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Resources
The Power of Visuals
Becoming 'visually literate' will lead to better instruction and more prepared students.
EXCERPT
"The primary literacy of the 21st century will be visual: pictures, graphics, images of every kind...it's no longer enough to be able to read and write. Our students must learn to process both words and pictures. They must be able to move gracefully and fluently between text and images, between literal and figurative worlds."
Visual Literacy: Learn to See, See to Learn
By Lynell Burmark
115 pp. $22.95 paperback (non-ASCD members)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
To order visit www.ascd.org or call 800/933-2723.
Today's children have always known a world of competing sound bites and digital images. Their attention spans are shorter than ever. Short of recruiting teachers from the ranks of MTV stars, how can educators compete for their students' attention?
According to Visual Literacy: Learn to See, See to Learn, educators don't need to compete; they just need to adapt. Traditional instruction practices--the old way of teaching--simply won't work, says Lynell Burmark, author of the book and associate in the Thornburg Center for Professional Development.
"It's time for teachers to take advantage of the way kids entertain themselves today, to employ those same media and the thinking habits they foster for the betterment of student learning," she writes.
How? Through visual literacy--the 21st century's new "basic skill." According to the book, incorporating visuals--color, art, photos, fonts--into lessons can enhance and accelerate classroom instruction. Teachers will reach their students faster, more efficiently, and more effectively when they punctuate what they say with images.
The supporting facts presented throughout the book are convincing: Researchers have found that humans process visual information 60,000 times faster than textual information. They've also concluded that visual aids can improve learning by up to 400 percent.
But simply throwing a clipart image onto your handout or using a different font during a presentation won't achieve visual literacy, Burmark writes. Like the process of learning to read, visual literacy is a learned skill, not an intuitive one. It can be achieved only by studying the techniques used to create images, learning the vocabulary of shapes and colors, and identifying characteristics that give an image its meaning.
Fast-moving and chock full of insights and facts, the book is an excellent resource to help teachers and students become more effective communicators and understand how to use the power of visuals to their advantage.
A particularly interesting chapter demonstrates how educators can use color to create specific moods for learning. Because our minds are biologically programmed to respond to certain colors, writes Burmark, colorful and well-thought-out instruction materials can help teachers accelerate learning and increase retention.
Of all the findings that Burmark presents, educators would probably be most interested in the conclusions of a German psychologist who found light blue, yellow, yellow-green, and orange to be the best colors for facilitating learning inside classrooms.
Burmark also takes the reader into schools across the United States and Canada and introduces teachers who describe their strategic, practical use of visual expression and technology.
Visual Literacy offers a wealth of replicable ideas and activities, as well as resources for free lesson plans, color images, books, and Web sites to help the reader become more "visually literate."
In addition to gaining practical knowledge, readers will also come away with a valuable insight: Visual literacy is imperative in today's schools because it is ever-present in the business world.
The author writes: "A lack of visual literacy is as much a handicap as the inability to read or write." After finishing this book, readers are bound to come away agreeing wholeheartedly.
--Dina S. Gómez
New from the NEA Professional Library
Effort and Excellence in Urban Classrooms: Expecting--and Getting--Success with All Students
Copublished by NEA and Columbia Teachers College Press
Dick Corbett, Bruce Wilson, and Belinda Williams
178 pp. $21.95 members
$23.95 nonmembers
#2021-9-00-FN
This timely volume explores in great detail how educators closed the performance gap for low-income students by linking expectations and results. Drawing heavily on the words and experiences of students, teachers, and parents, this book examines the successful journey of students who traditionally had not succeeded academically. Described as a "must read for those who are serious about closing the achievement gap," Effort and Excellence reveals how these educators enabled their students to be competitive academically with anyone.
To order, call 800/229-4200, or check the Web at www.nea.org/books.
Books by NEA Members
Glenna's Seeds
By Nancy Edwards,
illustrated by Sarah Hoctor
Glenna's Seeds is a whimsical picture book that illustrates how one small random act of kindness grows and multiplies. A packet of marigold seeds creates a chain of kindness among different people who live on the same block. By the story's end, a once empty street is transformed into a place full of colorful flowers, thoughtful neighbors, delicious food, and happiness. The inside back cover of each book contains a packet of flower seeds. $9.95. Published by the Child Welfare League of America. Order through www.amazon.com.
