Standing in Your Shoes

A Checklist for Classroom and Substitute Teachers

NEA Professional Library Book Cover

By Doug Provencio
NEA Checklist Series
64 pp. $4.50 NEA members, $5.95 nonmembers
NEA Professional Library

[Book Excerpt]
Quality public education depends on many different professionals assuming roles to support each other, and substitute teachers are a critical element in the ecology of the teaching pool.

This checklist outlines the roles and responsibilities of classroom teachers as they prepare for substitute teachers and helps them anticipate what those guest teachers will experience. It also covers the roles and responsibilities of substitute teachers in taking assignments, teaching and motivating the students of other teachers, and dealing with some of the bigger challenges substitute teachers often face, such as highly unsettled classes or unengaged students.

Special Situations
Substitute teachers specialize in flexibility. Some situations put that flexibility to the test, and there are days when substitutes have to go above and beyond the call of duty. You should know which situations needs special instructions, preparation, or warnings.

Anticipating Challenges
Be aware of factors that could make for a tough or different kind of day. Warn the substitute teacher and work out strategies for handling these kinds of events.

1. Give the substitute realistic news about a class that is either unsettled or unengaged.
   • Describe the strategies you're using with students and which educators the guest teacher can rely on around campus for some help.
   • Identify "helper" students who will provide the substitute with reliable information about class and school procedures.

Understanding Different Developmental Levels
A substitute teacher might be more familiar with teaching a different grade level or type of class than yours. Take this into account and give reminders about what works best with your students. Point out that:

1. Primary students have shorter attention spans and need activity changes every 20 or 30 minutes. These classes will involve much more parent contact.

2. Upper elementary and intermediate students are developing more independence and interpersonal skills but need close monitoring for conflicts.

3. Secondary students need more space, but also reminders about the rules and frameworks they know exist.

4. High school students' attention can easily wander. They may need frequent reminders to focus on their work.

5. Special education students may need modifications for different learning styles.

Preparing for a Long-Term Substitute
Life happens! There may be a new baby, a serious illness, or some other major event. You might be out for weeks or even several months. In these cases, you will want to find a good person for a challenging job. You need to discuss several issues with your guest teacher.

1. Go over the curriculum you've covered so far this year and what needs to done during the time you're gone.

2. Decide what you'll be available to do, such as preparing lesson plans or answering questions from the substitute. Can you do this by phone, computer, or in occasional meetings?

3. Describe what the grading policy will be: what you already have in place and how your absence could require some modifications to that policy

About the Author

Doug Provencio has taught at 62 schools in Oakland, California, in all grades, K-12. President of the NEA Substitute Teachers Caucus and a site representative in the Oakland Education Association, Provencio holds an M.A. from Yale and a B.A. from Carleton College.

NEA Professional Library Resources

Getting a handle on discipline and classroom management can help make a substitute's job easier.

Classroom Management
VHS Video and CD
$14.95 members
$19.95 nonmembers
Whether you're new to the profession, a veteran teacher, or a long-term substitute, maintaining a safe and orderly classroom can be a daunting task. This kit is designed to help you sharpen your skills in managing student behavior both in and outside the classroom. You'll get tips on how to create a good classroom floorplan, establish and reinforce rules, communicate with parents, write behavior contracts, and create effective time-out strategies. For use in K-12 classrooms, this kit gives creative solutions to common classroom challenges.

The Discipline Checklist
Advice from 60 Successful Teachers
Revised Edition
By Ken Kosier, 56 pp.
$4.50 members
$5.95 nonmembers
Want to consult with dozens of your colleagues without leaving your desk? This checklist lets you do just that. Sixty teachers--each recognized for their successful efforts at maintaining discipline--share their secrets on classroom management and suggestions for motivating students. This practical checklist will help you better prepare for beginning the school year, coach you on modeling positive interactions, and remind you to maintain flexibility in your discipline strategies.

Innovative Discipline
Revised Edition
Teacher-to-Teacher Series
96 pp., $9.95 members
$12.95 nonmembers
Updated to include a section on school safety! You'll find an extensive resource list of books, videos, audiotapes, Web sites, and organizations that promote school safety. This popular book also covers peer mediation, self-help sessions, a student-operated court in middle school, and other discipline problems that have transformed the culture of schools.

To order these resources, or to check out more materials from the NEA Professional Library, go to www.nea.org/ books or call 800-229-4200.

