site, read about a novel use of cotton cloth
<http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/infect/experts/colwell.html>
-- to filter water in communities without water purification systems.
The online textbook for The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to
Environmental Science Unit 7
<http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=7&secNum=0>
discusses major issues in the growing of natural crops for fiber and
food. And to find out what kind of plant stuff rayon and cotton fibers
are actually made of, visit the Shedding Light on Science Web site
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/sheddinglight/highlights/highlights5.html>.

Natural fibers are woven into history. Read about clothing in medieval
Europe in our Middle Ages interactive
<http://www.learner.org/interactives/middleages/clothing.html>, and
visit the American Passages archive to see traditional Native American
cotton and wool cloth on elaborate dolls of the Huron tribe
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=8113&fullsize=1>.
Also in the American Passages archive are historical images of people
picking cotton, such as this one
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=5510&fullsize=1>.
The manufacture of cloth during industrialization had important social
implications; find one illustrative example in "The Lowell System," the
third workshop of Primary Sources: Workshops in American History
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/lowell/introduction.html>.
And fabric itself has both reflected and affected the fabric of society;
read about it in this interview with vintage reproduction fashion
designer Anna Marie Von Firley
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/15/video/transcript.html>.

---
Use our Video on Demand feature
<http://www.learner.org/view_programs/view.programs.html> to view
programs free of charge.

--------------------------------------------------
*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

The Presidential Inauguration

 > Before the inauguration of Barack H. Obama on January 20, 2009,
review the workings of the institution of the U.S. presidency with "The
Modern Presidency: Tools of
Power"<http://www.learner.org/courses/democracyinamerica/dia_7/>,
Program 7 of Democracy in America. Downloadable readings include the
insightful writings of Alexis de Tocqueville, Alexander Hamilton (from
the Federalist Papers), Andrew Jackson (On Indian Removal), and Abraham
Lincoln (The Emancipation Proclamation).

 > The first three programs of our Emmy Award-winning discussion series
The Constitution: That Delicate Balance
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/january/constitut40.html> discuss
executive privilege; covert action; and the nomination, election, and
succession of the president.

 > Read this interview with veteran reporter Helen Thomas
<http://www.learner.org/catalog/extras/interviews/hthomas/ht04.html> to
learn about media coverage of the White House.

 > For a discussion on race and the implications of the election of the
first African American president, see America's History in the Making
Unit 20, "Egalitarian America"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/20/>. Explore the full
range of Web-based resources to review developments in racial divisions
and integration, as well as the role of mass media in shaping the
political landscape. The text chapter includes the article, "The Many
Facets of Brown: Integration in a Multiracial Society," plus examples of
ethnic mobilization and a discussion of President Kennedy's response to
the Civil Rights movement.

---
The Earth

Surprising discoveries about Earth's interior and exterior are advancing
scientists' understanding of the planet. On December 16, scientists
announced that breaches in Earth's magnetic field -- much larger than
previously known to occur -- have let in a blast of solar wind. Another
group of researchers have discovered two huge masses or "superpiles" of
molten rock they believe have remained stable for hundreds of millions
of years, playing a role in continental movements.

 > Try our Dynamic Earth interactive
<http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/>, which investigates
plate tectonics, continental drift, and the layers of Earth's interior.

 > The 26 programs of Earth Revealed
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series78.html> cover major geology
topics including magnetic fields and volcanism.

 > Elementary teachers can enhance their knowledge and teaching of
various earth science concepts with Essential Science for Teachers:
Earth and Space Science
<http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/earthspace/>.

 > To better understand the physics of magnetism, watch "Gravity,
Electricity, and Magnetism," Program 11 of The Mechanical Universe...and
Beyond <http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html>. Click on Lesson
Descriptions for a list of topics covered.

---
Cold Enough For You?

"January is here, with eyes that keenly glow,
a frost-mailed warrior striding a shadowy steed of snow,"
wrote poet Edgar Fawcett about this often frigid month. Make good use of
your time indoors by learning more about how the weather works.

 > Find out what forces operate our global weather system in Shedding
Light on Science. Workshop 7, "Sun and Seasons"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/sheddinglight/workshop7.html> explains
how uneven heating of the earth is responsible for our seasons, and
Workshop 8, "Wind and Weather"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/sheddinglight/workshop8.html> explores
mechanisms that set the air in motion and cause weather.

 > The oceans play a huge role in the heating and cooling of the earth
and provide the greatest CO2 offset.  The Habitable Planet, Program 3,
"Oceans"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=3&secNum=0>
explains the El Niño phenomenon and reveals the heroic efforts of
phytoplankton in the
oceans.

 > Understand the difference between weather and climate by watching
(the original) Planet Earth, Program 3, "The Climate Puzzle"
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series49.html>.


--------------------------------------------------
*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

New Year's Day (January 1)

 > "Happy New Year!"
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/tfl/japanese/birkland/> -- Program 22
of Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices --
features a Japanese language lesson about New Year's celebrations in
Japan. The Web site also includes foreign language teaching and learning
standards, and additional resources.

The New Year is a time for resolutions!

 > What does it take to stay motivated so you achieve your resolutions?
Watch Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition, Program 12, "Motivation
and Emotion"
<http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/12/e12expand.html>. Other
programs in the series may also be of interest.

 > Motivate your students to meet their own learning goals using the
teaching approaches discussed in "Expectations for Success: Motivation
and Learning"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/learningclassroom/session_overviews/motiv_home12.html>,
Session 12 of The Learning Classroom: Theory Into Practice.

 > This year, resolve to learn a new language, or pick up where your
college language courses left off. For Spanish, watch Destinos: An
Introduction to Spanish
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series75.html>; for French, we have
French in Action <http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html>; and
for learning German, there's Fokus Deutsch
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series104.html>, which also offers a
link to the video transcripts. Our language video series are based on
immersion methods.


Martin Luther King Day (January 19)

 > America's History in the Making Unit 20, "Egalitarian America"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/20/> -- new in 2008 --
looks at the struggles for civil rights from the 1940s to the 1970s. Be
sure to explore the unit's text and audio resources.

 > Look back at the social milieu 1960s including the Civil Rights
Movement and the work of Dr. King within the context of broader
historical developments in A Biography of America
<http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/prog24/>.

 > Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/socialstudies/> introduces ways of
teaching students to overcome their differences and develop a sense of
community in the session, "Unity and Diversity." In "Leaders, Community,
and Citizens," first-grade teacher Cynthia Vaughn shows how concepts of
equality and fairness can be incorporated into a general social studies
lesson.

 > See this picture of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=2254&fullsize=1>
in the American Passages archive.

 > Observe an engaging classroom lesson on the book "The Watsons Go to
Birmingham -- 1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis in Workshop 5 of Teaching
Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/workshop5/>. Find another lesson
on the same book
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/makingmeaning/makingmeaning/dramatic/>
in Making Meaning in Literature: A Library of Classroom Practices.

 > Teachers introduce their 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-grade students to
literature about Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement in
Engaging with Literature: A Video Library, Grades 3-5
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/engagingliterature/> Programs 6,
"Building Community," and 8, "Finding Common Ground."


Universal Letter-writing Week (January 8-14)

 > The effectiveness of letter writing in social action is demonstrated
in Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades,
Workshop 7, "Social Justice and Action"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/workshop7/teaching3.html>.

 > Teachers Gloria Hamilton and Damond Moodie engage their students in
letter writing activities in Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle
School Teachers, Workshop 2, "Making Writing Meaningful"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/middlewriting/prog2.html>. Damond
Moodie's lesson includes links to student work in PDF format.

 > Session 3 of The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature
in High School <http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/session3/> offers
James Baldwin's "The Fire Next Time" as an example of how personal
letters can be transformed into powerful, purposeful prose. For the text
of "The Fire Next Time," download the Workshop Guide for Session 3 in
PDF format, accessible directly at
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/support/guide3.pdf>.

 > In crafting your letter-writing assignments, draw ideas from the
creative response activities in American Passages: A Literary Survey,
Unit 12, "Migrant Struggle"
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit12/creative_respns.html>.

 > To help you get your students writing, remember The Top Ten Myths of
Writing
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/hswriting/workshops/workshop1/myths.html>.

 > Search the American Passages archive
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php> using
search term "letter" to find -- and even read -- images of original
handwritten documents, such as this one
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=1725&fullsize=1>
by President Lincoln urging equal treatment of soldiers regardless of
race. Refine search by time period or other criteria.

