Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

All grade levels celebrate Book Week by having students design new "medals" for children's books!

Subjects: Language Arts, Fine Arts

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• design a new award for a children's book,
• select a book to receive the award,
• create a "medal" for the book jacket,
• write an explanation of the award and why the book has earned it.

Keywords
medal, book, writing, art, author, Book Week, library, Caldecott, Newbery

Materials Needed

• paper
• pencils
• scissors
• aluminum foil
• toothpicks

Procedure
Even a kindergartner will suspect a book that features a bronze or silver medal on its cover is something special! In this activity, students create their own awards for books, select an appropriate recipient, and design a silver "medal" for the book's cover.

Introduce students to or review with them the Web pages of the Randolph Caldecott Medal and John Newbery Medal. Both medals are awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, part of the American Library Association. The Caldecott Medal goes to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book, and the Newbery Medal is awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Share with students the titles of some Caldecott or Newbery winners with which they are familiar; you might read aloud some other medal winners and talk about why those books might have been so honored.

Ask students to consider what makes an excellent book. Have them brainstorm qualities they look for in children's books and discuss their ideas. Instruct them to focus on one or a few aspects of a quality book that they have identified and create an award that represents these excellent characteristics. Have the students create a title and description of the medal and draw it on paper.

Next, distribute squares of aluminum foil of about 4 inches on each side. A three-inch circle is a good size for students to work with, but you may choose to allow your students to use any shape that is about three inches in diameter. A small size is preferable to keep the medal from overwhelming the book! Have the students cut the foil into their chosen shape. Also distribute a toothpick to each student. Blunt pencils, pens, or skewers may also be used. (Best is a narrow tool that is not too sharp.) Students should place paper under the foil as they work and draw (engrave) their medal design into the foil with a toothpick.

When the students have finished their medals, they should choose exemplary books that meet the criteria they have set for their awards. Have the students lightly tape their medals to the front of their books and write an explanation that includes the title of the award, an explanation of the award, the characteristics that the award represents, the title of the award-winning book and its author, a description of the book, and how the book meets the award's criteria. Students may present their awards with their honored books and share their original medal creations.

Assessment
Collect written work and display with the award-winning books. Evaluate composition according to grade-level writing standards.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

by Gary Hopkins, Education World®

The first official Memorial Day celebration was held in the United States in May 1868. On that day, which was then called Decoration Day, people remembered the war dead by decorating their graves with flowers. (To learn more about the history of Memorial Day, see Memorial Day History.)

Today, we still take time to honor those who serve and have served, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. But do your students understand the true significance of the day? In order to help them put Memorial Day in perspective, we offer...

9 Lessons for Teaching About Memorial Day

1. Memorial Day: Graphing Our History of Sacrifice
   Using an online graphing tool to graph America's history of war dead helps students understand the significance of Memorial Day.
    
2. Thinking About Our Troops
   A handful of ways for kids to connect with America's soldiers serving around the globe.
    
3. The Wall Inspires Letters to Veterans
   Eve Bunting's moving book, The Wall, inspires students to write letters to veterans at local veterans' hospitals.
    
4. Mapping Your State's Role in the Vietnam War
   Teach the significance of Memorial Day by creating a map showing the hometowns of your state's Vietnam War dead. A stunning visual reminder!
    
5. Memorial Day Shoebox Parade
   Create a timeline of U.S. conflict and a Memorial Day Shoebox Parade to commemorate soldiers who fought for freedom.
    
6. Connecting Kids and Soldiers
   While some teachers discuss the war in Iraq with their classes, many others find that both they and their students want to do something concrete to help U.S. troops abroad. We have some suggestions.
    
7. Hang a Flag Mural
   What better way to greet visitors to your school (or to your Town Hall) than with a student-created flag mural?
    
8. Put the "Memory" Back in Memorial Day
   How some teachers are stressing the importance of remembering and honoring our nation's fallen servicemen.
    
9. Wall of Peace
   Commemorate Memorial Day, Veteran's Day or September 11 with this activity for all grade levels.
    

More Memorial Day Lessons

• Organnizers of the Veterans History Project are collecting and preserving "audio- and video-taped oral histories, along with documentary materials such as letters, diaries, maps, photographs, and home movies, of America's war veterans and those who served in support of them." Project organizers invite middle and high school teachers and their students to participate.
   
• How about designing your own Memorial Day WebQuest? Arrange students into groups. Each group will take responsibility for part of a Memorial Day program. Separate groups could handle music, a Memorial Day speech, arranging for special guests, and a poetry reading. Individual students might take responsibility for the opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the playing of Taps.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

by Gary Hopkins, Education World®

Tired of doing the same Mother's Day projects year after year? We have six lesson ideas to help you celebrate mothers on their special day!

Since 1914 -- when Mother's Day was first celebrated as a national holiday in the United States -- the second Sunday in May has always been a special day for children and their mothers. This week, Education World provides five lessons to help you work Mother's Day into your classroom curriculum. Try some Mother's Day Math, turn an old shoe into a memorable gift, or have students consider some simple gifts of time they can give to Mom on her special day. You will find those three activities and two more immediately below. Click any of the five lesson headlines for a complete teaching resource.

Mother's Day Lessons, Activities & Projects

1. Celebrate With Silhouettes
   Students help create keepsake silhouettes, frame them, or use them to make a special Mother's Day card.
    
2. The Best Gift, for Shoe-er!
   Students turn an old shoe into a memorable planter that's a terrific gift for Mother's Day or any other occasion.
    
3. As Good as Gold
   Students create a Mother's Day Coupon Book, full of coupons that can be exchanged for special services rendered by students! A work sheet is included.
    
4. Make a "Memories of Mom" Memento
   Students create a book of collected "memories of mom" as a very special Mother's Day gift. Included: Ten writing prompts for students.
    
5. Motherhood Math: Mothers in the Workforce
   Grades 3-12 examine the increasing numbers of working mothers.
    
6. Mother's Day Magic: Today's Gift, Tomorrow's Treasure
   Ideas for unique, inexpensive, easy-to-make Mother's Day gifts.
    

Mother's Day Sites for Kids

Ideas for Mom! 
Make mom a special bookmark with Billy Bear.

Mom's Day Fun at Kaboose 
Find projects, activities, e-cards, and more.

Mom's Day Crossword Puzzles 
Puzzles at all levels of difficulty.

More Classroom Projects, Activities, Lessons

• Happy Mother's Day (Mrs. Bee's Busy Classroom)
• Mother's Day Crafts (Enchanted Learning)
• Mother's Day Projects (ChildFun)
• Mother's Day Craft Activities (Craft Library of homeschoolzone.com)
• Mother's Day Crafts (Kaboose)

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Ideas for unique, inexpensive, easy-to-make Mother's Day gifts.

Mother's Day is not a modern-day event. It dates back at least as far as 17th-century England. On the fourth Sunday in Lent, young English apprentices and servants returned home, carrying small gifts for their mothers.

Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the words to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," introduced the Mother's Day idea in the United States. By 1911, Mother's Day was a national holiday. Although every celebration does not occur at the same time, people in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, and the United States all celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May.

For more on the history of Mother's Day, see The Complete History of Mother's Day.

You can find many inexpensive, easy-to-make, unique, and exciting Mother's Day gift ideas on the Web. Before choosing a project for students to tackle, though, teachers need to remember that not all children live in traditional family units. For those kids who live in one-parent homes, who have two people they call mom, or who live with guardians other than natural parents, making gifts for a "special person" might be a good idea.

This week, Education World explores creative ways children can honor their moms. You can help your students create gifts for this Mother's Day that just might become tomorrow's treasures.

Send a Scent

Easy potpourri. Iram Khan, who teaches in Kamloops in British Columbia, Canada, tells Education World that in past years, her kindergarten and first graders made potpourri for Mother's Day. The students dried petals of fragrant flowers and herbs on large pieces of paper. Khan then ground up the mix in a blender. (If a blender isn't available or practical, kids will love to use two rocks to do the grinding!) Forming a funnel with the paper, Khan poured the dried pieces into baby food jars, one for each child, with these instructions: "Pour this into a bowl and let it sit on its own. Or have an adult help you pour some boiling water over it, and let it work its magic."