Teaching Life Skills Through Chess: A Guide For Educators and Counselors
By Fernando Moreno
NEA member and guidance counselor Fernando Moreno presents chess as an analogy to life and offers teachers a model that helps students learn to make good choices, build self-confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and improve academic skills. The author supplies methods to teach chess for counseling purposes, including sample lesson plans. $12.95 from American Literary Press. Call 410/882-7700 or 800/873-2003.
Energizers: Calisthenics for the Mind
By Carl Olson
This book jump starts the learning process through 71 exercises and activities that energize the mind and senses. Activities are grouped under three classifications. Energizers activate the emotional nature of the group. Games consist of organized play that includes competition. Initiatives create an in-depth analysis of thoughts, feelings, impressions, and reactions and must be followed with processing questions. $10.95. Order online at www.educationalmedia.com or write to Educational Media Corporation, Box 21311, Minneapolis, MN 55421-0311.
Hyper Harry
By Patricia Aust
This book tells the story of a young, hyperactive child with outrageous behavior and how his actions affect everyone around him. Older brother Ted is desperate to change his little brother Harry's hyperactive behavior as it spirals out of control at home, school, and in the neighborhood. $5.99 from New Concepts Publishing. To order visit www.newconceptspublishing.com/youngadult.htm.
Bury My Bones In America
By Lani Ah Tye Farkas
This book tells the saga of a Chinese family in California from 1852 to 1996. The author follows her ancestors from China as their trail leads to tragedy and heartbreak, as well as brilliant success in America. Witness this group gradually integrate into present day American society as years of Chinese traditions unfold and blend with the New World. Illustrated with photographs, maps, and drawings. $24.95 from Carl Mautz Publishing. Order online at www.carlmautz.com.
TV Tips
In Memoriam: September 11, 2001, New York City
HBO, May 26, 10 p.m., ET, check local listings.
This documentary follows Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and his staff through the events of September 11, 2001. Drawing on unprecedented access to city hall and the mayor's staff, the program chronicles responses from the first realization of what happened--through smoke and fire, through rescue and recovery, through despair and tears--to a newfound strength that would emerge in the spirit of a new America. In Memoriam: September 11, 2001 combines archival documents, eyewitness accounts, news footage, and never-before-seen footage from independent and amateur filmmakers.
U.N. Special Session
CNN, CNN Student News, week of May 6, 4:30 a.m., ET, check local listings.
This CNN Student News presentation teams up with the United Nations for a weeklong look at the state of children and young people around the world. The discussion will focus on health, welfare, education, and youth involvement of children. A companion Web site can be found at www.CNNstudentnews.com.
Search for the First Human
PBS, May 8, 9 p.m., ET, check local listings.
In October 2000, 13 bones were found in Kenya in a volcanic layer dating back to around six million years. Given the name "Orrorin," which means "original man" in the local Tugen dialect, the bones are the oldest hominid remains ever discovered. In this one-hour special, scientists study these bones, hoping to rewrite the story of human evolution.
Founding Brothers
The History Channel, May 27-28, 9 p.m., ET, check local listings.
Based on the current best-selling book Founding Brothers, and acting as a sequel to Founding Fathers, this special tells how Washington, John Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, Hamilton, and Aaron Burr grappled with the task of actually making a theoretical democratic government work. During the 1790s, these great statesmen came together, defined the new republic, and directed its course for the coming centuries. A misstep at any one of hundreds of crucial junctures could easily have broken the country apart before it began.
Ape Man: The Story of Human Evolution
A&E, A&E Classroom, May 28-31, 7 a.m., ET, check local listings.
Beginning with the mysterious phenomenon that allowed humans to branch off from apes, continuing through the invention of tools and fire, and ending with humanity's creativity and the power of language, this four-part series hosted by Walter Cronkite explores human evolution. The final segment explores the ongoing debates between evolutionists, creationists, and the scientific community about the origin of the species. Leading evolutionists also risk a glimpse into the future of human beings.
Angelina Ballerina
PBS, May, ET, check local listings.