 > Our Historical and Cultural Contexts interactive
<http://www.learner.org/interactives/historical/> illustrates the
importance of letters to understanding history. Have students do the
interactive and then give a letter-writing assignment that will allow
students to "write history" in a letter.

 > Read the text of historically significant letters in the America's
History in the Making archive
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/resource_archive/> using
search term "letter."

 > Watch the series "Voices & Visions"
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series57.html> to understand the lives
of major American poets including Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost
through their letters to others.

Financial Wellness Month

 > Observe excellent lessons on financial responsibility in the fourth
program of The Economics Classroom: A Workshop for Grade 9-12 Teachers
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/economics/workshop4.html>. Watch
teacher Marc Johnson's True or False game that dispels his students'
misconceptions about financial success. Then click on Workshop 8,
"Growth and Entrepreneurship," for material addressing young
entrepreneurs, business and finance, and patents and copyrights.

 > Economics U$A <http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html> and
Inside the Global Economy
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series86.html> offer a broader view of
economic principles at work.

--------------------------------------------------
*** In the Spotlight for February ***
--------------------------------------------------

  -  Happy 200th Birthday to Lincoln and Darwin
  -  A Note about Broadcast Rights
  -  Connect Learning with Special Days
      o Valentine's Day
      o Washington's Birthday
      o The Academy Awards
      o Children's Authors and Illustrators Week
      o Black History Month
  -  More February Birthdays

--------------------------------------------------
*** HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY TO LINCOLN AND DARWIN ***

February 12, 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the births of two
towering figures: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United
States, and Charles Darwin, English naturalist and major proponent of
evolutionary theory.

Draw on our resources to discover the history and rich legacies of these
two monumental personalities of the 19th century.

For Lincoln:

 > The Web site for American Passages: A Literary Survey offers this
biographical sketch of President Lincoln as an author
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit07/authors-8.html>. Search the
archive to find photos and portraits of President Lincoln, as well as
other Lincoln-related artifacts.

 > Who freed the slaves? This question is asked and answered in Primary
Sources: Workshops in American History Workshop 4, "Concerning
Emancipation"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/emancipation/introduction.html>.
Much focus is on Lincoln, who played a major role. Click on "Before You
Watch" for links to several of Lincoln's speeches and letters.

 > See the Evaluating Evidence interactive
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/interactives/> on the Web
site for America's History in the Making. The interactive features
Lincoln's first and second inaugural addresses, the Gettysburg Address,
the "House Divided" speech, and Lincoln's open letter to Horace Greely,
as well as other artifacts from the era.

 > A Biography of America Program 11, "The Civil War"
<http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/prog11/>, includes discussion
of Abraham Lincoln in the context of the Civil War and its aftermath.

For Darwin:

 > Read a discussion of Darwinian theory and the history of life on
Earth in this interview with Harvard Professor Andy Knoll
<http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/scientist/transcripts/knoll.html>
on the Web site for The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to
Environmental Science.

 > Darwin's theory is indispensable to an understanding of biology.
Explore Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives
<http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/>, which covers evolution and
phylogenetics in Unit 3 and human evolution in Unit 9. Click on
"Experts" for more information on evolution.

 > Elementary teachers will gain insight from Essential Science for
Teachers: Life Science <http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/life/>
Session 5, "Variation, Adaptation, and Natural Selection," and Session
6, "Evolution and the Tree of Life," both of which address evolution;
Session 5 includes a photo and brief biography of Darwin.

 > Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series121.html> Program 6, "Microbial
Evolution," looks at extremophile microbes and what they can tell us
about the earliest life forms.

 > Programs 10 and 11 of Earth Revealed
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series78.html> walk viewers through
changes in the earth and its species over time, and show the interplay
between geology and biology. The second of these programs, "Evolution
Through Time," specifically discusses Darwin's theory and how scientists
account for the lack of intermediate forms between species in the fossil
record.

 > A photograph of Darwin
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=5653&fullsize=1>
and one of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=7304&fullsize=1>
are available in the American Passages archive. Also listen to Professor
Abby Werlock's remarks
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=8784>
about the impact of Darwin's ideas on literary realism.

---
Use our Video on Demand feature
<http://www.learner.org/view_programs/view.programs.html> to view
programs free of charge.


--------------------------------------------------
*** A NOTE ABOUT BROADCAST RIGHTS ***

Annenberg Media is a major component of the material for many school,
community access, and other broadcasters. If your station airs our video
series as part of your programming, we'd like to be sure you are aware
of our broadcast rights document, accessible online:

<http://www.learner.org/channel/licenses/attachmenta.html>

Our broadcast rights document -- "Attachment A" -- has recently been
updated and reflects the current expiration dates for broadcasting our
video series. You may continue to broadcast the programs of each series
until its expiration date -- or, in the case of series with rights
extensions in progress, until either a new date has been posted and that
date has expired, or the programs are removed from our collection.


--------------------------------------------------
*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

Valentine's Day (February 14)

 > Our Teachers' Lab activity, How Many Valentines?
<http://www.learner.org/teacherslab/math/patterns/valentines/handshakes1_act.html>
offers a fun way to connect the Valentine's Day holiday with elementary
mathematics.

 > The Web site for Teaching Math: Grades 3-5 presents an interactive
version of the How Many Valentines activity
<http://www.learner.org/courses/teachingmath/grades3_5/session_04/section_04_b.html>,
which illustrates principles of reasoning and proof.

 > The program "Valentine Exchange" in Teaching Math: A Video Library,
K-4 <http://www.learner.org/resources/series32.html> shows a classroom
math lesson just right for the holiday.

 > See how kindergarten teacher Cindy Wilson uses the making of
Valentines as a means of promoting her students' oral language skills in
Teaching Reading K-2: A Library of Classroom Practices
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/readingk2/wilson/>.


Washington's Birthday (February 16)

Federal law designates the third Monday in February as the official
observance of the birthday of Washington, recognized as the first
President of the United States of America.

 > Explore Units 4 and 6 of America's History in the Making
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/> to gain a better
understanding of the role and times of George Washington. From this page
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/4/addtlResources/#THist>
on the site, link to a 2005 radio program about Washington and his
evolution toward freeing his slaves. Also see this teaching unit on
George Washington in PDF format
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/pdf/GWashington_LOne.pdf>
from the National Center for History in the Schools.

 > Read George Washington's "Letter to Thomas Jefferson"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/democracyinamerica/dia_12/dia_12_readings.html>
in the readings for Democracy in America, Unit 12.

 > The American Passages archive offers numerous images, such as this
one
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=1639&fullsize=1>
depicting George Washington crowned in a laurel wreath.

 > "The Coming of Independence," Program 4 of A Biography of America
<http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/>, looks at Washington's role
in securing America's freedom from British rule. The next program in the
series, "A New System of Government," looks at the earliest years of the
American presidency.

 > The Western Tradition
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html> considers the meaning
of Washington's presidency as it contrasts with the heredity-based
monarchies of Europe in Program 38, "The American Republic."


The Academy Awards (February 22)

 > Turn the Academy Awards into a teaching moment! Our Cinema
interactive <http://www.learner.org/interactives/cinema/> offers
information on acting, directing, screenwriting, film editing, and
production.

 > Cover the major topics related to American filmmaking, the film
industry, movie personalities, and various genres by watching American
Cinema <http://www.learner.org/resources/series67.html>. Clips from 300
great films were used in creating the series.

 > Several of the novels featured in the series In Search of the Novel
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/isonovel/> have been made into movies:
Bridge to Terabithia (1985, 2007), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
(2001), Flowers for Algernon (Charly, 1968; Flowers for Algernon, 2000),
and To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). For his portrayal of Atticus Finch in
the movie To Kill a Mockingbird, actor Gregory Peck won the Oscar for
Best Actor in a Leading Role.

 > The articles "Documentary Photography and Film"
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit12/context_activ-2.html> and "Mass
Culture Invasion: The Rise of Motion Pictures"
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit13/context_activ-3.html> on the
American Passages Web site examine the significance of film in American
culture.


Children's Authors & Illustrators Week (1-7)

 > The first session of Teaching Reading 3-5 Workshop
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/teachreading35/> illustrates the
importance of making appropriate and enjoyable books available to young
readers (see Session Preparation). The classroom videos "Fostering Book
Discussions" and "Looking at Cause and Effect" feature the books My Name
Is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor Ada and Mississippi Bridge by Mildred
Taylor, among others. Mississippi Bridge is historical fiction
presenting the story of an African American family's experience of
discrimination during the Depression.

