Tag Archives: home schooling

“Mysteries of the Beach” on Sale Now at Barnes and Noble,Written by Educators to Promote literacy and Enhancing the Learning Process

 Mysteries of the Beach is on sale now at Barnes and Noble and can be downloaded for your child’s enjoyment and to utilize as an educational tool.  This is a complete science unit (k-2) on the ocean, all inside one book.

We have included hyper links throughout, which make it an ideal teaching tool for classrooms with Smartboards.  Regardless if you are teaching a class, small groups or an individual student, this book is a great resource.

We have recommended additional websites and resources to enrich both the academic and enjoyment areas.

Check out  Mysteries of the Beach at Barnes and Noble and let the learning fun begin!

Barnes and Noble ~FREE~ Nook Apps to Download and Read all eBooks:

Nook Kids ipad app ; Nook App for iPad ; Nook App for iPhone ; Nook App for Android Cell Phones ; Nook App for PC (Personal Computer)

Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of support!   For those who have already purchased the book, please share your experiences and/or children’s comments about Mysteries of the Beach.  We will be publishing the coloring book attachment piece for 99 cents soon.

We are excited to share with you the books being launched March 1st for our Unlock the Teacher LLC Promoting Literacy Campaign.  We appreciate and look forward to all comments.

As many have already requested, we will donate any of our eBooks to schools, libraries, hospitals or any facility that helps children and promotes literacy.  Our goal is to share knowldege and promote all that is good in education!

May we seek knowledge in all things,

Denise & the whole Unlock the Teacher, LLC team 🙂

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Filed under Achievement Gap Blogs, Common Core State Standards "Nuts & Bolts", Educational Websites that are FREE, Grants and Funding Resources, Hot Topics in Education, Learning is Fun Lessons/Activities, March 2011 Promoting Literacy Campaign, Promoting Literacy

“Veggie Tales”

While watching The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything this past weekend, I was reminded how these videos are so uplifting for all viewers.  As I sat on the floor with my children singing along to the great tunes, I watched as both my son and daughter were engaged with the movie’s message.

All the Veggie Tale movies I have seen have incorporated wonderful songs.  However, the most important contribution that each movie offers is the strong moral message.  The moral or character attributes being promoted in each movie, is so creatively intertwined into the story line.

For more information on parent and teacher resources, incorporating the use of the many Veggie Tale lessons, check out the following article at Suite 101.

Veggie Tales Provides Moral Stories We Can All Learn From

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things!

~Denise

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Filed under Educational Websites that are FREE, Favorite Sites, Holiday Online Children Games, Learning is Fun Lessons/Activities

Reading/Literacy Grant Sources Part II…Our Recommendation=Have a Grant Writing Party Once a Month

  1. A.     Target

Early Childhood Reading Grants

Reading is essential to a child’s learning process. That’s why Target awards grants to schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations to support programs such as after-school reading events and weekend book clubs. Together we’re fostering a love of reading and encouraging children, preschool through third grade, to read together with their families.

Early childhood reading grants are $2,000. Grant applications are typically accepted between March 1 and April 30 each year, with grant notifications delivered in September.  Submit application online: www.target.com/grants    

  1. B.     AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award

This award recognizes and hopes to encourage collaboration and partnerships between school library media specialists and teachers in meeting educational goals outlined in Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning through joint planning of a program, unit, or event in support of the curriculum and using media center resources. www.ala.org

  1. C.    AASL Innovative Reading Grant

Established in 2006, the $2,500 AASL Innovative Reading Grant supports the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for children which motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers. www.ala.org

  1. D.    Adopt-A-Classroom Grants

Teachers who register at the Adopt-a-Classroom web site can be adopted by an individual, a business, or a foundation. Once adopted, teachers will receive $500 worth of credit to purchase items that enrich the learning environment, including classroom technology. Teachers help solicit their own sponsors by downloading and distributing fliers within their community or by sending out a personalized, pre-written email from the Adopt-a-Classroom web site. Every donor receives information about the classroom it has adopted, including an itemized list of what teachers bought so donors can see the impact of their donation. (This sounds SO cool!) www.adoptaclassroom.org

  1. E.     Braitmayer Foundation Grants

The Braitmayer Foundation supports programs that enhance the education of K-12 students through curricular and school reform initiatives, professional development for teachers, and local community efforts. Its grants, which range in size up to $35,000, are to be used as seed money, challenge grants, or to match other grants to the recipient organization. www.braitmayerfoundation.org

  1. F.     Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards

To honor innovative individuals who have made major contributions to transform K-12 learning in and out of the classroom, the cable industry\’s education foundation has launched the Cable\’s Leaders in Learning Awards. The competition is open to any individual working in U.S. communities who can demonstrate innovative practices or policies that have had an impact on K-12 education. Twelve winners will be selected in four categories. The nomination period opens Oct. 1. 2011  www.leadersinlearningawards.org (This organization is on break for 2010, but their site is a good resource to pick from when writing other grants.)

  1. G.    Computers for Learning

Through its Computers for Learning program, the federal government has placed hundreds of thousands of surplus computers in schools across the country on a needs-first basis. Schools register and request equipment on the Computers for Learning web site, and federal agencies match their surplus equipment to schools with those needs. Most, but not all, of the available computers are Windows-based PCs rather than computers made by Apple. Most of the donated machines are older models, but as the government continues to upgrade its computer systems, the number of surplus Pentium computers will sharply increase. www.computersforlearning.gov

Thank you for all you do in the life of a child!

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Filed under Grants and Funding Resources, Hot Topics in Education

“Google Science Fair” Super Idea to Ignite the Imagination of our Youth

It is that time of year that reminds us just how cool science is.  I researched some great sites on various science projects ideas and global science project contests.  Most of the sites listed have teacher/parent resources and blogs for dialogue about science…how cool is that?  If your child or student has created a wonderful science fair project, Jennifer and I would love to post it and share.
 
Knowledge is meant to be shared and collaboration will become a necessity if we are going to raise our level of education for all and compete with a stronger foot hold in global arenas.
 
Check out article on Science Fair Projects @
http://www.suite101.com/content/science-fair-projects-and-competitions-to-ignite-the-imagination-a331534
To submit pics and explanations of your child/student science projects, please email us at unlocktheteacher@gmail.com
We look forward to hearing from you and may your Wednesday be backwards today!
Denise 😉
*Shout out to “birddroppings” for subscribing to our blog…thanks and we look forward to the collaboration!

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Filed under Educational Websites that are FREE, Learning is Fun Lessons/Activities, Science