Based on the books by Katherine Holabird, this new animated series follows the adventures of Angelina Ballerina, a dance-struck little mouse. While Angelina dreams of ballet stardom, she always manages to propel herself into humorous escapades. Each escapade teaches valuable life lessons about honesty, determination, and a range of other positive values. A companion Web site that contains activities for children can be found at www.angelinaballerina.com.
A History of Britain
The History Channel, May, ET, check local listings.
This six-part program from History Channel Classroom chronicles the early history of England. The special examines the arrival of the Anglo Saxons, the Norman Dynasty, and finally three of the most famous and misunderstood kings in English history: Henry II, Richard I, and John.
Beyond Barbed Wire
PBS, May, ET, check local listings.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 120,000 Japanese Americans were taken from their homes and sent to internment camps ringed with armed guards and barbed wire. Despite this, thousands of young Japanese American men volunteered for service in the U.S. armed services. This special looks at the all-Japanese 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, which became the most decorated unit in American military history.
Shaping Character with Animation
Cartoon Network, Spring 2002 (launches nationally in Fall 2002).
With character development playing an ever-greater role in American schools, Cartoon Network has initiated a national character education program for middle school students. Designed to aid educators in creating caring, principled, and responsible adults, Animate Your World: Shaping Character uses animation technology to bring character education into the curriculum. The educational program focuses on three character behaviors: respect for self, respect for others, and responsibility to community. The program, which is available on CD-ROM, also features a companion Web site at www.animateyourworld.com.
All about Oceans: For Kids
KIDSNET, which provides these TV listings, and SeaWeb have launched an interactive online study guide at www.kidsnet.org/seaweb for grades 4-8. The guide features an introduction by Peter Benchley as well as The Ocean Report, a series of 90-second radio programs relating to a variety of issues surrounding the ocean, the life within it, and its relationship to humans. The online guide also includes a searchable database of The Ocean Report, background information on the ocean and the creatures living in it, and environmental threats to the ocean. Discussion questions and activity ideas, based on the science curriculum standards of the National Science Teachers Association, are included in addition to a list of print, Internet, and multimedia resources for extended research.
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KIDSNET, a national resource for children's media in Washington, D.C., provides these listings. For additional listings, check the web at www.kidsnet.org.
Web Winners
Building the Human Body From Clay
A new approach to teaching anatomy enlists the sense of touch to instill a deep and lasting understanding of how the human body is organized and how it functions. Having students build 3-D shapes of muscles and organs from clay, and place them in the correct location on a skeletal model, makes teaching anatomy fun while increasing student comprehension and retention. Step-by-step instructions are posted every week. Go to www.anatomyinclay.com.
Government Sites Made Easy
If you are about to search for something government related and are dreading the dead ends that come with many government sites, you may want to visit www.firstgov.gov. This extensive site has links to almost anything you could need, from electronically filing your taxes to changing your address. You can even follow a link to file patents and trademarks. A great place to start if you're not sure where to begin, www.firstgov.gov is easy to navigate and could save you a lot of time.
You Won't Lose the Pieces to this Puzzle
Okay, so you've got some extra time and want to try a Web site that's fun and challenges you a little bit. Check out www.jigsawland.com to try out some cool animal, nature, and sports puzzles. The pieces are right on the screen, and with three levels, you can try puzzles of varying difficulty.
In Search of the Giant Squid
Scientists have been searching for the elusive giant squid for hundreds of years, most often with no luck. But now's your chance to travel 2000 feet below the ocean's surface in search of this nearly 60-foot creature. On discovery.com, you can learn about the giant squid and discover where it is found and its eating habits. Also, you can see images of the creature and view how the giant squid has been portrayed over time. Go to http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/
giantsquid/giantsquid.html.
Bunches of Biographies
With over 350 biographies chock full of pictures, quotations, and chronologies, www.top-biography.com is a great resource for students who are researching both historical and contemporary figures. Prominent entertainers, significant politicians, and past and present icons can be found on this site.
Dimdima
A Web site out of India, www.dimdima.com caters to children by having a connect-the-dots section, brain teasers, and quizzes on recent events. The site also includes a discussion forum for kids and a science lab section. With its multitude of activities, Dimdima.com can keep your students learning for hours.