 > Teaching Reading, K-2: A Library of Classroom Practices
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/readingk2/> features a number of
children's authors and illustrators. For example, see the program
"Promoting Readers as Leaders," in which first-grade teacher Valerie
Kostandos incorporates the "Monster" books by Virginia Mueller,
illustrated by Lynn Munsinger, and several other books into a reading
lesson about mood and making predictions.

 > The book Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson, illustrated by Jan Davey
Ellis, is featured in the program "Celebrations of Light"
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/socialstudies/k_2/mesmer/> in Social
Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12.

 > Engaging With Literature: A Video Library, Grades 3-5
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/engagingliterature/> shows the
teaching of excellent children's literature throughout the series.


Black History Month

The theme for this year's Black History Month is "From Slavery to
Freedom: Africans in the Americas."

 > Add to your knowledge of history with America's History in the Making
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/>, which covers slavery, the
Civil War, Reconstruction, and 20th century developments. Program 20,
"Egalitarian America," discusses efforts to end race-based discrimination.

 > Learn new details about American history from A Biography of America
<http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/>. The series covers the
periods before, during, and after slavery as well as the Civil Rights
Movement and other eras. Explore the Web site for interactive activities.

 > Learn how to incorporate actual documents (i.e., slave bill of sale
documents) into the teaching of historical literature at the high school
level. Watch Artifacts & Fiction: Workshop in American Literature
Workshop 3, "Social History"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/artifacts/sessions.php?s=3>, and use
the Web-based materials to develop lessons on the writings of Harriet
Beecher Stowe and other authors.

 > The Africans <http://www.learner.org/resources/series8.html> Program
4, "Tools of Exploitation," adds an African perspective on the
trans-Atlantic slave trade. Click on "Buy Videos and Materials" to
purchase the series.

 > Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12 Program
18 <http://www.learner.org/libraries/socialstudies/6_8/fisher/> shows a
classroom lesson based on a reenactment of the famous Amistad case.
Click on "Lesson Background" for information about the topic.

For literature and art:

 > The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/> presents new ways to teach the
writings of African American authors including James Baldwin and Abiodun
Oyewole.

 > In "Building Community," Program 6 of Engaging with Literature: A
Video Library, Grades 3-5
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/engagingliterature/building/>, observe
engaging lessons on the books I Have a Dream: The Story of Martin Luther
King, Jr. by Margaret Davidson, Walking the Road to Freedom: A Story
About Sojourner Truth by Jeri Ferris, and Which Way Freedom by Joyce Hansen.

 > Learn directly from Barbara Chase-Riboud, Edwidge Danticat, and other
authors featured in Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for
the Middle Grades <http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/> as they
discuss their work. Seasoned teachers talk about their unique approaches
to literature.

 > On the Web site for American Passages: A Literary Survey
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/>, click on "About" and "How to Use
This Site" to find author-based materials including biographies of
Frederick Douglass, Ralph Ellison, Zora Neale Hurston, Harriet Jacobs,
and other African American authors. The Web site also offers links to
Video on Demand, lesson activities, and "Context Activities" articles
associated with each unit, like "Harlem in the 1920s: The Cultural Heart
of America"
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit10/context_activ-1.html>. Then
click on "Archive" to search for photos of Black civil rights leaders,
slaves and ex-slaves, and key figures in literature and the arts.
Examples of artifacts include this photo of Colored infantry
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=1771&fullsize=1>
and this one
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=1691&fullsize=1>
of "contrabands" in Virginia in 1862.

 > Signature: Contemporary Writers
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series55.html> includes a documentary
about playwright and director George C. Wolfe and his body of work.
(This program is intended for mature viewers.)

 > Budding artists will be inspired by the work of accomplished artists
Lorna Simpson and Beverly Buchanan, both featured in A World of Art:
Works in Progress <http://www.learner.org/resources/series64.html>.


--------------------------------------------------
*** MORE FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS ***

Celebrate the birthdays of these important figures of past and present:

- Langston Hughes - poet, writer (February 1, 1902)
   > Voices & Visions <http://www.learner.org/resources/series57.html>
   > Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/workshop6/authors.html>
   > Making Meaning in Literature: A Video Library, Grades 6-8
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/makingmeaning/makingmeaning/seminar/>

- Gertrude Stein - writer, eccentric, modern art collector (February 3,
1874)
   > American Passages: A Literary Survey
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit11/authors-9.html>
   > Artifacts & Fiction: Workshop in American Literature
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/artifacts/discipline_tutorials.php?tutorial=1&page=24>

- Rosa Parks - civil rights activist (February 4, 1913)
   > Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/workshop5/authors1d.html>

- Charles Dickens - novelist, social critic (February 7, 1812)
   > In Search of the Novel <http://www.learner.org/workshops/isonovel/>
   > Engaging With Literature: A Video Library, Grades 3-5
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/engagingliterature/finding/>

- Elizabeth Bishop - poet, writer (February 8, 1911)
   > Voices & Visions <http://www.learner.org/resources/series57.html>

- Amy Lowell - poet (February 9, 1874)
   > American Passages: A Literary Survey
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=8238>
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=4440>

- Alice Walker - author, feminist (February 9, 1944)
   > Conversations in Literature
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/conversations/conversation/objectifying/>
   > Literary Visions <http://www.learner.org/resources/series41.html>

- Susan B. Anthony - civil rights activist, suffragist (February 15, 1820)
   > American Passages: A Literary Survey
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit09/context_activ-2.html>
   > Democracy in America
<http://www.learner.org/courses/democracyinamerica/dia_2/dia_2_video.html>

- Galileo Galilei - physicist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher
(February 15, 1564)
   > Mathematics Illuminated
<http://www.learner.org/courses/mathilluminated/units/3/textbook/05.php>
   > The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html>

- Nasir al-Din al-Tusi - mathematician, philosopher, astronomer,
biologist (February 18, 1201)
    > The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html>
    > Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives
<http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/compev/>
    > Teaching Math: A Video Library, 9-12
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series34.html>

- Toni Morrison - author, professor (February 18, 1931)
   > In Search of the Novel
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/isonovel/Pages/Morrisonpage.html>

- Nicolaus Copernicus - astronomer (February 19, 1473)
   > The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html>
   > Earth Revealed <http://www.learner.org/resources/series78.html>

- Frédéric Chopin - composer, pianist (February 22, 1810)
   > Teaching The Children of Willesden Lane
<http://www.learner.org/series/cowl/music.html>

- W.E.B. DuBois - civil rights activist, writer, editor, sociology
professor (February 23, 1868)
   > A Biography of America
<http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/prog19/>
   > Democracy in America
<http://www.learner.org/courses/democracyinamerica/dia_5/dia_5_readings.html>
-------------------------------------------------------
*** In the Spotlight for April ***
-------------------------------------------------------

  -  Linking to Current Events
  -  Galileo and the International Year of Astronomy
  -  Distance Learning
  -  Explore.org Captures International Philanthropy
  -  Connect Learning with Special Days
      o Ellis Island Family History Day
      o Richter Scale Day
      o National Environmental Education Week
      o National Poetry Month
      o Mathematics Awareness Month
      o Autism Awareness Month
- Upcoming Conferences — NCTM and IRA

-------------------------------------------------------
*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

U.S.-Mexico Border Issues

Reports of drug-related violence south of the U.S.-Mexico border have
prompted U.S. officials to confront the problem directly, through the
deployment of federal agents to the border and diplomacy aimed at
increasing cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico.

Present your students with a rounded view of Mexico and borderland
issues with the help of our resources:

 > "Boundaries and Borderlands"
<http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/page2.html>, the second program of
The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century, focuses on the
border cities of Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas, showing how an
individual mother is drawn to cross the border to feed her family and
the attrition of U.S. Border Patrol agents. The related series, Teaching
Geography <http://www.learner.org/workshops/geography/wkp2intr.html>,
includes a lesson on factors in migration from Mexico. You can access
both the video link and the lesson plan.

 > For a view of differing "geographical imaginings" by tourists and
native Mexicans of Cancun, watch "Imagining New Worlds" from Human
Geography: People, Places, and Change
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series85.html>.