For a variant of this activity, have kids pour the dry, fragrant pieces into the middle of a small piece of fabric, gather the edges, and tie them together with ribbon. Everyone loves a sachet to freshen up a drawer or closet. "The children have fun mashing the dried flowers," says Kahn, "and the mothers love it too." For more projects, see Recipes for Homemade Gifts. She has posted many super ideas there.

Decorative soaps. Do you have a microwave available? If so, try Kathy Johnston's method of making decorative soaps, posted on the Kaboose for Kids Web site. "There is no dangerous lye to work with," says Johnston, so "kids like to do this a lot!" To make decorative soaps: Cut bars of glycerin soap into about three pieces each. (Neutrogena bars are great, adds Johnston!) Place one piece each into a microwavable cup or paper cup and heat on high for about 10 to 15 seconds. Pour the melted soap into candy molds or soap molds if available. (Click on the above link for additional details.)

Love and Kisses

Love notes. Students can create "love notes" to place around the house. A variant of this is to type or print "I remember when..." on an index card and attach it to a glass jar. On each strip of paper placed inside the jar, the student can write a different memory about mom or different things mom did that the student appreciated -- and mom can read one every day. For more ideas, check out Billy Bear's Happy Mother's Day Web page.

The ChildFun Mother's Day Projects and Gifts List has a treasure trove of easy, wonderful activities. One idea is to trace your students' hands and then cut them out. After measuring each child's arms, attach a long piece of yarn to each cutout hand. Put the two hands and yarn into an envelope with a note that says, "Mom, [or Grandma, etc.] I love you THIS much!"

Candleholders. Another idea from ChildFun is a Stained Glass Candleholder. The directions are quite simple: Have students cut different-colored tissue paper into small squares. They can use a watercolor brush to paint baby food jars with a glue-water mixture and then stick small pieces of colored tissue paper to it. Have kids glue a thin ribbon around the rim and place a small candle inside the jar. These holders can be customized to any season or event, depending on the colors of tissue paper used. Kids can also use cleaned-out salad dressing bottles to create bud vases.

Mom's Day Cards and Crafts. Make a variety of amazing and amusing Mother's Day cards -- and more crafts too -- at Danielle's Place.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students explore some of the words and phrases used during the Civil War and their meanings.

Subjects: Language Arts, Social Sciences, Technology

Grades: 6-8, 9-12

Objectives Students will:

• identify words and their meanings,
• compare and contrast historical contexts and changes in word meanings,
• demonstrate research skills using the Internet, and
• work together in cooperative groups.

Keywords
Civil War, slang, definition, word, phrase, vocabulary

Materials Needed

• computers with Internet access (or printouts of the material from the Web sites referenced below)
• paper
• pens or pencils

Procedure
Begin by posing the following to students: "Imagine that you are sent back in time to the Civil War. You meet a soldier after a battle and ask him about the war. Do you think you would have any trouble understanding his answer? Do you think people of that period used all the same words and phrases we do today? Let's find out."

1. Divide the class into small groups to study the following online sources. (If Internet access is not available for each group, make printouts of the lists from these sources and distribute to the groups.)
   • Soldier Talk & Civil War Slang
   • Gettysburg: The Soldiers' Battle -- Civil War Vocabulary
   • Civil War Slang
   
   
2. Assign each group a specific number of words (10 to 15) to look up.
    
3. Have students group the words according to ones that are or are not still in use today; or words that have the same or different meanings today.
    
4. Compile the lists in folders and place them in a classroom learning center or library.
    

Extension Activity: You might have students work on their own or in their groups to use some of the new vocabulary to write a brief conversation that might have taken place on or near the Civil War battlefield.

Assessment
Evaluate students on their ability to write sentences or short paragraphs using words from the Civil War slang and vocabulary lists.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students identify sources of home hazardous waste and create posters to educate the community about how to handle hazardous wastes.

Subjects: Visual Arts, Health, Science, Social Studies

Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• create a list of sources of hazardous waste,
• identify those products in the home that might be considered hazardous,
• learn why some products are hazardous,
• learn how to dispose of a variety of hazardous wastes,
• create posters to educate community members about hazardous waste and how to dispose of it, and
• complete a quiz about hazardous waste in the home.

Keywords
waste, hazard, trash, recycle, chemicals, poster, safety

Materials Needed

• Internet access or material printed from the Hazardous Waste pages of the Garbage: How Can My Community Reduce Waste? Web site.
• art supplies for creating posters

Procedure
Explain to students that some kinds of waste are more dangerous to the environment than others. Ask them to identify the types of waste that they know to be "hazardous" waste. Make a list of students' ideas. Ask which types of hazardous waste might be found in the home. Highlight those home-based sources of hazardous waste.

If students have Internet access, let them explore the pages of the Hazardous Waste Web site to learn what makes waste hazardous. Then ask them to take the quiz to see how much they know. If students do not have access to the Web, share the material at the site, then invite students to add to the class list the sources of hazardous waste in the home that they learned about. They should end up with a lengthy list that includes paint, motor oil, bug sprays, prescription drugs, household cleaners, drain openers, lightbulbs, batteries, and air fresheners.

Have students work individually or in small groups to create a three-column chart with the following headings:

• Hazardous Waste in the Home
• Why It Is Hazardous
• How to Dispose of It

Students will use what they learned to complete the chart.

Finally, Ask students to choose one form of hazardous waste and create a poster that will inform the community about that hazard and how to dispose of it. Build community awareness about hazardous waste by arranging to have students' posters displayed in the community -- in places such as supermarkets, drug stores, restaurants, the library, and the town hall.

Assessment
Prepare a list of five sources of hazardous waste that are found in the home. Students should identify for each source (1) why that waste is considered hazardous and (2) how the waste should be properly disposed of. Students will earn one point for each "why" and "how" they correctly identify. Eight out of 10 points will constitute a passing grade.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

A camera is all you need to create this fun bulletin board for Book Week (or anytime).

Subjects: Language Arts, Educational Technology

Grade Levels: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8

Objectives
Students will:

• think critically about a favorite book or a recent read.

Keywords
book report, reading, SSR, language arts, reading, bulletin board, Book Week

Materials Needed

• camera of any kind (digital preferred)
• construction paper
• markers

Procedure
For this lesson, students can choose a favorite book or a book they recently finished reading. Use a camera to take a close-up picture of the student holding up the book (so the title is readable in the photograph).

Using Technology. If you take pictures with a digital camera, it will be easy to enlarge the photos for printing. Students might do the enlarging and printing of their own photos.

Cut from white construction paper a large "talk bubble" like those seen in comic books and comic strips. (See talk bubble samples 1, talk bubble samples 2 for enlarging.) Have students use markers to write their thoughts about the book inside the talk bubble. Or, instead of leaving this assignment wide open, you might ask all students to respond to a specific question such as

• Why is this book one of your favorites?
• Tell about one of the best parts of the book. (Be careful not to spoil any surprises for others who might read the book.)
• What was the best part of this book?
• Who was your favorite character in the book? Why?
• Complete this sentence: I would recommend this book because...

Using Technology. Students might use a word processing program to type their talk bubble comments.

Position each student's talk bubble in position above his/her photo to create a bulletin board that's perfect for Book Week or any other time. Students will enjoy reading each other's comments, and their comments might motivate peers to so some reading!

Assessment
Assess students based on the thoughtfulness of their comments and the quality of the writing.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Grades 3-12 use crayons or markers to learn note-taking skills.

Subjects: Language Arts (Study Skills)

Note: This activity can be used with a selection from literature or nonfiction reading materials related to science, history, and many other subjects.

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• highlight in color (with crayon or highlighter) words and phrases that relate to their topic of research, and
• use their "crayon notes" to compose a paragraph to support their topic.

Keywords
note taking, notes, study skills, research, Earhart, theme

Materials Needed

• a brief biography of Amelia Earhart ( PDF, 188K) or other grade-appropriate reading selections
• crayons and/or highlighters

About the Lesson
This lesson employs a brief biography of Amelia Earhart ( PDF, 188K) as the starting point for note-taking exercises. The Earhart biography is only a suggested starting point for this lesson, however. You can substitute any piece of literature for the selection, or provide additional note-taking practice by repeating this lesson with a variety of content-rich, subject-related reading material.

Procedure
Very often, students read for a specific purpose rather than general information. For example, if students are working on reports about the causes of the Civil War, they will likely skim many Civil War resources to find the sections of those resources about the specific topic. That means students will be "eliminating" a lot of information as they skim for details about the causes of the war.