Books by NEA Members

Phantom Stallion: The Wild One
By Terri Farley
Readers 10 and up might want to check out this series about a 13-year-old girl and wild mustang who become friends. Written by an English and reading teacher, the first book tells how Samantha returns to the ranch where she was thrown in a near-fatal horse accident. Sam must readjust to life on the ranch and learn to ride again. 216 pp. $4.99 from HarperCollins. To order, go to www.harper-childrens.com.

Arithmetic Magic
By J.C. Page
Okay, so maybe it's not magic, but this high school and college mathematics teacher will walk educators, students, and parents through easy-to-learn, practical methods for performing the basics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Developed over 20 years, the techniques aim to change the way you deal with numbers--for the better. 104 pp. $9.50 from 1st Books. To order, visit www.1stbooks.com.

Classroom Management with Music
By Deborah Morse Scala and Cheryl Terhune Cronk
Twenty activities and 12 companion songs address classroom management techniques in this book and CD-ROM set. The songs, such as "We Make a Line," help keep preK-2 children on task. Kindergarten teacher (Scala) and musician (Cronk) designed the set for new or seasoned teachers. 56 pp. $29.95 from Foxglove Music Press. To order, go to www.foxglove-musicpress.com.

Heads Up From NEA Member Benefits

This holiday season, shop smart and shop early for gifts your loved ones will value throughout the year!

The NEA Magazine Service® offers more than 600 magazines at up to 85 percent off newsstand prices--lowest introductory prices are even guaranteed. Please the readers in your family by picking among titles covering news, sports, fitness, entertainment, hobbies, family, and education. Ordering is convenient and simple using the toll-free number: 1-800-YOUR-MAG.

A cell phone plan from NEA Cellular is just the gift to help your family members stay connected in busy times. Choose plans from AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Nextel, Verizon, or T-Mobile and cell phones from Nokia, Sony-Ericsson, Motorola, and others. Each plan comes with a free phone (after rebate) and hands-free kit, belt clip, and in-car charger. For help selecting the best plan for you, call our friendly representatives toll-fee at 1-866-327-2219. You can also order online at www.neamb.com/discount/inphonic.html.

Great news for members who are seeking National Board Certification! NEA Member Benefits, through MBNA America Bank, N.A., has just reduced the interest rate on their National Board Certification Loan to an annual percentage rate (APR) of 6.99 percent.* This is a special line of credit designed to help you cover the full $2,300 assessment fee. There's no application fee and no collateral is required. For more information or to apply, call 1-800-603-3953 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (ET).

*Upon approval, MBNA will set your annual percentage rate (APR) at 6.99 percent.

What's Up at HIN

Air Quality Symposium a Success
In October, 18 teams of NEA members and UniServ staff learned how to implement a successful IAQ program in their school and school district during the 4th Annual Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Symposium in Washington, D.C. The symposium was preceded by a day of training that addressed IAQ issues from the union perspective and provided a platform for members and staff to share strategies and solutions in winning the battle. To find out if a team from your state was trained, and to access materials and presentations, visit www.neahin.org/programs/environmental/index.htm.

Help Parents Discuss Drugs and Bullying
"Can We Talk about Drugs?" and "Can We Talk about Bullying and Harassment?" will soon be available from the NEA Health Information Network. The new modules are designed to offer more flexibility to trainers and can be used with parents of 5- to 15-year-olds. These modules continue the Can We Talk? series and our philosophy that young people's academic achievement is directly influenced by their emotional, physical, and sexual health, and that outcomes can be improved through effective family education. For more on the program or on ordering the modules, visit www.canwetalk.org.

Tools for Teaching Resilience
How can we help our students succeed even when life's challenges threaten to interfere with their learning and achievement? Kids need resiliency to get through the tough times. Fortunately, resilience can be taught. Download the activity booklet for K-5 kids (PDF file) that parallels our pamphlet, "Dealing with trauma and loss: Practical strategies for enhancing resilience," for adults. You can find both the adults' pamphlet and the kids' activity book under Mental Health programs on HIN's Web site at www.neahin.org.

Grants, Awards, and Competitions

NEA Fine Arts Grant Program

The NEA Foundation awards 10 grants of $2,000 to secondary (grades 6-12) fine arts teachers to enable them to create and implement fine arts programs that promote learning among students at risk of school failure. Programs must address the arts (e.g., painting, sculpture, photography, music, theater, dance, design, media, or folk arts). Applicants must be an NEA member in a U.S. public secondary school that is at risk of school failure. The local affiliate will be responsible for accepting and administering the grant funds.

Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, software, and/or professional fees. Funds may not be used to pay indirect costs, grant administration fees, or salaries, or for lobbying or religious purposes. A majority of the funds may not be used to engage an artist-in-residence.

Applications must be received by February 2, 2004. If you want confirmation that the proposal was received, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the application.

The NEA Foundation will notify applicants of their status by mail by July 2004. NEA Fine Arts grants will fund activities for 12 months from the date of the award. (Note: Elementary and secondary fine arts teachers are eligible in alternate years.)

Visit www.nfie.org/programs/finearts.htm, call 202-822-7840, or write to The NEA Foundation, 1201 16th Street, N.W., Suite 416, Washington, DC 20036 for more information.

Wild Kingdom in the Classroom

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Kids' Summit, an essay program for children ages 9-12, encourages kids to use their creative energy and love of animals to think of ways they can help save endangered species. In one page or less, kids must answer this question: "What threatened or endangered species in North America do you most want to save and how would you help save it?"

One aspiring conservationist from each state and the District of Columbia will receive a trip to attend the Wild Kingdom Kids' Summit next May in San Diego. For more information, including a special site for teachers with a suggested curriculum and classroom activities, visit www.wildkingdom.com.

Calling All Heroes

Do you know a hero? If you do, consider nominating your hero for the Volvo for Life Awards, a program that honors individuals making outstanding contributions in the areas of safety, the environment, or quality of life. For example, winners may be people who have a opened a community center for needy kids or developed recycling programs for their schools.

From 100 semi-finalists, Volvo will select three finalists in three categories: Safety, Quality of Life, and Environment. From these finalists, celebrity judges will name one winner for each category. Winners will receive $50,000 to be donated to the charities of their choice. The remaining six finalists will each receive a $10,000 charitable donation. The three category winners will attend the Volvo for Life Awards Ceremony in Times Square Studios on April 7, 2004, where an overall winner will receive a Volvo car or SUV for life. Go to www.volvoforlifeawards.com to nominate an individual. Nominations will be accepted until January 16, 2004.

NEA ESP Conference

Mark your calendar. The 2004 NEA ESP Conference--ESP Call to Action: Making Public Schools Great for Every Child--will take place March 12-14 in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Westin Charlotte (400 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28285). For more information, visit the ESP Web site at www.nea.org/esphome/ or call 202-822-7131. Register by January 15, 2004.

Honoring Writers and Readers

November is a perfect month for writers and readers alike and NEA's Read Across America offers a cornucopia of resources. To help you celebrate American Indian Heritage month, we have compiled an American Indian children's book list featuring 100 classic and new children's books. To help you celebrate Family Literacy Day and Children's Book Week (November 17-23) this month, check out NEA's Read Across America Web site for reading tips, birthdays of your favorite authors, booklists, and a year-round reading promotion calendar. And don't forget to check out NEA's bilingual project with Major League Soccer, Get a Kick Out of Reading!/Lee y Marco un Golar! You can find this and much more to help you plan your own reading celebrations at www.nea.org/readacross. And don't forget to check out NEA members-only features on OWL.org.

Reminder: The Youth Leaders for Literacy Grants deadline is coming up on December 1.

For more information, visit www.nea.org/readacross/youthleaders.html.

In Print

Holiday Stories
Written by renowned storyteller Kendall Haven, New Year's to Kwanzaa contains original stories about the holidays of different cultures represented in the United States. This book discusses the historical significance of holidays--such as the Fourth of July, Juneteenth, Passover, and more--across different cultures and perspectives. An activities guide for grades 3-8 can help readers get more involved in the celebrations and customs explored. 240 pp. $16.95 from Fulcrum Publishing. To order, go to www.fulcrum-books.com.

Words of Wisdom
How do you keep going when the pay is low, the hours are long, and you feel you just can't get through to students? Author Frank Sennett asks the best teachers in the business these questions and others in Teacher of the Year: More Than 400 Quotes of Insight, Inspiration, and Motivation from America's Greatest Teachers. The more than 400 quotes from Teachers of the Year across the nation use grace and wit to encourage and inspire other teachers. 248 pp. $12.95 from McGraw-Hill. To order, go to www.mcgraw-hill.com or call 877-833-5524.