 > Middle school Spanish students learn how their leisure activities
compare with those of their Mexican-born schoolmates in "Hearing
Authentic Voices" from Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of
Classroom Practices <http://www.learner.org/libraries/tfl/>.

 > American Passages: A Literary Survey Unit 2, "Exploring Borderlands"
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit02/>, brings in history and
literature to aid our understanding of borderland issues and
cross-border identities.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** GALILEO AND THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY ***

Galileo Galilei is called the Father of Astronomy for his observations
of heavenly bodies in the Solar System, which reordered humans' concept
of the universe in 1609, and for his discoveries that contributed to the
demise of the Earth-centered cosmology of Aristotle and Ptolemy. Star
gazers can see what a radical change this was and how it was received
400 years ago in several science resources:

 > Watch The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html> Program 1,
"Introduction"; Program 2, "The Law of Falling Bodies"; and Program 4,
"Inertia."

 > Earth Revealed <http://www.learner.org/resources/series78.html>
Program 2, "The Restless Planet," traces the development of astronomical
theory.

 > Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space Science, Program 8,
"The Solar System: Order out of Chaos"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/earthspace/session8/> probes
young students' ideas about Earth's origins and their concept of the
Solar System.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** DISTANCE LEARNING ***

 From the Distance Learning Team at Annenberg Media
We hope everyone is enjoying spring after a long, cold winter. Spring is
a time of renewal and therefore a great time to remind everyone to renew
their licenses for the upcoming summer and fall semesters. We are
excited to let you know that our new Exploring World Art course will be
ready and available for preview by fall 2009. In addition, we have a new
physics course in development and plan to have a preview available early
winter of 2010. Last but surely not least, when you license Ethics in
America, you are automatically entitled to use the six new programs that
are part of Ethics in America II.

Don't forget that students can access the video for our distance
learning courses through our online VoD stream, 24/7 at no cost.
Additional options for students enrolled in a distance learning course
are to (1) purchase the DVDs at a greatly reduced price of $35 per
series/per part by calling 1-800-LEARNER (532-7637), or (2) download WMV
files through ACT media for $55 per series/per part by calling
1-913-768-1696.

Visit us! We will be at the following conferences over the next few
months: NILRC, April 16-17 in Quincy, Illinois; Georgia Distance
Learning Association, June 22-24; NUTN, June 21-23; and Wisconsin
Distance Learning, August 5-6. Please stop by our booth or attend our
presentation. We would love to connect.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** EXPLORE.ORG CAPTURES INTERNATIONAL PHILANTHROPY ***

Teachers looking for videos to supplement lessons on topics of
inter-religious studies, multicultural understanding, environmental
issues, and wildlife preservation may be interested in Explore.org.
Explore is a media communications project highlighting the work of
humanitarian non-profit organizations, both in the U.S. and
internationally. It is funded by the Annenberg Foundation and headed by
Foundation trustee, Charles Annenberg Weingarten. The Web site is
organized by region (China or India, for example) and further organized
by film length and subtopic. Explore invites teachers to provide
feedback at www.explore.org. The site will be relaunched during the
2009-2010 school year.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

Ellis Island Family History Day (April 17)

The Immigrant Station at Ellis Island in New York Harbor served was a
port of entry for 12 million immigrants to the United States from its
opening on January 1, 1892 until its closing on November 12, 1954. The
busiest year was 1907, with 1,004,756 immigrants; 11,747 were processed
on April 17, 1907 -- more than on any other day in the Immigrant
Station's history. It is estimated that over 40 percent of Americans are
descended from immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis
Island.

Noteworthy people to reach the United States through Ellis Island
include novelist Anzia Yezierska and artist Ben Shahn.

 > Get an overview of the impact of Ellis Island's immigrants on
American culture with the article "Coming to America: Immigrants at
Ellis Island"
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit09/context_activ-3.html>. This page
also links to photographs of immigrants at Ellis Island and two poems
related to the topic. In the same archive, read the article "How the
Other Half Lived: The Lower East Side"
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit09/context_activ-4.html>.

 > Anzia Yezierska's writing about immigrant life in New York's lower
east side is featured in the program "Social Realism" from American
Passages <http://www.learner.org/amerpass/>.

 > Read the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus in PDF format
<http://www.learner.org/amerpass/archive/9000s/9092.pdf>. The poem is
famous for the words, "Give me your tired, your poor,/Your huddled
masses yearning to breathe free...." In 1903, a plaque bearing the poem
was affixed to the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

 > A Biography of America, Unit 19, "A Vital Progressivism"
<http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/prog19/> looks at how several
groups, including Chinese and Japanese immigrants, attempted to gain
access to the American dream in the period between 1893 and 1929.

 > America's History in the Making, Unit 14, "Industrializing America"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/14/> examines the
experiences of immigrants in America during a period of global economic
and industrial expansion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. See
Unit Resources for a list of reference materials, links to articles, and
a radio program about immigrant women.


Richter Scale Day (April 26)

The Richter magnitude scale is used worldwide to measure the amount of
energy released during earthquakes, particularly smaller, local quakes.
Charles Richter and Beno Gutenberg at the California Institute of
Technology developed the logarithmic scale in 1935 to study seismic
activity in California.

 > Get a solid overview of earth science and topics such as plate
tectonics, volcanism, and erosion with "Earth Revealed"
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series78.html>. Programs also address
environmental issues including the use of fossil fuels, groundwater
contamination, and potential consequences of global warming.

 > Our Dynamic Earth interactive
<http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/> offers an
introduction to plate tectonics, boundaries, faults, and earthquakes.

 > Look at the relationship between earthquakes and volcanic activity
with our Volcanoes interactive
<http://www.learner.org/interactives/volcanoes/>.

 > Algebra: In Simplest Terms
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series66.html> Program 19,
"Logarithmic Functions," explains how the Richter scale measures quake
magnitude; Program 11, "Circle and Parabola," demonstrates how P and S
waves are used to locate an earthquake's epicenter.


National Environmental Education Week (April 12-18)

Environmental Education Week is an opportunity to increase students'
knowledge and awareness of environmental science and current issues --
the perfect lead-in to Earth Day on April 22.

 > The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science
<http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/> presents current information on
13 environmental topics plus an online textbook, interactive labs,
visual aids, and a downloadable guide.

 > Observe Gage Reeves's 5th grade lessons
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/teachreading35/classrooms/cv5.html>
incorporating fun literacy building exercises into a unit about global
warming and climate change.

 > Connect your literature lessons with environmental issues by teaching
a unit on Octavia Butler's highly realistic science fiction novel, "The
Parable of the Sower"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/session7/aw/work1.html>. For the
video, click on the link to the Session 7 main page.

 > Planet Earth <http://www.learner.org/resources/series49.html> looks
at environmental concerns in Program 3, "The Climate Puzzle," and
Program 7, "Fate of the Earth."

 > Economics U$A <http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html> looks
at how industry and government regulation can affect the environment in
Program 21, "Pollution."

 > Try our Weather exhibit
<http://www.learner.org/interactives/weather/>, which explores the
structure of Earth's atmosphere and explains the greenhouse effect and
ozone depletion in simple terms.

 > See compelling ways of teaching about the chemistry of Earth and the
chemistry of saving Earth in Workshop 7 of Reactions in Chemistry
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/chemistry/workshop7/>.

 > "The Precious Envelope," Program 27 of The World of Chemistry
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series61.html>, looks at the natural
and unnatural evolution of Earth's atmosphere.


National Poetry Month

 > The beautiful documentaries of Voices & Visions
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series57.html> showcase thirteen of
the best American poets and their poetry. Poets include Elizabeth
Bishop, Walt Whitman, Robert Lowell, and Emily Dickinson.

 > In the classroom video "Gaining Insight Into Poetry"
<http://www.learner.org/series/cowl/ch13-19/>, high school teacher Chris
Mazzino uses the poem "Will They Ever Learn?" to help his students
understand the experience of being "the Other." The video is part of our
unique set of resources, Teaching "The Children of Willesden Lane."

 > Read the poem "Immigrants" in English in Spanish ("Los inmigrantes")
plus other works in PDF format
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/support/guide1.pdf> in the
support materials for The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural
Literature in High School <http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/>. The
series explores various approaches to teaching literature.

 > Use our Interactive Strategy Workbook
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/interactive/> to compare two poems
-- part of Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle
Grades. Find poets and poetry throughout the series.