In this activity, students skim a brief biography of Amelia Earhart ( PDF, 188K) -- or another reading selection of your choice -- to locate specific information related to the focus of their search.

If you use the brief biography of Amelia Earhart ( PDF, 188K), provide each student with a copy of that bio page. Then you might

• do one or more of the topics/themes below as a class, then have students do the rest on their own or in small groups;
• provide each student with one of the topics listed below;
• arrange students into groups and give each group a theme; or
• write the numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4 (corresponding to the topics below) on slips of paper and have each student draw a slip to determine the topic of his or her research.

Topics/Themes

1. Amelia's Family Life
2. Important Airplane Flights in Amelia's Life
3. Turning Points in Amelia's Life
4. Important People in Amelia's Life

Whichever topic students tackle, they skim their copy of the biography for information related to the topic. They then use a crayon to underline -- or a highlighting marker to highlight -- information that supports the topic. The highlighted text provides a visual representation of the "notes" students might write if they were using library resources to research the topic.

When students complete their highlighting, have them use the most important highlighted information to write in their own words a concise paragraph on their assigned topic or theme.

Extension Activity
After completing this activity, you might encourage students to go beyond the one-page biography and do more in-depth research using library or Internet resources. Provide each student with a different topic to research, for example:

• key events in the childhood of [a president],
• features of [an animal's] habitat, or
• key geographic features of [a country].

Since students should not use crayons or highlighters in library books, have them skim the books to find key phrases and information related to the topic and write the information in note form. They can then use the notes to compose a paragraph or, for more in-depth topics, a brief essay or a full report sharing the result of their research -- written in their own words.

Assessment
Give students a clean copy of a brief biography of Amelia Earhart ( PDF, 188K) and have them cross out all but the most important information related to the following topic:

Reasons Many People Think Amelia Earhart Is a Hero

The following might be among the phrases in the biography article that will be highlighted in marker or underlined in crayon:

• childhood was not always easy; the family split up
• worked as a nurse in a hospital for soldiers
• worked several jobs to earn the money she needed to take flying lessons
• first woman to fly cross the Atlantic Ocean
• flew across the Atlantic on her own in record time
• first woman to fly from Hawaii to California
• participated a cross-country air race for women pilots
• founded an organization of women pilots
• set out to fly around the world

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Make a Difference on Earth Day!

from Education World® (updated March 2008)

Earth Day is April 22, 2008. It's a time when people around the world hold events to honor our planet -- and to remind everyone about the importance of our ecosystem. Here, we feature activities that have students cleaning up trash-filled areas in their communities, creating public-service announcements about environmental issues, and much more!

Background

Founded in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, a former United States senator from Wisconsin, Earth Day has grown into a global event. In 1970, 20 million Americans demonstrated in streets, parks, and auditoriums for a healthier, cleaner environment. Each year, hundreds of millions of people in more than 180 countries participate in Earth Day activities around the world.

Earth Day Network Resources

• Earth Day 2008
• Earth Day 2008 Events Worldwide
• Plan an Event: Earthy Day in a Box
• Education & Outreach
• Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans

1. Clean Up Hazardous Waste
   Grades 3-12 identify sources of home hazardous waste and create posters to educate community members about how to handle that waste.
    
2. Community Clean Up
   Students identify community areas filled with trash and work together to clean those areas.
    
3. Cafeteria Compost
   Students create a compost pile in the schoolyard, using lunchroom food scraps and yard clippings.
    
4. Earth Day PSA
   Students develop a short public service announcement (PSA) video to raise awareness about an environmental issue.
    
5. Fund-Raiser for Earth Day
   Students hold a fund-raising activity to raise money to buy seeds, plants, or tree seedlings to beautify school grounds.
    
6. Improving School Recycling
   Students evaluate their school recycling programs and propose improvements.
    
7. Earth Day WebQuest
   In this special Earth Day WebQuest, student teams vie for funding from the fictional Help Our World (HOW) Foundation.
    

Other Resources

EarthLab Live Earth Calculator
Do you use energy efficient light bulbs? How much do you drive, versus taking the bus, the subway/train, or riding your bike? How much do you recycle? EarthLab's Live Earth Calculator will note your conservation habits, and let you know your Earth Conservation Plan (ECP) score. Save your score on their Web site and return to find out how much you've improved your ECP.

© Copyright EducationWorld.com 2003, used by permission

Curriculum Resources for Teachers & Students

from Education World® (updated March 2008)

April is National Poetry Month. The initiative was established by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 as a month-long, national celebration of poetry.

We have gathered a collection of resources that we hope will assist you in introducing students to the pleasure of reading poetry, helping them understand the achievements of American poets, and encouraging them to write an recite their own poetic masterpieces.

Lessons, Activities, Projects

1. Create a Poetry Calendar
   Students research, design, and create a school-year calendar based on the work of famous poets.
    
2. 'P' Is for Poetry
   Students create simple rhymes for each letter of the alphabet, gather them together, and publish them in book format.
    
3. Poetry Slam Hits Schools with Literary Force
   Learn how writer Bob Nelson enlisted educators to bring high schoolers to the poetry performance arena.
    
4. Stage a Poetry Slam!
   This classroom or school-wide activity could serve as a fundraiser or parent's night event.
    
5. Poetry Author's Visit
   Use Mary O'Neill's classic collection of 12 poems about colors (Hailstones and Halibut Bones) to introduce young students to poetry and then help them develop and write their own poems.
    
6. Design a Poet-T
   Grades 3-12 use old t-shirts to announce and illustrate their favorite poems.
    
7. Diamond Poems Across the Curriculum
   Students build vocabulary skills, teach parts of speech, and have fun with diamond poems.
    
8. A Laugh and a Half: Students Make Funny-Poem Mobiles
   Grades K-8 find their favorite funny poems -- and write their own -- to hang from a smile-mobile. (Student work sheet provided.)
    
9. Winter Expressions
   Write a winter "shape poem." Display the unique poems on a classroom bulletin board. (Grades PreK-8)
    
10. A Poem Is a Poem Is a Poem
    A collection of 20 resources found at EducationWorld.com, including lesson plans, activities, projects, best practices, and more.
     

Best Practices & Other Resources

1. Calling on the Muse
   I think that I shall never see ... well-disciplined creativity! How often has that thought crossed your mind? Don't despair! The experts -- working poets who teach their craft -- share their secrets for instructing and inspiring budding poets.
    
2. The Authors' Picks
   Are you looking for books to recommend to your elementary school students? You might want to review some of the books mentioned in this article, so you'll have plenty of recommendations for students. (Poetry for kids included!)
    
3. Visiting Authors
   Sometimes, getting a published author to appear in your classroom isn't possible. Here are some tips on how you can prepare yourself as a guest author.
    
4. How I Staged a Poetry Slam
   A veteran teachers cured the mid-winter blahs with a great activity.
    
5. Haiku, Chaiku, Bless You
   Introducing middle school students to haiku.
    
6. Writing Sonnets
   Students of this junior high teacher are among the most-often published poets in the country.
    
7. Peeing in the Ool and Other Favorite Kids' Poems
   An interview with a children's poet who often visits elementary classrooms.
    
8. Read Across America: April Reading Resources
    
9. Web Resources for National Poetry Month

Elsewhere on the Internet

BONUS LESSONS!
While surfing the Net looking for the best poetry sites for kids, we found lots of terrific lesson plans to help teachers integrate poetry across the grades.

• Fifteen Poems You Can Write Right Now (Grades 4-12)
• Fooling With Words With Bill Moyers (Grades 9-12)
• Virtual Poetry(Grades 1-5)
• Enhancing a Poetry Unit with American Memory (Grades 6-11)
• Make a Poetry Quilt (Grades K-3)
• Can You Imagine . . . Poem (Grades 3-12)
• Poetry Writing With Jack Prelutsky (Grades 2-5)
• Metaphor Unit Poems (Grades 3-12)
• Performance Poetry (Grades 6-12)
• Writing I Spy Riddle Rhymes With Jean Marzollo (Grades 1-6)
• Shape Poems (Grades PreK-5)
• Counting Strong Words in Poetry (Grades 5-12)
• Using a Poetry Slam to Teach the Mechanics of Poetry (Grades 9-12)
• Rock Lyrics As Poetry (Grades 9-12)
• Rock and Poetry: A Thematic Project (Grades 9-12)

ADDITIONAL POETRY RESOURCES

• Billy Collins' Poetry 180: A Poem a Day for American High Schools
• PoetryTeachers.com
• Giggle Poetry
• The English Room: 30 Days of Poetry
• Outta Ray's Head Poetry Lessons
• Online Rhyming Dictionary and Thesaurus
• Poetry Lessons from Scholastic
• Poetry Online: Search By Poet, Title, Timeline, Keyword
• The English Teacher's Poetry Resources (By Poet's Name)

POETRY RUBRICS

• Poetry Rubric
• Poetry Rubric -- Eighth Grade

PUBLISH YOUR STUDENTS' POEMS ONLINE

• Poet's Corner Online Poetry Project
• Surfing the Net With Kids: Publish Your Poetry Online
• Young Poets

2008 Theme: Math and Voting

(Updated March 2008)

Mathematics Awareness Month began in 1986 and is held each year in April.