Animal Land
A playful site full of bright colors and graphics, www.animaland.org offers articles on pets, cartoons, and games. You can also learn about a specific animal or join a poster contest. In the question-and-answer section, students can discover if sharks sleep or why rattlesnakes actually rattle.
I Care Mail
After the September 11 attacks, more than 100 million Americans began using a new form of E-mail communication called "I care mail." A survey by the UCLA Center for Communication Policy recently found that people took time to communicate through E-mail to find out about victims and offer messages of support and concern--communication that normally would not have occurred using written letters or telephone calls. The survey also says that more people relied on television rather than the Internet to receive information on the attacks. View the survey on ccp.ucla.edu.
All About Abe
Are your students learning about Lincoln? A Library of Congress Web site now features its collection of Abraham Lincoln's papers, including correspondence and official documents such as the Gettyburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation. The searchable collection features images of the documents along with transcriptions of the text. Visit the site at http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/malhome.html.
For Word Lovers
Always losing at Scrabble®? Vocabulary a little rusty? If you want to build a stronger vocabulary and have a sudden urge to learn more words, go to www.logophilia.com. Here, you can get help with your Scrabble game, learn a new word every day, and even search for specific quotes. Some sections of the site require registration, but even a brief visit will help you wow people with your new, savvy vocabulary.
Enter Starfleet Academy
Join Star Trek's Starfleet Academy and see what it's like to compete with fellow cadets to make scientific discoveries. You can choose to be a Star Trek character, use environmental programs in the Holodeck, and investigate life forms using a Tricorder. Collect discovery cards to increase your rank, and once you've completed all the experiments, you can graduate as an ensign. Go to http://adventure.tryscience.org/discoverintro.html to begin your work at the academy.
Still Going Strong
Weekly Reader is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Weekly Reader Web site at www.weeklyreader.com complements each Weekly Reader magazine with news updates, polls, contests, games, and more. Last year, Weekly Reader moved its pen pal program to the Internet when it launched www.weeklyreader.com/writingpals. Visit the site to join the more than 2,000 teachers and 50,000 students around the world connected through this program.
Solar System Simulator
Be your own tour guide of the solar system with the solar system simulator, a site that allows you to pinpoint certain planets and view them from different angles. See planets from several spacecrafts and get a color image of the planet you chose. You can also see maps of the planets and explore their surfaces. Go to http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/.
Kids in the House
The U.S. House of Representatives and the Office of the Clerk introduce a new Web site geared toward showing students how laws are made, who the U.S. House members are, and the role of various committees. Helpful to teachers and parents, the site also recommends lesson plans, educational resources, and links to other government Web sites. Learn about the House at http://clerkkids.house.gov/.
Comparing Costs
In 1803, it cost the United States $15 million to buy the Louisiana Territory. Ever wonder how much that land would cost today? With PBS Teacher Source's Mathline®, kids can calculate prices today of things that were purchased in the 19th century. Each activity gives detailed directions as to how to convert dollar amounts to today's value, and a separate PDF file provides the answers. Visit www.pbs.org/teachersource/mathline/concepts/
president/activity1.shtm to start comparing costs.
Musical Melodies
Music teachers looking for a good Web site where children can create their own music should visit www.creatingmusic.com/contours/. Students can create different musical contours by choosing different shapes and then listen to how they shaped a certain piece of music.
Country Studies
More than 100 countries make up the country studies part of the Library of Congress Web site. The studies contain political, social, economic, and national security information as well as how other institutions within the country function. Visit the site at http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html for an easy-to-navigate way to begin research on a country.
Examining the Cold War
When did the Cold War really start? A British Web site, located at http://learningcurve.pro.gov.uk/coldwar, provides historical sources, case studies, timelines, and worksheets to allow students to research and examine the beginnings and progression of the Cold War. A teacher's guide is also included.
Just for Teachers
With articles galore on the latest in K-12 education, http://teachers.net/gazette has a wide range of material by educators for educators. Read about the latest in research on education, and, on a lighter note, read teachers' responses to questions such as what the strangest thing brought in for show and tell was. The site, updated monthly, has columns, crafts, recipes, and opinion pieces as well as tips for getting things you write published.
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