 > For more middle school lessons, see "Teaching Poetry"
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/middlewriting/prog3.html> in our
series Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers. The
workshop includes teacher reflections and actual samples of student work.

 > Literary Visions <http://www.learner.org/resources/series41.html>
presents mini-lectures and dramatizations on Setting and Character;
Words and Images; Rhetorical Figures; Prosody and Form; and Myth,
Symbolism, and Allusion. Poets include Gary Soto, Anne Sexton, Lucille
Clifton, and James Dickey.

 > Poetry inevitably speaks to the era in which it is written. American
Passages: A Literary Survey <http://www.learner.org/amerpass/>
elucidates the connections between poetry and social and political
context in Program 10, "Rhythms in Poetry," and Program 15, "Poetry of
Liberation."

 > Jump-start your upper elementary students' interest in poetry using
this lesson
<http://www.learner.org/libraries/engagingliterature/starting/lessonplan.html>
on our Web site for Engaging With Literature: A Video Library, Grades
3-5. The page links to a list of poems suggested for teaching the use of
line breaks, repetition, and other devices.

 > See how teachers incorporate poetry into their early elementary
reading lessons in Teaching Reading K-2: A Library of Classroom
Practices <http://www.learner.org/libraries/readingk2/>. Examples can be
found in "Becoming Readers and Writers," "Connecting Skills to Text,"
"Students Making Choices," and "100 Days of Reading."

-------------------------------------------------------

Mathematics Awareness Month

The theme for this year's Mathematics Awareness Month is "Mathematics
and Climate."

 > Gain a deeper understanding of the math underlying food webs and
ecosystems with "Connecting with Networks"
<http://www.learner.org/courses/mathilluminated/units/11/>, Unit 11 of
Mathematics Illuminated -- new in 2008.

 > The interactive labs that accompany our series The Habitable Planet
<http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/interactives/index.php> use the
power of mathematics to model factors affecting the environment; go to
Carbon Lab to look at how climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions may
change over time.

 > Our interactives <http://www.learner.org/interactives/> offer
enjoyable learning activities for exploring mathematics. Weather
includes information on the mathematics behind weather forecasts, while
our Math interactives -- Geometry 3D Shapes, Math in Daily Life, Metric
Conversions, Statistics -- explore the math behind everyday phenomena,
introduce terminology and concepts, and assess student knowledge.

 > Our five Learning Math courses
<http://www.learner.org/courses/learningmath/> for elementary and middle
school teachers include links to Video on Demand, interactive
illustrations and activities, and problems for reviewing the material.
Topics include Geometry; Measurement; Number and Operations; Patterns,
Functions, and Algebra; and Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability.

 > Our Teaching Math courses
<http://www.learner.org/courses/teachingmath/>, available only online,
offer professional development for K-12 teachers. Course materials and
activities include examples of student work, analysis of student-teacher
dialogues, video clips of teachers in classrooms, a reflection journal,
math problems and solutions, and interactives.

 > Our Teaching Math video libraries offer classroom footage to
demonstrate effective teaching practices at the K-4
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series32.html>, 5-8
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series33.html>, and 9-12
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series34.html> grade levels.

 > The program Surprises in Mind
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series130.html> documents a 12-year
study tracking the development of mathematical skills in students
participating in a special math curriculum. The program demonstrates how
we can tap into children's innate mathematical ability and make learning
math fun. Private Universe Project in Mathematics
<http://www.learner.org/workshops/pupmath/> expands on these ideas in a
full-length series.


Autism Awareness Month

 > The Brain: Teaching Modules
<http://www.learner.org/resources/series142.html> Video 29, "Autism,"
features Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University. Dr. Grandin,
severely autistic as a child, explains how she was able to overcome her
autism and eventually benefit from her special way of perceiving the world.

 > "Behavior Disorders of Childhood," Program 11 of The World of
Abnormal Psychology <http://www.learner.org/resources/series60.html>,
presents an overview of autism in children, showing the range of
symptoms in milder and more severe forms of the disorder.

 > Ethics in America II, Program 5, "A Better Brain: The Ethics of
Neuro-enhancement"
<http://www.learner.org/series/ethics2/better_brain/>, uses a
hypothetical case to raise broader ethical issues related to the
concepts of "merit," "need," "disability," and the proper role of medicine.

-------------------------------------------------------
*** In the Spotlight for May ***
-------------------------------------------------------

  -  Linking to Current Events
  -  German Language Series to Be Discontinued
  -  Distance Learning
  -  Connect Learning with Special Days
      o World Telecommunications Day
      o Weights & Measures Day
      o International Jazz Day
      o Memorial Day, Observed
      o Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
      o Older Americans Month
  -  National Geographic Bee
  -  Editor's Note

-------------------------------------------------------
*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

'Hobbit' Hominid Controversy

In 2003, a team of scientists discovered the fossilized remains of what
appeared to be a hominid of tiny stature -- a "hobbit-like" specimen
similar to ancient human predecessors, but smaller than any other yet
found. The hominid has been called "Homo floresiensis," in keeping with
the notion that the bones represent a newly discovered species.

As the fossils' characteristics contradict common theories of human
evolution and migration, the find has stirred up intense debate. If this
is a new species -- an idea some refute -- then how did it evolve? Did
H. floresiensis evolve from H. erectus, H. habilis, H. sapiens? or from
Australopithecus? How did it come to coexist with Homo sapiens or modern
humans? It is a mystery paleoanthropologists are racing to solve.

 > Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives outlines
major ideas in human evolution in Unit 9.
http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/humev/  Click on Animations
& Images for a chart showing the "Hominid Family Tree" and another
showing the "Human Fossil Bush."

 > The migrations of early modern humans are traced in "Bridging World
History" http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/unit_video_3-1.html
Unit 3. The archive includes numerous charts and images related to human
evolution, such as photos of Australopithecus, H. erectus, and
Neanderthal skulls; photos of cave art and stone tools; artistic
renderings of evolutionary stages; and views of excavation sites; and
maps showing early migration routes.

 > For a more general discussion on evolution and evolutionary trees,
see "Evolution and the Tree of Life"
http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/life/session6/ -- Session 6 of
Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science.

---
Policy Toward Cuba

Sending the first signal of change in U.S. policy toward Cuba, President
Obama announced an easing of travel restrictions to the island nation.
Americans with family in Cuba will now be allowed to travel unrestricted
and to send money and gifts to family members living in Cuba. The
U.S.-imposed trade embargo, in place since the 1960s, has not been
lifted, though the Obama administration is in the process of
facilitating diplomacy that could lead in that direction.

 > Gain historical background on Cuba with Bridging World History Unit
19 http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/unit_video_19-1.html
which looks at slavery on Cuban sugar plantations in the 19th century.
The unit readings include an article in PDF format
http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/support/reading_19_2.pdf
about historical economic and cultural links between Cuba and the
American South.

 > For more on 19th century Cuba and the role of the American military
expedition there in launching the U.S. into the realm of global colonial
powers, listen to the Talking History radio program of 22 June 1998
http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/16/addtlResources/#ARnchs
-- "The Charge Up San Juan Hill: a talk with Mathew Oyos." The reading
on the Philippine-American War, available on the same page, may also be
of interest.

 > In the program "Migration From Latin America," tenth-grade geography
and world history teacher Mavis Weir engages her class in a group
project to explore factors in immigration to the U.S. from Latin
American countries, including Cuba. This page
http://www.learner.org/libraries/socialstudies/9_12/weir/background.html
offers a paragraph about Cuba and a link for viewing the video.

---
Influenza Outbreak

After suspicious cases of illness in New York and other states were
positively identified as swine flu -- a specific strain of influenza
virus containing avian, swine, and human elements -- U.S. officials were
quick to declare a public health emergency. The appearance of the new
virus, which is believed to have spread from Mexico to other countries
in North America, is already raising concerns that it could become a
global pandemic.

 > Find out about flu viruses and why disease outbreaks occur in
Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives Unit 5, Emerging
Infectious Diseases.
http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/infect/  Click on
Animations & Images for a Quicktime movie showing how the influenza
virus infects cells.
http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/archive/animations/hires/a_infect8_h.html
  Also read this interview with University of Virginia professor Lukas
K. Tamm
http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/infect/experts/tamm.html in
which he discusses types of influenza, virus mutations, epidemics,
pandemics, and related topics. The online textbook offers additional
information.

 > Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology
http://learner.org/redirect/november/life3.html covers microbes and
their ever-changing relationship to disease in Program 12, "Microbes and
Human Diseases." Other programs in the series cover major topics related
to organisms.

 > Our Disease Lab interactive
http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/interactives/disease/ offers a
look at the dynamics of viral contagion and how different factors can
affect the spread of disease. From The Habitable Planet: A Systems
Approach to Environmental Science.

 > Take a look back at how epidemics and disease outbreaks were dealt
with and what lessons were learned in previous eras by watching Primary
Sources: Workshops in American History
http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/disease/introduction.html.
Lecture transcripts are available onsite.

---
Watch our programming free of charge through video on demand. Find out
more: http://www.learner.org/view_programs/view.programs.html


-------------------------------------------------------
*** GERMAN LANGUAGE SERIES TO BE DISCONTINUED ***

After December 31, 2009 Annenberg Media will no longer distribute Fokus
Deutsch: An Introduction to German Language and Culture
http://www.learner.org/resources/series104.html either on DVD or as a
video stream. Those who would like to purchase a copy of the series can
do so at a 50% discount. Series can be ordered through 1-800-LEARNER or
www.learner.org.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** DISTANCE LEARNING ***

May 2009 Distance Learning Newsletter

We realize schools are busy getting ready for the end of the spring
semester and looking toward summer and fall. As you are planning for
upcoming terms, we would like to remind you that the following distance
learning courses are each supported by an in-depth coordinated Web site
-- complete with an accompanying guide or textbook -- to enhance your
teaching and your students' learning experience: American Passages,
Bridging World History, Democracy in America, Ethics in America II, The
Habitable Planet, The Learning Classroom, Mathematics Illuminated,
Rediscovering Biology.

Special Incentive on Math and Science Courses. For schools currently
licensing Against All Odds: Inside Statistics or College
Algebra/Algebra: In Simplest Terms, we are offering a 20% discount on
your license fee to adopt our new course Mathematics Illuminated. For
schools currently licensing Earth Revealed or Planet Earth, we are
offering a 20% discount on your license fee to adopt our new course The
Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science. Be on the
lookout for similar offers in the months ahead.

Remember that we have combined the licensing for the original Ethics in
America and Ethics in America II. This will allow you to use any of the
hypothetical cases from either series to create an exciting course
highlighting new and historical debates from eminent leaders in
government, business, science, and academia.

Visit us! We will be at the following conferences over the next few
months: Georgia Distance Learning Association, June 22-24; NUTN, June
21-23; Kansas Summer Institute, July 30-31; and Wisconsin Distance
Learning, August 5-6. Please stop by our booth or attend our
presentation. We would love to connect.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

World Telecommunications Day (May 17)

 > Take a look back at early mass media with the article "Black, White,
and Yellow: Coloring the News in Late-Nineteenth-Century America"
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit08/context_activ-3.html -- from
American Passages: A Literary Survey.

 > Economics U$A http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html Program
25, "Economic Growth," looks at the extent to which the
telecommunications industry has driven economic growth -- beginning with
the 1960s space race that led to the development of satellite technology.

 > Learn how the tiny city-state of Singapore has become a
telecommunications hub and manufacturing giant, in The Power of Place:
Geography for the 21st Century, Program 15.
http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/page15.html

 > "Reflections on a Global Screen," the second program of Human
Geography: People, Places, and Change
http://www.learner.org/resources/series85.html looks at television
broadcasting from the perspective of cultural and economic globalization.


Weights & Measures Day (May 20)

 > Our British and Metric Conversions interactive
http://www.learner.org/interactives/metric/ reviews the names and
symbols for different measures as well as how to convert between the two
systems. At the end, test your knowledge with the Konversion Kingdom
Mania game.

 > Learning Math: Measurement
http://www.learner.org/courses/learningmath/measurement/index.html
covers everything from the meaning of measurement, to the metric system,
to how to find specific measures such as area and volume. The series
also provides K-8 classroom case studies.

 > Find scale- and weight-related problems that demonstrate algebraic
thinking
http://www.learner.org/courses/learningmath/algebra/session10/part_d/index68.html
on the Web site for our professional development series Learning Math:
Patterns, Functions, and Algebra. Click on "Homework" for related
problems. On this page
http://www.learner.org/courses/learningmath/algebra/session6/part_c/index.html
find an interactive balance scale activity.

 > An activity demonstrates variation in measurement, and links to the
corresponding video clip.
http://www.learner.org/courses/learningmath/data/session1/part_b/index.html

 > Find new contexts for exploring measurement with young students in
Teaching Math: A Video Library, K-4,
http://www.learner.org/resources/series32.html Programs 23 through 27.

 > What does the moon weigh?
http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/physicalsci/session1/closer1.html
explains how we can weigh the moon -- and what gravity has to do with
how we measure mass on earth.

 > What's a Newton? Find out on the Science in Focus: Energy Web site.
http://www.learner.org/workshops/energy/workshop2/newtons.html


International Jazz Day (May 23)

 > Learn about the historical significance of jazz with the articles
"Jazz Aesthetics"
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit14/context_activ-4.html and
"Cultural Change, Cultural Exchange: The Jazz Age, the Depression, and
Transatlantic Modernism."
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit11/context_activ-3.html

 > Also on the American Passages Web site, visit the archive
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php to see
photos of famous jazz figures including Duke Ellington, June Christy,
Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Toots Thielemans, Billie Holiday, Tony
Parenti, Count Basie, and The Machito Orchestra, or listen to clips of
early jazz in MP3 format, such as "The Jelly Roll Blues."
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/archive/9000s/9195.mp3  Enter keyword
"jazz" for many more jazz-related items.

 > Several programs of Exploring the World of Music
http://www.learner.org/resources/series105.html include segments on jazz
to demonstrate how musicians control timbre, build upon structure, use
harmony, improvise, and hone their craft.

 > The influence of jazz on the life and works of poet and author
Langston Hughes is explored in a documentary in the series Voices &
Visions. http://www.learner.org/resources/series57.html


Memorial Day, Observed (May 25)

 > America's History in the Making
http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/ outlines the cultural and
economic factors in World War I -- including the beginnings of a
powerful business-military partnership -- in Unit 16, "A Growing Global
Power." Unit 19, "Postwar Tension and Triumph," covers World War II, the
atomic bomb, and the American effort to combat communism.

 > Learn more about the history war veterans helped to shape. Watch A
Biography of America http://learner.org/redirect/may/boa85.html --
particularly Programs 18 and 22, which cover the First and Second World
Wars. Program 18, "TR and Wilson," discusses Wilson's war message in
which he argues that the world must be made safe for democracy.

 > The Western Tradition http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html
examines the significance of the two world wars within the broader
context of Western civilization. See Program 37, "The First World War
and the Rise of Fascism," and Program 48, "The Second World War."

 > Not all effects of war are physical, and not all wounds are the
direct result of combat. The World of Abnormal Psychology
http://www.learner.org/resources/series60.html presents several Vietnam
veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and
presents research on its causes and treatment.

 > For background on the Korean war, watch "Korea and the Cold War: A
Case Study."
http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/coldwar/introduction.html
  The Web site includes lecture transcripts, activities, reflection
questions, and primary sources such as speeches and official communications.


Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

This May, take time to explore and teach about the history, experience,
and rich cultural heritage of Americans of Asian and Pacific Island
descent. The following resources can help you:

 > Read about the experience of Asian immigrants in America in the
articles (in PDF format) "Early Chinese Immigration and the Process of
Education"
http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/pdf/Early-Chinese-Imm_L-One.pdf
and "Asian Immigration to the United States"
http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/pdf/Asian-ImmigrationL-One.pdf
from the National Center for History in the Schools. On the Web site for
America's History in the Making.
http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/

 > Aspects of Asian civilizations are examined within the broader
context of world history in Bridging World History.
http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/  Unit 26, "World History
and Identity," includes a segment about the Chinese diaspora.

 > Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades
http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/ studies the unique perspectives of
several Asian Pacific American authors. Meet the authors in the videos,
and read their works in the downloadable readings (click on Support
Materials).

 > Read about the work of author Ruthanne Lum McCunn
http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/session7/aw/work2.html on the Web
site for The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High
School. Visit the home page for a list of other featured authors.