The 2008 theme is Math and Voting. In a presidential election year, the term "voting" brings to mind national elections. Resources for this year's Mathematics Awareness Month are designed to help explain what makes these votes matter, as well as how the voting system used affects the outcome, regardless of the context of the voting.

Resources from Math Awareness Month 2008

• Math and Voting Theme Essays
• 2008 Downloadable Math & Voting Poster
• Video Contest

Math Lessons, Activities & Projects

1. Math Fun! -- Five 'Invisible' Math Lessons
   These lessons are "invisible" because kids have so much fun they don't realize they are actually doing math.
    
2. Music Math: Create a Clapping Symphony
   Students in all grades read simple music to create a symphony of clapping (plus fraction math for grades 5-up).
    
3. Daily Numbers: A Math Skill Reinforcement Activity
   Use this daily lesson to reinforce skills taught throughout the school year.
    
4. Popcorn Math
   Use popcorn to teach a number of K-8 math concepts.
    
5. ZIP Code Math
   Students in all grade levels add or subtract to solve ZIP Code math word problems.
    
6. Math Fun (Part One)
   Looking for ways to break up a bad case of math monotony? Three lesson, adaptable for all grade levels, get kids out of their sits, having fun, and practicing math skills.
    
7. Math Fun (Part Two)
   Math class doesn't have to be stay-in-your-seat quiet. Two lessons use bulletin boards and photographs to relate math skills to everyday life.
    
8. Phone Book Math
   Did the phone company just deliver new phone books to your door? Don't throw out the old ones -- ask students to bring them to school. Those old phone books offer opportunities for lots of valuable math practice, and extensions into other curriculum areas as well!
    
9. Spelling and Math Vocabulary
   A kinesthetic approach to teaching spelling, and a word game to reinforce math concepts.
    
10. Motherhood Math: Mothers in the Workforce
    Grades 3-12 examine the increasing numbers of working mothers.
     
11. Five Games for Teaching Math Facts
    Practice! Practice! Practice! That's how most students learn their addition facts or times tables. Rote drill is a popular and proven tool for learning math facts. But it's OK to lighten up and add some fun to math-facts learning.
     
12. Around the World
    Grades 3-8 play a game in which they practice timed math activities.
     
13. Celebrate the 100th Day of School
    Try these 100 math activities.
     
14. Works4Me Math Tips
    Find dozens of practical classroom tips — written by teachers, for teachers — aimed at helping you teach math creatively and effectively.
     

Other NEA Resources

• Sports Math Scores Points with Students and Teachers
  Grab students' interest with a site that teams math with sports -- and everyone comes out a winner.
   
• Sites to See: Math Homework Help
  Students (and parents who may wish to help them with homework!) can find expert advice in just a few clicks.
   
• Bookless Math Class Adds Up
  Computers take center stage in this successful classroom.
   
• Math Date: Celebrate Pi Day on March 14
  That is 3.14 - get it?
   
• Math Date: Explore Base 10 on "Powers of 10" Day
  K-12 math activities for October 10.
   
• Math Lesson Plans
  An annotated list of links to math lesson plans on the Web.
   
• Math Lessons in Spanish
  Web site offers interactive lessons for K-8.
   
• Math Resources
  An annotated list of links to math resources available on the Web.
   
• Mathematics & Children's Literature
  An annotated list of links featuring mathematics and literature on the Web.
   
• Mathematics & Science Programs for Girls
  An annotated list of links featuring mathematics and science programs for girls on the Web.
   

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students research, design, and create a school-year calendar based on the work of famous poets.

Subjects: Language Arts, Visual Arts

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• research print and online resources to learn about five famous poets born in a particular month;
• read 1-2 poems by each of the five poets;
• create a school-year calendar based on the work of famous poets; and,
• work together to choose a cover design for the calendar.

Keywords
Poet, month, calendar, season

Materials Needed

• Wall calendar for display and demonstration (optional)
• Student access to computer(s) with Internet access
• Web sites for research (e.g., Birthdays of Poets)

Procedure
Begin this lesson by displaying a typical wall calendar with a picture on one page and a monthly grid on the facing page. If you don't have a calendar available, go to Calendars.com and find an appropriate calendar -- one with a Disney or animal theme, for example. (Click any calendar and then click the link for other views. Choose the Back Cover view to show students a page with both a picture and a month on it).

1. Arrange students into pairs or small groups and assign a month to each pair or group. Have each student find the names of five poets who were born in his or her group's assigned month, and record on a piece of paper, each poet's birthday and the titles of 1-2 poems by that poet. (Students should read the poems as well.) Also have students record the URL of the Web site or the reference information for the book where they found the information. (1-2 class periods)
    
2. Ask students to share with their groups the information they find, eliminating duplicate poets. The goal is to end up with 8-12 unique birthdays per group. Then invite each student to read to the group his or her favorite poem. After listening to the poems, each group should to decide which poet and what image to feature for the month. Explain that the image can be an original photo, an online photo, an original drawing, a clip-art collage, and so on, but that the goal of the design should be to represent both the month (in terms of seasons, holidays, and so on.) and the month's poets or their poems. To ensure that students think carefully and creatively about the assignment, require teacher approval of the final design. (1-2 class periods)
    
3. Have students download the correct month from Education World Calendar Templates and open the template in Microsoft Word. One student can type into the template the dates of the month (for the next school year) and the names of the poets on their birthdates (changing the font, background, border, and more, if desired). Another student can create the graphic, using whatever software or art resources he or she chooses. The student then deletes the image at the top of the calendar template and inserts the new illustration. If the calendar is not created on the computer, students can print the calendar page and pastes the illustration into the template. (1-2 class periods)
    
4. Display all completed months for the entire class to see. Ask students to look at the birthdays in each month as well as the large graphic, and then invite them to vote for their favorite design. Combine all the months into a single calendar; use the graphic that gets the most votes for the front cover.

Assessment
Students are assessed on their:

• Application of poetic and seasonal themes as shown in the illustration.
• Inclusion of 8-12 poet birthdays in a clean and effective design on the monthly grid.
• group skills as observed in class.
• time management skills as evidenced by timely completion of each step.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Spring has sprung! As temperatures warm and snow melts, educators search for ways to invite new growth into their classrooms. The Internet is full of hands-on activities for the indoor and outdoor gardener. Plant a seed, design a garden, or investigate the life of a worm -- welcome the new season with those activities and a crop of others!

"We believe that the positive experiences kids have in the garden, especially at an early age, provide a vital foundation for developing a lifelong ethic of stewardship for the Earth," said Jim Flint, of the National Gardening Association (NGA). The Vermont-based organization has two goals: helping gardeners and helping people through gardening.

"Learning science through gardening is a natural for children -- and it's exciting for teachers to experience their students' wonder in watching a seedling unfurl, a flower blossom, and the fruits of their labors appear!" Flint told Education World.

Research backs up the benefits of such rich curricula, added Flint. "Researchers at Texas A & M University, who measured changes in environmental attitudes for elementary students in gardening classrooms, support what garden-based educators have experienced for many years: that children engaged in a cross-disciplinary gardening curriculum acquire a direct, personal understanding of what living things require to thrive, and how they adapt and interact with each other."

Gardening in the Classroom

There are many ways to include gardening in classroom activities. "The tried and true way to incorporate plants and gardening is to have students germinate seeds in cups or pots on the classroom windowsill," explained Flint. "Radishes, marigolds, and bean seeds are favorites because of their quick germination and ability to keep growing, even under less-than-ideal conditions."