Stories from Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican folklore abounds in this compilation of songs, riddles, stories, and games by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand. Shake It, Morena! and other Folklore from Puerto Rico teaches children the country's culture and language while progressing through a full day of one young girl's usual experiences. Don't forget to search for the 27 hidden lizards painted by artist Lulu Delacre. 48 pp. $24.90 from Millbrook Press. To order, visit www.millbrookpress.com or call 800-223-2336.

Picking up the Pieces
The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard tells the fictional story of Wendy, a 13-year-old Brooklyn girl, who loses her mother on the morning of September 11, 2001. The book, written through Wendy's eyes, is an account of putting the pieces back together of her life, which now include a father who has been absent for years. He relocates Wendy to the west coast. In her new life, she struggles with the memories of her mother and the developing relationship with her father, but through it all Wendy gains a strong sense of survival and empathy in this unexpectedly hopeful story of healing and forgiveness. 320 pp. $24.95 from St. Martin's Press. To order, go to www.amazon.com.

The Blame Game
The Not Me Monster, the second book in the Willowbe Woods Campfire Stories series, teaches kids ages 2-8 to tell the truth and learn responsibility. Ila Wallen's rhyming prose and Robert Sauber's vivid illustrations tell how Bunny has been making a lot of mistakes in preparing for a birthday party, like ruining the sign and cake. She tells her friends that it was a big purple monster instead of owning up to the truth. Young readers can learn from Bunny that accepting responsibility for your mistakes is the right thing to do, and your friends will continue to care about you when you tell them. 32 pp. $16.95 from Bent Willow Publishing. To order, visit www.bentwillowpublishing.com or call 805-381-1033.

A History of Horses
In the first book of his new series, Transportation in America, Martin W. Sandler tells the history of horses. From American Indians and conquistadors to urban police forces, Americans have long used horses as a means to travel, transport goods, and above all, prosper. Galloping Across the USA: Horses in American Life illustrates various uses of and dependencies on horses throughout North American history. 64 pp. $21.95 from Oxford University Press. To order, visit www.oup-usa.org or call 800-451-7556.

Use Your Smarts
Using eight different categories to classify a child's aptitude, You're Smarter Than You Think: A Kid's Guide to Multiple Intelligences by Thomas Armstrong, breaks it down in layman's terms what it means to be smart and it's more than just a score on an IQ test. Based on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences and geared for ages 8-12, this book explains different categories children can excel in and how to nurture and develop their talents, whether they're in words, music, logic, picture, body, people, self, or nature smarts. 192 pp. $15.95 from Free Spirit Publishing. To order, go to www.freespirit.com, or call 866-703-7322.

Food Fun
It's important to develop good eating habits from an early age, and Julie Appleton, Nadine McCrea, and Carla Patterson help early childhood educators teach good nutrition with Do Carrots Make You See Better? A Guide to Food and Nutrition in Early Childhood Programs. The book contains easy individual recipes for kids to try like mini pizzas and celery boats. For parents and educators there are extensive notes and tips about instilling the values of good nutrition, cleanliness, and safety in the kitchen, as well as dental safety. 192 pp. $19.95 from Gryphon House. To order, visit www.ghbooks.com or call 800-638-0928.

On TV

A Ring of Endless Light
The Disney Channel, November 4, 3 a.m., ET, check local listings.
This 2002 adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's book tells the story of a teenager who discovers she has a gift for communicating with dolphins. Can be taped and used in the classroom for one year. Teaching materials are available at http://psc.disney.go.com/disneychannel/cableintheclassroom.

American Valor
PBS, November 11, 9 p.m., ET.
This documentary starts out quietly...just some American men saying where they were born, who their parents were. Then you notice the ribbon with the gold medal around each man's neck, recognizing service "above and beyond the call of duty." These men are Medal of Honor recipients. Their stories are mostly of rescuing a buddy or an officer, but most assert the medal doesn't belong to them, with one man saying, "I'm a guardian of this, temporarily...it represents everyone I served with." This broadcast reminds us that "freedom isn't free" because of the huge cost in human lives. PBS has a companion Web site at www.pbs.org/americanvalor.

Teddy Roosevelt: An American Lion
The History Channel, November 11-13, 6 a.m., ET.
Called the first modern President, Teddy Roosevelt transformed every landscape he encountered. From his days as a Dakota cowboy to his years as New York's Police Commissioner and then the White House and beyond, TR became known as the reformer who met most every challenge. The documentary employs dramatizations of his life and interviews with TR's grandchildren and several biographers. This series can be viewed online at www.historychannel.com/classroom/tr_webcast/main.html, along with a comprehensive teacher's guide.