 > Learn about the historical significance of the writings of Asian
Pacific Americans with American Passages: A Literary Survey
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/ -- particularly Unit 12, "Migrant
Struggle," and Unit 16, "Search for Identity," which feature authors
Carlos Bulosan and Maxine Hong Kingston, respectively.

 > The work of painter Hung Liu, who comments on the Qing imperial court
and traditional Chinese society, is showcased in A World of Art: Works
in Progress. http://www.learner.org/resources/series64.html


Older Americans Month

 > Growing Old in a New Age http://learner.org/redirect/may/gold72.html
dispels myths about the experiences of older people. Learn firsthand
from 75 elders who talk about different aspects of their lives.

 > Our lifespan development series Seasons of Life
http://learner.org/redirect/may/seas73.html looks at late adulthood in
Program 5. The program features several people who continue to live
actively and pursue dreams well into their later years.

 > Learn what research has revealed about aging and elderly people in
"Maturing and Aging"
http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/18/e18expand.html from the
series Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition. The page includes a link
to video on demand and a quiz on myths and realities of aging.

 > In "An Ounce of Prevention," Program 13 of The World of Abnormal
Psychology, http://www.learner.org/resources/series60.html the
organization Austin Groups for the Elderly in Austin, Texas is shown as
a model for effective inter-organizational cooperation to support the
health and wellbeing of older people.

 > For a short clip about aging, see The Mind: Teaching Modules
http://www.learner.org/resources/series150.html Video 16, "The Effect of
Aging on Cognitive Function: Nature/Nurture."


-------------------------------------------------------
*** NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE ***

The National Geographic Bee
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee/ is a nationwide
competition in geography knowledge held each year for students in grades
4 through 8. This year the event is scheduled to take place on May 19
and 20 in Washington, D.C. If your school is not participating, our
resources can help you craft a geography game or competition right in
your own classroom.

 > Learn more about the world's many regions with programs that zero in
on specific locales -- watch The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st
Century. http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/  Click on program titles
for links to video on demand and more.

 > Teaching Geography http://www.learner.org/workshops/geography/
features effective teaching at the middle and high school levels. Lesson
plans, transcripts, maps, standards, interactive slideshows, and other
resources are available on the series Web site.

 > Find maps of the U.S. showing the changes in territorial boundaries
between Pre-colonial America and contemporary times on our Biography of
America Web site. http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/

 > Human Geography: People, Places, and Change
http://www.learner.org/resources/series85.html presents topics in
geography from a globalization perspective.

To find out where you stand on geographic knowledge, try the online
GeoBee Challenge http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/ -- a daily
quiz of ten questions from the National Geographic Bee.

-------------------------------------------------------
*** In the Spotlight for June ***
-------------------------------------------------------

  -  Linking to Current Events
  -  Learner.org -- Now a Brochure!
  -  Habitable Planet Users' Comments Requested
  -  Have a Foreign Language Summer
  -  Connect Learning with Special Days
      o Start of the Hurricane Season
      o Birthday of Paul Gauguin
      o Flag Day
      o Nature Photography Day
      o World Refugee Day
      o National HIV Testing Day
      o Effective Communications Month

-------------------------------------------------------
*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

No Child Left Behind Law Sees Little Change in Achievement Gap

Since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, questions
have been raised about the efficacy of the law -- particularly with
regard to its stated goal, to "close the achievement gap." Although test
scores have improved, they have done so across the board, so that the
gap in achievement between white students and black and Hispanic
students remains great, especially in the upper grades.

Annenberg Media has a number of resources that could help you build
students' literacy and math skills at the elementary and middle school
levels:

 > Our Teaching Reading K-2 workshop
http://www.learner.org/workshops/readingk2/ and video library
http://www.learner.org/libraries/readingk2/ are good places to find
research-based methods of building student literacy in the early years.
The two series cover a range of school settings, and provide specific
strategies for bilingual settings.

 > Teaching Reading 3-5 Workshop
http://www.learner.org/workshops/teachreading35/ includes video
workshops and coordinated activities, as well as programs showing
individual classrooms where teachers model effective strategies.

 > The Missing Link: Essential Concepts for Middle School Math Teachers
http://www.learner.org/workshops/missinglink/ addresses the mathematics
achievement gap between American students and their counterparts in
other countries.

 > Upper elementary students should be able to express themselves in
writing. Inside Writing Communities, Grades 3-5
http://www.learner.org/workshops/writing35/ lays out the essential
features of a supportive classroom environment for developing strong
writing skills.

 > In our series Teaching Math: A Video Library, K-4,
http://www.learner.org/resources/series32.html teachers reveal their
strategies for improving their students' understanding of mathematical
concepts. The related resources listed on that page may also be of interest.

 > For a broader view of the issues surrounding education and student
achievement, particularly in math and science, watch Looking at
Learning...Again, Part 1 http://www.learner.org/workshops/lala/ and Part
2 http://www.learner.org/workshops/lala2/ .

---
New Ideas on the Chemical Origins of Life on Early Earth

As reported in the journal Nature, chemist John D. Sutherland at the
University of Manchester, England, has experimental evidence that two of
the nucleotides that make up RNA molecules could have developed via
chemical means on early Earth. Learn about other scientific ideas of how
life may have formed on Earth.

 > Harvard professors Andrew Knoll and Ann Pearson discuss what fossils
can tell us about the interplay between the chemistry of early Earth and
the earliest life forms, and how the rise of oxygen allowed life to
flourish, in the first program of The Habitable Planet
http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=1&secNum=0 --
"Many Planets, One Earth."

 > Try our DNA interactive http://www.learner.org/interactives/dna/ to
learn about the characteristics of DNA and RNA, and the role of RNA in
the process of genetic transcription.

 > In Workshop 6 of Reactions in Chemistry, "The Chemistry of Life,"
http://www.learner.org/workshops/chemistry/workshop6/ NASA scientist Lou
Allamandola offers an alternate theory of life's chemical origins --
that organic molecules were transported to Earth from stellar clouds in
outer space.

 > Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology
http://www.learner.org/resources/series121.html peers back through time
in Program 6, "Microbial Evolution," to explore the characteristics of
primitive Earth and how the first life forms may have evolved billions
of years ago.

 > Watch The World of Chemistry
http://www.learner.org/resources/series61.html Program 24, "The Genetic
Code," for the basic chemistry of DNA and RNA, as well as an explanation
of how the tiniest alterations in the genetic code results in abnormal
protein structures -- causing the symptoms of genetic disease.

-------------------------------------------------------
"I love these guys, these volcanoes, and there are only two ways --
either you like them or you hate them. I like even the sulfur smell. So
this is an environment that really makes me excited thinking and
dreaming of the primitive earth. It's very stimulating for me."  -German
microbiologist Karl Stetter on the Italian island of Vulcano, in Unseen
Life on Earth


-------------------------------------------------------
*** LEARNER.ORG -- NOW A BROCHURE! ***

Annenberg Media has developed a handy brochure for professional
development leaders, teacher coaches, and resource teachers to let their
colleagues know about the wealth of professional development resources
they can find on Learner.org for FREE. The compact (4x7") brochure shows
the steps for accessing video and other resources at Learner.org. To
view a copy of the brochure, go to:
http://www.learner.org/about/learnerbrochure.html and click on the
brochure link.

If you would like to receive multiple copies of the brochure in packs of
50 or 100, send an email to pdbrochure@learner.org and include the
following information:

- Your name
- Your institution
- Your mailing address (can be your home address, if that is more
convenient)
- The phone number that matches the mailing address (for UPS shipments)

Please also let us know where you are going to use the brochures
(conference, staff development, etc.) and the date by which you need to
receive them.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** HABITABLE PLANET USERS' COMMENTS REQUESTED ***

Annenberg Media would like to hear from any users of the video or Web
materials from The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental
Science. We would especially like your comments on the effectiveness of
the materials with students or for professional development. Please send
any comments by June 24, 2009 to info@learner.org . Thank you!


-------------------------------------------------------
*** HAVE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE SUMMER ***

Summer is a good time to make use of a foreign language for travel or
for pleasure.

 > The second unit of Teaching Foreign Languages K-12 Workshop,
http://www.learner.org/workshops/tfl/ "Person to Person," focuses on
interpersonal communication and how teachers can encourage more student
interaction in the target language. Workshop 8, "Engaging with
Communities," presents opportunities for students to use language skills
with native speakers in their local communities.