However, Flint believes that there is more to be experienced than the simple windowsill garden. "Classroom gardening can mean so much more when teachers go 'beyond the bean seed' and challenge students to experiment with growing a variety of seeds and plants in differing environments," he stated.

To help teachers integrate the garden into classroom lessons, the NGA Web site, KidsGardening.com, offers resources for teachers and families.

Ten Ways to Party with Plants

The Internet is rich with activities that incorporate greenery. Jump into spring with one of these bright blossoms!

1. Plant a seed. The traditional classroom favorite activity of growing plants from seeds can be expanded with the help of the suggestions from Gardening Projects Kids Will Dig. For growing fun without soil Growing Sprouts offers instructions that teach youngsters to raise edible sprouts. Don't forget to have your students keep a diary of the activity in order to preserve a record of the plant's development during each day or week of its growth.
    
2. Learn in the garden. Beyond simply growing seeds in the classroom, creating a school garden offers students a chance to raise plants that students can eat and enjoy. It shows children the missing steps between seed and supermarket. To find directions for designing and implementing your own school garden, see the School Gardens Web Site. This location has the information to get you started. Garden: Activities in Four Seasons will also assist you by providing lessons that complement the gardening experience. There are adventures in the garden during all seasons, if you know where to find them!
    
3. Design a garden. Using a virtual Garden Planner, students may test their landscaping skills or prepare for the planting of an actual garden by designing a garden plot. Also check out our teaching master, Fantasy Farm. In this activity, students use a planting guide from The Old Farmer's Almanac to find crops to grow on an imaginary farm. They record the favorable planting dates for their crops and find other regions that share the same growing schedule.
    
4. Host a plant show. Do you have a fabulous plant at home that you would love to share? Your students may have great plants that they would like to show you and one another! Hold a plant show for all types of vegetation, and allow each student to prepare a short presentation that tells the story of the plant he or she is sharing. Kid's Valley Garden has several tips for showing on its site. Be sure to include certificates and/or ribbons for the most unusual, lush, and colorful plants at your show.
    
5. Tour an online garden. If you aren't lucky enough to have a handy greenhouse or garden to visit in person, online gardens are the next best thing for your field adventures! For indoor enjoyment, a Pittsburgh landmark provides the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Virtual Tour. Here, students may view stunning pictures of plants and structures among its many indoor and outdoor gardens. Outside exploration can be found at Roanoke Island, North Carolina, at the The Elizabethan Gardens. For fun, have your students create a brochure for one of these interesting gardens.
    
6. Study flowers. Just as an X-ray uncovers a broken bone or a troublesome tooth, an X-ray may also expose the hidden beauty of flowers. Albert Richards, a University of Michigan professor emeritus, presents his own unique view of the essence of flowers on his Web site, Floral Radiographs: The Secret Garden. Here, students may examine radiographs of various flowers to appreciate their intricacy and delight in their simplicity. What unusual ways can your students find to study flowers? In their opinion, which method of viewing flowers -- as we normally see them or through an X ray -- shows their beauty best?
    
7. Make a wildflower guidebook. Few gardening activities are as fun and versatile as putting together a wildflower guidebook. Show your students Wildflowers in Bloom, DesertUSA Wildflower Field Guide, and Florida Wildflower Showcase as examples. Then have students prepare pages of their own guidebook by either drawing or taking pictures of local wildflowers and researching facts about them. Assemble the pages, and distribute copies to the class. Consider going global with this assignment and share your findings on the Web!
    
8. Investigate a worm's world. Get up close with worms by building a Worm Habitat ( PDF, 5.28MB) or a Worm Condo in your classroom. If you prefer not to get quite so close to your subject, The Adventures of Herman and Yucky Worm World teach students about the benefits of worms without the mess! These online explorations contain details about the bodies of worms and many other worm facts. Invite your explorers to write an original interview with an earthworm.
    
9. Go crazy for compost. Did you know that you have the recipe for a dirt delight right in the schoolyard? Composting doesn't have to be drudgery! To learn more, check out Composting for Kids, a resource with excellent information and suggestions.
    
10. Send in the birds, butterflies, and frogs. Many garden owners prefer the visitors that their gardens bring to their yards to the organisms in the garden itself. Your students can find out what appeals to hummingbirds at Hummingbirds.net. The right flowers can draw these miniature wonders. Another source of enjoyment to gardeners is the multitude of butterflies attracted by some flowers. The Butterfly WebSite and Children's Butterfly Site show students how to design a garden that calls to these creatures. One of the favorite garden visitors for students is the frog, and they can learn about this animal at Frogland! The site includes a section of things that students can do to help save frogs -- setting up a garden and a compost heap are among those ideas. Create a chart of a diagram that shows which garden features attract the three different species. Which of those things might attract more than one species?
     

More Garden Activity Resources

Fun Project Ideas
This page is full of terrific ideas for plant activities inside and outside of the classroom.

The Great Plant Escape
Join Detective Le Plant and his sidekicks, Bud and Sprout, on one of six cases that introduce students to the importance of plants. The site is designed for students in grades four and five and includes a teachers' guide.

Plant Thematic Unit
The Teacher's Corner supplies educators with a fabulous list of links for a gardening unit as well as a handful of good plant activities and a list of books to complement your study.

Garden Journals
What a wonderful way for kids K-3 to learn about and share in the excitement of gardens ... even in those cold winter months. This lesson incorporates Art, Reading, Writing and Science.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students explore the area around their school and create a field journal about the bugs they find there.

Subjects: Science

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

Objectives
Students will:

• learn about the bugs in their area, and
• practice observing and recording scientific data.

Keywords
bugs, insects, journal

Materials Needed

• plastic jars (with and without lids)
• butterfly nets
• magnifying glasses
• white cloths, craft sticks, and other materials or tools useful for catching and observing bugs
• three field journal pages for each student
• pencils or pens
• crayons or colored markers

Procedure
Take students to an area outside the school building. Distribute three field journal pages to each student. Ask students to find and observe three of the bugs they find in the area. Then have them draw a picture of each bug and complete a field journal report for each.

Assessment
Students will be evaluated based on the information in their field journals.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students read simple music to create a symphony of clapping (all grades). Plus fraction math for grades 5-up. Work sheet included.

Subjects: Performing Arts, Math

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• understand how musical notes relate to fractions,
• identify a variety of musical notes (for example, whole, half, and quarter notes),
• read and clap a measure of music, assigning appropriate values to notes, and
• solve fraction math problems that use musical notes in place of the fractions.

Keywords
fraction, music, notes, value

Materials Needed

• Note Values Chart ( PDF, 103K)
• Music Math work sheet (Grades 5-up only; optional)

Procedure
Introduce to students, or present a refresher course in, the value of musical notes. Each note represents a specific value. In this lesson, students in grades 3 and up will read note values/simple music to create a symphony of clapping.

Note: The extension activity in this lesson is for students in grades 5 and up; it assumes students know how to add fractions.

Start the lesson by sharing a simple Note Values Chart ( PDF, 103K). Print out the chart, photocopy it onto a sheet of transparency film, and use an overhead projector to display the chart for students. If you do not intend to introduce the value of different musical rests to students, cover the RESTS column with a piece of paper.

Alternate idea: Recreate the chart on a large sheet of poster board; display the poster so all students can see it clearly.

Discuss the value of different notes (and rests, if appropriate). To help students "hear" the value of those notes, tap your foot to a 4-beat measure -- tap, tap, tap, tap -- and have students join in. Then...

• Introduce the whole note. The whole note is an oval (it looks like an egg on its side) with no color inside and no vertical line attached. Introduce the concept of the whole note by clapping its value. Clap once for each 4-beat measure you tap: clap, tap, tap, tap. As you clap, hum the note and hold it over all four beats (hum-mm-mm-mm). Have students clap, tap, and hum with you.
• Introduce the half note. The half note looks like a whole note, but it has a vertical line attached. Draw a half note for students to see, and write the fraction 1/2 next to it. Clap (clap, tap, clap, tap) and hum (hum-mm, hum-mm) to represent the half note for students as you tap your foot to the four beats of the measure. Have students clap, tap, and hum with you.
• Introduce the quarter note. The quarter note looks like a half note, but the oval is filled in with solid black. Draw a quarter note for students, and write the fraction 1/4 next to it. Clap (clap, clap, clap, clap) to represent the quarter note as you tap your foot to a four-beat measure. Have students clap and tap with you.
• Introduce the eighth note. The eight note looks like a quarter note, except it has a curly line (like a flag blowing in the wind) at the end of the vertical line. Draw an eighth note for students, and write the fraction 1/8 next to it. Clap twice for each beat (clap-clap, clap-clap, clap-clap, clap-clap) to represent the eighth note to students as you tap your foot to the four-beat measure. Have students clap and tap with you.
• Introduce the sixteenth note. The sixteenth note looks like a quarter note, except it has two curly lines at the top (or bottom) of the vertical line. Draw a sixteenth note for students, and write the fraction 1/16 next to it. Clap four times for each beat (clap-clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-clap) as you tap your foot to the four beats of the measure. Have students clap and tap with you.