Biography--Michelangelo: Artist and Man
A&E, November 24, 7 a.m., ET.
Learn about the life and works of the great Renaissance artist in this 60-minute episode. Can be taped and used in the classroom for two years. Teaching materials are available at www.aetv.com/class.

Howard Goodall's Big Bangs
Ovation, November 25, 1 p.m., ET.
As part of Goodall's series reviewing the history of music, the hour-long "The Invention of Recorded Sound" examines the invention of the phonautograph, paleophone, and phonograph. Can be taped and used in the classroom for one year with teaching materials available at www.ovationtv.com/artszone.

Listings are provided by KIDSNET, a national resource for children's media in Washington, D.C., www.kidsnet.org, and by Cable in the Classroom's Access Learning magazine at www.ciconline.org.

Diversity Calendar

November

November 1--All Saints Day
Roman Catholic and Protestant holiday that commemorates all the saints.

November 20--Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution
This celebration marks the anniversary of the beginning of the 1910 war that began on this day to overthrow dictator Porfirio D?az and start a social revolution. For more information, see www.mexonline.com/revolution.htm.

November 26--Id al-Fitr
This Muslim day of feasting celebrates the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset each day. For more, visit www.religioustolerance.org/isl_rama.htm.

November 27--Thanksgiving
Celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November when Americans commemorate the first feast with the settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and American Indians in the area. For more, see www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/.

December

December 1--World Aids Day
A day set aside to promote AIDS awareness and education. See www.worldaidsday.org/ for more information.

December 20-27--Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)
Eight-day Jewish celebration commemorating the dedication of the Temple of Maccabees. These days are marked by gift giving, songs, and dance. For more information, see www.factmonster.com/spot/hanukkah.html.

December 25--Christmas
This holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and typically includes attending religious services, gift giving, decorations, and songs. For more, see www.holidays.net/christmas/.

December 26-January 1--Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a seven-day African-American cultural and spiritual celebration that promotes family building, teaches history, and develops unity. For more, visit www.holidays.net/kwanzaa.

OWL.org

OWL.ORG--Your Online Education Community

Our Web Location for Education--that's the tagline that's displayed with the OWL.org logo, because building an online community of NEA members is exactly what OWL is about. OWL.org's focus is members helping members, and the Web site offers several opportunities for members to connect with each other.

OWL features updated and improved discussion forums where members can share ideas and questions with their colleagues. These members-only discussion forums cover a variety of education topics, such as the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, professional development, and education support professional issues.

In addition to the discussion forums, Works4Me--one of the most vibrant online communities of educators--can be found on OWL. Works4Me contains practical classroom and workplace tips submitted by educators from around the country.

NEA members can participate in Works4Me in three ways:

• By visiting the OWL.org home page. Weekly tips are found right below "Education News," and members can also browse through the Works4Me library of previous tips.

• Through the weekly Works4Me e-mail newsletter. NEA members can sign up for Works4Me by following the instructions found at the end of each Works4Me article, or registered users can visit the "Change Preferences" area and then click on "To subscribe to free OWL e-mail newsletters."

• By participating in the interactive Works4Me discussion forum found in OWL's discussion forum area.

Finally, members can participate in the OWL professional community by becoming contributing writers. NEA members have a vast amount of expertise and a lot of stories to tell. If you would like to submit an article or become a regular contributor to OWL, send an e-mail today to asktheowl@owl.org.

Take Note

Celebrate American Education Week

Get ready for American Education Week, November 16-22, when we recognize the educators and school staff who keep our children safe and healthy, as well as help them achieve. This year's theme is "Great Public Schools for Every Child--America's Promise."

Wednesday, November 19, will be a special day to honor the school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, teachers' aides, and other education support professionals who positively impact our schools.

New to this year's celebration is a special day to honor the work of substitute educators on Friday, November 21.

NEA offers several resources to help schools and communities celebrate American Education Week. The official artwork and poster bearing the theme can be downloaded at www.nea.org/aew/. The Guide to Celebrate National Education Support Professionals Day can be ordered by e-mailing ESPSupport@nea.org or calling 202-822-7131.