 > In Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices,
Unit 21 http://www.learner.org/libraries/tfl/italian/digennaro/ an
Italian class shares email descriptions of their homes and schools with
students in Cagliari on the island of Sardinia.

 > For an exploration in German, watch Fokus Deutsch
http://www.learner.org/resources/series104.html Episode 15, which shows
a dinner scene and reviews vocabulary about food. See Episode 34 for
words related to modern German cuisine. Please note that our streaming
video for Fokus Deutsch will be available through the end of 2009.

 > Destinos http://www.learner.org/resources/series75.html Episodes
12-18 look at the Spanish words for naming and describing food found in
shops.

 > French in Action http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html
Episodes 24-26 cover food and restaurant interactions.

---
Watch our video programs free of charge through Video on Demand. Find
out more: http://www.learner.org/view_programs/view.programs.html


-------------------------------------------------------
*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

Start of the Hurricane Season (June 1)

 > The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science,
Unit 2
http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=2&secNum=0
describes hurricanes in Section 7 of the online textbook; MIT Professor
Kerry Emanuel
http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/scientist/scientist.php?shortname=emanuel
explains what a hurricane is and how it forms.

 > To better understand the forces that influence our weather, visit our
Weather interactive http://www.learner.org/interactives/weather/ which
covers hurricanes and other powerful storms.

 > Dr. Kerry Emanuel explains what computer models and an energy systems
approach can reveal about the behavior of hurricanes in Science in
Focus: Energy, Workshop 6, "Energy and Systems."
http://www.learner.org/workshops/energy/workshop6/icon4.html  The page
links to Dr. Emanuel's own home page, which offers additional
information on hurricanes, tracking models, and various resources
related to cyclonic storms.


Birthday of Paul Gauguin (June 7)

 > On the 161st birthday of Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin,
watch Art of the Western World
http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html Program 7, "A Fresh
View--Impressionism and Post-Impressionism," to learn more about the
work of Gauguin and his contemporaries.


Flag Day (June 14)

 > Read the article "Star Spangled Moccasins: The American Flag in
Native American Culture"
http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit05/context_activ-4.html  Then search
the American Passages archive for more historical flag-related items.

 > Observe Wendy Ewbank's middle school lesson on the symbolism of the
flag and First Amendment rights in "Landmark Supreme Court Cases,"
http://www.learner.org/libraries/socialstudies/6_8/ewbank/ Program 20 of
Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12.

 > On the Web site for Making Civics Real: A Workshop or Teachers, read
a student discussion
http://www.learner.org/workshops/civics/workshop5/studentperspec/patriotism.html
about patriotism and the American flag in the aftermath of the September
11 attacks. Click on "Workshop Session" to view the related video.

 > The Evaluating Evidence interactive
http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/interactives/thesis/ on the
Web site for America's History in the Making includes an item on the
Confederate song "Bonnie Blue Flag," which praises South Carolina's
pro-secession flag of 1860. Includes music and lyrics.


Nature Photography Day (June 15)

 > Find photographs of migratory birds, caterpillars, butterflies, gray
whales, blue crabs, manatees, and other wildlife in North America on the
Journey North Web site. http://www.learner.org/jnorth/  Watch
coordinated videos http://www.learner.org/resources/series127.html that
show how teachers and their students can participate in this unique
exploration of seasonal change.

 > Photographs of different life forms can be found on the Web site for
Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science.
http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/life/

 > Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science
http://www.learner.org/workshops/sheddinglight/ includes three sessions
relating to light, color, and visual perception, plus online activities
that explore photography and how cameras work.


World Refugee Day (June 20)

World Refugee Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2000 to
promote awareness of the vast numbers of refugees worldwide. This year's
theme is "Real People, Real Needs."

 > Learn about the stories of Jewish child refugees through Teaching
'The Children of Willesden Lane' http://www.learner.org/series/cowl/
which presents lessons based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane.
The book tells the true story of Lisa Jura, who escaped from Nazi
persecution on the eve of World War II.

 

 > Teaching Geography, Workshop 4
http://www.learner.org/workshops/geography/wkp4intr.html features the
9th-grade class of Ungennette Brantley Harris, whose lesson focuses on
the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and what it means to
live as a refugee in occupied territory.

 > See the artistic group projects created by Mavis Weir's 10th-grade
students in "Migration From Latin America,"
http://www.learner.org/libraries/socialstudies/9_12/weir/ Program 24 of
Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12. The class
discusses the different reasons for immigration to the United States and
the obstacles faced by immigrants and refugees. Click on About the Class
and Lesson Background for information about migration trends in six
Latin American countries; click on Watching the Video to stream the
video program.


National HIV Testing Day (June 27)

 > The Habitable Planet considers the HIV/AIDS pandemic within the
context of population trends. This map
http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/visual/visual.php?shortname=adult_hiv
on the series Web site shows HIV/AIDS rates in Africa in the year 2000.
Use the link to the online textbook for additional information.

 > Read the case study, "The Genetics of Resistance to HIV Infection,"
http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/casestudy/hiv.html to better
understand how a small number of people naturally resistant to HIV could
help scientists find a cure. Then explore the wealth of information in
Session 6, "HIV and AIDS." For a discussion of the impact of HIV/AIDS on
Africa, read this interview
http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/hiv/experts/garrett.html
with Laurie Garrett, author of the books The Coming Plague: Newly
Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance and Betrayal of Trust: The
Collapse of Global Public Health. Finally, see Unit 3 of the online
textbook for a discussion of HIV and phylogenetics.

 > The importance of getting tested is underscored by the experience of
physician Greg Robinson, who discovered he was HIV positive. His story
is featured in Death: A Personal Understanding
http://www.learner.org/resources/series108.html Program 3, "Facing
Mortality." Also see Program 8, "Grief and Bereavement," which looks at
AIDS from a family member's perspective.

 > "Health, Mind, and Behavior,"
http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/23/e23expand.html Program
23 of Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition, examines psychological
and social factors in the transmission of HIV and its progression to
full-blown AIDS.

 > Learn about the geography of AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa by watching
The Power of Place, Program 19.
http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/page19.html  The related unit in
Teaching Geography
http://www.learner.org/workshops/geography/wkp5intr.html looks at ways
to teach about AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.


Effective Communications Month

 > In "Teaching Persuasive Writing,"
http://www.learner.org/workshops/middlewriting/prog4.html Program 4 of
Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers, teachers
Jenny Beasley and Jack Wilde present their lessons on writing editorials
and persuasive writing. Find lesson plans and samples of real student
work in PDF format.

 > An understanding of one's audience is absolutely essential to
successful communication. In the program "Different Audiences,"
http://www.learner.org/workshops/hswriting/workshops/workshop3/ high
school teachers, educators, authors, and students discuss the importance
of the writing process, how to identify the audience, different
audiences and how to address them, and related topics. From Developing
Writers: A Workshop for High School Teachers.

 > Fifth-grade teacher Laura Alvarez guides her students through
techniques of debate and persuasion, plus research and organizational
strategies, in "Social Justice and Action,"
http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/workshop7/ Workshop 7 of Teaching
Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades.

 > Effective rhetorical strategy depends on a sound understanding of
psychology. Learn more about how the human mind works with Discovering
Psychology: Updated Edition.
http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/  In particular, see
Program 6, which looks at language development and social communication,
and Program 8, which explains factors affecting motivation and emotions.

 > See how communication fosters an understanding of mathematical ideas
and the language of mathematics in the "Communication" programs of
Teaching Math: A Video Library, K-4
http://www.learner.org/resources/series32.html and Teaching Math: A
Video Library, 9-12. http://www.learner.org/resources/series34.html

 > The programs of News Writing
http://www.learner.org/resources/series44.html cover public relations
writing, feature writing styles, and column and editorial writing among
other topics. Read the related News Writing Interviews,
http://www.learner.org/catalog/extras/interviews/ in which celebrated
columnists give their views on writing, news, humor, and more.

 > Learn ways to help your students communicate more effectively in a
foreign language. Watch "Delivering the Message,"
http://www.learner.org/workshops/tfl/session_03/ Workshop 3 of Teaching
Foreign Languages K-12 Workshop, which looks at elements of an effective
oral or written presentation.

 > Teachers encourage high school students to communicate genuinely and
creatively through dance and visual media in "Fostering Genuine
Communication," http://www.learner.org/workshops/hsarts/program6/
Workshop 6 of The Art of Teaching the Arts.

 

 

  
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