Next, clap a measure of different types of notes at random and have students identify whether you have clapped whole, half, quarter, eighth, or sixteenth notes.

This is a good time to review the idea that each note is represented by a fraction.

• A four-beat measure represents 1 whole. A whole note is held for the entire four beats.
• That same four-beat measure might include 2 half notes. Each half note is held for 1/2 of the measure, or two beats.
• That same four-beat measure might include 4 quarter notes. Each note is held for 1/4 of the measure, or one beat.
• That same four-beat measure might include 8 eighth notes. Each note is held for 1/8 of the measure. Students clap two quick claps for each tap of the foot (each beat).
• That same four-beat measure can include 16 sixteenth notes. Each note is held for 1/16 of the measure. Students clap four rapid-fire claps for each tap of the foot (each beat).

Next, arrange students into two groups. Have one side clap on the whole note (clap, tap, tap, tap) while the other side claps on the half note (clap, tap, clap, tap). Then continue by arranging the class into three groups; have one group clap the whole note, the second group clap the half notes, and the third group clap the quarter notes. Continue by arranging the class into smaller groups and introducing the eighth and sixteenth notes.

Take the activity one more step: Arrange the class into two or more groups. Present each group with a four-beat measure that includes a combination of notes (and rests, if appropriate). Start by having the first group clap out their measure in repetitive fashion. Then practice with the other group. Finally, start the first group off and -- once they are comfortably performing their rhythm -- add in the other group(s) to create a symphony of clapping.

Extension Activity: Music and Fraction Math (for Grades 5-up only) Review again the concept of each note representing a fraction of a measure. Then provide students with some sample math problems using notes to represent fractions. For example,

• [an eight note] + [an eighth note] = __________ (Answer: 2/8 or 1/4)
• [an eighth note] + [a quarter note] = __________ (Answer: 3/8)
• [a quarter note] - [an eighth note] = __________ (Answer: 1/8)
• [4 eight notes] + [2 eighth notes] = __________ (Answer: 6/8 or 3/4)
• [3 sixteenth notes] + [1 sixteenth note] = __________ (Answer: 4/16 or 2/8 or 1/4)

Finally, hand out the Music Math work sheet work sheet and have students solve the music math (fraction) problems.

Assessment
Test students' knowledge of the value of notes. Present a board work or work sheet assignment that presents different types of notes in random order. Students will identify those notes as whole, half, quarter, eighth, or sixteenth notes.

Given a measure of notes, students will be able to clap out the measure.

Extension Activity: Music Math Answer Key:
1. 1-3/4; 2. 1/2; 3. 3/4 or 6/8; 4. 2-1/2; 5. 3/8; 6. 1/2 or 2/4 or 4/8; 7. 13/16; 8. 0; 9. 1-5/8; 10. 1/4 or 2/8.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Five fun games use selections of reading text to build students' skills in syllabication, sentence structure, sequencing, word recognition, skimming, and visual recognition.

Subjects: Language Arts

Grade Levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8

Objectives
Students will:

• participate in small and/or large groups, and
• build a variety of reading skills.

Keywords
syllabication, syllable, structure, sequence, recognition, skim, visual, recognition, vocabulary, synonym

Materials Needed

• selections of reading text
• paper and pencils

Procedure
The following five quick games build reading skills:

1. Searching for Syllables
   Builds syllabication skills
   
   Provide each student with a sheet of lined writing paper. Instruct students to fold the paper to create three columns, and number the columns 1, 2, and 3. (Older students might divide their paper into more columns; or head the columns with the numbers 2, 3, and 4 or more or 3, 4, and 5 or more.) The numbers indicate the number of syllables in the words that will be placed in each column.
   
   Provide a selection of text (of a paragraph, page, or other appropriate length) and have students write each word in the text in the appropriate column on their papers. The student who places the most words in the correct columns wins!
    
2. Alpha Sentences
   Builds grammar (sentence structure) skills and creativity
   
   Select a sentence from text the students have read. Then have students work individually or in pairs to create another sentence in which the words begin with the same letters as the words in the selected sentence. For example, The house was for sale might become Ten helicopters were flying south. Students vote for the best sentences created by their peers.
   
   For younger students, be sure to keep sentences short and choose sentences with words that begin with common letters.
    
3. Meaning Match-Up
   Builds word-meaning skills
   
   Provide each pair of students with 20 index cards, and have each pair divide the cards evenly between them. Then provide each pair with ten vocabulary words. Tell each student to write five of the words on index cards, one word to a card. Then tell each student to write the definitions of those five words on the remaining five cards, one definition per card. Mix up the cards, turn them upside down, and place them in five rows of four cards each. Have Player 1 turn over two cards. If the cards are a word and matching definition, the player keeps those two cards and continues his or her turn. If the cards don't match, they are turned back over and Player 2 takes a turn. Play continues until all words are matched to their definitions.
   
   Extension idea: Provide each pair of students with a different list of vocabulary words. That way, you will end up with a large number of vocabulary games, which students can share.
    
4. Which Word?
   Builds sequence and word recognition skills
   
   Focus students on a particular story or chapter of a text. Select a "mystery word" from the selected text, write that word on a piece of paper, and give students a clue about the word's location in the text. For example, say I am thinking of a word on page 63. Students take turns asking yes-or-no questions that will help them zero in on the correct word. For example, the first student might ask, Does it come after the word "time" on that page? or Is it before the word "special"? Your responses will help students zero in on the possibilities. Each student, at the start of his or her turn, has the opportunity to guess the word. If the guess is correct, that student earns a point and a new word is selected. If the child's guess is incorrect, he or she is out of the game until the next round.
   
   After students have learned the rules of this game, they can play it on their own in small groups. In small groups, each student plays a more active role in the game.
    
5. Word Hunt
   Builds skimming and visual recognition skills
   
   Choose a section of text appropriate for students' ages. (The text might be a paragraph, a page, or more.) Provide students with a piece of scrap paper. Write four words on a chalkboard or chart; three of the words should come directly from the text; the fourth word should not appear in the text. As soon as the four words are revealed, have students skim the text, looking for the four words. When they know which word does not appear in the text, they write it on their papers and put down their pencils to signal they are done. How many students found the correct word?

Assessment
A short follow-up quiz will determine whether students grasp the skills each activity is intended to teach/reinforce.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Create a bulletin board of inspiring quotes by famous women.

Subjects: Language Arts, Visual Arts, Educational Technology, Social Studies

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• use library or Internet resources to collect quotes by famous women,
• reflect on what might have inspired those quotes, and
• create a Women's History Month bulletin board that mimics the Library of Congress's Women's Words of Wisdom Web page.

Keywords
Women's History Month, women, quote, quotations, famous quotes

Materials Needed

• books and/or Internet resources

Procedure

"I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail their failure must be but a challenge to others." — Amelia Earhart

"In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do." — Dorothea Dix

"I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can't say -- I never ran my train of the track, and I never lost a passenger." — Harriet Tubman

Those are just a few of the inspiring quotes spotlighted on the Women's Words of Wisdom: Thoughts Over Time exhibit on the Web site of the Library of Congress. Share some of the other quotes from famous women that are part of that exhibit. Then challenge students to dig through library (encyclopedias, biographies…) and Internet resources to find additional quotes from women.

Create a bulletin board that looks similar to the layout presented on the Women's Words of Wisdom Web site. Combine images gathered from the Internet with thought or talk bubbles in which their quotes are written.

