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Five Week Summer Syllabus for Social Studies

Week of July 15

Create a graphic organizer on Africa and cite or describe the following:

Website Resources

Week of July 22

Create a graphic organizer on Australia and cite or describe the following:

  • Three major religions, population, three major trades, type of government, natural resource(s)

Website Resources

Week of July 29

Create a graphic organizer on Europe and cite or describe the following:

  • Name the countries that make up Europe, identify and describe three major religions, population, three major trades, type(s) of government, natural resource(s)

Website Resources

Week of August 5

Create a graphic organizer on Asia and cite or describe the following:

  • Name the countries that make up Asia, identify and describe three major religions, population, three major trades, type(s) of government, natural resource(s)

Website Resources

Week of August 12

Create your own world map that displays the location of Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia.

  • Include the countries that make up Africa, Europe and Asia
  • Map must be hand-made and not computer generated

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

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A Fabulous Middle School Teacher Utilizing “Out of the Box” Techniques to Teach Peace

I always enjoy going into St. Mary’s School in Royal Oak.  The atmosphere is inviting and the teachers are friendly.  I want to share with readers, a fabulous teacher utilizing “out of the box” techniques to teach peace. Linda Irwin teaches middle school literature and even if that knowledge wasn’t known, one could tell just by walking into her classroom.

 
While visiting this past week, I coud not help noticing this awesome bulletin board as I walked down the hall in front of this classroom.  I walked in and asked Mrs. Irwin all about it.  The students are reading, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.
 
Students are working together by individually designing a quilt square that will be added to a “Quilt of Peace” created by the entire class.  I was fortunate to have witnessed one child designing one of these squares, that was beautifully done.  When asked, the students were so excited to share insights from the book and excerpts from the great discussions they were having in class generated around their reading.
 
As a certified ELA teacher, whenever I hear students excited about reading, my heart soars!  Great job Mrs. Irwin for passing on you passion and utilizing relevant and current books to engage your students. 
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
 
 
 
 
 

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“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!

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things!

Denise

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Filed under Grants and Funding Resources, Hot Topics in Education