NEA's Professional Library recently released Standing in Your Shoes: A Checklist for Classroom and Substitute Teachers, which offers helpful techniques for substitute teachers and classroom teachers using substitutes. The checklist book can be ordered online at www.nea.org/books. Visitors can also download tools to help launch a successful American Education Week celebration in their own community at www.nea.org/aew/.

ESProfessionals

"Support professionals are often thwarted from turning their jobs into careers, or gaining promotion opportunities, because of a lack of professional development and advanced training," states the introduction of The ESProfessionals: An Action Guide to Help You in Your Professional Development. This new publication from NEA's ESP Quality Department helps ESP members around the country create and lead professional development opportunities in their schools and districts.

Readers will learn how to put their ideas into action, tap into local resources, and make staff training and development a part of their everyday lives. Divided into sections tailored for specific ESP job categories, the publication debunks popular myths about ESP careers, offers success stories of ESPs around the country who used grassroots actions to implement professional development opportunities for support professionals, and includes a list of career resources and action tools for getting started.

To get a copy of the action guide, contact your local UniServ director or the instructional and professional development or communications staff persons in your local affiliate.

Resources from Teaching Tolerance

Hatred and intolerance can be overcome only when citizen activists stand up and make a difference. Educators can order two free booklets to help fight intolerance in their community and school. 101 Tools for Tolerance provides simple ideas for promoting equity and celebrating diversity. The booklet offers steps specifically designed for individuals, schools, businesses, and communities. Responding to Hate at School contains strategies that can help teachers, administrators, and counselors react effectively to incidents of hate, bias, and prejudice. For more information, or to download or order these publications, visit www.tolerance.org/order_forms/index.html.

Immigration Resources

The American Immigration Law Foundation's (AILF) Immigration Curriculum Project teaches young children about the immigrant experience in America and helps them develop an appreciation for the unique contributions and fresh perspectives immigrants add to our society. AILF has begun to develop a Web-based clearinghouse of immigration-related teaching materials, identifying dozens of lesson plans and organizing them into a searchable database.

In addition to these education programs, AILF manages a nationwide creative writing competition for fifth graders on the subject "Why I'm Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants."

Educators interested in the Immigration Curriculum Project may order an informational brochure at the foundation's Web site at www.ailf.org. For more information on the writing competition or to view immigration-related teaching materials, visit the site or contact AILF at 918 F Street, N.W., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20004 or e-mail: info@ailf.org.

Integrated Spelling

Middle school teacher Nancy Beattie was tired of the low success rate of the spelling program she used in her classroom. So she created her own. After much research, Spelling: An Integrated Approach for Middle School became a reality. Beattie's workbook includes teacher-recommended words, frequently misspelled words, and commonly used words. Students practice writing antonyms, synonyms, compound sentences, possessives, and more. More than 25 skills are reviewed throughout the year. The program comes in three levels to accommodate students' varying needs. To order, call 248-689-5317 or visit www.bteducationalprograms.com. Workbooks are $2.85 each (less with orders for 100 or more).

On the Web

Science News for Kids
Scientists are finding ways to make a better French fry. Gecko feet inspire a new kind of adhesive. Astronomers have discovered the oldest planet in the universe. Find this and other science news at Science News for Kids, maintained by the nonprofit Science Service organization. The site also includes suggestions for hands-on activities, Web resources, math puzzles, and the chance for kids to submit their work for possible Web publication. Go to www.sciencenewsforkids.org/.

More CNN Headline News
CNN Student News, a commercial-free educational program for middle and high schools that airs on CNN Headline News, has revamped its site, www.CNNStudentNews.com. The new site includes curriculum resources and program transcripts that are updated daily, learning activities correlated to national standards, and daily classroom discussion questions. Also new is a section that archives a month of daily programs, making it easier for educators to find lessons on recent events.

Scholarships Online
FastWEB lets students search for scholarships online and has access to 600,000 scholarships. Once students fill out an extensive online form, the search engine provides regularly updated information on scholarships, grants, and fellowships suited to students' goals and qualifications, all for free. However, students should be advised that FastWEB collects and sells information (such as name, address, e-mail address, date of birth, gender, and country of citizenship) collected through their site. Go to www.fastweb.com/.

Monster Facts
FactMonster.com, a site for kids ages 9 to 14, has essential reference materials, fun facts and features, and individualized homework help. Highlights include an encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, quizzes, and crossword puzzles. Kids--along with their parents and teachers--have easy access to just the right facts on topics ranging from science to sports to people in the news. Go to www.factmonster.com.