A Few Quote Sources on the Internet

• Quotations By Notable Women
• Women's History: Quotes By Famous Women
• Famous Women Quotes
• Quotable Women – An Archive of Memorable Quotes by Women

Online Quotation Dictionaries

• Bartleby.com
• QuotationReference.com

Assessment
Challenge students to reflect on one of the quotes on the bulletin board. They might respond to one of these questions:

• How does that quote reflect the life of the woman who spoke it?
• Why does that quote have special meaning/inspiration to you?

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Curriculum Resources

To celebrate Valentine's Day, here are a collection of interdisciplinary curriculum resources for all grade levels -- plus links to dozens of others! -- to help students get in the spirit of the holiday.

Lesson Plans from NEA

Candy Heart Stories
For Valentine's Day, students in grades K-8 write a story that includes the text of the candy conversation hearts you chose.

Straight from the Heart!
Valentine's Day means cinnamon hearts, conversation hearts, and paper hearts -- and a "hearty" collection of activities for children. If you haven't prepared, don't be brokenhearted... These lessons will put you in the loving spirit of the holiday!

Have a Heart!
February is Heart Month. This Internet scavenger hunt helps students learn about the human heart.

Related Items from NEA

Valentine Battleship
An elementary school teacher integrates timely subjects and topics with regular classroom activities.

Teachers' Most Memorable Valentine's Day
We asked our readers, "What was your most memorable Valentine from school days past and present?" Here's what they told us...

Works4Me: Holiday Teaching Tips
Find dozens of teaching tips from the real experts: teachers like you! From Mardi Gras to Christmas and every holiday in between, including Valentine's Day, we have plenty of tips, suggestions and advice.

Additional Lessons & Activities

• G.E.M. Lesson Plan Search: Valentine's Day
• Valentine's Day Lesson Plans, Ideas, and Activities (The Lesson Plans Page)
• Lesson Plans, Thematic Units, Printables, Worksheets, and More (A to Z Teacher Stuff)
• Valentine's Day Lesson Plans for K-6 Teachers (About.com)
• Valentines Day Lesson Plans (TeAch-nology)
• Valentine's Day Activities and Lesson Plans (The Teacher's Corner)
• Valentine's Day (Education World)

Recommended Web sites

• Wikipedia - Valentine's Day
• History.com - Valentine's Day
• St. Valentine's Day
• How Valentine's Day Works
• Emergence of Advertising in America (Duke University Library)

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students write help wanted ads that describe the position of president of the United States.

Subjects: Language Arts, Visual Arts, Educational Technology, Social Studies

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• use online and print resources to study the job of president,
• identify the powers and responsibilities of the president,
• write help wanted ads for the job of president,
• design artwork for the advertisements, and
• create samples of the ads.

Keywords
advertising, career, newspaper, president, writing

Materials Needed

• classified sections from newspapers
• Help Wanted work sheet
• Internet or other sources of information about the presidency

Procedure
Introduce this activity by asking students to identify ways that people search for and obtain jobs. You may list these on the board. Highlight the newspaper's classified section help wanted ads during the discussion, and pass out sample newspapers (pre-screened). Allow students to read the help wanted display ads. Then invite students to share some examples and identify information that should be included in this kind of ad. List on the board or on chart paper some important details usually found in job-related ads.

Talk about the job of the president. What characteristics should a good candidate for president possess? What schooling and work experience are required? What are the demands of the job? Ask the students to think about these questions as you distribute the Help Wanted work sheet.

Point students to the brief page from Scholastic The President's Job. Tell them to read the information about the president's job and use it to create help wanted ads. Every ad should include:

• a summary of the role of president
• a description of the responsibilities and duties required
• reference to the characteristics, education, skills, and experience candidates need.

Students can locate additional information on theses Web sites:

• Ben's Guide to the U. S. Government for Kids
• The President of the United States Grades 3-5)
• The President of the United States (Grades 6-8)

If Internet access is not available, print those sources or offer a collection of other sources of information about the guidelines for attaining the presidency and the role of the president.

When students finish writing, they may embellish their ads with appropriate artwork.

Older students may not need the benefit of the work sheet to get started with this assignment. Refer them to The President of the United States, another page from Ben's Guide that is designed for grades 9-12. There is additional information on the White House Web site, and these students might refer to Monster.com for authentic examples of job descriptions. Another site, Write a Great Help Wanted Ad, provides tips for making attractive and effective help wanted ads.

Extension activity
Have students exchange their job descriptions and respond in writing with letters written as able candidates for the presidency. They might even select lawmakers and other "real" Americans who have run for the office or they believe deserve it.

Assessment
A satisfactory essay will contain a summary of the role of president, a description of the responsibilities and duties required, and references to the characteristics, education, skills, and experience candidates need.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

This Internet scavenger hunt helps students learn about the human heart.

Printable Copy for Students ( PDF, 239K)

Directions: February is Heart Month; it is a month filled with heart shapes, heart candies, heart activities, and sweethearts. February is also a good month to learn about your own heart. Explore the Web site provided to learn about the human heart. Then read the sentences below. Each sentence contains words or numbers in bold type. Which of those words or numbers correctly completes the sentence? Circle the correct word or number.

Web Resources:
Let's Learn About Your Heart

1. Each day, your heart beats about 100,000/10,000 times.
2. Your arms/ribs help protect your heart if you fall or get hit in the chest.
3. To keep your heart healthy, you should exercise for 1/2 hour / 1 hour every day.
4. The heart is the strongest gland/muscle in the body.
5. Your heart is about the same size as your fist/head.

Something to Think About: What are some things you can do to keep your heart healthy?

Learn More: Go to The Virtual Body and choose a language -- English or Español. Click Human Heart and learn about the parts of the heart and how the heart works. Then print and label this heart anatomy diagram.

Answer Key

1. 100,000
2. ribs
3. 1/2 hour
4. muscle
5. fist

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

by Gary Hopkins, Editor-in-Chief, Education World®

Charts, graphs, and maps help students learn about the growth of the African-American population throughout history.

Subjects: Educational Technology, Mathematics, Social Studies

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
The following are among the many skills these activities will teach/reinforce (depending on the activity and the grade in which it is used):

• reading maps and charts (tables)
• creating graphs
• reading comprehension
• solving problems
• following directions
• sequencing (alphabetical and numerical)
• using a map key
• making inferences
• figuring percents

Keywords
African American, Black History, February, census, population, map, chart, table, graph, directions, sequence, ABC order, alphabetical order, map key, making inferences, percent, percentage

Materials Needed

• computer (optional)
• teacher-created work sheets (optional/content provided)

Procedure
This lesson plan provides resources for teachers to use in group activities or to create student work sheets. The resources challenge students to use real population data to learn about the history of the African-American population. Each chart or map below is accompanied by a handful of questions. You might use a projector to project these charts or the map onto a wall, then ask the questions as an oral activity; or use the data/questions below to create a student work sheet.

Activity 1: The African-American Population Through the Years (Grades 5-12)
The following chart shows the total population of the United States since 1860. It also shows the African-American population in each of those years.

Sample Questions:

1. What was the total U.S. population in the year 1900? (76,000,000) 2000? (281,400,000)
2. In which year on the chart did the African American population first grow to be more than 10,000,000 people? (1920)
3. Did that population double to 20,000,000 by 1960 or 1980? (1980)
4. How many African Americans lived in the United States in 1860? (4,400,000) 1960? (17,900,000)
5. Were there more or less than 15 million African Americans in the United States in the year 1960? (more)

Bonus Question
The following activity is for students who have been taught the concept of percent. Option: You might teach students to use an Online Percentage Calculator.

* What percent of the total U.S. population was African American? Calculate the percent of African Americans in the total U.S. population for each year on the chart. (Answers appear in the Assessment section below.)

Activity 2: African-American Population By State (Grades 4-8) The following chart shows ten states with the largest populations of African-American people in the year 2000. The states are listed in ABC order. Your task is to arrange the states in order from the state with the largest African-American population to the state with the 10th largest population. (Answers appear in Assessment section below.)

Extension Activity Use the online Create-a-Graph tool or your favorite graphing software to create a graph illustrating the above data.

Activity 3: Read a "U.S. African-American Population in 2000" Map (Grades 3-12)
For this activity, project, or provide a clear copy of, the African-American Population Map ( PDF, 508K, 12pgs.) (scroll down to page 6). The map shows, county by county, the percentage of African Americans in the United States. Give students time to study the map. Then pose some true or false statements about the map. Following are some sample questions for a variety of grade levels.

For Grades 3-5: Tell students that the colored areas on the map show counties within states that have African-American populations of 5 percent or greater. Students then respond to general statements about the map.

• In the United States, more African Americans live in the North than in the South. (false)
• In Florida, more than half the counties have African-American populations greater than 5 percent. (true)
• The state of Maine has three counties with African-American populations greater than 5 percent. (false)
• More African Americans live east of the Mississippi River than live west of the river. (true)
• California has more counties with African-American populations of at least 5 percent than Texas has. (false)

For Grades 6-up: Students study more closely the shadings of color on the map. They use the map's color key to respond to specific statements about the map. You could start this activity with true-false statements for grades 3-5 (see above), and then add the following statements or others that you write. In addition, you might write a few statements about the African-American population of the state in which you and your students live.

• More counties with African-American populations greater than 50 percent can be found in the southeastern United States than in the northeast. (true)
• In California, six counties have African-American populations greater than 50 percent. (false)
• North Carolina has more counties with African-American populations greater than 50 percent than South Carolina has. (false)
• The state of Massachusetts has no counties that have African-American populations greater than 25 percent. (true)
• Montana has no counties that are more than 5 percent African American. (true)
• Florida has four counties with African-American populations greater than 50 percent. (false)
• More counties with largely African-American populations are found in the northern parts of Arkansas than in the southern parts of the state. (false)
• In Louisiana, just two counties have African-American populations of less than 5 percent. (true)
• Among the counties that border the Pacific Ocean -- in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California -- only two counties have African-American populations greater than 5 percent. (true)
• Texas has more counties with largely African-American populations in the eastern part of the state than in the western part of the state. (true)

Assessment
Grade students on the number of correct responses for each activity.

Activity 1: The African-American Population Through the Years (Grades 5-12)
Questions and answers appear in the Lesson Plan section above.
Bonus Question:
The African- American population represented the following percents of the entire U.S. population in each year listed. (All percents are rounded.)

• 1860 -- 14%
• 1880 -- 13%
• 1900 -- 12%
• 1920 -- 10%
• 1940 -- 10%
• 1960 -- 10%
• 1980 -- 12%
• 2000 -- 13%

Activity 2: African-American Population By State (Grades 4-8)
In 2000, the states, in order of their African-American populations from largest to smallest were as follows: New York, California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Maryland, Louisiana

Activity 3: Read a "U.S. African-American Population in 2000" Map (Grades 3-12)
All correct responses appear as part of the activity in the Lesson Plan section above.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

by Gary Hopkins, Editor-in-Chief, Education World®

Students use an online mapping tool to compare various retail outlets in certain geographical location.

Subjects: Educational Technology, Mathematics, Social Studies

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• learn to use MapMuse, an online tool,
• understand the concepts of competition,
• compare the number of competitor retail locations across the U.S., and
• identify the retail establishment that is most common in their state.

Keywords
geography, brand names, retail, stores, restaurants, competition, competitors

Materials Needed

• access to the Map Muse Web site

Procedure
This lesson plan makes use of the Map Muse Web site. The activity is best used in your classroom computer center or in your school's technology lab.

MapMuse is a pretty interesting Web site that has many, many classroom uses. For this activity, students will focus on comparing how many retail outlets of a variety of types can be found in their state.

You might begin the lesson by instructing students in the use of the tool. Introduce them to the MapMuse Brand Directory. This alphabetical directory presents an A to Z of brand name retail outlets across the United States. You can find everything here from Baskin Robbins to Neiman Marcus. Since the first page of the MapMuse Brand Directory focuses on retail outlets that begin with the letter A, select Applebee's Restaurant as an example.

• Click the Applebee's Restaurant link. Clicking the link will reveal a map of Applebee's locations across the U.S.
• In the "Create Your Map" box, select your state name from the "Choose a region or state..." dropdown menu. Click the "Go" button to reveal a map of your state and its Applebee's locations. How many Applebee's are identified on the map?
• Point out to students the "Map Legend" beneath the map.
• Return to the MapMuse Brand Directory and choose another brand. For example, you might chose another brand that begins with the letter A -- Auto Zone, for example. How many Auto Zone stores are located in your state?
• Ask students to identify if there are more Applebee's or Auto Zone locations in their state."

Another way to compare the number of locations of a variety of retail establishments is to create a map of one brand name (Applebee's, for example). Then, instead of returning to the MapMuse Brand List, click the "Add Brands to Your Map" dropdown menu above the Applebee's map. Click another brand name, Auto Zone for example, and a new map will appear that shows both Applebee's and Auto Zone locations across your state. The new map, and its accompanying Map Legend, enables you to easily compare the number of outlets for each of those retail brands.

To give students a bit of practice finding information about a single retail brand's locations in your state, you might begin with names such as...

• Barnes & Noble Bookstores
• Best Buy
• Chevrolet Dealers
• Costco
• PETCO
• Starbucks

Once students are familiar with the tool, present an activity that challenges them to compare the number of outlets for a variety of retail establishments. Following are some combinations that you might assign students to check. These pairs of competitors have been selected because their brands are found in most states. However, you might invite students to "map" brands that are more specific to your state or more familiar to them.

• Applebee's or Olive Garden Restaurants
• Baskin Robbins or Dairy Queen
• Best Westerns or Comfort Inns
• Burger King or McDonald's
• Family Dollar or Walgreens
• Gap or Old Navy
• JC Penney or Sears
• Office Depot or Staples
• Target or Walmart
• The Home Depot or True Value Hardware

Assessment
Did students use the tool correctly as they compared competitive brands?

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

by Gary Hopkins, Editor-in-Chief, Education World®

Students explore places that were important in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Subjects: Educational Technology, Social Studies

Grades Levels: 3-5, 6-8

Objectives
Students will:

• use a variety of print and online resources to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr;
• search for information about places that were important in King's life; and,
• create a U.S. map that shows where those places are.

Keywords
geography, Martin Luther King, U.S. map

Materials Needed

• books, Internet sources, and other resources about Martin Luther King, Jr.
• a blank U.S. map (A printable U.S. map or another printable U.S. map.)

Procedure

Note: Students can complete this activity independently, in pairs, or in small groups.

Point out to students that cities such as Atlanta, Georgia; Montgomery, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; and Washington, D.C. figured prominently in the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Ask: What other places can you think of that are closely associated with Martin Luther King? Write the name of each important location on the chalkboard. Challenge students to research a variety of print and online resources to find information about each of those places.

Tell students that as they locate each place of importance, they should

• affix a star to a blank U.S. map to indicate that place's location,
• write the name of the location next to the star on the map, and
• record on a separate Map Key a sentence or two of explanation about the importance of that place in Dr. King's life.

When students complete their maps, provide a time for them to display their maps and share what they learned with their classmates.

Assessment
Students complete a simple teacher-created quiz in which they match a place name with the reason that place was important in King's life.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

by Gary Hopkins, Editor-in-Chief, Education World®

Students create a mural showing famous people regarded as heroes.

Subjects: Arts & Humanities

Grade Levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• use library or online sources to research pictures of heroes,
• draw pictures of famous heroes,
• learn about murals, and
• work together to create a mural.

Keywords
hero, mural

Materials Needed

• library sources or computer(s) with Internet access
• drawing paper or construction paper
• a roll of large paper (brown or white)
• student-selected art materials (crayons, markers, paint, etc.)
• glue

Procedure

1. Explain the meaning of the word mural. If possible, show students examples of murals from art books or other sources.
2. Explain to students that they are going to create a mural showing pictures of famous heroes. Assign each student a famous hero. Have students research pictures of heroes from school texts, library sources, or online sources.
3. After students have completed their research, have students draw and color their pictures on drawing or construction paper.
4. Have students cut out their pictures. Unroll the large paper to the length desired. Have students paste the pictures in different places on the roll. Display the mural on a classroom wall or in a hallway.

Suggestion for younger students: Have students work together as a group to research the pictures of famous heroes or provide the pictures that students use as models for their illustrations. Assist students when cutting and pasting pictures on the roll.

Variation: Create a mural using pictures of heroes from a specific time period or event; for example, heroes of the 1900s, heroes of the Revolutionary War.

Assessment
Observe and evaluate students' participation in the project.

Copyright © 2008, EducationWorld.com, used by permission

Teaching Theme of the Week

by Gary Hopkins, Editor-in-Chief,